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Gastroenteritis Symptoms and Treatment

Gastroenteritis: Symptoms and Treatment

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You may say you have the stomach flu if you have diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms often are due to a condition called gastroenteritis. With gastroenteritis, your stomach and intestines are irritated and inflamed. The cause is typically a viral or bacterial infection.

What is Gastroenteritis?

green colored bacteria inside the digestive track that is under the light

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. There can be many different causes of gastroenteritis:

  • Viruses
  • Bacteria
  • Parasites
  • Chemicals
  • Reactions to certain medicines and food

Viral gastroenteritis is the most common type. Many different viruses, including noroviruses and rotaviruses, can cause it. Some people call viral gastroenteritis the stomach flu. But this name needs to be medically correct. Flu viruses do not cause it. The flu is a respiratory infection that affects your nose, throat, and lungs. When gastroenteritis is caused by consuming foods or drinks contaminated with viruses, bacteria, parasites, or chemicals, this is called food poisoning.

The viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause gastroenteritis can also spread from person to person. You could be infected when you touch something with germs on it and then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gastroenteritis?

The symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain or cramping in your abdomen 
  • Sometimes fever

Gastroenteritis is usually not serious. But, it can sometimes cause lead to dehydration or cause severe symptoms. Certain people are at higher risk for these problems. They include:

  • Pregnant women
  • Older adults
  • People with weakened immune systems or other serious health conditions
  • Infants
  • Babies who were born prematurely or had other health conditions

What Is The Treatment For Gastroenteritis?

Drink plenty of water

There’s often no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses. Treatment first involves self-care measures, such as staying hydrated.

To help keep yourself more comfortable and prevent dehydration while you recover, try the following:

  • Let your stomach settle. Stop eating solid foods for a few hours.
  • Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water often. Consider drinking clear soda, clear broths, or non-caffeinated sports drinks. In some cases, you can try oral rehydration solutions. Drink plenty of liquid every day, taking small, frequent sips.
  • Ease back into eating. As you’re able, you can return to eating your normal diet. You might find that you can eat bland, easy-to-digest foods at first, such as soda crackers, soup, oats, noodles, bananas, and rice. Stop eating if your nausea returns.
  • Avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better. These include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.
  • Get plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration may have made you weak and tired.
  • Try anti-diarrhea medications. Some adults may find it helpful to take to manage their symptoms. However, avoid these if you have bloody diarrhea or fever, which could be signs of another condition.

Medication that can be used for the condition:

What Are Serious Cases Of Gastroenteritis?

Older adults or very young children are more vulnerable to the symptoms of gastroenteritis. They’re also at a higher risk of complications. If you have a loved one at a higher risk, keep a close eye on them so they can get medical care if needed.

Complications of these infections include high fevers, muscle pain, and inability to control bowel movements. Some bacterial infections can cause:

  • Kidney failure
  • Bleeding in your intestinal tract
  • Anemia

Quickly seeking treatment for bacterial gastroenteritis lessens your risk of complications. Gastroenteritis should last only a few days and does not normally require treatment. Medication for nausea or diarrhea can be useful for adults but may not be safe for children. Antibiotics are rarely helpful. The most important treatment for gastroenteritis is to drink fluids. Frequent sips are easier for young children than a large amount. Keep regularly drinking even if you are vomiting. You can also buy rehydration fluids from a pharmacy. These are the best fluids to use in gastro cases, especially for children.

Bowel Syndrome

Triggers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Triggers of Irritable bowel syndrome affect the large intestine. Cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation are the signs and symptoms of IBS. Only a small number of people with IBS have severe signs and symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing their diet, lifestyle, and stress. More severe symptoms can be treated with medication and counseling.

What Triggers Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

wheat

Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms can be triggered by:

  • Stress – most people with IBS have worse or more frequent signs and symptoms during periods of increased stress. While stress may aggravate symptoms, it doesn’t cause them.
  • Food – food allergy rarely causes IBS, but many people have worse symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages, including wheat, citrus fruits, dairy products, cabbage, beans, milk, and carbonated drinks.

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

  • Muscle contractions in the intestine – Contractions that are stronger and last longer than normal can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Weak intestinal contractions can slow food passage and lead to hard, dry stools.
  • Nervous system – Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system may cause you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. 
  • Severe infection – IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhea caused by bacteria or a virus. 
  • Changes in gut microbes – changes in bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which normally reside in the intestines and play a key role in health. 

How To Diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

During the first visit, your doctor will likely conduct a complete medical history, a physical examination, and tests to rule out other conditions. Your doctor will most likely use one of the following sets of diagnostic criteria for IBS once other possible causes have been ruled out:

  • Rome criteria: These criteria include abdominal pain and discomfort lasting on average at least one day a week in the last three months.
  • Type of IBS: For treatment, IBS can be divided into three types, based on your symptoms: constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant or mixed.
abdominal pain

Warning Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The following types of drugs are used to treat IBS:

Polio

Symptoms of Polio and How Does It Infect Others

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Polio is also called poliomyelitis which is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. This disease can take several different forms:

  • Paralytic polio – this type includes weakness that develops quickly and turns into paralysis. 
  • Cases with mild symptoms – people with this type of polio may have a mild illness with symptoms similar to those of the flu. But, the illness does not appear to affect the brain. People affected with this usually recover within a week. 
  • Inapparent polio – most cases have this type of polio. When people have this form, they don’t have symptoms but they can still pass the virus on to other people. 

How Does Polio Infect Someone?

Polio is transmitted by direct contact with infected feces. Viruses can also be transmitted by objects like toys that have been in contact with infected feces. The virus lives in the throat and intestines, so it can be spread by sneezing or coughing. This is a rare occurrence.

People living in areas with limited access to running water or flush toilets often contract polio from drinking water contaminated by infected human waste. In addition, people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, and young children are the most susceptible to polio. 

If you have not been vaccinated, you can increase your risk of contracting polio when you:

  • Have extreme stress or strenuous activity after exposure to the virus
  • Have your tonsils removed
  • Take care of or live with someone infected with polio
  • Travel to an area that has had a recent polio outbreak 
  • Handle a laboratory specimen of the virus 
Symptoms of polio

What Are The Symptoms Of Polio?

Polio causes a variety of symptoms. Depending on the severity of the case, the symptoms may include:

How to Diagnose Polio?

Polio is often diagnosed by its symptoms, such as neck and back stiffness, abnormal reflexes, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. Samples of your throat secretions, stool, and cerebral spinal fluid (a colorless liquid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord) are tested for poliovirus to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment and Medication for Polio 

Doctors can only treat polio symptoms while the infection runs its course. Since there’s no cure, the best way to treat polio is to prevent it with vaccinations. 

Treatment and Medication for Polio 

The most common supportive treatments include:

Medications usually used for polio:

Symptoms and Treatment for Sinusitis

Symptoms and Treatment for Sinusitis

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Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the sinuses. The sinuses are four pairs of cavities in the head. These cavities are connected by narrow channels. A thin mucus drains from the sinuses into the nasal channels. The mucus keeps the nasal passages clean and free of bacteria. The sinuses are normally filled with air but can become blocked and filled with fluid. As a result, bacteria can grow and cause an infection.

stuffy nose

What Are The Symptoms Of Sinusitis?

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

  • Tiredness
  • Fever
  • Postnasal drip 
  • Halitosis 
  • Cough
  • Nasal discharge or stuffy nose
  • Facial pressure, headache, and or pain in your teeth or ears

What Causes Sinusitis?

The sinuses can become inflamed and blocked by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. A few specific causes include:

  • The common cold
  • Polyps
  • Nasal and seasonal allergies
  • A weak immune system from illness or medications
  • A deviated septum. The septum is the line of cartilage that divides your nose. A deviated septum means that it isn’t straight, so it is closer to the nasal passage on one side of your nose, causing a blockage.

Other causes may include:

  • For infants and young children, spending time in daycares, using pacifiers, or drinking bottles while lying down could increase the chances of getting sinusitis. 
  • For adults, smoking increases the risks for sinus infections. You should stop if you smoke. Smoking is harmful to you and the people around you.

How to Diagnose Sinusitis?

You may be asked about your symptoms by your doctor. A physical exam will involve feeling for tender spots on your nose and face and examining your nose. Methods for diagnosing chronic sinusitis include:

  • Imaging tests – this can show details of your sinuses and nasal area. These might pinpoint a deep inflammation or physical blockage that’s difficult to detect using an endoscope.
  • Looking into your sinuses – a thin, flexible tube with a fiber-optic light inserted through your nose allows your doctor to see the inside of your sinuses. This can help your doctor see a deviated nasal septum, polyps, or tumors.
  • An allergy test – a skin test is safe and quick and can help detect what allergen is responsible for your nasal flare-ups.

Treatment and Medication for Sinusitis

Treatment and Medication for Sinusitis

Sinusitis is treated in several ways, each depending on how severe the case of your condition is. 

 A simple sinusitis infection is treated with:

If symptoms of sinusitis don’t improve after 10 days, your doctor may prescribe:

  • Antibiotics
  • Oral or topical decongestants
  • Intranasal steroid sprays 

Long-term sinusitis may be treated by focusing on the underlying condition. This is usually treated with:

  • Intranasal steroid sprays
  • Topical antihistamine sprays or oral pills
  • Leukotriene antagonists 

Medications can be used for sinusitis:

Bladder Infection

Bladder Infection

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What is Bladder Infection?

Bladder infections have a way of catching your attention. No matter how many times you go to the bathroom, you feel like you have to go again. You feel burning or stinging every time you pee once you’re in there, instead of going about your business mindlessly.

Infections of the bladder can lead to cystitis, which is when your bladder swells and becomes inflamed. That’s what causes the symptoms. A bladder infection is one of the most common types of urinary tract infections.

Women get bladder infections much more than men do. Usually, the infections are more annoying than they are serious. They can travel up the ureters to the kidneys and cause more severe complications, so it’s important to treat them right away.     

What causes Bladder Infection?

Bladder infections often occur when bacteria get into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and then move into the bladder. Bacteria in the bladder can stick to the lining and cause it to become inflamed, a condition called cystitis. Bacteria can also travel from the bladder into the kidneys, causing kidney infection. When the bacteria stick to the bladder lining, the bladder becomes inflamed, a condition known as cystitis. Bacteria can also move from the bladder into the kidneys, resulting in kidney infection.

back pain

What are the symptoms of Bladder Infection?

The symptoms of bladder infection vary depending on the severity. You’ll immediately notice changes during urination. Some of the most common symptoms may include:

  • Cramping or pressure in your lower abdomen or lower back
  • A frequent sensation of having to urinate
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Urinating more often than usual
  • Cloudy or bloody urine
  • Pain or burning when urinating

What Are The Factors That Increases The Risk Of Bladder Infection?

  • Changes in the urinary system
  • Frequent sexual intercourse
  • Frequent sexual intercourse
  • Frequent sexual intercourse
  • Having a bladder or kidney infection within the past 12 months
  • Having diabetes
  • Having sexual intercourse with a new partner

How to Diagnose Bladder Infection?

Your doctor can do some simple tests to find out if you have one, and they are usually easy to treat. If you get bladder infections often, your doctor may want to do more advanced tests to find the cause.

  • Physical exam
  • Urine analysis

To find the cause of a bladder infection, your doctor can use:

  • Retrograde urethrography
  • Voiding cystourethrography
  • Intravenous urogram (IVU)
  • Imaging
  • Cystoscopy
Taking HIV Medicine during Pregnancy 

Treatment and Medication for Bladder Infection

Mild bladder infections usually resolve on their own within a few days. Antibiotics are usually taken if they don’t. You will usually feel better in a day or two, but be sure to take all the medicine as directed.

Women with basic infections usually take antibiotics for 3 to 7 days, though some doctors may prescribe a single-dose antibiotic. If you are prone to infections, or if you get them frequently, you may need antibiotics for seven to ten days. Additionally, if you have another health condition, such as diabetes, you may be prescribed a stronger antibiotic to take for a longer period.

Antibiotic medications you can take:

Amebiasis

Causes of Amebiasis

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Amebiasis is an infection of the intestines that is caused by the microscopic parasite E. histolytica. E. histolytica is a single-celled protozoan that usually enters the human body when a person ingests cysts through food or water. It can also enter the body through direct contact with fecal matter.

The cysts are a comparatively inactive form of the parasite that lives for several months in an environment where they were deposited in feces. The microscopic cysts are present in fertilizer, soil, or water that’s been contaminated with infected feces. Food handlers may spread the cysts while handling or preparing food. Transmission is also possible during oral-anal sex, anal sex, and colonic irrigation. 

An amoeba is a name given to any single-celled microscopic animal with a jelly-like consistency and a constantly changing shape. Amoebae are found in soil, water, and other damp environments. They move and feed using flowing extensions of their body. Amoebae are types of protozoa. Protozoa is a more general name for microscopic, single-celled organisms. Some protozoa, including E. histolytica, are important parasites of humans.

What are the symptoms of Amebiasis?

Amebiasis 
Risk Factors of Amebiasis 

Risk Factors of Amebiasis 

People with the greatest risk for amebiasis include:

  • Who has traveled to tropical locations where there’s underdeveloped sanitation
  • Who live in institutions with underdeveloped sanitary conditions, such as prisons
  • Who has sex with other men
  • With suppressed immune systems and other health conditions
  • Immigrants from tropical countries with underdeveloped sanitary conditions

Diagnosis for Amebiasis 

Your physician will ask you to submit stool samples. You may be asked to submit several stool samples from several different days because E. histolytica is not always found in every stool sample.

Diagnosis of Amebiasis can be very difficult. One problem is that other parasites and cells can look very similar to E. histolytica when seen under a microscope. Sometimes people are told that they are infected with E. histolytica even though they are not. 

Treatment

Treatment for Amebiasis 

The treatment generally consists of the following:

  • If you do not have symptoms, you may be treated with antibiotics.
  • Your doctor may prescribe medication to control nausea if you need it.
  • If the parasite is present in your intestinal tissues, the treatment must address the organism as well as any damage to your infected organs.
  • Surgery may be needed if the colon or peritoneal tissues have perforations.

Medication for Amebiasis

  • If you have symptoms, you’ll follow a 10-day course of the antiamoebic drug Metronidazole (Flagyl) that you’ll take as a capsule, followed by an antibiotic such as Diloxanide Furoate or Paromomycin.
  • Diloxanide Furoate is commonly used for this condition. Treatment is recommended because you can still pass on the infection to others even if you have no symptoms. The amoebae will still pass out in your stools. Also, you may still develop symptoms at a later stage. The treatment of symptomatic Amebiasis then depends on your symptoms. 
Conjunctivitis Last

How Long Does Conjunctivitis Last

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Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. They are more visible especially when a small blood vessel in the conjunctiva becomes inflamed. This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink. Even though the Conjunctivitis can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of Conjunctivitis because it can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread.  

Most cases of conjunctivitis are mild. The infection will usually clear up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and any long-term consequences. However, in some cases, conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up. 

Causes of Conjunctivitis

  • A chemical splash in the eye
  • Allergies
  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • A foreign object in the eye
  • In newborns, a blocked tear duct 

Risk Factors of Conjunctivitis

  • Using contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses
  • Exposure to someone infected with the viral or bacterial form of conjunctivitis
  • Exposure to something for which you have an allergy 

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The most common symptoms of Conjunctivitis may include:

  • Tearing
  • Redness in one or both eyes
  • A gritty feeling in one or both eyes
  • Itchiness in one or both eyes
  • A discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning

Individuals with contact lenses should stop wearing their contacts as soon as Conjunctivitis symptoms begin. If your symptoms don’t start to get better within 12-24 hours, make an appointment with your eye doctor to make sure you don’t have a more serious eye infection related to the use of a contact lens.

Diagnosis of Conjunctivitis

Usually, your doctor can diagnose Conjunctivitis by asking questions about your symptoms and recent health history. Oftentimes, your doctor may take a sample of the liquid that drains from your eye for laboratory analysis. It may be needed if your symptoms are severe or if your doctor suspects a high-risk cause, such as a serious bacterial infection, a foreign body in your eye, or a sexually transmitted infection. 

Treatment and Medication for Conjunctivitis

Treatment for Conjunctivitis is usually focused on symptom relief. Your doctor may recommend using artificial tears, cleaning your eyelids with a wet cloth, and applying cold or warm compresses several times a day. Mild cases of Conjunctivitis usually don’t need any treatment and clear on their own within a few days to about 14 days. 

Conjunctivitis caused by a virus doesn’t require treatment unless it’s caused by herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, or sexually transmitted diseases. In these cases, an antiviral medication may be prescribed. Antibiotics for Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria reduce the length of your symptoms and the amount of time you are contagious. 

Hormonal Acne

How To Treat Hormonal Acne

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Hormonal acne affects adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Acne causes bumps on your back, chest, shoulders, and face in the following forms:

Hormonal acne is the main cause of excess sebum in oil glands. It affects both men and women, but the majority of cases occur in women, pregnant women, and women going through menopause.

Causes

Hormonal acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin makes. This oil interacts with bacteria on the pores of your skin where hair grows and results in acne.

Causes of hormonal acne that you can control:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Stress
  • Using hair and skincare products that are not oil-free or free of ingredients that won’t clog pores

Causes of hormonal acne that you can’t do anything about:

  • Family history of acne
  • A side effect of a medication
  • Changing hormone levels in women
  • Men undergoing testosterone treatment
  • Pre-existing medical conditions

Risk Factors

  • Age – people of all ages can get acne.
  • Family history – genetics plays a role in this condition. If both of your parents had acne, you are likely to develop it too.
  • Hormonal changes – during pregnancy or certain triggers, genetics plays a role in acne.
  • Friction or pressure on your skin – this could be caused by items such as helmets, backpacks, tight collars, or mobile phones.
  • Greasy or oily substances – you are likely to develop acne when your skin comes into contact with oil or oily creams and lotions.

Symptoms

Acne causes lesions that can become inflamed and sore. Lesions are most likely to appear on your cheeks, but may also appear in the following places such as:

  • Chest
  • Shoulders
  • Back
  • Neck
  • Face

Hormonal acne can appear in the following types of lesions:

  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Papules
  • Cysts
  • Pustules

Treatment

Treatment for acne focuses on reducing oil production, swelling, and treating bacterial infections. Most prescription acne medications take four to eight weeks to take effect. You may have to wait a long time for your acne to clear up completely.

Based on your age, your acne’s type and severity, and how much time you are willing to commit, your doctor will recommend a treatment regimen. It may be necessary for you to wash and apply medications twice a day for a few weeks. You may need to take both topically applied medications and drugs taken orally. There are limited treatment options available to pregnant women due to the risk of side effects.

Medicine

Topical Medications

  • Antibiotics – Clindamycin with Benzoyl Peroxide (Benzaclin, Duac)
  • Retinoid and retinoid-like drugs – Tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A), Adapalene (Differin), and Tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage)
  • Dapsone
  • Azelaic acid and salicylic acid

Oral Medications

  • Isotretinoin – Isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis)
  • Anti-androgen agents – Spironolactone (Aldactone)
  • Antibiotics – Tetracycline (Minocycline, Doxycycline) or a Macrolide (Erythromycin, Azithromycin)
Polio Causes, Treatment, and Medications

Polio: Causes, Treatment, and Medications

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Polio is an infection also known as poliomyelitis. This is a highly infectious viral infection that largely affects children under 5 years of age. Polio can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, or even death.

The last case of naturally occurring polio was in the U.S in 1979. At present, even with a global effort to wipe out polio, it continues to affect children and adults in parts of Asia and Africa. Adults who have been vaccinated planning to travel to a place where polio is happening must have a booster dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV).

What Causes Polio?

Polio is caused by a virus called poliovirus. The virus enters the body through the nose or mouth, getting into the respiratory and digestive systems. It reproduces in the intestines and throat. From there, it can enter the bloodstream which can also attack the nervous system. It is the nerve network that helps the brain communicate with the rest of the body. 

Signs and Symptoms of Polio

Even though polio can cause paralysis or death, the majority of people who are infected don’t get sick and are not aware that they have been infected.

Non-paralytic polio

Some people who develop symptoms contract a type of polio that does not lead to paralysis. This usually causes flu-like symptoms which can last up to 10 days:

  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Neck pain
  • Back pain
  • Stiffness in the legs or arms
  • Muscle weakness

Paralytic syndrome

This form of the disease is rare. The first signs and symptoms are headache and fever often imitate those of non-paralytic polio. Within a week, you may develop:

  • Severe muscle weakness or aches
  • Loss of reflexes
  • Floppy or lose limbs

Post-polio syndrome

This affects several people years after having polio and also a cluster of restricting symptoms. Common signs and symptoms are:

  • Fatigue
  • Progressive joint or muscle pain
  • Breathing problems
  • Swallowing problems
  • Muscle wasting
  • Decreased tolerance of cold temperature
  • Sleep-related breathing problems

Risk Factors of Having Polio

The following are the listed factors of getting the disease:

Areas affected by the condition:

  • India
  • Nigeria
  • Egypt
  • Pakistan
  • Afghanistan

People who are at risk:

People living in areas with limited access to running water often contract polio from drinking water contaminated by infected human waste. People with a weakened immune system and pregnant women as well as young children are the most susceptible to the poliovirus.

A higher risk of contracting polio if you have not been vaccinated and you also:

  • Have extreme stress activity after exposure to the virus
  • Have tonsils removed
  • Take care of or live with someone infected with polio
  • Travel to an area that has a recent polio outbreak
  • Handle a laboratory specimen of the virus

Safety Precautions

Vaccines are the main way to prevent polio. However, other methods of limiting the spread of this infection:

  • Checking with a medical professional that your vaccinations are current.
  • Avoiding food or beverages that may have been contaminated by a person with poliovirus.
  • Being sure to receive any necessary booster dosages of the vaccine.
  • Washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer when soap is not available.
  • Making sure you only touch the nose, mouth, or eyes with clean hands.
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick including kissing, hugging, and sharing utensils.
  • Covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing.

Treating Polio

Doctors can only treat the symptoms while the infection runs its course. But since there’s no cure, the best way to treat polio is to prevent it with vaccinations. The most common supportive treatments include:

  • Physical therapy or corrective braces to help with walking
  • Warm towels or heating pads to ease muscle spasms or aches
  • Bed rest
  • Portable ventilators to help with breathing
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation to increase lung endurance
  • Physical therapy to address breathing and pulmonary problems
  • Physical therapy to treat pain in the affected muscles

In advanced cases of leg weakness, you may need a wheelchair or other mobility device. 

Medications for Polio

Pneumocystis Pneumonia

PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA

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Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an infection in your lungs. It causes an inflammation of the air sacs of your lung. It results to difficulty in breathing. The infection is cause by a fungus “Pneumocystis jirovecii”.

This condition can affect anyone. But mostly, it affects children under 2 year’s old and older adult. It is difficult to treat and prevent. An early detection with treatment can lessen the case to become severe.

PCP can be fatal. It can lead to serious problem, if left untreated. A weak immune system can trigger the disease to develop. But there’s a medication available in treating this kind of disease.

SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA

The symptoms of PCP include:

  • Coughing with Phlegm
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Chest Pain when breathing
  • Trouble Breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Lips and Fingernails are blue

SOURCE OF INFECTION

The listed below are some possible sources of the infection.

  • Bacteria
  • Mycoplasma
  • Viruses
  • Other infectious agents (Fungi)
  • Inhaling the air by sneezing, coughing without covering the mouth
  • Inhaling various chemical agents
  • Hospital and healthcare facilities

RISK AND PREVENTION

WHO GETS PCP?

The following are the people at risk of developing the condition.

  • Older Adult
  • Children under 2 years and above
  • A person with Weak Immune System
  • A person with HIV/AIDS
  • A stroke person
  • Having a stem cell transplant
  • Having a Blood cancer
  • Smoker
  • Using a ventilator
  • Having a Chronic lung disease
  • Living in a nursing facility
  • Having a recent surgery
  • Other illnesses (heart disease, diabetes)
  • Have had a solid organ transplant
  • Having an impaired consciousness

PREVENTING PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA

HOW CAN I PREVENT PCP?

Aside from taking a vaccine. There’s a lot more you can do to prevent PCP such as:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Use hand sanitizer if possible.
  • Quit Smoking.
  • Avoid long-term exposure to a person who is ill.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Drink lots of water and fluids.
  • Use a humidifier.
  • Take supplements such as Vit. C and Zinc.
  • Maintain exercise every day.
  • Have a Vaccine Prevnar 13
  • Have a Vaccine Pneumovax 23
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

DIAGNOSING PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA

In diagnosing PCP, your doctor will conduct an exam first. He will ask you about your symptoms, and medical history. Then he might perform a physical test. Using a stethoscope and a Chest X-ray. The doctor can confirm your diagnosis with this test.

In severe cases, your doctor might suggest you undergo the following test:

  • Blood Test
  • Sputum Test
  • Urine Test
  • CT Scan
  • Bronchoscopy

The above-said test can help the doctor in diagnosing your condition.

TREATING PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA

The treatment for PCP includes:

  1. Antibiotics
  • Co-trimoxazole
  • Bactrim
  • Metronidazole
  • Flagyl
  • Septra
  • Erythromycin
  1. Cough Medicine
  2. Fever Reducers/Pain Relievers

This condition must treat with a prescribed medication. If this disease left untreated it can cause death.

Cholera - Rx 2 Go Pharmacy

Cholera: Signs, Symptoms, Risks, Prevention and Treatment

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Cholera is an acute condition of diarrheal illness. The infection is cause by a bacterium “Vibrio cholerae”. This condition is normally mild and doesn’t have symptoms. In some cases, it can be severe.

In severe cases, different signs are arising. A severe watery diarrhea is one of its symptoms. It can lead to dehydration. If this condition left untreated, this can result in death.

The disease is common in some parts of Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. In which they have poor sanitation. Several treatments are applied in treating this disease.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHOLERA

The symptoms of cholera are watery diarrhea. It contains mucus with a foul smell. The listed below are signs and symptoms that a person might also develop:

  • Vomiting
  • Fishy odor to stool
  • Rice-water stool
  • Thirst
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness/Irritability
  • Dry Mucous Membranes

In severe cases, you may develop symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Severe vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Dehydration
  • Rectal Pain
  • Weight Loss
  • Low Urine Output
  • Seizures
  • Shock
  • Death

People who tend to have this condition are advised to have a hydration. To prevent developing severe cholera. That can lead to death, if not treated.

CHOLERA SOURCE OF INFECTION

The cause of the infection is a bacterium “Vibrio cholerae”. These are found in food and water. The common sources of infection include:

  • Ice made from municipal water
  • Food and Drinks sold by Street Vendors
  • Municipal Water Supplies
  • Undercooked meat, fish, and seafood caught in water polluted by sewage

If a person eats contaminated food, the bacteria release a toxin. It can produce severe diarrhea.

CHOLERA RISK FACTORS

The following are risk factors for cholera including:

  • Poor Sanitary Conditions
  • Household Exposure
  • Type “O” Blood
  • Nonexistent Stomach Acid
  • Raw or Undercooked Shellfish
  • Living/Visiting in an Endemic Area
  • Malnutrition
  • Weak Immune System

HOW TO PREVENT CHOLERA?

If you’re visiting an endemic area, know the tips to avoid cholera. These are the following:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water often.
  • Be wary of dairy foods.
  • Avoid eating sushi.
  • Don’t buy food sold by street vendors.
  • Choose to drink bottled water, canned juices, and soft drinks.
  • Eat fruits and Vegetables that you peel yourself.
  • Wash the dishes and utensils that you use to eat or prepare food.

DIAGNOSING CHOLERA

The doctor will diagnose you by identifying your stool sample. One of the easiest tests to confirm the diagnosis is “rapid cholera dipstick test”.

An early diagnosis helps in decreasing the death rates of cholera. And with the treatment helps cholera outbreaks in control.

TREATING CHOLERA

The treatment for cholera includes:

  • Rehydration Therapy
  • Intravenous Fluids
  • Antibiotics
  • Zinc Supplements

The above-said treatment adds liquid in the body to help rehydration. It also reduces the days of having diarrhea.

ANISAKIASIS-PARASITE

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Anisakiasis is an intestinal parasitic infection caused by nematodes (worms). This worm infects the human digestive tract by eating raw fish and squids that contains worms. The larvae of nematode are found in areas where people often eat raw foods. Humans become infected with larvae when they eat undercooked fish and squid the fed on the larvae. The raw foods with nematodes enter the human body. Once inside, it attacks the gastrointestinal tract of a human.

This infection can’t be transmitted to another person. The larvae can infect certain marine mammals such as whales and sea lions which defecate into the sea. The eggs are then released and it becomes an infected larva.

SYMPTOMS OF ANISAKIASIS INFECTION

Some may experience a tingling sensation while eating uncooked food. It is the worm that moves in your mouth. They can remove this worm by coughing it up. Some people might experience different symptoms. A person might experience the following symptoms from eating an uncooked food:

  • Having an abdominal pain
  • Having a nausea
  • Vomiting
  • An abdominal distension
  • Diarrhea
  • Having blood and mucus in stool
  • Having a mild fever

TREATMENT

The treatment for this disease is not necessary. The worm inside the human body typically dies in 3 weeks because human is not suitable for their life cycle. Treatment for this infection is:

  • Removal of worms inside the body
  • Having a surgery to remove the worm in the lining of the stomach
  • Steroids (sometimes not necessary)
  • Antibiotics
  • Isotonic glucose solution

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing this kind of condition includes:

  • Conducting a physical test and symptom assessments.
  • Evaluation of medical history (raw fish consumption).
  • Performing a morphological test.
  • Having a blood test.
  • Conducting an Anisakiasis skin prick test.
  • Performing a clinical test to know if the worm has occurred in the lining of the intestine such as:
  1. Upper endoscopy
  2. Radiography
  3. Surgery

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

The disease can be prevented by following the safety measures below:

  • Refrain from eating raw foods such as fish and squids.
  • Getting enough amounts of cooking or freezing fish before consumption.
  • Coughing up the worms, to let it out of your mouth after consuming raw foods.
  • Examining fish on a light table.

Acanthamoeba Infection

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Acanthamoeba is an infection in the eye, skin and central nervous system. It occurs in water and soil. It can spread to the eye through the use of contact lenses. It can transmit by having cuts and skin wounds. This infection causes a serious health issues to a human being.

3 Diseases caused by Acanthamoeba

  1. Acanthamoeba Keratitis – It was first recognized in 1973. It is a disease of the eye where the amoebae enter the cornea. It occurs in contact lens users which may result in blindness.
  2. Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) –It takes place in the human brain and in the spinal cord. It occurs in a person with a weak immune system.
  3. Disseminated Infection – This occurs in unhealthy person. It appears in the skin, sinus, lungs and other human organs.

ILLNESS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms experienced by the person include:

  • Pain and redness of the eye
  • Experiencing eye pain when exposed to sunlight
  • Continuous eye tearing
  • Having a feeling of something in the eye

Disseminated Infection and GAE are the same. It has a potential to spread in the brain. The symptom of GAE includes:

  • Changes of mental status
  • Loss of coordination
  • Having fever
  • Muscle weakness or partial paralysis of one side of the body
  • Experiencing eye pain
  • Double vision
  • Other neurologic problem

SOURCES OF INFECTION

The following are some practice that can lead a person at risk:

  • Improper storing and handling of the lenses
  • Improper cleaning/disinfecting of the lenses
  • Wearing lenses while swimming, using a hot tub and having a shower
  • Handling the lens with contaminated water
  • History of having a trauma to the cornea

The GAE and disseminated infection affect a person with a weak immune system. In some cases, it can affect a healthy person. The conditions that may increase the chances of GAE are:

  • A person having AIDS
  • Having an organ transplant
  • An abusive way of using antibiotics
  • A person with Diabetes Mellitus
  • Cancer
  • Abnormal or overproduced of white blood cells
  • Blood clotting doesn’t function properly
  • A person with Liver cirrhosis
  • Lupus

DIAGNOSIS AND DETECTION

Diagnosing is an effective way of treating the infection. This can be performed by an eye specialist. The GAE and Disseminated Infection are difficult to diagnose. Using tools such as brain scan and biopsies are a useful way to diagnose.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Practicing the following can lower the chances of having the disease:

  1. Visiting your eye care provider for a regular eye examination.
  2. Wearing and removing the lens according to the schedule provided.
  3. Removing the lens when having contact with water.
  4. Proper washing of hands with soap. Keep it dry before handling the lenses.
  5. Proper cleaning of the lens. According to the given instruction.
  6. Storing the contact lens in the proper storage case.

TREATMENTS

Medication is a useful way of treating this condition. If you notice the sign of infection, visit your doctor to have you diagnose. The GAE infection is difficult to treat but when it’s not spread in the nervous system it can be cured.

Acne

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Acne vulgaris or commonly known as acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. It often causes pimples and spots on the face, neck, head and chest. It’s most common among teenagers when their sebaceous glands are very active though it affects people of all ages. In the US alone, at least 85% of the people experience acne between the ages of 12 to 24.

Effective treatments are available over the counter but the more severe forms should be treated by a dermatologist.

Types of acne

Acne pimples may vary in level of pain, color and size. The following types are possible:

  • Blackheads: They are black and visible on the skin surface.
  • Whiteheads: They remain under the skin.
  • Pustules: They are red at the base with pus at the top.
  • Papules: Usually small, pink bumps that is visible on the surface of the skin.
  • Nobules: They are solid, large and painful pimples under the skin.
  • Cysts: They are painful and are filled with pus. They can cause scars.

What are the causes of acne?

There are four main factors causing acne. These are:

  1. Bacteria- Propionibacterium acnes that live on the skin can contribute to the infections.
  2. Excess oil production- Increased production of sebum can plug the skin pores. The plugged hair follicle slowly become big and produces bumps. Eventually, the wall breaks allowing bacteria and other harmful substances into the skin.
  3. Clogged hair follicles– The clogged hair follicles allow oil build-up under the skin.
  4. Excess activity of androgen hormone– Excess androgen hormone can cause the oil gland under the skin to grow.

Other factors that may cause and worsen acne are:

  • Greasy cosmetics
  • Menstruation
  • Dirt
  • Foods
  • Hormonal change
  • Stress
  • Genetic reasons
  • Certain medications
  • Occupations
  • Diet

What are the signs and symptoms of acne?

The signs and symptoms of acne depend upon the severity of the conditions:

  • Blackheads
  • Whiteheads
  • Pimples
  • Painful lumps under the skin
  • Lumps that are filled with pus under the skin.

The adverse effect of the problem

Acne problem can have both psychological and physical effects. People with recurrent acne can experience the following:

  1. Low self-esteem
  2. Image problems at school and work
  3. Attitude problems
  4. Problems having friends
  5. Depression

How can I prevent acne?

Here are some prevention tips for acne-prone skin.

  • Do not scrub your face when washing.
  • Do not pop the pimples.
  • Refrain from touching your face.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before applying gels and creams.
  • Avoid using oil-based products.
  • Avoid stress and anxiety.
  • Keep your skin cool and dry.
  • Avoid irritants such as acne concealers and greasy cosmetics.
  • Protect your skin from too much exposure from the sun.
  • Avoid pressure on your skin.

What treatments are available for acne?

Acne treatment depends on the severity and how often acne occurs.

  1. Mild acne

OTC medicines, gels, soap and cream can treat mild acne. OTC medicines may contain active ingredients like:

  • Salicylic acid- assist the breakdown of whiteheads and blackheads
  • Azelaic acid- to strengthen the cell that lines the follicles; stop the production of sebum; reduces bacterial growth
  1. Moderate to severe acne

Your doctor may prescribe the following:

  • Antibiotics– It works by killing the bacteria and fights the inflammation. It is best used with topical benzoyl peroxide.
  • Injections- A specialist may inject diluted corticosteroid to treat inflamed cyst.
  • Oral contraceptive- It is a long-term treatment for acne.
  • Topical medicines like Retinoid- It come in the form of gels, creams and lotions.
  • Therapies like chemical peel, laser and whiteheads and blackhead extractions.

Common acne medicines