Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP), has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the Senate President Bukola Saraki from paying former Plateau State governor, Senator Joshua Dariye N14.2 million monthly allowances while he serves out a 10-year prison sentence for corruption. Because such payment violates Nigerian law and international obligations. The made this known through there twitter handling.
Mr Dariye is still receiving the N750,000 salary and N13.5 million monthly allowances from the Nigeran Senate six months after his conviction in June. An FCT high court convicted Dariye for diverting N1.162 billion state ecological funds while he was governor. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10 years by a court of appeal in Abuja. Dariye is said to have been paid N85.5 million as allowances since his conviction.
The accused Bukola Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission for trying to override Nigerian law and the judgment of our court by continuing to pay Mr Dariye’s allowances while he serves out a 10-year prison term and unable to sit and perform the functions of a senator. This action undermines the rule of law and is a great moral failure because it sends a message that corruption pays - it’s the opposite of Nigerian Constitutional principles and international obligations.
Bukola Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission should be immediately restrained from unlawfully paying salaries and allowances to Mr Dariye who is serving jail term. Restraining them would send a clear message to Nigerian elected officials that corruption does not pay and contribute to promoting accountability and fostering public trust and confidence in Nigeria’s democracy, the rule of law and the governance system.
Bukola Saraki and the National Assembly Service Commission shouldn't be allowed to continue to make a mockery of the rule of law, our process of administration of justice & judicial system by behaving as if National Assembly isn't bound by the court judgment.
SERAP is also seeking an order compelling Mr Dariye to return all salaries and allowances paid to him as a senator while in prison, having not performed the functions and office of a sitting and serving senator and having not deservedly earned such.
SERAP is also seeking a declaration that the seat of Mr Dariye in the Senate is automatically deemed vacant, having being convicted and sentenced to a prison term and currently serving jail term in Kuje prison Abuja. And having been absent at the sessions of the Senate for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days allowed, and that he is therefore, not entitled to any allowances reserved for a sitting and serving senator.
When a baby has a tongue-tie, the piece of tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of d mouth is short, tight, or thick. It may be attached close to d tip of d tongue preventing d tongue from moving freely and from sticking out past the baby's gums.
Every newborn examination should include checking for the presence of tongue or lip tie. The tongue may even look heart shaped when the baby cries or tries to push it out.
A baby with a tongue-tie may be able to breastfeed without any problems, or he may not be able to breastfeed well at all. It really depends on the baby and the severity of the tongue-tie.
A baby with a tongue-tie may not be able:
🔵To open his mouth wide enough to latch on to the breast and seal the latch well.
🔵To make use if its tongue for the necessary movements to squeeze the milk ducts under the nipple as he's breastfeeding.
🔵To suck which can prevent the baby from effectively removing the breast milk from the breast.
How a Tongue-Tie Can Impact Babies:
A tongue-tie can have varied effects on babies. These are just a few:
✔Irritability and crying: If your child is always hungry and frustrated, he may be irritable and cry a lot.
✔He may also have trouble sleeping.
✔Breast refusal: Some babies will refuse the breast if it's frustrating to nurse and they aren't getting enough breast milk.
✔Poor weight gain: If your child cannot latch on and breastfeed well, he will not get enough breast milk to grow and gain weight at a consistent rate.
❌Other issues: As the baby grows a short frenulum can cause problems with eating, swallowing, and speech.
Tongue-Tie and Mothers
A tongue-tie can also have some negative effects on mothers.
1) Sore nipples: If your newborn is only latching onto your nipple or he's chewing or gumming your nipple as he's trying to nurse, it can lead to sore, cracked, damaged nipples.
2) Painful breast problems: When the baby isn't able to breastfeed well, he can't drain the breasts of the breast milk. The build-up of breast milk in the breasts can lead to breast engorgement, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis.
3) A low breast milk supply: A poor latch and the ineffective removal of breast milk can quickly decrease the breast milk supply.
4) Emotional stress: Breastfeeding difficulties can lead to frustration and a lack of breastfeeding confidence. If the baby isn't getting enough milk , it can also be scary or cause sadness and feelings of guilt.
5) Early weaning: Painful breastfeeding, a low breast milk supply, and dealing with a frustrated, hungry baby who is gaining weight too slowly can all lead to early weaning.
Usually a minor surgery or procedure for babies with a tongue-tie can be done. It's a simple snip of the frenulum under your child's tongue.
The doctor can use local anesthesia, but most newborns can handle it without any anesthesia. It does not bleed much, and stitches are usually not needed.
In our community today many people run away from someone suffering from epilepsy especially when he/she is having the seizure.
Many people believe by touching the victim the condition will transmit to them which is a very big lie . I can see some Yoruba movies too help in this myth which make people to believes is true. But let's us look at some points on epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a mental disorder caused by abnormal functioning of the brain and cannot be contracted by simply going close or touching an affected victim.
Epilepsy can have a visible and invisible cause.
Visible causes are causes you can see, for instance, when a child suffers from infection that affects the brain like meningitis, tetanus and septicaemia among others or when a child falls on the head and have injury in the brain. Also, those who have problem of incompatibility and have jaundice in early childhood may end up having epilepsy.
Invisible causes include causes that have to do with genetics. When the baby’s brain is being formed, it is possible to have abnormal genetic constitution that may predisposed the person to epilepsy or abnormal wiring of the brain.
Epilepsy is a common disorder of the brain that we see every day but people have a lot of misconception about it, which tends to mitigate the kind of care people who suffer the ailment are suppose to get.
When an epileptic patient has an attack, people run away simply because they feel, it is contagious, noting that epilepsy is not a sickness that can be contracted by touching the victim’s saliva or urine.
Epileptic illnesses once its identified some patient may need to take medicine for a life time but that does not make the illness incurable.
I urged the general public to always rally round epileptic patients during their epileptic fit in order to offer a helping hand.
If you are with someone who is having a Epilepsy, move them away from anything that could cause injury such as a busy road or hot cooker. Cushion their head if they're on the ground. loosen any tight clothing around their neck such as a collar or tie, to aid breathing. Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
Do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert.
I hope you're cleared about this?? You can share if you find it useful.
THE WAY YOU TREAT YOUR PREGNANT WIFE AS A HUSBAND, TELLS THE KIND OF BABY 👼 YOU ARE LIKELY TO HAVE AS A FATHER.
Depressed pregnant woman
Many women suffer depression during pregnancy. We live in a country where people assume health is only about medicine and would like to keep the case of depression to themselves without seeking the appropriate help.
They have no idea the danger this poses to the mother and baby. Most miscarriages or loss of a pregnancy or pre-mature births and complications during child birth are as a result of depression.
There are babies who had low birth weights and other medical problems due to depression. It is rather unfortunate some husbands become so cruel, unconcerned, show lack of care & are insensitive because their pregnant wives have changed and is no longer the lovely wife she used to be.
In case you don't know, she is carrying another human being you put in her, the little you, the junior father is being formed in there. It’s a process which is very special and needs special care and attention. This is the period you demonstrate greater love for your wife.
Unfortunately, some husbands tend to abuse their wives at this time, some don't only insult them but also physically abuse them. Others deny them their basic needs such as a proper diet at home. There are those who vacate the house and look for a backup wife.
Fear God And Stop Maltreating Somebody Daughter, Remember Your Own Daughter. It Will Bounce Back! Law Of Karma!
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. Left untreated, cholera can be fatal in a matter of hours, even in previously healthy people.
Modern sewage and water treatment have virtually eliminated cholera in industrialized countries. But cholera is still present in Africa, Southeast Asia, Haiti and central Mexico. The risk of cholera epidemic is highest when poverty, war or natural disasters force people to live in crowded conditions without adequate sanitation.
Cholera is easily treated. Death results from severe dehydration that can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution.
SYMPTOMS
Most people exposed to the cholera bacterium (Vibrio cholerae) don't become ill and never know they've been infected. Yet because they shed cholera bacteria in their stool for seven to 14 days, they can still infect others through contaminated water. Most symptomatic cases of cholera cause mild or moderate diarrhea that's often hard to distinguish from diarrhea caused by other problems.
Only about 1 in 10 infected people develops the typical signs and symptoms of cholera, usually within a few days of infection.
Symptoms of cholera infection may include: Diarrhea. Cholera-related diarrhea comes on suddenly and may quickly cause dangerous fluid loss — as much as a quart (about 1 liter) an hour. Diarrhea due to cholera often has a pale, milky appearance that resembles water in which rice has been rinsed (rice-water stool).Nausea and vomiting. Occurring especially in the early stages of cholera, vomiting may persist for hours at a time.
Dehydration. Dehydration can develop within hours after the onset of cholera symptoms. Depending on how many body fluids have been lost, dehydration can range from mild to severe. A loss of 10 percent or more of total body weight indicates severe dehydration.
Signs and symptoms of cholera dehydration include irritability, lethargy, sunken eyes, a dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry and shriveled skin that's slow to bounce back when pinched into a fold, little or no urine output, low blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
Dehydration may lead to a rapid loss of minerals in your blood (electrolytes) that maintain the balance of fluids in your body. This is called an electrolyte imbalance.
Electrolyte imbalance
An electrolyte imbalance can lead to serious signs and symptoms such as:
Muscle cramps. These result from the rapid loss of salts such as sodium, chloride and potassium. Shock. This is one of the most serious complications of dehydration. It occurs when low blood volume causes a drop in blood pressure and a drop in the amount of oxygen in your body. If untreated, severe hypovolemic shock can cause death in a matter of minutes.
Signs and symptoms of cholera in children
In general, children with cholera have the same signs and symptoms adults do, but they are particularly susceptible to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) due to fluid loss, which may cause:
An altered state of consciousness
Seizures
Coma When to see a doctor
The risk of cholera is slight in industrialized nations, and even in endemic areas you're not likely to become infected if you follow food safety recommendations. Still, sporadic cases of cholera occur throughout the world. If you develop severe diarrhea after visiting an area with active cholera, see your doctor.
If you have diarrhea, especially severe diarrhea, and think you may have been exposed to cholera, seek treatment right away. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency that requires immediate care regardless of the cause. CAUSES
A bacterium called Vibrio cholerae causes cholera infection. However, the deadly effects of the disease are the result of a potent toxin called CTX that the bacteria produce in the small intestine. CTX binds to the intestinal walls, where it interferes with the normal flow of sodium and chloride. This causes the body to secrete enormous amounts of water, leading to diarrhea and a rapid loss of fluids and salts (electrolytes).
Contaminated water supplies are the main source of cholera infection, although raw shellfish, uncooked fruits and vegetables, and other foods also can harbor V. cholerae.
Cholera bacteria have two distinct life cycles — one in the environment and one in humans. Cholera bacteria in the environment
Cholera bacteria occur naturally in coastal waters, where they attach to tiny crustaceans called copepods. The cholera bacteria travel with their hosts, spreading worldwide as the crustaceans follow their food source — certain types of algae and plankton that grow explosively when water temperatures rise. Algae growth is further fueled by the urea found in sewage and in agricultural runoff. Cholera bacteria in people
When humans ingest cholera bacteria, they may not become sick themselves, but they still pass the bacteria in their stool. When human feces contaminate food or water supplies, both can serve as ideal breeding grounds for the cholera bacteria.
Because more than a million cholera bacteria — approximately the amount you'd find in a glass of contaminated water — are needed to cause illness, cholera usually isn't transmitted through casual person-to-person contact.
The most common sources of cholera infection are standing water and certain types of food, including seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, and grains. Surface or well water. Cholera bacteria can lie dormant in water for long periods, and contaminated public wells are frequent sources of large-scale cholera outbreaks. People living in crowded conditions without adequate sanitation are especially at risk of cholera. Seafood. Eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially shellfish, that originates from certain locations can expose you to cholera bacteria. Most recent cases of cholera occurring in the United States have been traced to seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. Raw fruits and vegetables. Raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables are a frequent source of cholera infection in areas where cholera is endemic. In developing nations, uncomposted manure fertilizers or irrigation water containing raw sewage can contaminate produce in the field. Grains. In regions where cholera is widespread, grains such as rice and millet that are contaminated after cooking and allowed to remain at room temperature for several hours become a medium for the growth of cholera bacteria.
RISK FACTORS
Everyone is susceptible to cholera, with the exception of infants who derive immunity from nursing mothers who have previously had cholera. Still, certain factors can make you more vulnerable to the disease or more likely to experience severe signs and symptoms. Risk factors for cholera include:
Poor sanitary conditions. Cholera is more likely to flourish in situations where a sanitary environment — including a safe water supply — is difficult to maintain. Such conditions are common to refugee camps, impoverished countries, and areas devastated by famine, war or natural disasters. Reduced or nonexistent stomach acid (hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria). Cholera bacteria can't survive in an acidic environment, and ordinary stomach acid often serves as a first-line defense against infection. But people with low levels of stomach acid — such as children, older adults, and people who take antacids, H-2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors — lack this protection, so they're at greater risk of cholera. Household exposure. You're at significantly increased risk of cholera if you live with someone who has the disease. Type O blood. For reasons that aren't entirely clear, people with type O blood are twice as likely to develop cholera as are people with other blood types. Raw or undercooked shellfish. Although large-scale cholera outbreaks no longer occur in industrialized nations, eating shellfish from waters known to harbor the bacteria greatly increases your risk. COMPLICATIONS
Cholera can quickly become fatal. In the most severe cases, the rapid loss of large amounts of fluids and electrolytes can lead to death within two to three hours. In less extreme situations, people who don't receive treatment may die of dehydration and shock hours to days after cholera symptoms first appear.
Although shock and severe dehydration are the most devastating complications of cholera, other problems can occur, such as: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Dangerously low levels of blood sugar (glucose) — the body's main energy source — may occur when people become too ill to eat. Children are at greatest risk of this complication, which can cause seizures, unconsciousness and even death. Low potassium levels (hypokalemia). People with cholera lose large quantities of minerals, including potassium, in their stools. Very low potassium levels interfere with heart and nerve function and are life-threatening. Kidney (renal) failure. When the kidneys lose their filtering ability, excess amounts of fluids, some electrolytes and wastes build up in your body — a potentially life-threatening condition. In people with cholera, kidney failure often accompanies shock.
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Seek immediate medical care if you develop severe diarrhea or vomiting and are in or have very recently returned from a country where cholera occurs.
If you believe you may have been exposed to cholera, but your symptoms are not severe, call your family doctor or general practitioner. Be sure to tell him or her that you suspect your illness may be cholera.
Here's some information to help you get ready and what to expect from your doctor.
Information to gather in advance
Pre-appointment restrictions. When you make your appointment, ask if there are any restrictions you need to follow in the time leading up to your visit. Symptom history. Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing and for how long. Recent exposure to possible sources of infection. Your doctor will be especially interested to know if you have recently traveled abroad and where. Medical history. Make a list of your key medical information, including other conditions for which you're being treated and any medications, vitamins or supplements you're currently taking. Questions to ask your doctor. Write down your questions in advance so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor.
The list below suggests questions to raise with your doctor about cholera.
Do I have cholera?
Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
What kinds of tests do I need?
What treatment approach do you recommend?
Are there any possible side effects from the medications I'll be taking?
How soon after I begin treatment will I begin to feel better?
How long do you expect a full recovery to take?
When can I return to work or school?
Am I at risk of any long-term complications from cholera?
Am I contagious?
How can I reduce my risk of passing my illness to others?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may leave you time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
What are your symptoms?
Where and when have you traveled?
When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
Have you had watery diarrhea?
How severe?
Have you noticed anything else unusual about the appearance of your stools?
Have you been vomiting?
Have you experienced symptoms of dehydration, such as intense thirst, muscle cramps or fatigue?
Have you been able to keep down any food or liquid?
What other signs or symptoms concern you?
Have you recently eaten raw shellfish, such as oysters?
Are you pregnant?
What is your blood type, if you know it?
Are you being treated for any other medical conditions
Are you currently taking any medications?
What you can do in the meantime
Be sure to stay well-hydrated in the time leading up to your appointment. For diarrhea and vomiting that may be cholera-related, drinks such as water, juice and soda won't adequately replenish both fluids and electrolytes. Instead, use an oral rehydration solution such as Recover ORS for adults or Pedialyte for children.
In most developing countries, you can buy powdered packets of oral rehydration salts (ORS) originally developed by the World Health Organization to treat diarrhea and dehydration in infants with cholera. Reconstitute the powder in water according to the directions on the package.
If no oral rehydration solutions are available, you can make your own by combining 1 quart (about 1 liter) of bottled or boiled water with 6 level teaspoons (about 30 milliliters) of table sugar and 1/2 level teaspoon (about 2.5 milliliters) of table salt. TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Although signs and symptoms of severe cholera may be unmistakable in endemic areas, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to identify the bacteria in a stool sample.
Rapid cholera dipstick tests are now available, enabling health care providers in remote areas to confirm diagnosis of cholera earlier. Quicker confirmation helps to decrease death rates at the start of cholera outbreaks and leads to earlier public health interventions for outbreak control.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
Cholera requires immediate treatment because the disease can cause death within hours. Rehydration. The goal is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes using a simple rehydration solution, oral rehydration salts (ORS). The ORS solution is available as a powder that can be reconstituted in boiled or bottled water. Without rehydration, approximately half the people with cholera die. With treatment, the number of fatalities drops to less than 1 percent. Intravenous fluids. During a cholera epidemic, most people can be helped by oral rehydration alone, but severely dehydrated people may also need intravenous fluids. Antibiotics. While antibiotics are not a necessary part of cholera treatment, some of these drugs may reduce both the amount and duration of cholera-related diarrhea. A single dose of doxycycline (Monodox, Oracea, Vibramycin) or azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax) may be effective. Zinc supplements. Research has shown that zinc may decrease and shorten the duration of diarrhea in children with cholera.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
If you're traveling to cholera-endemic areas, your risk of contracting the disease is extremely low if you follow these precautions:
Wash hands with soap and water frequently, especially after using the toilet and before handling food. Rub soapy, wet hands together for at least 15 seconds before rinsing. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Drink only safe water, including bottled water or water you've boiled or disinfected yourself. Use bottled water even to brush your teeth. Hot beverages are generally safe, as are canned or bottled drinks, but wipe the outside before you open them.
Eat food that's completely cooked and hot and avoid street vendor food, if possible. If you do buy a meal from a street vendor, make sure it's cooked in your presence and served hot.
Avoid sushi, as well as raw or improperly cooked fish and seafood of any kind.
Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and fruits that can't be peeled, such as grapes and berries.
Be wary of dairy foods, including ice cream, which is often contaminated, and unpasteurized milk.
Cholera vaccine
A few countries offer two oral vaccines that may provide longer and better immunity than the older versions did. If you'd like more information about these vaccines, contact your doctor or local office of public health. Keep in mind that no country requires immunization against cholera as a condition for entry.
Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.
The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis often called "stomach flu" is through contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water. If you're otherwise healthy, you'll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.
There's no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. In addition to avoiding food and water that may be contaminated, thorough and frequent hand-washings are your best defense.
SYMPTOMS
Although it's commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn't the same as influenza. Real flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms, such as:
Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea, bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection
Abdominal cramps and pain
Nausea, vomiting or both
Occasional muscle aches or headache, Low-grade fever. Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within one to three days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days.
Because the symptoms are similar, it's easy to confuse viral diarrhea with diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, salmonella and E. coli, or parasites, such as giardia.
When to see a doctor
If you're an adult, call your doctor if:
You're not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours, You've been vomiting for more than two days, You're vomiting blood, You're dehydrated — signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, You notice blood in your bowel movements, You have a fever above 104 F (40 C).
For infants and children
See your doctor right away if your child:
Has a fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher
Seems lethargic or very irritable
Is in a lot of discomfort or pain, Has bloody diarrhea, Seems dehydrated — watch for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate with how much is normal for them
If you have an infant, remember that while spitting up may be an everyday occurrence for your baby, vomiting is not. Babies vomit for a variety of reasons, many of which may require medical attention.
Call your baby's doctor right away if your baby:
Has vomiting that lasts more than several hours, Hasn't had a wet diaper in six hours, Has bloody stools or severe diarrhea, Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the top of his or her head, Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
Is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive.
CAUSES
You're most likely to contract viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water, or if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who's infected.
A number of viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including:
Noroviruses. Both children and adults are affected by noroviruses, the most common cause of foodborne illness worldwide. Norovirus infection can sweep through families and communities. It's especially likely to spread among people in confined spaces. In most cases, you pick up the virus from contaminated food or water, although person-to-person transmission also is possible.
Rotavirus. Worldwide, this is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who are usually infected when they put their fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus into their mouths. The infection is most severe in infants and young children. Adults infected with rotavirus may not have symptoms, but can still spread the illness — of particular concern in institutional settings because infected adults unknowingly can pass the virus to others. A vaccine against viral gastroenteritis is available in some countries, and appears to be effective in preventing the infection.
Some shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, also can make you sick. Although contaminated drinking water is a cause of viral diarrhea, in many cases the virus is passed through the fecal-oral route — that is, someone with a virus handles food you eat without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.
RISK FACTORS
Gastroenteritis occurs all over the world, affecting people of every age, race and background.
People who may be more susceptible to gastroenteritis include:
Young children. Children in child care centers or elementary schools may be especially vulnerable because it takes time for a child's immune system to mature.
Older adults. Adult immune systems tend to become less efficient later in life. Older adults in nursing homes, in particular, are vulnerable because their immune systems weaken and they live in close contact with others who may pass along germs.
Schoolchildren, churchgoers or dormitory residents. Anywhere that groups of people come together in close quarters can be an environment for an intestinal infection to get passed.
Anyone with a weakened immune system. If your resistance to infection is low — for instance, if your immune system is compromised by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or another medical condition — you may be especially at risk.
Each gastrointestinal virus has a season when it's most active. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, for instance, you're more likely to have rotavirus or norovirus infections between October and April.
COMPLICATIONS
The main complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you're healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn't be a problem.
Infants, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced intravenously. Dehydration can be fatal, but rarely.
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
If you or your child needs to see a doctor, you'll likely see your primary care provider first. If there are questions about the diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to an infectious disease specialist.
What you can do is Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. Some questions you might want to ask your or your child's doctor include:
What's the likely cause of the symptoms? Are there other possible causes?
Is there a need for tests?
What's the best treatment approach? Are there any alternatives?
Is there a need to take medicine?
What can I do at home to ease the symptoms?
What to expect from your doctor, Some questions the doctor may ask include:
When did symptoms begin?
Have the symptoms been continuous, or do they come and go?
How severe are the symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen symptoms?
Have you been in contact with anyone with similar symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
Drink plenty of fluids. Stick with bland foods to reduce stress on your digestive system. If your child is sick, follow the same approach — offer plenty of fluids and bland food. If you're breast-feeding or using formula, continue to feed your child as usual. Ask your child's doctor if giving your child an oral rehydration solution, available without a prescription at pharmacies, would help.
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will likely diagnose gastroenteritis based on symptoms, a physical exam and sometimes on the presence of similar cases in your community. A rapid stool test can detect rotavirus or norovirus, but there are no quick tests for other viruses that cause gastroenteritis. In some cases, your doctor may have you submit a stool sample to rule out a possible bacterial or parasitic infection.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
There's often no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics aren't effective against viruses, and overusing them can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Treatment initially consists of self-care measures.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
The best way to prevent the spread of intestinal infections is to follow these precautions:
Get your child vaccinated. A vaccine against gastroenteritis caused by the rotavirus is available in some countries, Given to children in the first year of life, the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing severe symptoms of this illness.
Wash your hands thoroughly. And make sure your children do too. If your children are older, teach them to wash their hands, especially after using the toilet. It's best to use warm water and soap and to rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, remembering to wash around cuticles, beneath fingernails and in the creases of the hands. Then rinse thoroughly.
Carry towelettes and hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren't available.
Use separate personal items around your home.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses and plates.
Use separate towels in the bathroom.
Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible.
Disinfect hard surfaces. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, disinfect hard surfaces, such as counters, faucets and doorknobs, with a mixture of two cups of bleach to one gallon of water.
Check out your child care center. Make sure the center has separate rooms for changing diapers and preparing or serving food. The room with the diaper-changing table should have a sink as well as a sanitary way to dispose of diapers.
Take precautions when traveling, When you're traveling in other countries, you can become sick from contaminated food or water. You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips - Drink only well-sealed bottled or carbonated water.
Avoid ice cubes, because they may be made from contaminated water.
Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
Avoid raw food — including peeled fruits, raw vegetables and salads — that has been touched by human hands.
Avoid undercooked meat and fish.
Let's discuss what the color of your urine says about your health. Everyone knows it, It is not a pleasant topic. May be one of those people that goes to the bathroom and does not focus too much on the appearance, but doctors say that it is necessary to know what the color of your urine is. It is not only important to notice if you have pain or not. Its color can show you certain signs: poor diet, sickness, hydration.
Urine is composed of water and other waste substances. If something is not working right in your body, your urine may change color. Whether it is due to your diet, inflammation, or even taking some kind of medication, it can cause changes that you must keep in mind. Let’s look at all of the facts on your health.
Your Health and Color of Your Urine:
First you must know one thing: urine comes from a filtration in the kidneys. After this process, a mixture of water and toxins that your body does not need arrives at the bladder and must be eliminated. Depending on the food you eat and how each person’s body works, like sweating and breathing, makes you get rid of more or less urine. The color will depend on the following aspects:
Urine color chart
CleanColor:
Clear colored urine is a good symptom. It means that you are well hydrated. When you drink large amounts of water, the kidneys filter urine more easily and this makes it have a much clearer tone. It is a good sign. IntenseYellowinColor:
This is a symptom to keep in mind. It means that you are not drinking enough liquids and your kidneys have to work harder to filter urine. There is a greater accumulation of toxic elements and you need to hydrate better. It is nothing bad. This color can also be due to excessive sweating, when you have worked a lot, or done a lot of exercises.
Darkyellow:
This color is even more serious. It is clear sign that you need to go the doctor. Intense yellow tells you that there is a problem in the liver and you may be experiencing jaundice. If this happens, look at your eyes. See if they also have a yellowish tone. You will feel tired an d just bad in general. It is normally associated with other symptoms that you will be quickly conscious of.
Reddishbrownincolor:
This may be the most common if you are having a kidney problem. This reddish brown color is because you have an inflammation and there are small traces if blood in your urine. It is possible that you have a stone and urinary tracts are suffering from this element that is painfully blocking the bladder. You may have them in the kidney, which are damaging it, in this case, the color of the urine is very characteristic, also, it is a kidney problem, you will also be in pain.
Orangeincolor :
This color is not as normal but it can happen. What causes orange color in urine? An excess of vitamin C in your body. There is too much and your kidneys will filter this excess, and this color will be very characteristic. It happens to you one day, just reduce your consumption of the fruits and vegetables with vitamin C for at-least five days. Reduce but never eliminate.
Redincolor:
It is possible that you have a problem with you bladder or kidneys. A proper diagnosis will always give you the answer. The second cause of this symptom is completely harmless, if you have eaten a lots of beets, berries, blackberries, or even foods with a lot of coloring that day. It is possible that your urine will take on this color. It is essential that you notice if this color repeats over several days. If that is the case, don’t hesitate to see your doctor.
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your esophagus, stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is abdominal pain.
Peptic ulcers include:
Gastric ulcers that occur on the inside of the stomachEsophageal ulcers that occur inside the hollow tube (esophagus) that carries food from your throat to your stomachDuodenal ulcers that occur on the inside of the upper portion of your small intestine (duodenum)
It's a myth that spicy foods or a stressful job can cause peptic ulcers. Doctors now know that a bacterial infection or some medications — not stress or diet — cause most peptic ulcers. SYMPTOMS
Pain is the most common symptom
Burning pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom. The pain is caused by the ulcer and is aggravated by stomach acid coming in contact with the ulcerated area. The pain typically may:
Be felt anywhere from your navel up to your breast bone. Be worse when your stomach is empty. Flare at night, Often be temporarily relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or by taking an acid-reducing medication. Disappear and then return for a few days or weeks
Other signs and symptoms
Less often, ulcers may cause severe signs or symptoms such as:
The vomiting of blood — which may appear red or black, Dark blood in stools or stools that are black or tarry, Nausea or vomiting, Unexplained weight loss, Appetite changes.
Abdominal Pain
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have persistent signs and symptoms that worry you. Over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers may relieve the gnawing pain, but the relief is short-lived. If your pain persists, see your doctor.
CAUSES
Peptic ulcers occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the esophagus, stomach or small intestine. The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed.
Your digestive tract is coated with a mucous layer that normally protects against acid. But if the amount of acid is increased or the amount of mucus is decreased, you could develop an ulcer. Common causes include:
A Bacterium; Helicobacter pylori bacteria commonly live in the mucous layer that covers and protects tissues that line the stomach and small intestine. Often, H. pylori causes no problems, but it can cause inflammation of the stomach's inner layer, producing an ulcer.
It's not clear how H. pylori spreads. It may be transmitted from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. People may also contract H. pylori through food and water.
Regularuseofcertainpainrelievers; Certain over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can irritate or inflame the lining of your stomach and small intestine. These medications include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, others), ketoprofen and others.
Peptic ulcers are more common in older adults who take these pain medications frequently or in people who take these medications for osteoarthritis.
Othermedications. Other prescription medications that can also lead to ulcers include medications used to treat osteoporosis called bisphosphonates (Actonel, Fosamax, others) and potassium supplements.
RISKFACTORS
You may have an increased risk of peptic ulcers if you:
Smoke; Smoking may increase the risk of peptic ulcers in people who are infected with H. pylori.Drink alcohol. Alcohol; can irritate and erode the mucous lining of your stomach, and it increases the amount of stomach acid that's produced.
COMPLICATIONS
Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in:
Internalbleeding; Bleeding can occur as slow blood loss that leads to anemia or as severe blood loss that may require hospitalization or a blood transfusion. Severe blood loss may cause black or bloody vomit or black or bloody stools. Infection; Peptic ulcers can eat a hole through the wall of your stomach or small intestine, putting you at risk of serious infection of your abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Scartissue; Peptic ulcers can also produce scar tissue that can block passage of food through the digestive tract, causing you to become full easily, to vomit and to lose weight.
PREPARINGFORYOURAPPOINTMENT
Make an appointment with your family doctor or a general practitioner if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If you're thought to have a peptic ulcer, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist).
It's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what you can expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. Certain medications can affect peptic ulcer tests, so your doctor may want you to stop taking them. He or she may be able to suggest alternatives to these drugs.Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. It's also a good idea to keep written track of your symptoms as well as the food you're eating. People with peptic ulcers often experience more symptoms when their stomachs are empty.Write down key personal information, including any other medical problems, past surgeries, major stresses or recent life changes. Make a list of all medications, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking. It's especially important to note any pain reliever use and the usual dose that you take.Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions ahead of time can help you make the most of your limited time with your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For peptic ulcers, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
What's the most likely cause of my symptoms? Are there other possible causes for my symptoms? What kinds of tests do I need, and how do I need to prepare for them? is my condition likely temporary or chronic? What treatment do you recommend? How quickly will I start to feel better? What if my symptoms don't improve? What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting? Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?Is there a generic or over-the-counter alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?What caused me to develop this ulcer?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to cover. Your doctor may ask:
When did you first begin experiencing symptoms? Have your symptoms been continuous or intermittent? How severe are your symptoms? Are your symptoms worse when you're hungry? Does anything seem to improve your symptoms? What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms? Do you take pain relievers or aspirin? If yes, how often? Do you feel nauseated or have you been vomiting? Have you ever vomited blood or black material? Have you noticed blood in your stool or black stools? What, if anything, have you been taking to relieve your symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting to see your doctor, avoiding smoking, alcohol, spicy foods and stress may help lessen your discomfort.
TESTSANDDIAGNOSIS
In order to detect an ulcer, you may have to undergo diagnostic tests, such as:
Tests for H. pylori
Your doctor may recommend tests to determine whether the bacterium H. pylori is present in your body. Tests can test for H. pylori using your:
Blood Breath Stool
Which type of test you undergo depends on your situation.
For the breath test, you drink or eat something that contains radioactive carbon. H. pylori breaks down the substance in your stomach. Later, you blow into a bag, which is then sealed. If you're infected with H. pylori, your breath sample will contain the radioactive carbon in the form of carbon dioxide.
Using a scope to examine your upper digestive system (endoscopy)
During endoscopy, your doctor passes a hollow tube equipped with a lens (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Using the endoscope, your doctor looks for ulcers.
If your doctor detects an ulcer, small tissue samples (biopsy) may be removed for examination in a lab. A biopsy can also identify the presence of H. pylori in your stomach lining.
Your doctor is more likely to recommend endoscopy if you are older, have signs of bleeding, or have experienced recent weight loss or difficulty eating and swallowing.
X-ray of your upper digestive system
Sometimes called a barium swallow or upper gastrointestinal series, this series of X-rays creates images of your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. During the X-ray, you swallow a white liquid (containing barium) that coats your digestive tract and makes an ulcer more visible.
TREATMENTSANDDRUGS
Treatment for peptic ulcers depends on the cause. Treatments can include:
Antibiotic medications to kill H. pylori. If H. pylori is found in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacterium. You'll likely need to take antibiotics for two weeks, as well as additional medications to reduce stomach acid.
Medications that block acid production and promote healing. Proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. These drugs include the prescription and over-the-counter medications omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix).
Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, particularly at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture. Ask your doctor whether a calcium supplement may reduce this risk.
Medications to reduce acid production. Acid blockers — also called histamine (H-2) blockers — reduce the amount of stomach acid released into your digestive tract, which relieves ulcer pain and encourages healing.
Available by prescription or over-the-counter, acid blockers include the medications ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet) and nizatidine (Axid).
Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Your doctor may include an antacid in your drug regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients.
Antacids can provide symptom relief, but generally aren't used to heal your ulcer.
Medications that protect the lining of your stomach and small intestine. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications called cytoprotective agents that help protect the tissues that line your stomach and small intestine.
Options include the prescription medications sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec). Another nonprescription cytoprotective agent is bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
Follow-up after initial treatment
Treatment for peptic ulcers is often successful, leading to ulcer healing. But if your symptoms are severe or if they continue despite treatment, your doctor may recommend endoscopy to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms.
If an ulcer is detected during endoscopy, your doctor may recommend another endoscopy after your treatment to make sure your ulcer has healed. Ask your doctor whether you should undergo follow-up tests after your treatment.
Ulcers that fail to heal
Peptic ulcers that don't heal with treatment are called refractory ulcers. There are many reasons why an ulcer may fail to heal. These reasons may include:
Not taking medications according to directions. The fact that some types of H. pylori are resistant to antibiotics. Regular use of tobacco. Regular use of pain relievers that increase the risk of ulcers.
Less often, refractory ulcers may be a result of:
Extreme overproduction of stomach acid, such as occurs in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome An infection other than H. pyloriStomach cancer. Other diseases that may cause ulcer-like sores in the stomach and small intestine, such as Crohn's disease
Treatment for refractory ulcers generally involves eliminating factors that may interfere with healing, along with using different antibiotics.
LIFESTYLEANDHOMEREMEDIES
You may reduce your risk of peptic ulcer if you:
Protect yourself from infections. It's not clear just how H. pylori spreads, but there's some evidence that it could be transmitted from person to person or through food and water.
You can take steps to protect yourself from infections, such as H. pylori, by frequently washing your hands with soap and water and by eating foods that have been cooked completely.
Use caution with pain relievers. If you regularly use pain relievers that increase your risk of peptic ulcer, take steps to reduce your risk of stomach problems. For instance, take your medication with meals.
Work with your doctor to find the lowest dose possible that still gives you pain relief. Avoid drinking alcohol when taking your medication, since the two can combine to increase your risk of stomach upset.
Yellow fever is a viral infection spread by a particular type of mosquito (Aedes spp). The infection is most common in areas of Africa and South America, affecting travelers to and residents of those areas.
In mild cases, yellow fever causes fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. But yellow fever can become more serious, causing heart, liver and kidney problems along with bleeding (hemorrhaging). Up to 50 percent of people with the more severe form of yellow fever die of the disease.
There's no specific treatment for yellow fever. But getting a yellow fever vaccine before traveling to an area in which the virus is known to exist can protect you from the disease.
SYMPTOMS
During the first three to six days after you've contracted yellow fever — the incubation period — you won't experience any signs or symptoms. After this, the infection enters an acute phase and then, in some cases, a toxic phase that can be life-threatening.
Acutephase
Once the infection enters the acute phase, you may experience signs and symptoms including:
Fever, Headache, Muscle aches, particularly in your back and kneesSensitivity to light, Nausea, vomiting or both Loss of appetite, Dizziness, Red eyes, face or tongue. These signs and symptoms usually improve and are gone within several days.
Toxicphase
Although signs and symptoms may disappear for a day or two following the acute phase, some people with acute yellow fever then enter a toxic phase. During the toxic phase, acute signs and symptoms return and more-severe and life-threatening ones also appear. These can include:
Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice), Abdominal pain and vomiting, sometimes of blood, Decreased urination, Bleeding from your nose, mouth and eyes, Slow heart rate (bradycardia), Liver and kidney failure, Brain dysfunction, including delirium, seizures and coma. The toxic phase of yellow fever can be fatal.
Whentoseeadoctor
Before travel
Four weeks or more before your trip, make an appointment to see your doctor if you're traveling to an area in which yellow fever is known to occur so that you discuss whether you need the yellow fever vaccine.If you have less than four weeks to prepare, call your doctor anyway. Ideally, you'll be able to be vaccinated at least three to four weeks before traveling to an area where yellow fever occurs to give the vaccine time to work. Your doctor will help you determine whether you need vaccinations and can provide general guidance on protecting your health while abroad.
After travel
Seek emergency medical care if you've recently traveled to a region where yellow fever is known to occur and you develop signs or symptoms of the toxic phase of the disease.Call your doctor if you develop mild symptoms, after traveling to a region where yellow feveroccurs.
CAUSES
Yellow fever is caused by a virus that is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes thrive in and near human habitations where they breed in even the cleanest water. Most cases of yellow fever occur in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria and tropical South America.
Humans and monkeys are most commonly infected with the yellow fever virus. Mosquitoes transmit the virus back and forth between monkeys, humans or both.
When a mosquito bites a human or a monkey infected with yellow fever, the virus enters the mosquito's bloodstream and circulates before settling in the salivary glands. When the infected mosquito bites another monkey or human, the virus then enters the host's bloodstream, where it may cause illness.
Aedesaegypti
RISK FACTORS
You may be at risk of the disease if you travel to an area where mosquitoes continue to carry the yellow fever virus. These areas include sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.
Even if there aren't current reports of infected humans in these areas, it doesn't mean you're risk-free. It's possible that local populations have been vaccinated and are protected from the disease, or that cases of yellow fever just haven't been detected and officially reported.
If you're planning on traveling to these areas, you can protect yourself by getting a yellow fevervaccine at least several weeks before traveling.
Anyone can be infected with the yellow fever virus, but older adults are at greater risk of getting seriously ill.
COMPLICATIONS
Yellow fever results in death for 20 to 50 percent of those who develop severe disease. Complications during the toxic phase of a yellow fever infection include kidney and liver failure, jaundice, delirium, and coma.
People who survive the infection recover gradually over a period of several weeks to months, usually without significant organ damage. During this time a person may experience fatigue and jaundice. Other complications include secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or blood infections.
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Call your doctor if you've recently returned from travel abroad and develop mild symptoms similar to those that occur with yellow fever. If your symptoms are severe, go to an emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number.
Here's some information to help you get ready, and know what to expect from your doctor.
Information to gather in advance Symptoms history; Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing and for how long. Recent exposure to possible sources of infection. Be sure to describe international trips in detail, including the countries you visited and the dates, as well as any contact you may have had with mosquitoes. medical histtory; Make a list of your key medical information, including other conditions for which you're being treated and any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking. Your doctor will also need to know your vaccination history.
Questionstoaskyourdoctor; Write down your questions in advance so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor.
The list below suggests questions to raise with your doctor about yellow fever. Don't hesitate to ask more questions during your appointment.
What's the most likely cause of my symptoms? Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms? What kinds of tests do I need? Are treatments available to help me recover? How long do you expect a full recovery will take? When can I return to work or school? Am I at risk of any long-term complications from yellow fever?
Whattoexpectfromyourdoctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
What are your symptoms? When did you first begin experiencing symptoms? Have your symptoms seemed to be getting better or worse? Did your symptoms briefly get better and then come back? Have you recently traveled abroad? Where? Were you exposed to mosquitoes while traveling? Did you update your vaccinations before traveling? Are you being treated for any other medical conditions? Are you taking any medications?
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosing yellow fever based on signs and symptoms can be difficult because early in its course, the infection can be easily confused with malaria, typhoid, dengue fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
To diagnose your condition, your doctor will likely:
Ask questions about your medical and travel historyCollect a blood sample for testing
If you have yellow fever, your blood may reveal the virus itself. If not, blood tests also can detect antibodies and other substances specific to the virus.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
No antiviral medications have proved helpful in treating yellow fever. As a result, treatment consists primarily of supportive care in a hospital. This includes providing fluids and oxygen, maintaining adequate blood pressure, replacing blood loss, providing dialysis for kidney failure, and treating any other infections that develop. Some people receive transfusions of plasma to replace blood proteins that improve clotting.
If you have yellow fever, your doctor will likely recommend that you stay inside, away from mosquitoes, to avoid transmitting the disease to others. Once you've have yellow fever, you'll be immune to the disease for the rest of your life.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
A safe and highly effective vaccine prevents yellow fever. Yellow fever is known to be present in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. If you live in one of these areas, talk to your doctor about whether you need the yellow fever vaccine. If you plan to travel in these areas, talk with your doctor at least 10 days, but preferably three to four weeks, before your trip begins. Some countries require travelers to present a valid certificate of immunization upon entry.
A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides protection for at least 10 years. Side effects are usually mild, lasting five to 10 days, and may include headaches, low-grade fevers, muscle pain, fatigue and soreness at the site of injection. More-significant reactions — such as developing a syndrome similar to actual yellow fever, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or death — can occur, most often in infants and older adults. The vaccine is considered safest for those between the ages of 9 months and 60 years.
Talk to your doctor about whether the yellow fever vaccine is appropriate if your child is younger than 9 months, if you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), or if you're older than 60 years.
Mosquitoprotection
In addition to getting the vaccine, you can help protect yourself against yellow fever by protecting yourself against mosquitoes.
To reduce your exposure to mosquitoes:
Avoid unnecessary outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active.Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you go into mosquito-infested areas.Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing.If your accommodations don't have good window screens or air-conditioning, use bed nets. Nets that have been pre-treated with insecticide offer additional protection.
To ward off mosquitoes with repellent, use both of the following:
Non-skinrepellen; Apply permethrin-containing mosquito repellent to your clothing, shoes, camping gears and bed netting. You can buy some articles of clothing and gear pre-treated with permethrin. Permethrin is not intended for use on your skin.
Skinrepellent; Products with the active ingredients DEET, IR3535 or picaridin provide long-lasting skin protection. Choose the concentration based on the hours of protection you need. In general, higher concentrations last longer.
Keep in mind that chemical repellents can be toxic, and use only the amount needed for the time you'll be outdoors. Don't use DEET on the hands of young children or on infants under 2 months of age. Instead, cover your infant's stroller or playpen with mosquito netting when outside.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, oil of lemon eucalyptus, a more natural product, offers the same protection as DEET when used in similar concentrations. But these products should not be used on children younger than age 3.
Oral thrush — also called oral candidiasis (kan-dih-DIE-uh-sis) — is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of your mouth. Candida is a normal organism in your mouth, but sometimes it can overgrow and cause symptoms.
Oral thrush causes creamy white lesions, usually on your tongue or inner cheeks. Sometimes oral thrush may spread to the roof of your mouth, your gums or tonsils, or the back of your throat.
Although oral thrush can affect anyone, it's more likely to occur in babies, the elderly, and in people with suppressed immune systems or certain health conditions, or those who take certain medications. Oral thrush is a minor problem if you're healthy, but if you have a weakened immune system, symptoms of oral thrush may be more severe and difficult to control.
SYMPTOMS
Initially, you may not even notice symptoms of oral thrush. Depending on the underlying cause, signs and symptoms may develop slowly or suddenly, and they may persist for days, weeks or months. Signs and symptoms may include:
Creamy white lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums and tonsils
Slightly raised lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance
Redness or soreness that may be severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing
Slight bleeding if the lesions are rubbed or scraped
Cracking and redness at the corners of your mouth (especially in denture wearers)
A cottony feeling in your mouth
Loss of taste
In severe cases, the lesions may spread downward into your esophagus — the long, muscular tube stretching from the back of your mouth to your stomach (Candida esophagitis). If this occurs, you may experience difficulty swallowing or feel as if food is getting stuck in your throat.
Infants and breast-feeding mothers
In addition to the distinctive white mouth lesions, infants may have trouble feeding or be fussy and irritable. They can pass the infection to their mothers during breast-feeding. The infection may then pass back and forth between the mother's breasts and the baby's mouth.
Women whose breasts are infected with candida may experience these signs and symptoms:
Unusually red, sensitive, cracked or itchy nipples
Shiny or flaky skin on the darker, circular area around the nipple (areola)
Unusual pain during nursing or painful nipples between feedings
Stabbing pains deep within the breast
When to see a doctor
If you or your child develops painful white lesions inside the mouth, see your doctor or dentist. If thrush develops in older children or teenagers, seek medical care. An underlying medical condition or certain treatments may be the cause.
CAUSES
Normally, your immune system works to repel harmful invading organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, while maintaining a balance between "good" and "bad" microbes that normally inhabit your body. But sometimes these protective mechanisms fail, increasing the number of candida fungi and allowing an oral thrush infection to take hold.
Oral thrush and other candida infections can occur when your immune system is weakened by disease or by drugs such as prednisone, or when antibiotics disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in your body.
These diseases and conditions may make you more susceptible to oral thrush infection:
HIV/AIDS. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — the virus that causes AIDS — damages or destroys cells of your immune system, making you more susceptible to opportunistic infections that your body would normally resist. Repeated bouts of oral thrush, along with other symptoms, may be early indications of an immune deficiency, such as HIV infection.
Cancer. If you have cancer, your immune system is likely to be weakened from the disease and from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Both the disease and treatments can increase your risk of candida infections such as oral thrush.
Diabetes mellitus. If you have untreated diabetes or the disease isn't well-controlled, your saliva may contain large amounts of sugar, which encourages the growth of candida.
Vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the same fungus that causes oral thrush. Although a yeast infection isn't dangerous, if you're pregnant you can pass the fungus to your baby during delivery. As a result, your newborn may develop oral thrush.
RISK FACTORS
Anyone can develop oral thrush, but the infection is more common in certain people. Risk factors include:
Being an infant or elderly
Having a weakened immune system
Wearing dentures
Having other health conditions, such as diabetes
Taking certain medications, such as antibiotics or oral or inhaled corticosteroids
Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
Having conditions that cause dry mouth
COMPLICATIONS
Oral thrush is seldom a problem for healthy children and adults, although the infection may return even after it's been treated. For people with lowered immunity, such as from HIV or cancer, however, thrush can be more serious. Untreated oral thrush can lead to more-serious systemic candida infections.
If you have a suppressed immune system:
Thrush is more likely to spread to other parts of your body, such as your digestive tract, lungs, liver and heart valves
You may have especially severe symptoms in your mouth or esophagus, which can make eating painful and difficult
The infection can spread to the intestines, making it difficult to receive adequate nutrition
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or pediatrician. However, if you have an underlying condition that's contributing to the problem, you may then be referred to a specialist for treatment.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
Make a list of any symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for the appointment.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins or other supplements you're taking, including the dosages. Also, let your doctor know if you've recently used antibiotics or if you take oral or inhaled corticosteroids such as those used to treat asthma.
Make a list of questions to ask your doctor to help you make the most of your appointment.
For oral thrush, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
What caused this condition?
Do I need any additional tests? Do these tests require any preparation?
What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
Do these treatments have any side effects?
I have other medical problems, so how can I manage them together?
Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
How can I prevent this from happening again?
Do I need to be tested for other diseases associated with thrush?
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions that occur to you.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
Have you recently taken antibiotics for an infection?
Do you have asthma? If so, do you use a steroid inhaler?
Do you have any chronic health conditions?
Do you have any other new symptoms of illness?
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
Oral thrush can usually be diagnosed simply by looking at the lesions, but sometimes a small sample is examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
In older children or teens who have no identified risk factors, an underlying medical condition may be the cause of oral thrush. If your doctor suspects that's the case, he or she will likely perform a physical exam and recommend certain blood tests to help find the source of the problem.
If thrush is in your esophagus
Thrush that extends into the esophagus can be serious. To help diagnose this condition, your doctor may ask you to have one or both of these tests:
Throat culture. In this procedure, the back of your throat is swabbed with sterile cotton. Then the tissue sample is cultured on a special medium to help determine which bacteria or fungi, if any, are causing your symptoms.
Endoscopic exam. In this procedure, your doctor examines your esophagus, stomach and upper part of your small intestine (duodenum) using a lighted, flexible tube with a camera on the tip (endoscope).
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
The goal of any oral thrush treatment is to stop the rapid spread of the fungus, but the best approach may depend on your age, your overall health and the cause of the infection.
Healthy adults and children. Your doctor may recommend antifungal medication. This comes in several forms, including lozenges, tablets, or a liquid that you swish in your mouth and then swallow.
Infants and nursing mothers. If you're breast-feeding and your infant has oral thrush, you and your baby could pass the infection back and forth. Your doctor may prescribe a mild antifungal medication for your baby and an antifungal cream for your breasts. Ask your doctor about the best way to clean your breast nipples, bottle nipples, pacifiers and any detachable parts of a breast pump if you use one.
Adults with weakened immune systems. Most often your doctor will recommend antifungal medication. But Candida albicans can become resistant to many antifungal medications, especially in people with late-stage HIV infection. So a drug called amphotericin B may be used, but only when other drugs aren't effective, as it can cause serious side effects.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
These measures may help reduce your risk of developing candida infections:
Rinse your mouth. If you have to use a corticosteroid inhaler, be sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after taking your medication.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily or as often as your dentist recommends.
Clean your dentures. Clean your dentures daily. Ask your dentist for the best way to clean your type of dentures.
See your dentist regularly, especially if you have diabetes or wear dentures. Ask your dentist how often you need to be seen.
Watch what you eat. Try limiting the amount of sugar- and yeast-containing foods you eat. These may encourage the growth of candida.
Maintain good blood sugar control if you have diabetes. Well-controlled blood sugar can reduce the amount of sugar in your saliva, discouraging the growth of candida.
Treat any vaginal yeast infections that develop during pregnancy as soon as possible.
