What You Should Know About Hepatitis

Category : virus


I have yellow fever doctor, said a patient. How do you know you have yellow fever? The doctor asked. The patient reply "Doc, I have fever and my eyes are yellow."
Here in lies the sea of confusion between Yellow fever, Jaundice and Hepatitis. There seems to be a great deal of confusion about the trio of Yellow fever, Jaundice and Hepatitis. To many people, it would seem that fever along with yellow discoloration of the eyes and mucous membranes and skin (technically called Jaundice) must be yellow fever.
However in the science of medicine, there is a great gulf between these diseases. The yellow fever virus causes yellow fever. A wide range of viruses or toxins on the other hand may cause hepatitis. Both diseases cause inflammation of the liver. An inflamed liver is unable efficiently the breakdown of red blood cells. This results in the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood and connective tissues leading to what is called jaundice. The subject of yellow fever is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that it is a very deadly ailment with high mortality but totally preventable by an affordable yet very effective yellow fever vaccine which is taken once every ten years.
The specific viruses that cause viral hepatitis include Hepatitis A virus (HAV); Hepatitis B virus(HBV); Hepatitis D virus (HDV) delta agent; Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmitted in epidemic form in Asia, North Africa and Mexico. There are other viruses that have been implicated in causing hepatitis such as Hepatitis G virus (HGV), SEN-V virus and TT virus (TTV).
HEPATITIS A
The HAV causes the sporadic or epidemic causes of hepatitis. The virus is transmitted or spread through contaminated food and water sources which may therefore lead to outbreaks in large population groups. Its spread is therefore favored by overcrowding, poor sanitation and personal hygiene. The incubation period is usually a few days, 30 days on the average. The illness is usually self-limiting with complete recovery within two weeks. Long lasting infection does not occur. Infections may be severe in adults but may occur in children without any symptoms or indeed ill health. Death from hepatitis A is very rare.
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is usually spread through the inoculation of infected blood or blood products or by sexual intercourse. The virus (HBV) may be found in blood, saliva, semen and vagina fluids in infected persons. A mother who is infected is able to transmit the HBV to the child at the time of delivery. The risk of chronic infection in such cases is very high. HBV tends to occur very commonly in homosexual or gay men and intravenous drug users (IVDUs). Certain groups of people are at higher risk of contracting the infection; doctors, nurses, dentists, blood bank staff, patients and staff of haemodialysis centers etc. Sadly, it takes less blood to transmit HBV than HIV which causes AIDS.
From the time of infection, it takes 6 weeks to 6 months (average 12-14 weeks) for the infected person to become clinically ill. Hepatitis B may also present as very severe form of hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis in about 1% of infected persons. In this group, death may occur in as many as 60% of them. In yet another group, the illness may persist as chronic hepatitis B. In this group, the infection persist for years and then the patient go on to develop liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
HEPATITIS D (DELTA AGENT)
Hepatitis D is a defective virus that is unable to cause hepatitis on its own except in association with HBV. HDV may therefore co-infect a person with HBV or super infected a person with chronic hepatitis. When it occurs concurrently with acute hepatitis or severe chronic hepatitis leading rapidly to cirrhosis.
HEPATITIS C
May be transmitted by blood transfusion, intravenous drug use, sexual contact and from mother to child. Having multiple sexual partners would therefore increase the risk of infection by hepatitis C virus. Incubation period is around 6-7 weeks.
HEPATITIS E
This is a waterborne hepatitis virus. Outbreaks occur in India, Burma, Afghanistan, Algeria and Mexico. The illness is self-limiting with no carrier state. But mortality is usually high in infected in infected pregnant women (up to 10-20%).
HEPATITIS G
This virus has been detected in blood donors, intravenous drug users, haemodialysis patients, haemophiliacs and patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Hepatitis G does not appear to cause any important liver disease.
CLINICAL PICTURE OF HEPATITIS
The onset of illness may be abrupt or insidious. There is usually a flu-like illness with generalized malaise, fever, muscle aches, joint pains, easy fatigability, sore throat, nasal discharge and loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Frequently there is diarrhea, constipation and aversion to smoking for those that smoke. Then as the fever begins to ebb, jaundice sets in 5-10 days. Chill or chillness may occur. The liver is enlarged and painful to touch. The spleen and lymph node may become enlarged also. The diagnosis as to which type of hepatitis is aided through various laboratory tests.
TREATMENT
The treatment of hepatitis includes bed rest where applicable. Diet should consist of palatable meals as identified by the patient. Fluid replacement and multivitamin supplements are adjuncts to the treatment. The drug Alpha Interferon has been used in patients with acute hepatitis C and found to reduce the risk of progression to chronic hepatitis C.
PREVENTION
In general, the careful handling of needles and the screening of blood before transfusion are useful ways to prevent hepatitis. Hepatitis A may be prevented by vaccination and the use of immunoglobin in people who are in close contact with patient of HAV infection. Hepatitis B has a very potent and effective vaccine, which gives a lifelong protection and requires only intermittent booster doses. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin may also protect or attenuate the severity of illness, if given within seven days of exposure to the HBV.

Top Extensive Herpes Information Everyone Needs to Know to Guard Themselves

Category : infected


There are a lot of sexually transmitted diseases which look very much like herpes virus like gonorrhea, syphilis and the rest. As a result of this similarity in the symptoms of this particular disease numerous individuals find it hard to distinguish whenever they may be suffering from some of this symptoms. Rather than playing with your well being if you're not really confident, you'll find several approaches a lay man can easily identify the actual disease he or she is carrying. In these particular herpes facts content we are going to rapidly have a glimpse at a couple of of the places anybody can visit obtain guide as well as details about herpes virus.
Among the list of most reliable places to begin your analysis and obtain herpes facts is the web, since the invention of the world wide web a lot of companies and individuals have come up with a number of web sites that will offer info for individuals. The web is info driven and with just a click you can have tons of virtually any kind of information one need regarding anything you can think of. The search engines are a fantastic area to key in the word or phrase of anything you might be looking for. If you need to understand more about herpes virus just use any of the big search engines and you will be ready to go.
Yet another place a person can go to find out much more about this virus-like illness is normally by going to the medical center nearer to you. They are in a much better stance to identify as well as run a test in order to establish the actual cause of one's dilemma. If you've got a private physician you can call on him to offer you some assistance.
Counselors are the other ways of getting herpes facts. These counselors have been properly trained to identify as well as know the symptoms of herpes simplex virus as well as other illnesses. Most people like to go to counselors simply because their situation is going to be very confidential and they would advice them on what to carry out as well as where to start their treatment method from.
The truth is, if you have no practical knowledge about the various sexually transmitted diseases, it may be extremely challenging for you to clearly have an idea about the disorder affecting you.
Here we are proceeding to go through some of the symptoms and places herpes simplex virus affects human being.
This is certainly very catching and is pass on via body contact, kissing and air. Once an individual contracts this kind of condition he or she is likely to suffer from some fever blister, cold sores and occasionally headache.
A few of the popular locations this herpes virus impacts are the mouth area as well as private part of both man and woman. On the other hand, it could affect various other places such as the body, eyes, nasal area, tongue, gum, finger, leg and a lot of more.
This disease can stay inside the human body for numerous year following the initial outbreak.
You will find a few obtainable treatment options that have been of good support to folks coping with herpes. It truly is advisable to check out a health expert to advise you on the very best medicines you'll be able to use to control this virus.
Be mindful that prolong herpes simplex virus frequently lead to brain destruction. I hope you take pleasure in this herpes facts article.

Homeoprophylaxis And Treatment For West Nile Virus

Category : diseases


West Nile Virus is an influenza-like illness that is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms of West Nile Virus in mild cases resemble flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches. Some people may also develop a mild rash or swollen lymph glands. For people with more severe illness, symptoms could include the rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, lack of coordination, muscle weakness and paralysis.
The best defense against West Nile is, of course, prevention of mosquito bites. It is little known, though, that some of the best mosquito repellant is natural, non-toxic, and taken orally. This is the homeopathic remedy Staphysagria. When taken orally before going outside, within 30 minutes you won't seem so tasty. Mosquitoes may land, but they will not bite. In the 1960s, Trexler proved Staphysagria to be 90% effective at preventing mosquito bites. Should you be bitten, however, Staphysagria will reduce the severity of the bite and decrease your likelihood of falling ill from West Nile or other mosquito-borne diseases. I recommend it in the 4DH potency to prevent insect bites. In addition to mosquitoes, it will defend against ticks, lice, fleas, wasps, bees, mites, black flies, noseeums, and other biting and stinging insects, as well as reducing pain, itching and other adverse effects.
In confirmed cases of West Nile Virus, there are other homeopathic remedies to consider. For the flu-like symptoms of West Nile (fever, headache and body aches), use Oscilloccinum, repeated every two hours from the onset of symptoms. Eupatorium perfoliatum also helps with body aching in the bones, soreness with restlessness, and headache. For rapid onset of fever and other symptoms, and for feelings of panic or fear, use Aconitum. For stiff neck, drowsiness, weakness, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes, Gelsemium is indicated. For confusion, weakness, dullness, and red face with fever, Baptisia. Lathyrus and Curare are helpful for paralysis in severe cases, but please consult a homeopath in these cases.
Other remedies to consider for insect bites include Urtica urens for burning, itching, and stinging, Grindelia and Cedron for intermittent fevers and rheumatic complaints, and Ledum palustre for puncture wounds and inflammation. Ledum palustre, like Staphysagria, also acts as an oral mosquito repellant.
Homeopathic medicine is, by definition, non-toxic, and does not interact with medications or topical applications. The use of homeopathic remedies to prevent mosquito bites has many advantages. Conventional insect repellants can be smelly, toxic, inconvenient, and hard on the environment.

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