Health Specialist » bacterial infection

Pneumonia Investigating the Rise of Lung Infections Among US Troops

Health Specialist — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:31:09 +0000

Between March 2003 and March 2004, US soldiers in Iraq have been hit at a higher than normal rate by a rare type of disease. A disease characterized by fever, respiratory failure, and an infiltration of the lungs. It has been diagnosed in 18 US soldiers. Two fatalities have been recorded thus far. The report was based on records provided by the Journal of the American Medical Association. While there are a number of medical theories about the cause of the illness, military doctors are pointing out to pneumonia as the culprit.

Pneumonia is the baffling disease that has continually plagued American soldiers. Moreover, mysterious pneumonia-like illnesses and breathing problems appear to be striking US troops in greater numbers than the military has identified in an investigation, which also include more deaths, according to survivors and their families.

Pneumonia is simply defined as an infection of the lungs. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, virus, and fungi. Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and can even be deadly. The severity depends on the type of organism causing pneumonia, as well as age and underlying health. It is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States. Bacterial pneumonias tend to be the most serious and, in adults, the most common cause of pneumonia. The most common pneumonia-causing bacterium in adults is Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumococcus.

Most people who develop pneumonia initially have symptoms of a cold which are then followed by a high fever sometimes as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit, shaking chills, and a cough with sputum production. The sputum is usually discolored and sometimes bloody. Patients may become short of breath. Chest pain may develop if the outer aspects of the lung are involved. This pain is usually sharp and worsens when taking a deep breath, known as pleuritic pain. Additional symptoms such as headache, excessive sweating and clammy skin, loss of appetite, excessive fatigue, confusion, especially in older people may also occur.

The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious and are usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of an infected person. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when a person touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person.

There is a vaccine for pneumococcal pneumonia, a bacterial infection which accounts for up to a quarter of all pneumonias. Certain groups of people are considered to be at particularly high risk for the development of pneumonia, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend vaccination for these groups. Those recommended groups include

People age 65 or older

People over age two years of age who have problems with their lungs, heart, liver, or kidneys

People over age two years of age with health problems like diabetes, sickle cell disease, alcoholism, or HIVAIDS

Persons over two years of age who are taking any treatments that weaken the body’s immune system

Alaskan natives and some Native American populations

The vaccination is also recommended for persons who have had their spleens removed. Unlike vaccination with the flu shot, the pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given each year. One dosage of the vaccine is usually sufficient, but sometimes doctors recommend a second dose of the vaccine. People over age 65 who received the vaccine prior to age 65 are generally given a second dose along with people with certain serious medical conditions.

Preventing pneumonia is always better than treating it. The best preventive measures include washing hands frequently, not smoking, and wearing a mask when cleaning dusty or moldy areas.

Common Cold Care and Prevention

Health Specialist — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:23:00 +0000

For all its findings, discoveries, and achievements, medical science still has yet to come up with a cure. Common cold occurs more often than any other disease hence, its name. There are approximately 200 viruses that can cause a cold. Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses the name comes from rhin, the Greek word for nose that are in invisible droplets in the air we breathe or on the things we touch. Aside from rhinoviruses, there are more than 100 subtypes that cause up to half of all colds. They can infiltrate the protective lining of the nose and throat, triggering an immune system reaction that can lead to sore throat, headache, and experience difficulty breathing through the nose. A common cold results from exposure to the virus. Infections are spread from one person to another, by hand-to-hand contact, or by a cough or sneeze that sprays many virus particles into the air. Its intensity, however, depends upon the state of health of the person and environmental factors.

The common cold also called viral rhinitis is a viral infection, characterized by nasal congestion, a clear, runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat and general malaise. Low vitality, exposure to cold, lack of sleep, depression, fatigue, and factors such as sudden changes in temperature, dust, and other irritating inhalations are important contributory causes.

Normally, common cold symptoms can be treated at home. Antibiotics are not prescribed because they do not work against viruses, however, if the cold leads to complications such as sinusitis, ear infection, tonsilitis, or chronic bronchitis, a physician may prescribe antibiotics. Moreover, a person in good health who becomes the victim of a cold may not need to see a doctor.

To relieve the symptoms of a cold, the following self-care advice may be helpful
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to keep yourself hydrated. This is especially important for children. Water is best, but warm drinks can be soothing.
Rest and avoid stress and strenuous activity.
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, but make sure that fresh air is circulating.
Smoke irritates the nose and throat. Try to avoid being around people who smoke and avoid smoke-filled environments like pubs or clubs. If you are a smoker, try to smoke as little as possible while you are feeling unwell,

If common cold is accompanied with coughing, a cough medicine may help to soothe a ticklish or dry cough. Over-the-counter products available from the local pharmacist are often sold as combined remedies for treating a cough and cold. Preparations may contain several ingredients and it should always follow the manufacturers instructions to make sure one is taking the right dosage for the symptoms. As so many different viruses can cause the common cold, no vaccination against it has yet been developed. However, there are some things one can do to help prevent it from spreading

Wash your hands regularly and properly, especially after touching your nose or mouth and before handling food.

Always sneeze and cough into tissues. This should help prevent the virus-containing droplets from your nose and mouth entering the air where they can infect others. Throw away used tissues immediately and then wash your hands.

Do not share cups or kitchen utensils with others. Use your own cup, plates and cutlery.

If a cold becomes nasty, like if a person develops chest pain or starting to experience difficulty in breathing, immediately seek medical attention. A doctor will likely examine the throat and ears, and the doctor may take a throat culture by brushing your throat with a long cotton-tipped swab. This will show whether a person has a bacterial infection, which requires treatment with antibiotics. Otherwise a person battling a common cold, can treat all the symptoms at home.

Gastritis More than Just a Grumbling Stomach

Health Specialist — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:48:00 +0000

Ever experienced vomiting blood or having coffee-ground like material and dark stool? Ever felt abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constant hiccups? Then you might be one of the more than 10 of people who come to a hospital emergency department with gastritis. Gastritis is a common medical problem of the stomach.

The stomach is an organ of the digestive system, located in the abdomen just below the ribs. Swallowed food is mixed with gastric juices containing enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The lining of the stomach called the epithelium is layered with multiple folds. The epithelium is coated with mucus gastric mucosa secreted by special glands. Inflammation caused by gastritis occurs in this lining.

Gastritis occurs when a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, or the chronic use of drugs or certain medications weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Helicobacter pylori bacterium is also responsible for most peptic ulcers.

However, gastritis is not just one disease but a group of conditions, all of which result in the inflammation of the stomach lining. Inflammation of the stomach means that white blood cells move into the wall of the stomach as a response to an injury to the stomach. Commonly, the inflammation results from infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Yet other factors such as traumatic injury and regular use of certain pain relievers can also contribute to gastritis.

Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions. It can be either acute, with severe attacks lasting a day or two, or chronic, with long term appetite loss or nausea. In many cases, gastritis has no symptoms asymptomatic. But, common symptoms may include

Loss of appetite
Pain in the upper abdomen just under the ribs
Nausea or Indigestion
Hiccups
Blood in the bowel actions
Weight loss

Gastritis can be caused by many different factors, including
Medications such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS
Bacterial infection
Alcohol
Protracted vomiting
Overproduction of gastric juices, which is a stress response in some people
The backflow of bile from the small intestine duodenum
Some allergic and immune conditions for example, pernicious anaemia
Severe stress due to major surgery, traumatic injury or burns
Exposure to radiation.

Diagnosing gastritis involves a variety of tests, including endoscopy and biopsy. In endoscopy, a thin flexible tube is threaded down the esophagus into the stomach. The endoscope is fitted with a small camera so the physician can look at the stomach lining. If the gastric mucosa is reddened, this may indicate gastritis. A biopsy is needed for confirmation. Biopsy involves small tissue samples which are taken during an endoscopy and tested in a laboratory. The pathologist will look for changes, including the presence of inflammatory cells and epithelium damage. Treatment of gastritis varies from person to person and depends on the specific cause. For most types of gastritis, reduction of stomach acid is helpful. Stomach acid is reduced by medication and antibiotics are given for infection. Most people recover from gastritis. Depending on the many factors that affect the stomach lining, gastritis symptoms may flare up from time to time. Overall, gastritis is generally a common, mildly troubling ailment that responds well to simple treatments. On occasion, rare forms of gastritis can be serious or even life threatening. Severe, ongoing symptoms or internal bleeding should alert a physician to search for a more serious underlying cause.

Turberculosis The Heavy Load on Vour Chest

Health Specialist — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Tuberculosis TB is among the top 10 infectious diseases in the world, ranking at the top three spot along with malaria and HIVAIDS. Tuberculosis causes nearly 2 million deaths every year, and the World Health Organization WHO estimates that nearly 1 billion people will be infected between 2000 and 2020 if more effective preventive procedures are not adopted.

What is Tuberculosis TB?
TB is a systemic bacterial infection most often found in the lungs. It is mainly caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacterium canetti, and Mycobacterium microti can also cause tuberculosis, but these species do not usually affect healthy adults. Over one-third of the world’s population has been exposed to the TB bacterium, and new infections occur at a rate of one per second. It doesnt necessarily happen that a person infected develops the full-blown disease, so asymptomatic, latent TB infection is most common. However, one in ten latent infections will progress to active TB disease, which, if left untreated, kills more than half of its victims.

TB is generally classified into pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. In pulmonary TB, the bacterial infection is found in the lungs. This is the most reported case of TB infection. This bacterial infection is highly contagious as it is spread through the air droplets. We can get infected just by breathing in air contaminated with droplets from an infected persons cough or sneeze. The primary stage of pulmonary TB is usually asymptomatic. In some cases, the disease becomes active in a matter of weeks after the primary infection. For some, it may lie dormant for a number of years and then re-appear. Reported symptoms include minor cough and mild fever, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, coughing up blood, night sweating, phlegm-producing cough, wheezing, chest pain, and breathing difficulty. The risk of contracting tuberculosis increases if you are in frequent contact with an infected person, or have poor living conditions.

Extra-pulmonary TB, as the name implies, affects other organs aside from the lungs. This can occur in isolation or may come along as a complication from pulmonary TB. Extrapulmonary TB may also affect the following body parts

Lymph nodes
Pleura the membrane that protects the lungs
Bones
Kidneys
Male & female genital tract
Stomach
Peritoneum the membrane lining part of the abdominal cavity
Skin
Brain

Although the bacterial infection is generically transmitted via droplets from the cough of a person with pulmonary TB, it may spread to any organ or body system through our blood. And like pulmonary TB, symptoms rarely appear at the early onset of this condition.

Treatment
TB treatment uses antibiotics to kills the bacteria. But unlike the generic use of antibiotics, it takes a longer period of usage to completely eliminate the mycobacteria from the body. However, people may develop drug resistant tuberculosis bacteria when given inadequate treatment. For people with latent infections, medications are still used, but this time it is to prevent the disease from further progressing.

Prevention is ten times better than having the cure. Protect your children early by having them vaccinated against tuberculosis. If you have friends, relatives or family members that are suspected to have TB, consult a doctor as early as possible to have it treated. It will not only eliminate the chances of the disease progressing, it will also lower risks of getting yourself infected by this dreaded disease.

Preventing HIV Through Circumcision

Health Specialist — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:51:00 +0000

Theres more to circumcision than just a religious ritual. It is actually a cheap, safe and lifelong protection for your newborn boy against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Circumcision can also help prevent penile cancer and various bacterial infections.
Based on studies, the removal of foreskin in circumcision provided a fifty percent reduction in HIV transmission, a threefold reduction in human papilloma virus HPV infections in female partners of uncircumcised men, and lower rates of syphilis and Chlamydia. These diseases are among the leading causes of sterility among male teenagers.
Circumcision among infants is roughly 10 times more likely to prevent urinary tract infections and the high fevers associated with them. Circumcisions potential role in AIDS prevention is evident in Africa and encouraged the New York City Health Department to consider outreach programs among gay adult men and drug addicts.
Historically, the ancient Egyptians practiced circumcision to prevent itch and infections in the foreskin. Jews incorporated the practice as part of their religious rituals. Some fundamentalists even thought that circumcision would be effective in preventing masturbation — an act which is considered a sin in many churches and congregations.
However, over the years, circumcision in the U.S. has gained more acceptance as a scientifically proven health procedure. Although it is still perceived by some quarters to be a form of mutilation, the said procedure has come a long way in terms of its acceptability as a form of disease prevention.
Its impossible to prove that circumcision diminishes sexual pleasure since a clipped boy will never know what it would have felt like to have a foreskin. However, those who were circumcised as adults found no difference in their sex lives.
Still, many parents in the United States still doubt the need to have their male children circumcised. Even Medicaid wont pay for circumcision in 16 states. Statistics show a decline in the number of boys circumcised at birth from 65 to 55 percent between 1993 and 2003. The Medicaid coverage and other challenges to circumcision can be attributed at least in part to the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP stance in a 1999 position paper that says despite potential medical benefits the data were not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision.
According to Dr. Edgar Schoen, a leading proponent of circumcision and chief of pediatrics at Kaiser-Permanente Healthcare for 24 years, the evidence that circumcision prevents HIV transmission has been solid since the late 1980s. Even Harvard medical anthropologist Daniel Halperin, Ph.D., agreed with Schoen.
While the medical community continues to be skeptical, the most convincing studies emerged after the AAP statement. Three trials in which Kenyan and Ugandan men were randomly selected to receive circumcision were halted when it became clear that circumcision helped prevent transmission of HIV. This prompted the United Nations World Health Organization to announce that male circumcision should be added to the list of interventions that can help prevent HIV.
Based on the study, the foreskin is susceptible to attack by HIV and often develops cracks or tears that may lead to bacterial infection such as syphilis and chancroid. These bacterial infections are very common in uncircumcised men, providing a gateway for HIV.

STDs The Silent Infection

Health Specialist — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:10:18 +0000

Let’s face it. Sex is a fact of life. But today’s increasing sexual liberation and tolerance have resulted in unconventional practices and encouraged sexual orientations that were once considered taboo to be accepted by quite a number of people. Without passing judgement to those individuals who prefer to experiment in their sexual affairs, this liberal attitude and behavior could lead to serious consequences if parameters to a pleasurable and safe sexual activities are not observed and met. The same is also true with the general public who lacks proper understanding and appreciation of sexual health issues and standards which could lead to neglect of their partners’ sexual rights.

Every sexual encounter should be coupled with a responsible attitude. The lack of it can result in unwanted pregnancy that may lead to emotional and psychological complications, not only for the parents but also the child. Unprotected sex also exposes sexual partners to a high risk of contracting chronic sexually transmitted diseases STDs.

Do not be deceived. Even the seemingly healthy person beside you can be afflicted with sexually transmitted disease without you or that person knowing it. Though some STDs may produce obvious symptoms, most STDs are asymptomatic infections that do not show noticeable signs and symptoms. Thus, they can be called the silent infection. These cases can only be diagnosed through medical testing. However, there is no widespread program that requires routine check-up. Moreover, there seems to be a lack of public awareness aggravated by the social stigma regarding STDs that keeps people from discussing it with their chosen health care professionals.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs are diseases caused by by viruses, bacteria and parasites and can easily be transmitted through body contact during sex. Sometimes, STD takes a long time to display any kind of symptoms. The following are some of the most common STD that affect sexually active individuals

l Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacterial infection. It is the most common treatable bacterial STD but if not given proper attention may cause serious problems later in life. Chlamydia often infects the cervix in women while the urethra, rectum and eyes can be infected in both sexes. Symptoms of infection may show up at anytime between 1 to 3 weeks after exposure, or it can also be delayed for indefinite period of time.

l Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. Symptoms may show up at anytime between 1 and 14 days after exposure and more noticeable in men than in women. However, it is possible to be infected with gonorrhoea and have no obvious symptoms.

l Crabs or Pubic Lice are small, crab shaped blood-sucking parasites that live on pubic hair but can also be found wherever there is hair such as in the armpits, on the body and even in facial hair such as eyebrows. Crabs or pubic lice can also survive away from the body. They may be found in clothes, bedding and towels. You can have crabs and not know about it until after 2 to 3 weeks when you experience some itching. Crabs are mainly passed on through body contact during sex, but they can also be passed on through sharing clothes, towels or bedding with someone who has them.

l Genital Herpes is caused by the virus called herpes simplex and can affect the mouth, genital area, the skin around the anus, and the fingers. After the first outbreak of herpes is over, the virus hides away in the nerve fibres and remains totally undetected without causing any symptom. Symptoms usually appear one to 26 days after exposure and last for two to three weeks. Symptoms include an itching in the genital or anal area, small fluid-filled blisters that can burst and leave small sores which can be very painful, urine discomfort, and a flu-like illness, backache, headache, swollen glands or fever.

l Genital Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus HPV. These are small fleshy growths found anywhere on a man or woman’s genital area, or on different parts of the body, such as the hands and anus. After you have been infected with the genital wart virus it usually takes between 1 and 3 months for warts to appear on your genitals. They may occur singly or in groups. They may itch, but are usually painless. Often there are no other symptoms. If a woman has warts on her cervix, this may cause slight bleeding or, very rarely, an unusual coloured vaginal discharge.

l Gut Infections are bacterial infections that can be passed on during sex. When they reach your gut they can cause diarrhea and stomach pains. Infection can be prevented through using condoms, dental dams or latex gloves. Sex toys should be thoroughly cleaned after use and hands washed after any contact with feces. Anti-diarrhea treatments and antibiotics can be used for treatment.

l Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted and may also be passed from an infected mother to her unborn child. The signs and symptoms of syphilis are the same in both men and women. They can be difficult to recognize and may take up to 3 months to show after having sexual contact with an infected person. Syphilis has several stages. The primary and secondary stages are very infectious.

It is very important that an STD is detected early and treated before it becomes seriousand lead to long-term complications or permanent damage. Abstinence is the surest thing to avoid contracting an STD. If you are sexually active; the practice of safe sex can greatly help in minimizing risk from STD. Always use condoms during sexual intercourse or dental dams for oral sex. Make sure to sanitize sex toys before and after use. Observe genital hygiene routines, as well as keeping your hands clean at all times. Consult with your professional health care provider for advice on getting tested for STD.

Gastritis A Brief Overview

Health Specialist — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:10:02 +0000

What is gastritis?

Gastritis, as any medical book would describe it, is the inflammation of the stomach lining. The term itself was derived from the Greek terms gastro- which literally means stomach, and itis meaning inflammation. This condition may manifest itself alone or as a symptom of an underlying medical condition. This may appear out of nowhere or develop slowly over time.

What causes gastritis?

Gastritis usually develops when the stomachs protective lining becomes overwhelmed or damaged. Without this mucus lining to shield the stomach walls, digestive acids may then irritate and inflame your stomach lining. A lot of factors may trigger gastritis, these include

o Bacterial infection. The bacteria type helicobacter pylori may cause gastritis. Though it is said that everybody is infected with this type of bacteria, the majority of those infected dont manifest complications.
o Medications. Aspirin, Ibuprofen naproxen, and other non-steroidal inflammatory drugs may reduce a key substance that helps preserve the protective barrier of the stomach.
o Alcohol. Alcohol can irritate and erode the stomach lining, making the stomach more vulnerable to gastric juices.
o Bile reflux disorder. Bile, one released from the gallbladder, is supposed to go to the small intestines through a series of small tubes. The pyloric valve prevents bile from flowing into the stomach from the intestines. If the pyloric valve malfunctions, bile may flow into the stomach, causing stomach lining irritation.
o Autoimmune deficiency. The body itself attacks the cells that make up the stomach lining.
o Other diseases. Gastritis may be a connected to other medical conditions, including HIVAIDS, Crohns disease, parasitic infections, certain connective tissue disorders, and liver or kidney failures.

What are the signs and symptoms of gastritis?

The following symptoms listed may be a result of gastritis or any underlying medical condition that caused gastritis

o A gnawing or burning ache or pain indigestion in your upper abdomen that may become either worse or better when you eat.
o Nausea and vomiting.
o Fever.
o Loss of appetite.
o Belching or bloating.
o A feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after eating.
o Weight loss.
o Gastric bleeding.
o Lethargy.

Acute gastritis, or gastritis that occurs suddenly, usually results in a combination of nausea and a burning pain or discomfort in the upper abdominal area. On the other hand, chronic gastritis, which develops over time, is more probable to cause a dull pain and a feeling of fullness or loss of appetite after having a few bites of food.

How is gastritis treated?

Treatment depends on the severity and the cause of the gastritis. Gastritis caused by medications or alcohol consumption may be prevented simply by limiting, if not stopping the use of those substances. Certain medications are also prescribed to treat helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, counter stomach acids, reduce the manifestation of certain symptoms, and promote healing of the stomach lining. These medications include antacids, acid blockers, and drugs designed to blocking the actions of acid-secreting cells.

What complications may arise from gastritis?

If left untreated, gastritis may lead to more severe medical complications such as stomach ulcers and stomach hemorrhage. Certain forms of chronic gastritis may even increase the risk of developing stomach cancer, especially if the stomach lining has become too thin or there has been a change in the lining cells.

We cant always help getting sick or infected by these kinds of medical conditions. However taking preventive measures may help lessen the burden of having gastritis. A well-balanced diet, or an evenly spaced, proportioned meal may help ease the effects of stomach acid. Limiting alcohol intake or switching pain reliever brands may reduce stomach lining irritation. Lastly, following your doctors advice may help you get rid of gastritis faster.