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Stages of HIV infection

Stages of HIV infection

HIV or Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus is a life-threatening virus that attacks the CD-4 lymphocytes of the human body and brings down its immune system to a level that it is vulnerable to all kinds of diseases. If not treated timely, the infected person dies due to the direct effect of all other diseases rather than HIV alone. HIV has three stages; Acute HIV infection When HIV virus enters the blood stream of the body, it immediately attacks the lymphocytes in the blood. The patient may not notice its effect in the initial weeks until the time when the lymphocytes count in the blood stream has reduced to a drastic level. Flu like symptoms would begin to a appear. High fever with head ache and nausea would be persistent for a couple of days. Some people might even experience Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms would remain for a normal period and the patient would return to normal state without ever knowing the real cause of the flu infection. The second stage is called as the chronic infection stage . The patient enters this stage when the HIV starts killing off CD-4 cells thereby weakening the immune system on a daily basis.
5 quick home remedies to get rid of fungal infections

5 quick home remedies to get rid of fungal infections

Although fungal infections are quite benign, they can be annoying. If a fungal infection affects a visible patch of your body, you might feel uncomfortable when you go out of your house. It is said that prevention is better than cure. You can avoid fungal infection ensuring that your surrounding including you are in in a clean and hygienic condition. The best way to avoid fungal infection is to keep every little nook and cranny of your body dry: fungal infection occurs as a result of a side effect of antibiotics, weakened immune system, diabetes, poor hygiene, living in a warm environment, poor blood circulation, a skin injury and coming in contact with someone who has a fungal infection. However, despite taking all precautions and best efforts, you might get infected with a fungal disease. In such situations, it is best to arrest the infection in its initial stages before it spreads and its intensity becomes worse. Here are five remedies that you can use instantly. These remedies will be easily available in your home. Tea Tree Oil: Combine tree tea oil with sweet almond oil or olive oil and apply the mixture to the infected part of your body.
How to prevent yourself from ENT infections

How to prevent yourself from ENT infections

Otorhinolaryngology is the term that not many of us are aware of. But it the study of problems related to ear, nose, and throat ENT. ENT problems are common, easily diagnosed, and curable, and yet, can get serious at times if not taken care of at an early stage. Infections are common in the ear, nose, and throat among many people. It is important to understand the seriousness of ENT infections as these organs are closest to the brain and cause a lot of pain whenever there is an infection. Reporting to a doctor in minor pains can be helpful in preventing yourself from potential infection in the future. To prevent an infection, you must know the causes of the same. Ear infection A ear infection is the most common type of infection in ENT infections. You need to know when you are getting an infection, if you do. If you feel an ache or pain, if you feel you cannot hear thing as clear as you used to or if you’ve completely lost hearing, if you feel some weird pressure in your ear(s), if there is pus or something like pus in your ear that you see or feel, then there is a chance of having or getting an infection.
Viral infections, a brief overview

Viral infections, a brief overview

Viruses are the main reasons for causing different types of viral infections. Viral infections can be either treated by vaccination or with the use of antiviral drugs. There are however a number of viral infections which are capable of avoiding the immune response from these countermeasures and develop resistance through mutation. This is why it is imperative to understand the different types of viral infection and the most common diseases caused by the same. Here is a comprehensive list of common viral infections and their associated viruses. Encephalitis or Meningitis: Symptoms are mainly caused due to virus strains like JC virus (John Cunnigham Virus), measles, arbovirus and LCM virus (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis). Common cold: Common cold affects a majority of the population caused due to rhinoviruses, Parainfluenza virus and also respiratory syncytial virus with mild symptoms like a headache, fever, nausea, fatigue among others. Pharyngitis: A condition which results in inflammation in the back of the throat affecting the pharynx, which results in symptoms like a sore throat and fever. The viruses commonly causing this condition include Adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalovirus. Eye infections: Visible indicators of eye infections include pain, itching due to any foreign object in the eyes, sensitivity to light, redness and small lines visible in the white part of the eyeball, crusty puss formation due to a bacterial infection among others.
Top 7 Unbelievable Home Remedies For Ear Infections

Top 7 Unbelievable Home Remedies For Ear Infections

Ear infections can be painful, and can affect your daily life. It often starts with a dull throb, and moves on to become a sharp stabbing pain. Sometimes, the pain can move down to your jaw and neck, and make it difficult for you to concentrate on anything. According to a survey, more than two-thirds of children around the world, suffer from middle ear infection at least once by the time they turn three. It is more prominent in babies between seven to nine months of age. This can be frightening for most first time parents as they cannot fathom the reason for their child’s crankiness and sleeplessness. Today, most doctors wait up to 72 hours before prescribing any antibiotics to children. Also, most parents and adults are hesitant to use antibiotics due to its possible side-effects. Using antibiotics should be the last resort, whether it’s you or your child. You can try some of these safe and gentle home remedies that are very effective. Read on to know more. Olive Oil Take some warm olive oil and put a few drops into the infected ear. Leave it for a few minutes and then use a cotton swab to clean the ear.
Guard against these common ENT infections

Guard against these common ENT infections

The human body is quite vulnerable to different kinds of infections which are caused by malicious external agents. What is being implied is that, every part of our body is vulnerable to infections. The most common infections that can cause mild irritation to severe pain are the Ear-Nose-Throat infections, popularly known as ENT infections. The trio is intricately related to each other. That’s how unique a human body is. ENT infections are quite common and mostly affects children. But, adults too aren’t spared from the onslaught of ENT infections. ENT infections can be trivial or very severe. Here’s a list of the common ENT infections that can affect anyone irrespective of their age. Outer and middle ear infections- If you are diagnosed with outer ear infection, the ear canal is the one that suffers the most. You might experience itching in the ear canal, pain and swelling in the ear canal, and a crust-like formation can be seen around the ear canal. Middle ear infections affect the space behind the eardrum. Ear infections are mostly an extension of nose and throat. You might experience earache, fever, dizziness, and hearing loss in extreme cases. Meniere’s disease (ears)- The Meniere’s disease affects the inner ear.
What you need to know about the H Pylori infection?

What you need to know about the H Pylori infection?

The Helicobacter Pylori (commonly referred to as the H Pylori) are a family of bacteria which possess a spiral shape. They grow in the digestive tract of the human body and are capable of attacking the stomach lining. Although these bacteria are pretty harmless, they are culprits of most ulcers occurring in the stomach and small intestine. What causes the H Pylori infection? Lack of sufficient bathroom hygiene is a big reason. Not washing your hands thoroughly after using the washroom can cause bacteria to enter your mouth from your hands. Consumption of contaminated food and water are one of the main reasons for breeding of the H Pylori. Symptoms Most people diagnosed with the H Pylori infection don’t show most or even any of the symptoms. But if you do end up having more than 3 of the mentioned symptoms, it’s always advisable to consult a physician. Burning sensation or pain in the abdominal region. Nausea Uncontrollable burping Loss of weight Bloating Loss of appetite Methods Of Diagnosis Doctors may use the following methods to confirm their diagnosis. Blood Test The laboratory receives a specimen of your blood and tests are conducted to check for the presence of H Pylori.
Different types of viral infections

Different types of viral infections

Viral infections are commonly caused due to a host virus attack on the immune system. Since viruses cannot survive and grow on their own, they attach to cells in the body to introduce the genetic material of the carrier virus ultimately killing the host cell and replacing it with virus cell copies. This is how a viral infection spreads internally, slowly affecting all the healthy cells in the vicinity. Immediate medical attention is advised if the symptoms start showing up. The most common types of viral infections are divided across categories like respiratory viral infections, viral skin infections, foodborne viral infections, sexually transmitted viral infections among others. Rhinovirus: A type of viral infection which is known to cause the common cold with mild symptoms like coughing, sneezing, headache and sore throat. Flu: Alternatively known as seasonal influenza, flu symptoms include symptoms like body aches and fatigue apart from common cold symptoms which are more severe. It is estimated that about 5% to 20% of the population in the country suffer from the flu. Molluscum contagiosum: This is a viral skin infection which most commonly affects children. However, symptoms have been experienced by adults as well. They include small flesh colored bumps which are a noticeable indicator of the developing symptoms.
Essential information on staph infection

Essential information on staph infection

The bacteria that cause staph infection, called Staphylococcus aureus, live on everybody’s skin and are mostly dormant until they are triggered. Lack of hygiene trigger the bacteria and that results in staph infection. The cases of women getting or contacting staph infection after visiting a beauty salon in the country are surprising yet true. Staph infection can spread if no hygiene is maintained. Hence is it immensely important for people to stay aware and clean. There are some body parts that are more prone to picking up the staph infections than the others. If you are thinking that the most common body part to catch staph infection is the nose and mouth, then you are partially wrong. This is because your feet are more prone than any other body part to catch an infection from the floor. Keeping your floor clean and sterilized will prevent you from catching a staph infection. If you have to walk without shoes on a floor where cleaning is not possible, then always wear socks. This will keep your feet from coming directly in contact with the dirty floor and keep all the signs of staph infection away. Once you have identified the infection by focusing on the signs of staph infection, there are ways you can try to get rid of staph infection.
Hepatitis C: The slow and silent infection

Hepatitis C: The slow and silent infection

According to WHO, 80 percent of deaths due to liver cancer have been caused by Hepatitis C. Nearly 1 million people have been killed by this disease. It is estimated that approximately 3 million people in the US are affected by the Hepatitis C virus. In most cases, Hepatitis C goes undetected, until a critical stage is reached. By this time, it is too late to take any preventive or remedial measures. Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that infects the liver and spreads through the blood. It usually spreads through contaminated syringes or by the sharing of injections and through transfusion of blood, which might not have been tested for Hepatitis C virus. There have been cases of the Hepatitis C virus spreading sexually and also from an infected mother to her infant. However, these are very uncommon instances of the transmission of this virus. Hepatitis C virus does not spread through casual contact or sharing food with an infected person. The virus also does not spread through breast milk, food, or water. Hepatitis C virus usually takes about two weeks to six months to manifest any discernible symptoms. The symptoms are quite generic: fever, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, joint pain, jaundice, and so on.
Know the infection, shingles

Know the infection, shingles

What is Shingles? Shingles is an infection, which can be painful, and is contagious as well. It appears as a rash that’s generally around the torso but can occur anywhere in the body. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, the infection can last a long time. Visit a doctor and go for an antiviral shingles medicine course to reduce the severity of the infection. Causes and risk factors Shingles occur due to an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is also referred to as herpes zoster as it falls in the category of herpes viruses. This virus also causes chickenpox. So, anyone who has had chickenpox is at a risk of getting shingles. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in the nerve roots next to the spine. It can reactive at any time and cause shingles. Shingles can occur in people of any age group. But it usually affects older people. The reason for it is that the virus can reactivate when the body’s immunity is weak, which can happen in the old age. It can also occur in children with poor immunity. Chemotherapy drugs can also lower immunity. People with HIV or cancer have weak immune systems.