Chickenpox Transmission Methods

Posted by admin on March 13th, 2009

Chickenpox is a very common and highly contagious disease that is often called one of the classic children’s diseases, because so many people contract it during their childhood. Rare but serious complications can be caused by the disease that require immediate medical attention. The best method for avoiding chickenpox is to receive a chickenpox immunization. The most common chickenpox symptoms are fever, headache, stomach ache, and loss of appetite, followed by an itchy rash of blisters, generally lasting for 2 to 4 days. The cause of chicken pox is the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Another name for this virus is human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), a member of the herpes family that causes herpes zoster, also known as shingles, in adults. Chickenpox is highly contagious, and the chickenpox virus can be transmitted by numerous methods including airborne transmission, direct contact, and droplet transmission.

Some children who have received the varicella vaccination may develop a slight case of chickenpox as subsequent to the vaccination. However, these children usually contract much milder symptoms, develop only a few dozen chickenpox blisters, and recover far more rapidly than unvaccinated chickenpox sufferers. However, these mild, post-vaccination cases of chickenpox are still highly contagious. In a person is infected with chickenpox, the symptoms and blisters usually manifest between 10 and 21 days following exposure. However, people are contagious 1 to 2 days before the rash and blisters emerge and remain contagious while any un-crusted blisters are present.

After you have contracted chickenpox, the virus normally remains in your body for your lifetime, being kept under control by your immune system. Approximately 10% of adults may contract shingles which is also caused by the chickenpox virus. This happens when the varicella virus overcomes the immune system and becomes active during periods of stress. This particularly affects older people, later in life.

The most common chickenpox sufferers are children under 10 years old. In these children, the disease is usually presents mild symptoms, however, in very rare case, serious complications can develop. Adults and older children usually develop more severe cases of chickenpox. Due to the immunity they receive from their mothers, children under one year of age, whose mothers have previously had chickenpox or have previously received the chickenpox vaccination, are unlikely to contract the disease. If they do contract chickenpox, it is normally a very mild case. However, for children under one year of age whose mothers have not had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated for chickenpox, or whose inborn immunity has already waned, a severe case of the chickenpox can develop. Normally, children will develop 250-500 blisters during the course of the chickenpox, however, children afflicted with additional skin problems, such as eczema or recent sunburn, may get more than 1,500 chickenpox blisters.

Rare but serious and severe complications are more common in those with weakened or compromised immune systems from things such as medicines, disease, or treatments like chemotherapy. Some of the most severe cases of chickenpox have been observed in children who have been administered steroids, such as in the treatment of asthma, prior to developing symptoms, during the disease’s incubation period.

David Davis
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/chickenpox-transmission-methods-86191.html

These are Some of the Symptoms of Dishydrotic Eczema

Posted by admin on March 11th, 2009

Dishydrotic eczema is a recurring reaction of eczematous that is marked by the development of eruptions of the vesicles on the soles and the palms. This is seen persistently between the digits and the along the sides. This is followed with hyperhidrosis and a burning sensation. However, the disease lasts only for some weeks. It is said to be self limiting.

Dishydrotic eczema is an allergic condition that may result into serious problems. They can be caused due to allergies of the soaps, laundry detergents, perfumes, food allergens, chemicals, animal dander and some metals like that in metal jewelry. Some of the common food allergens include some fruits like strawberries, nuts, seafood, eggs and wheat.

People suffering from eczema often feel that they are now tracked into a situation that is uncontrollable and never ending. This is so as this is a disease which has no specific cures available. But, it is not a contagious disease and there are effective treatment methods to diagnose it. These treatments can make the condition abstract.

Symptoms of Dishydrotic eczema:

* Eye problems- cataracts, eyelid dermatitis

* Itching, redness, blister and peel

* Work loss

* Dry skin that gets irritated very easily

* Skin infections such as herpes and stalphs

* Occupational skin disease like hand dermatitis

* Finally, social and family relationships disrupted.

Eczema is a disorder of the skin affecting anyone from the infant to the older people. It is very common in both males and females. The attacks are fluctuating. They come and go.

Treatment of Dishydrotic Eczema by Elta

You feel relieved and can prevent the occurrence of the possible future irritation by treating the Dishydrotic eczema by Elta. Eczema treatment helps in controlling the Eczema by providing better penetration of the tar for controlling the growth of the cells as well as inflammation. It also provide long term moisturizing for the controlling the dryness and the itchiness. The Dishydrotic eczema treated with the help of Elta gives an effective solution using the Elta Tar. So there is no need to wait any longer. You can get done your Eczema treatment, if you need today.

Types of Treatment: as there is no cure available as such for eczema, the main aim is to treat it in order to reduce the discomfort and the inflammation caused and slow down the rate of cell division. There are many treatments available such as steroid creams, ointments, cortisone, etc, but they should be taken only under a doctor’s prescription. If the infection is caused due to bacteria then there are antibiotics and prescribed drugs that will make you sleepy and eventually prevent itching of the skin.

Vitamins for eczema- flaxseeds contain the essential fatty acids that help to regenerate the skin. Vitamin E and Vitamin A decreases the itchiness and the dryness of the skin. Zinc acids help in the process of recovery and also encourage the functioning of the immune system. The grape seeds are very rich in antioxidants that suppress the allergic responses of the body.

Muna wa Wanjiru
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/these-are-some-of-the-symptoms-of-dishydrotic-eczema-426954.html

Some of the Skin Symptoms Provoked by Eczema

Posted by admin on March 9th, 2009

It was seen that eczema symptoms vary from person to person but, however, the most usual symptoms are dry, itchy skin, rashes on the cheeks, arms, and legs, and cracks behind the ears. Itching is an important symptom of eczema, and those with atopic dermatitis are more sensitive to it, needing to scratch for a long time. It is known that scratching and rubbing in response to itching makes the skin inflammation get worse.

Itching can be a problem during sleep, because the conscious control of scratching decreases and the itchiness becomes more noticeable because of the absence of other stimuli.

Because of the scratching, there can appear skin infections. Some people with eczema develop red, scaling skin, and there, the immune system is becoming very activated, and others develop thick and leathery skin, condition called lichenification.

There also exists the possibility that some people to develop small raised bumps or papules on their skin, and when those papules are scratched, they open and become crusty and infected.

It is known that the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin is composed by the inner part containing moist, living cells, and the outer part, known as the stratum corneum, containing dry, flattened, dead cells. Normally, the stratum corneum acts as a barrier, protects other layers of skin from damage caused by irritants, and prevents the rest of the skin from drying out. It was seen that when this barrier is damaged, the irritants will act more intensely on the skin.

The skin of the patient with eczema is very dry and has reduced abilities for protection. This skin is also susceptible to recurring infections, like staphylococcal and streptococcal bacterial skin infections and warts, herpes simplex, and molluscum contagiosum.

We can mention some of the features that characterize the eczema. Lichenification results because of constant scratching and rubbing, and the skin is thick and leathery. Ichthyosis consists in dry, rectangular scales on the skin, atopic pleat is an extra fold of skin that develops under the eye, and keratosis pilaris consists in small, rough bumps that appear on the face, upper arms, and thighs. It was seen that after exposing to an allergen, after exercise or a hot bath, or at the beginning of flares, urticaria can appear.

Some other features that we can mention are cheilitis, which is an inflammation of the skin on and around the lips, hyperlinear palms- increased number of skin creases on the palms- ,and eyelids that have become darker in color from inflammation or hay fever (hyperpigmented eyelids).

For more resources about dyshidrotic eczema or even about eczema please review http://www.eczema-info-guide.com

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/some-of-the-skin-symptoms-provoked-by-eczema-122768.html

No symptoms of genital herpes after one year?

Posted by admin on March 7th, 2009

Is it possible that a man can show no symptoms of genital herpes even after a year?
Does this mean that he doesn't have genital Herpes?

Yes it's possible. Some people can have herpes with out having symptoms for years after they contracted it.
That doesn't mean for sure he doesn't have genital herpes. He could have herpes with out having symptoms. This is why some people who have herpes have no idea that they have it.
Get tested for herpes if your worried that you could have it. That is the only for sure way to tell if some one has genital herpes, specially if they have no symptoms.

Chicken Pox Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment

Posted by admin on March 7th, 2009

Chickenpox was once considered a rite of passage for most children. The red, itchy rash is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is part of a group of viruses called herpesviruses. Because chickenpox is so contagious, 90% of a patient’s family also will develop the illness if they live in the same house and are not already immune. About one of every 100 children infected with chickenpox will develop a severe lung infection (pneumonia), an infection of the brain (encephalitis), or a problem with the liver. Adolescents and adults who develop chickenpox are also at high risk of developing serious complications. After a person has chickenpox, the virus typically lives silently in the nervous system of the body for the rest of a person’s life. It may reactivate (come to life again) at any time when the body’s immune defenses are weakened by stress or illness (such as cancer or HIV infection) or by medications that weaken the immune system. Reactivation of the virus causes a condition called shingles, a painful blistering skin rash that typically occurs on the face, chest or back, in the same area where one or two of the body’s sensory nerves travel.

Causes of Chicken Pox

The common Causes of Chicken Pox :

Herpes Zoster Virus

Poor immune system

Inhaling airborne droplets

Persistent wrong feeding of children:

Contact with broken chickenpox blisters

Symptoms of Chicken Pox

Some Symptoms of Chicken Pox :

Fever.

Decreased appetite

Weakness.

Fatigue.

Mild headache.

Abdominal pain or loss of appetite.

Low-grade fever.

Rash on the upper chest or back.

Cough or runny nose

Itchy rash on the trunk, face, under the armpits, on the upper arms and legs, and inside the mouth

Treatment of Chicken Pox

Antibiotics for treating bacterial infections.

Bedrest.

Increased fluid intake (to prevent dehydration).

Calamine lotion (to relieve itching).

Antiviral drugs (for severe cases) .

Cool baths with baking soda or Aveeno (to relieve itching) .

Acetaminophen for fever (DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN).

Juliet Cohen
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/chicken-pox-causes-symptoms-information-with-treatment-225146.html

Chicken Pox- Symptoms and Treatment

Posted by admin on March 5th, 2009

Varicella zoster is a virus that is part of the herpes family. This virus is responsible for some disease, the most known of all being chicken pox. This condition is more common in children, but adults can develop chicken pox as well. Chicken pox only strikes once in a persons life and it is best that this happens when you are a child. This condition is also highly contagious.

The incubation period of chicken pox is about two weeks. In this time your child will have no chicken pox symptoms. After the two weeks have passed, the first chicken pox signs will actually be symptoms very similar to those of the flu. A mild fever, some coughing and loss of appetite are the first chicken pox symptoms. Unfortunately, many of us do not realize that there are actually telling us that our child suffers from chicken pox. Precisely in this period, children are the most contagious. After a couple of days, chicken pox rash starts to appear on your child’ s body. The first areas that are usually affected by chicken pox are the back and the chest. The chicken pox rash is at first just some tiny red and itchy spots, that will turn into blisters in a couple of day’ s time. The blisters are filled with fluid and they will speared very quickly on the rest of your child’ s body. There are chicken pox cases, where the child has only a few such blisters, but usually he/ she will have at least three hundred

chicken pox blisters. These then turn into crusts and then scab just a few days later.

Chicken pox treatment is mainly aimed at relieving the symptoms that your child has. Itching, which is one of the chicken pox trade marks can be relieved with antihistamines or with oatmeal or baking soda baths. If fever is also a chicken pox symptom that you child is has, then ipubrofen must be given to the chicken pox patient. Do not give your child aspirin, because it can increase the risk of developing Reye’ s syndrome. Antiviral drugs may also be prescribed in chicken pox cases.

Another great thing is that now a chicken pox vaccine is available. This vaccine will not prevent your child from developing chicken pox, however it will make the chicken pox case a lot milder and it will also help prevent some of the chicken pox complications.

For more information about chicken pox vaccine or even about adult chicken pox please review this page http://www.chicken-pox-center.com/

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/chicken-pox-symptoms-and-treatment-131455.html

What Are The Yeast Infection Symptoms In A Man?

Posted by admin on March 3rd, 2009

Just as it is possible for a baby to have a yeast infection, so is it possible for yeast infection symptom in man to exist. Many people are under the impression that only women can experience a yeast infection in their genital region. Although it is true that women are far more likely to develop these yeast infections, thinking a man cannot develop a genital yeast infection is a misconception that needs to be dispelled.

Men, like women have candida present in their gut. A candida overgrowth, better known as candidasis, is simply the fancy way of saying yeast infection. For instance, oral thrush, and many skin rashes and infections such as athlete’s foot are all forms of yeast infections that are linked to candida. Thus, genital yeast infections are an infection caused by candida overgrowth and other contributing factors.

What are the other causes aside from candida? Unlike oral thrush yeast infection symptom in man - often caused by HIV - A yeast infection that affects the genital region, known as a penile yeast infection, can be caused by different factors. Some of these factors may include the following -

Sexual transmission - If a man has unprotected sex with a woman, who has a vaginal yeast infection, candida can be transmitted from her to him through direct contact, just like a sexually transmitted disease. Although this isn’t entirely a common occurrence, it can and does happen more frequently than one would think.

Antibiotics - It is really uncommon for a penile yeast infection symptom in man to develop from antibiotics, but it is not impossible. Antibiotics are considered candida friendly because they destroy good bacteria and bad bacteria, creating an imbalance in gut flora which can result in candida overgrowth and lead to infection.

Diabetes - Men who have diabetes are at a greater risk of developing yeast infections due to the fact that they have elevated sugar levels in their urine.

What are the symptoms? The following are some of the penile yeast infection symptom in man to look for:

• Irritation and soreness present in the head of the penis, often accompanied by itchiness.

• The head of the penis may appear red and develop small blisters

• Presence of discharge that appears thick and white

• Little red itchy bumps may appear on the penis shaft or surrounding genital area if a yeast infection is left untreated.

If a man is experiencing these symptoms, it is important that he visit his doctor to receive a proper diagnosis. There are two main reasons why a professional diagnosis is important -
1.If a man does not treat a yeast infection, he can pass it back to his partner, and she can continue to pass it back to him. Both sexual partners should be treated to eradicate the threat of infection.

2. Although a man may think he is suffering a yeast infection, in actuality his symptoms may be the cause of an entirely different medical condition- genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is characterized by little itchy bumps, and is a chronic disease that can not be treated with the same remedies as a yeast infection.

Hence, always have symptoms investigated by a health care provider to be sure, and refrain from self-diagnosis.

How is a penile yeast infection symptom in man treated? In most cases it is treated with the same topical cream prescribed to women with vaginal yeast infections. These creams are available without a doctor’s prescription at your local pharmacy. Just remember, that if you’ve never experienced a penile yeast infection before, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor, get checked out, and take his treatment advice to experience effective relief.

Jane Symms
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-are-the-yeast-infection-symptoms-in-a-man-125444.html

Herpes Virus Family Facts

Posted by admin on March 1st, 2009

To most people the word “herpes” conjures up an image of genital herpes, the incurable virus that is transmitted through sexual contact and causes blisters on the genitals. However herpes is in fact a family of viruses that is extremely widespread and can cause a number of conditions affecting the skin, mouth, eyes, brain or, in rare cases, the whole body.

Some estimates suggest that as many as 1 in 6 people may carry some form of the herpes virus in their body, either active or inactive.

Forms of the herpes virus include herpes simplex type 1 (cold sores), herpes simplex type 2 (genital herpes), varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), cytomegalovirus (mild hepatitis), Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis) and herpes-zoster (shingles). All of these conditions are caused by viruses in the herpes family.

Two similar conditions, herpes gestationis and dermatitis herpetiformis, both produce herpes-like blisters on the skin but are not related to or caused by any of the various herpes viruses.

The many diseases that are caused by the herpes virus may differ widely from one another, but they all share
a few common traits:

They are generally very contagious.

The viruses can survive in latent form for long periods of time after the initial infection.

They are not curable. (However, there are effective treatments that can render the virus dormant, even in genital herpes)
Estimates suggest that nearly 30 million Americans are infected with herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and despite many studies over many years there has been little success in developing either a cure or an effective vaccine.

Many of the viruses in the herpes family do not recur after the initial disease outbreak, such as chicken pox for example. However all herpes viruses, when not active, remain dormant in your body, hidden in nerve tissues and escaping detection by the immune system.

It is unsure exactly how and why a latent herpes virus will suddenly trigger into an active infection, however it is known that certain stresses to the immune system appear to bring on an outbreak. These stresses that may lead to outbreaks include illness, injury, emotional stress, poor diet, over exposure to sunlight, and even menstruation.

A strong immune system seems to lessen recurrence of outbreaks, though outbreaks may continue throughout life. Studies show that chickenpox and shingles have a recurrence of nearly zero while HSV-1 has a recurrence rate of 14 percent and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) has a recurrence rate of 60 percent.

It is HSV-2 that most commonly causes genital infections, and HSV-1 that most commonly causes infections of the lips; however either viruses can be passed from one location to the other.

Studies have also shown that herpes sores can also provide an entryway for other infections.
Women with the herpes virus may even have an increased risk of cervical cancer and it is important for any women who has had herpes to have a cervical smear test (Pap test) every one or two years.

Whether you have been diagnosed with some form of herpes or not, practicing common sense prevention can go a long way in controlling the spread of herpes. For instance, avoid kissing persons who currently have sores on their mouth or lips.
Always practice safe sex in non-monogamous relationships and avoid all sexual contact with any partner who is exhibiting symptoms of an active outbreak of genital herpes until symptoms have disappeared. While most, but not all, male genital herpes outbreaks are easily detected, female genital herpes outbreaks can many times go completely unnoticed. In fact, many women with genital herpes don’t realize they have contracted the virus until they have passed it on to a partner.

Using a condom may or may not prevent the spread of the herpes virus from one partner to another, whether one partner has an active outbreak or not; So while using condoms may be better than no protection at all, you should be aware that even condoms are not 100% effective in protecting against the transmission of the herpes virus.

If you have a history of herpes, avoid getting overtired or allowing yourself to get run down. When you are fatigued, your immune system cannot function as well, and you may be more vulnerable to a recurrence of herpes.

If you suspect you might have some form of the herpes virus or if you have a partner that has herpes, please see your local health care provider for a diagnosis and medical advise.

John Trout
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/herpes-virus-family-facts-79351.html

Shingles Treatment and Symptoms

Posted by admin on February 27th, 2009

Shingles or the Herpes Zoster may not need a doctor to identify. In fact, the person affected by the ailment can easily diagnose it by the symptoms that are hard to miss. It usually starts with a headache, sensitivity to light, and a feeling of chilliness and nausea with or without a fever. There is also itching, tingling and acute pain where the rash will ultimately develop. The intensity of the pain can be felt as quick stabs of throbbing and stinging ache, making the patient twitchy and restless.

Shingles occur primarily in two stages - the Prodromal stage and the Eruptive stage.

Symptoms of shingles in the Prodromal stage (2 to 5 days before the appearance of rashes), there is a chilly feeling, nausea, headache and fever that is followed by a feeling of lack of sensation on a side of the face or body. And then comes the severe pain, burning and scratchy feeling that may last long or just be intermittent. At this stage the pain is accompanied by the scratchy feeling that happens on any side of the body or the face.

In the Eruptive stage however reddish flush appears along with blisters (singly or in clusters) on the skin. These are filled with a clear fluid and are sensitive to the touch. New blisters continue to form for up to 5 or more days, depending on the intensity of the outbreak. They may be found all over the place and may also run in a continuous band form. Incidentally, they appear almost like chicken pox. Severe pain, scratchy and somewhat irritating - this is how the blisters feel.

After about 15 days, the clear fluid contained within the blisters change color and begins to get translucent as compared to their original transparent look, ultimately resembling small sets of pearls on the skin. This is when they are filled with pus. Scabs begin to get formed.

Though the blisters generally do not leave any undesirable tell tale marks on the skin but some discoloration stays for quite sometime even after the skin is free of them.

A significant fact about shingles is that the blisters almost always appear on one side of the body - the torso, one side of the face, arms, legs or the waistline. When diagnosing shingles, and its symptoms, this factor need to kept in mind. Also, in some cases, urticaria or ‘hives’ may form instead of blisters, but nevertheless, they also are symptoms for shingles.

In some cases, the shingles rash may look as those of Poison Oak or Poison Ivy at the initial stage but the confusion will be cleared in a few days when the blisters start forming since none of the other two have any such manifestations. In case of doubt, fluid collected from the blisters may be tested in a laboratory to confirm the infection.

Symptoms for shingles may also be gathered from a blood count that will reveal elevated number of WBC or white blood cells. A significant rise in the antibody to the virus is another symptom of shingles

Todd Mumford
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/shingles-treatment-and-symptoms-134258.html

Are You Suffering From Combined Candida Yeast Chronic Fatigue Symptoms?

Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009

If you or a loved one is suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it is worth exploring the potential candida yeast chronic fatigue link.

Candida yeast can be harmless and co-exist on or in the human body for the majority of the time. However, if allowed to grow excessively then it can become a real cause for concern, and in some severe cases a candida infection can become life threatening if left untreated.

As well as being an uncomfortable infection it can also contribute towards a number of other medical problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, gas and bloating and also fatigue. In this article we will look more closely at just what the relationship is between Candida Yeast and Chronic Fatigue.

In some cases, where the actual clinical signs of a Candida yeast infection may not be obvious, they can still trigger other symptoms and complications.

Certainly, many people who suffer from a yeast infection but do not show the normal signs of the infection may find that they suffer from fatigue, become irritable, and can suffer from constipation or diarrhea or both plus many other symptoms.

However there are some researchers who are suggesting that a change in a person’s normally healthy levels of bacteria found in the intestine could play a part in a person suffering from the symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue. These bacteria are a defense mechanism against bacterial infection, virus’ and yeast infections. They also play an important role in ensuring we maintain a strong immune system and an effective digestive function.

As yet there is no evidence to show which, if any, specific type of virus or infection is the single cause for a person to suffer from chronic fatigue.

Yet it has been shown that people who have CFS often have an elevated levels of anti-bodies to organisms which can cause Lyme disease, Candida (yeast infections), HHV-t (Herpes virus Type 6) along with Measles and Parvovirus.

So, the link seems conclusive, except that researchers have spent vast amounts of time looking at the possibility that some sort of virus of other infectious agents, for example Candida yeast is the cause of chronic fatigue. But at present there is no firm evidence to prove that this is the case.

The difficulty in diagnosing a link between chronic fatigue and candida, or any other infection is understandable. It is hard to spot a trend, as many people suffer from virus and yeast infection’s, but do not then go on to suffer with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Interestingly, there has been some research carried out that showed if a person follows an anti-candida diet, then it can help with the CFS symptoms.

These diets require a restricted intake of sugars, yeast products and processed foods. Although, this research was not carried out on a large scale, it does indicate that there can be benefits to changing to a healthy diet that can re-energize the immune system.

Continue reading to discover how to sign up to our free newsletter and discover natural ways to combat candida infections.

So, although there seems to be plenty of anecdotal evidence of a candida yeast chronic fatigue connection, there is no conclusive proof to that effect. The best advice that anyone can give is that you should react to any indication of symptoms of candida overgrowth and work to eliminate it as soon as possible. In this way you can minimize the risk of complications.

Jane Symms
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/are-you-suffering-from-combined-candida-yeast-chronic-fatigue-symptoms-136517.html

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