Viral Infection

A viral infection is any type of infection that is caused by a virus.

A virus is a germ that is smaller than a bacteria. Viruses are encapsulated by a protective coating so they are more difficult to kill than bacteria. They are harder to treat because they are not susceptible to antibiotics like bacteria are because of their protective coating. However, viruses cannot grow or exist without host cells - they must be in a living organism (such as the human body) to survive.

Common Viral Infections

Viral infections can cause illnesses as minor as the common cold and as severe as AIDS. Many times people will be diagnosed with a viral infection but not get any more specific information about the virus that is causing the symptoms. Usually when this happens, the symptoms are relatively minor and you will recover without any treatment. Health care providers don't always know the exact virus that is causing the illness. This is when you will get the diagnosis of a "viral infection" with no specific name.

Other common viral infections include:

    The Flu
    Viral Pneumonia
    RSV
    Croup
    Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)
    Chickenpox

Treating Viral Infections

Antibiotics do not kill viruses and the use of them for viral infections just leads to antibiotic resistance. There are only a few antiviral medications available to treat very specific viruses, and they are not always effective. In some cases steroids are effective.

However, there are vaccines available to help prevent many infections. If you have a minor illness and your health care provider tells you that it is a viral infection, the best thing to do is to treat the symptoms if you are able to and just let it run its course.

Experimental Treatment May Help Fight Deadly Ebola Virus

Therapy led to recovery in nearly half of study animals up to 5 days after infection

 An experimental treatment for the deadly Ebola virus proved effective in about half of monkeys with disease symptoms, findings that show promise for the development of therapies for humans, according to researchers.

The death rate for people infected with the Ebola virus is as high as 90 percent, and the virus has caused numerous deaths in Africa over the past several years. In addition to being a health concern, the virus is also considered a potential bioterrorism threat.

In this study, researchers gave the treatment, called MB-003, intravenously to monkeys 104 to 120 hours after they were infected with the Ebola virus and had developed symptoms. Forty-three percent of the monkeys recovered, according to the study published online Aug. 21 in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The MB-003 "cocktail" is made up of so-called monoclonal antibodies, which are able to recognize infected cells and trigger the immune system to destroy them, explained study first author James Pettitt, of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, and colleagues.

No side effects of the antibodies were observed in the surviving monkeys, the study authors noted in an institute news release.

In previous research, the same team found that the treatment provided 100 percent protection when given one hour after Ebola exposure, and protected two-thirds of monkeys who were treated 48 hours after exposure.

The next step in the drug development process would be more extensive testing of the safety of the antibodies in animals. After that, the safety of the antibodies would need to be assessed in people.

Currently, there are no approved vaccines or drugs to treat or prevent Ebola virus infection. And while the findings of the new study are promising, scientists note that research involving animals often fails to produce similar results in humans.

Flu Virus May Trigger Diabetes

Italian researchers have discovered that the flu virus may trigger the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, affects as many as 3 million Americans, most of them diagnosed as children. Type 1 diabetes develops when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells found in the pancreas. The condition is genetic, but an environmental trigger is also necessary for it to appear.

Researchers have suspected the flu virus might provide this trigger since the 1970s, because type 1 diabetes often sets in after an infection.

Study author Ilaria Capua and her team from the World Organization for Animal Health infected turkeys with the flu to test their theory that it could trigger diabetes. They conducted the study on turkeys because they knew birds with the flu often have an inflamed pancreas, according to New Scientist. They found that many of the turkeys infected with flu virus developed severe pancreatic damage, as well as diabetes.

The researchers then infected human pancreatic tissue with two common flu viruses and found that both viruses grew well in the tissue. The flu virus in the pancreatic cells triggered production of inflammatory chemicals that are central to the autoimmune reactions that lead to type 1 diabetes.

Normally, in humans, the virus attacks the lungs and gut, but not typically the pancreas. But it can sometimes get into the blood and travel to the pancreas, researchers said.

Capua is now testing the dibates-producing effects of the flu on mice, according to the New Scientist.

“Our findings indicate that influenza infection may play a role as a causative agent of pancreatitis and diabetes in humans and other mammals,” the study authors concluded in their report.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection - What Increases Your Risk

Most people get HIV by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. Another common way of getting the virus is by sharing needles with someone who is infected with HIV when injecting drugs.

You have an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV through sexual contact if you:

    Have unprotected sex (do not use condoms).
    Have multiple sex partners.
    Are a man who has sex with other men.
    Have high-risk partner(s) (partner has multiple sex partners, is a man who has sex with other men, or injects drugs).
    Have or have recently had a sexually transmitted infection, such as syphilis or active herpes.

People who inject drugs or steroids, especially if they share needles, syringes, cookers, or other equipment used to inject drugs, are at risk of being infected with HIV.

Babies who are born to mothers who are infected with HIV are also at risk of infection.
What to think about

HIV may be spread more easily in the early stage of infection, and again later, when symptoms of HIV-related illness develop.

The risk of getting HIV from a blood transfusion or organ transplant is extremely low because all donated blood and organs in the United States are screened for HIV.

Ways HIV cannot be spread

HIV does not survive well outside the body. So HIV cannot be spread through casual contact with an infected person, such as by sharing drinking glasses or by casual kissing. HIV is not transmitted through contact with an infected person's saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces, or through insect bites.
Contagious and incubation period

The incubation period—the time between when a person is first infected with HIV and when early symptoms develop—may be a few days to several weeks.

It can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 6 months from the time you become infected with HIV for the antibodies to be detected in your blood. This is commonly called the "window period," or seroconversion period. During the window period, you are contagious and can spread the virus to others. If you think you have been infected with HIV but you test negative for it, you should be tested again. Tests at 6, 12, and 24 weeks can be done to be sure you are not infected.

After you become infected with HIV, your blood, semen, or vaginal fluids should always be considered infectious, even if you receive treatment for the HIV infection.

The Shingles Care Plan: Treating the Virus and Its Symptoms

A shingles care plan involves treating the causes as well as the rash, itching, pain, and other symptoms.


Shingles causes a blistering rash that runs along one half of the body in a belt-like fashion. The rash is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, varicella zoster, which can lie dormant for years in the nerve tissue of a person who has had chickenpox. Once the virus reawakens, it spreads up the nerve fibers to the skin and produces the telltale rash of shingles.

An appropriate shingles care plan will employ multiple strategies to help you overcome the varicella zoster virus and cope with the symptoms. You can take medications to help boost your immune system, and relieve the pain and itching associated with the rash, and topical treatments for shingles will soothe the rash directly. Your shingles doctor will most likely be your primary care physician. It is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible after possible shingles symptoms appear so you can get treatment that will effectively reduce the duration of your shingles rash. More severe cases may require shingles treatment from a dermatologist, who can help treat the rash and skin infections, or a neurologist, who can deal with severe or chronic nerve pain.

What to Expect at the Doctor’s Office

There is no immediate cure for shingles. The disease will have to run its course. However, there are a number of medical treatments proven to relieve symptoms and fight the varicella zoster virus:

    Antiviral medications. If you get to your doctor within 72 hours of first developing a shingles rash, he or she can reduce the length of your shingles infection by days through the use of antiviral medications. Antivirals are the first line of shingles treatment.
    Tricyclic antidepressants. These prescription drugs have been proven effective in dulling the pain associated with shingles. They also reduce your chances of developing postherpetic neuralgia, a shingles complication that causes continued pain even after the rash has cleared.
    Opioids. Drugs like oxycodone, morphine, and codeine can relieve shingles pain.
    Steroids. Anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids can reduce the swelling of the shingles rash and lower the intensity and duration of your pain symptoms.

Your doctor will create a shingles care plan for you and prescribe medications based on a number of factors, including:

    Your age and overall health
    How advanced your shingles infection is
    Your medical history and proven tolerance for different medications and therapies
    How your shingles is likely to evolve over time
    What you are willing to do to treat your shingles

At-Home Shingles Care

In addition to the medication that your doctor probably prescribed, much of shingles treatment involves home health care you can do for yourself to relieve your symptoms and prevent complications:

    Get plenty of rest. The shingles virus is opportunistic and flourishes when your immune system is compromised. Rest is critical to strengthen your immune response to the disease.
    Drink plenty of fluids. Dry skin can cause your shingles rash to become more irritated. Staying hydrated helps keep your skin from drying out.
    Use soothing skin care. Calamine lotion or other soothing lotions can help treat some of the itching and burning from your rash.
    Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen are recommended for relieving itching, burning, and pain.
    Apply cold compresses. A clean cloth soaked in cold water or an astringent cooling agent can soothe your rash.
    Practice good hygiene. Bathe yourself daily to reduce your chance of bacterial infection.
    Clip your fingernails. Keeping your nails clean and trimmed will reduce scratching, which can cause scarring and infection.

Call your doctor if there is any change in your condition — for example, if your rash continues to spread or if your pain increases. The physician will be able to adjust your shingles care plan accordingly and keep you on the road to recovery.

Pros and Cons of Topical Steroids for Viral Conjunctivitis

Many physicians have found topical steroids to be helpful for patients with debilitating conjunctivitis. By reducing inflammation, steroids can bring dramatic improvement in patient comfort. However, others caution that steroids may delay resolution of the disease, prolonging the contagious course of the virus. In fact, studies in rabbit models have shown that topical steroids may prolong ocular shedding of adenovirus by several weeks.

Until recently, no well-designed human study has assessed the risks and benefits of topical steroids in the treatment of viral conjunctivitis. In a study by Wilkins and colleagues,3 111 patients with presumed viral conjunctivitis were randomly assigned to receive either preservative-free dexamethasone 0.1% or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (the vehicle used by the Moorfields pharmacy for compounding topical dexam- ethasone) four times daily for 1 week. Statistically significantly more patients in the dexamethasone group (39 of 45) felt the drops to be helpful than in the vehicle group (30 of 43). No adverse events were seen in either group.

The decision to use steroids for the treatment of viral conjunctivitis is a personal one. Research has shown that, when used appropriately (ie, in cases where bacterial or herpetic infection has been ruled out and when used in short pulses), topical steroids can be beneficial to patients by ameliorating the symptoms for which they initially presented. Steroid use may somewhat prolong the length of the contagious period; however, many patients will gladly accept this so that they may begin to feel ocular relief.

Topical steroid drops should be used with great caution, as herpetic viral infection of the ocular surface is a common mimicker of adenoviral conjunctivitis, and unopposed steroid drops can promote viral replication and corneal scarring. Additionally, as noted above, multiple studies have demonstrated that topical steroids prolong the viral shedding period.2 The key to managing adenoviral conjunctivitis is to limit its spread. Patients with viral conjunctivitis who are treated with topical steroid drops may return to work or school while they are still in the contagious phase of the infection, and therefore have the potential to further increase the disease burden on the health care system.

Because the symptoms of adenoviral conjunctivitis may be severe, investigators have explored other treatment options for patients with symptomatic disease including a topical combination of dexamethasone 0.1% and povidoneiodine 0.4%.4 This novel formulation was compared with cidofovir 0.5%, a combination tobramycin-dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension (Tobradex; Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas), and balanced salt solution in rabbit eyes. The combination topical dexamethasone 0.1% and povidoneiodine 0.4% was equally effective as cidofovir 0.5% in reducing viral titers and was the most efficacious in reducing clinical symptoms of adenovirus infection in rabbit eyes.

A dexamethasone/povidone-iodine combination drop is not yet commercially available, but other options are. Gordon et al demonstrated that topical ketorolac or diclofenac did not increase the viral shedding period and may be a safer alternative t topical steroids.5 More recently, during an epidemic of viral conjunctivitis in a military garrison in Karachi, Pakistan, 200 patients were randomly assigned to topical decongestant/antihistamine combination drops or to eye washing and cool compresses.6 Acute illness symptoms of eye watering, itching, burning, pain, and photophobia lasted a mean 4.91 days in the decongestant/ antihistamine drop and 7.86 days in the cool compresses group. 

Management of HIV in Pregnancy

HIV infection in young children most commonly arises as a result of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). It is thought that only 1.5-2% of MTCT occurs transplacentally during pregnancy. The vast majority occurs due to maternofetal transmission of blood during parturition or postnatal breast-feeding.

All pregnant women are recommended screening for HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis B and rubella in every pregnancy at their booking antenatal visit. If a woman declines an HIV test, this should be documented in the maternity notes, her reasons should be sensitively explored and screening offered again at around 28 weeks.

A negative maternal HIV test at booking does not preclude neonatal infection - maternal infection and seroconversion can occur at any time during pregnancy and lactation. This is well-documented in countries with a high prevalence of HIV and has been seen in the UK.

Risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)

This is increased with:

    Higher levels of maternal viraemia.
    HIV core antigens.
    Lower maternal CD4 count.
    Primary HIV Infection occurring during pregnancy.
    Chorioamnionitis.
    Co-existing other sexually transmitted disease (and malaria - possibly).
    Invasive intrapartum procedures, eg fetal scalp electrodes, forceps, ventouse.
    Rupture of membranes (especially if delivery is more than 4 hours after the membranes ruptured).
    Vaginal delivery.
    Preterm birth
    Female babies more likely to be infected early (transplacental/perinatal routes).
    Advanced maternal age.
    The firstborn of twins (born to an HIV-infected mother).

Factors that decrease risk of transmission are:

    Higher levels of neutralising HIV antibody.
    Elective Caesarean section.
    Zidovudine (ZDV)
    Less invasive monitoring and intrapartum procedures.

Management

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV infection can be greatly reduced through early diagnosis of maternal HIV infection.

    Pregnant women should be offered screening for HIV early in pregnancy because appropriate antenatal interventions can reduce MTCT of HIV infection.
    Interventions to reduce MTCT of HIV during the antenatal period include antiretroviral therapy, elective Caesarean section delivery and avoidance of breast-feeding after delivery.
    These interventions can reduce the risk of mother-to child HIV transmission from 25-30% to less than 1%.
    All pregnant women who are HIV-positive should be screened and appropriately treated for genital infections during pregnancy. This should be done as early as possible in pregnancy and repeated at about 28 weeks.
    Presentation with symptoms or signs of pre-eclampsia, cholestasis or other signs of liver dysfunction during pregnancy may indicate drug toxicity, and early liaison with HIV physicians is essential.

Drug therapy

Women who require HIV treatment for their own health should take highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and continue treatment postpartum. They may also require prophylaxis against pneumocystic pneumonia (PCP), depending on their CD4 lymphocyte count.

Women already taking HAART and/or PCP prophylaxis before pregnancy should not discontinue their medication.

    Antiretroviral therapy is given to prevent MTCT and to prevent maternal disease progression. The optimal regimen is determined on a case-by-case basis.
    Zidovudine (ZDV) is indicated for use in pregnancy for prevention of MTCT of HIV but single-agent ZDV therapy which does not suppress plasma viraemia to undetectable levels may allow the emergence of resistant virus.
    Potent combinations of three or more antiretroviral drugs (HAART) have now become the standard of care. Women with advanced HIV should be treated with a HAART regimen. The start of treatment should be deferred until after the first trimester, if possible, and should be continued after delivery.
    For women who do not require HIV treatment for their own health, HAART should be initiated between 20 and 28 weeks and discontinued at delivery. If they have a plasma viral load of less than 10,000 copies/ml and are prepared to be delivered by elective Caesarean section, an acceptable alternative is ZDV monotherapy initiated between 20 and 28 weeks, given orally, 250 mg twice daily, and intravenously started four hours before beginning the Caesarean section, continuing until the umbilical cord has been clamped. ZDV is usually administered orally to the neonate for four to six weeks.
    Combination antiretroviral therapy maximises the chance of preventing transmission and represents optimal therapy for the mother but may increase the risk of drug toxicity to the fetus.
    The use of antiretrovirals to reduce MTCT has resulted in resistant mutations and, in the Paediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol, 15% of the women developed nevirapine-resistant mutations by 6 weeks' postpartum.

In sub-Saharan Africa, access to services is improving. In 2008, 45% of HIV-infected pregnant women received antiretroviral treatment compared with 9% in 2004. 

Prevention of Viral Diseases

   Viral diseases are among those which spread from one person to another. Illness develops when a virus enters the body, invades healthy cells and replicates itself. At times, a virus can mutate itself during the replication process, making it more difficult for the body to fight. Viruses depend on other living organisms to survive and are hard to remove once in the body. Few medications fight viruses, making the body's immune system the best protection against infection.

    Viruses range in severity, making some life threatening conditions. Viruses have several groups in which they are categorized based on shape, behaviors and other common characteristics. For instance, the picornaviruses group includes the rhino-viruses which cause the common cold, or the papovaviruses which includes the papilloma virus known to women as HPV. More serious viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C fall into groups of viruses known to generate their own DNA, enabling them to replicate themselves repeatedly within the body.

    Transmission
    Viruses are transmitted from one person to another through touching, breathing, bites and contact with body fluids (saliva, blood, semen or excrement). The most common form of transmission is by inhaling droplets of a virus in the air you breathe. Shared objects such as spoons, cups, door knobs and pencils that have been exposed can carry droplets of a virus from person to person. Insects and animals can transmit viruses by biting a human or another animal.
    Direct contact with body fluids can cause virus transmission, but only when certain conditions are met. Direct contact requires a significant amount of body fluid to be present, the person to have direct contact with the fluid, have a point of entry for the virus to enter into the body (cuts, scrapes, eyes, mouth) and be susceptible to the virus.

    Effects
    Viruses cause illness and discomfort for the sufferer, many of them are often temporary and usually non-life threatening. Effects of viruses can include symptoms such as dehydration, nausea, vomiting, high fever and weakness. Viruses such as Influenza cannot be cured with medication, but their effects can be kept under control until it finally disappears.
    Viruses, such as strains of Hepatitis, HIV and herpes, do not disappear. Their effects are felt throughout a lifetime for the person infected, sometimes resulting in death.

    Prevention
    Following simple steps can greatly reduce the risk of contracting a virus. Use bandages to cover scrapes, cuts or open sores at all times. Do not eat, drink, touch your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands and avoid handling pens, pencils or other items that belong to others. Never drink from someone else's beverage containers or eat from another persons soiled utensils. Frequent hand washing is highly recommended with soap and warm running water or an alcohol based sanitizing hand gel.

    Cleaning
    Bleach based products are extremely effective in killing 99.9% of germs and viruses in, and around, the home. If the cost of bleach based cleansers is an issue, 1 1/2 cups of chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water will clean with the same effectiveness. You may add a few drops of dish detergent to the mixture for a soapy consistency.
    Regular cleaning is recommended for door handles, bathroom sinks, toilets and toothbrush holders in an effort to reduce the chances of contracting a strain of flu or the common cold.

How are Viral Diseases Treated?

Viral diseases are extremely widespread infections caused by viruses, a type of microorganism. There are many types of viruses that cause a wide variety of viral diseases. The most common type of viral disease is the common cold, which is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Treatment of viral infections varies depending on the specific virus and other factors. General treatment measures are aimed at relieving your symptoms so that you can get the rest you need to keep up your strength and recover without developing complications.

General treatments for viral infections include:

    Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for fever, body aches, and pain

    Drinking extra fluids

    Getting extra rest and sleep

    Maintaining good nutrition

Depending on the type of viral infection and the presence of complications, a wide variety of other treatments may be needed. For example, a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that leads to cervical dysplasia can be treated by surgical removal of the abnormal cells on a woman’s cervix.  

In general, it is recommended that children younger than age six not use cold or cough medications because of the risk for serious side effects. In addition, people with a viral disease should not use aspirin or products that contain aspirin because of the risk of developing a rare but life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome has been linked to taking aspirin during a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu.

Bird Flu Just Three Mutations Away

Bird flu virus continues to mutate. If it would be able to transmit from human to human than humanity would face a new pandemic.

In spite of the fact that bird flu is the disease of birds, some viruses of bird flu may infect humans and cause severe infections that often end up with death.

Today bird flu virus is not transmitted from human to human. However, if the virus mutates, it may begin to transmit from human to human which may result in a pandemic.

Scientists claim that only several mutations do separate humans from a real pandemic.

How To Fight Summer Cold

It is considered that colds are winter problems. In fact, 20% cold-related diseases occur in summer months. To catch a cold in heat is not just an annoying confusion. Specialists say summer colds are more dangerous than winter ones because summer symptoms are not so manifestative. Many people do not pay attention to sore throat and running nose and therefore even do not try to treat them. So they feel sick for a longer time.

There exists another cause. Upper respiratory tract infections together with sore throat, cough, running nose, temperature increase are caused by parainfluenza viruses, coronaviruses and rhinoviruses. They circulate all the year round but in summer time enterovirus joins them and it shows with rash on skin and diarrhea. Enterovirus is transmitted not only via dirty hands but also via airborne. It means that risks to catch a virus in summer time even increases.

Why do we catch cold in summer?
1. Air-conditioner
Habitually we do escape from heat and prefer to stay in places with air-conditioners and ventilators, but namely they are major causes of colds. Permanently circulating air dries nasal mucosa that is a protective barrier against infections which makes viruses easily enter the body. Besides this, conditioned air is not only dry but also cold one and these are perfect conditions for virus replication.

Solution: do not do at home air colder than 21C. Ideally, the difference between air temperature in the house or office and outside must be not more than 5 – 7C.

2. Icy drinks
Sensation that icy drinks allay thirst is deceptive one. They do freshen up for a quite short time but for throat it is a real icy shock. Overchilled mucous loses its ability to fight viruses and bacteria. After ice cream and other diary products those effects are stronger than after icy juice or water.

Solution: do not drink beverages with ice. It would be better to eat slightly melted ice cream. It is necessary to drink beverages or eat cold food with small portions in order to let them warm in the month.

3. Journeys
In summer we do actively travel and microorganisms do travel with us. In hotels holidayer may face infections unknown before. There is a major risk to catch a virus in air plane. Restricted space of air plane together with very dry air is an ideal medium for disease transmission. It was proved that chance to catch a cold depends directly on duration of flight – the longer you fly, the higher the risks are.

Solution: do not admit mucous drying, use rewetting drops and sprays for nose, drink more water. In vacations use antibacterial wet wipes. Remember that easiest way to catch cold is after flight during period of acclimatization. Those who like to spend time under the sun should know that the excess of solar radiation lowers the immunity.

Five Steps To A Stronger Immunity

1. Make foot baths
If you have no time for contrast shower, make every evening contrast baths for feet: keep feet for two minutes in a hot water and then one minute in a cold water. Repeat this procedure for five times.

2. Refuse from coffee
Coffee along with black and green tea increases production of cortisone and adrenaline. The excess of those stress hormones inhibit immune system, therefore you may drink only two cups of one of these beverages (or single cup of each beverage).

3. Spend more time on fresh air
40 minutes of daily outdoors walking do clean our body off toxins and helps to improve metabolism. It means the immunity will have less strain and when it would face virus it would easily fight it.

4. Positive thoughts
Failures in nervous system have negative effects on immunity, therefore you should think positively. For example, at the end of the day write down all good things that happened to you this day. Also call for 20 positive moments for tomorrow, 30 positive moments the day after tomorrow and so on, more and more. Soon positive thinking would become a habit and even a need. Get enough sleep beacause it also helps to keep nervous system strong.

5. Consume healthy food
Here the talk is not only about food rich in vitamins but also about the frequency of food intake – not less than 3 – 4 times a day. When healthful substances enter the body intermittently, its protective powers become weak. It would be good to drink lemon juice each morning (mix water with juice from quarter of lemon).

ARVI (Acute Respiratory Viral Infection)

ARVI (commonly known as cold) is a widespread virus disease of upper respiratory tract. Major symptoms: running nose, cough, sneezing, headache, sore throat, fatigue. ARVI is most common infectious disease in developed countries where in average an adult gets sick 2- 3 times a year and a child 6 – 10 times.

ARVI may be caused by a number of agents including 5 different groups of viruses (parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, reovirus) and over 300 their subtypes. All of them are infectious and are transmitted via airborne and are not treated with antibiotics. Also ARVI is transmitted via body contact, for example, during hand shaking.

At the onset of the disease virus is multiplied in nose, nasopharynx, throat showing with gripes, running nose, irritation and dry cough. Body temperature usually is not increased. Sometimes in this process are involved mucous of eyes and gastrointestinal ones.

Then virus enters the blood and causes symptoms of common intoxication: chill, headache, acute pains in back and limbs. Activation of immunity response helps body to produce antibodies to the virus, after which blood gradually becomes clean from virus and then symptoms of intoxication decrease.

At he final stage of the disease occurs respiratory tract cleaning from epithelium damaged by virus which shows with running nose and humid cough.

Treatment and prevention
Prevention against ARVI mainly consists of general health improvement, body strengthening, immune system stimulation, regular exercises, taking vitamins, consuming healthy food, fruits and vegetables. When epidemic occurs, it is necessary to abstain from visiting public places , avoid close contacts with diseased people and wash hands more frequently. And same rules for diseased people – they should take a sick day, not visit public places, avoid contacts with healthy people and wear flu mask.

ARVI treatment commonly is symptomatic: plentiful warm drinking (not hot), taking vitamin C. You should know that taking antibiotics without doctor's recommendation is strongly prohibited because they do not have any effect on viruses and instead they get immunity down and cause disbacteriosis. It is not recommended to take antifebriles and painkillers when temperature is below 38 degrees C because moderate body temperature increase is a natural protective reaction of human body which helps immunity to fight viruses. When comes to antifebrile taking, patient should take Ibuprofen, most safe and effective medication today.

Use anti-viral medications to treat and prevent ARVI.

ARVI Treatment

Patient with ARVI is treated at home. In case of fever it is recommended bed regimen, dairy and vegetative diet rich in vitamins, plenty of warm liquids (fruit drinks, tea with lemon).  Are prescribed symptomatic drugs: nasal vasomotorial drugs, mucolytics, anti-tussive medications, antihistamine drugs, ascorbic acid, polyvitamins.

In case of causal treatment (directed on fight with causative agent) within 48 hours from the onset of the disease it is necessary to start taking antiviral medications, for example, Tamiflu. In case of complications development and occasional temperature rise after its normalization, start using antibiotics (penicillins, aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase, cephalosporins).

For the specific prevention of influenza, vaccination  is recommended. It should be done before the epidemic rise. However, vaccination is useless in other ARVI cases which are registered all year round.

ARVI prevention:
- common health improvement
- body strengthening
- immunity promotion with exercises
- consumption of food rich in vitamins
Additionally, when pandemic, your doctor may advice you to take vegetative adaptogens and immunomodifiers.

Complications after ARVI
Past viral infection makes body more vulnerable to bacterial infection which results in bacterial complications especially in cases of late diagnostics and untimely ARVI treatment. Past ARVI frequently results in chronic pathology in respiratory ways such as bronchial asthma, sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis.

Ways Of Hepatitis Diagnostication

Q: When it is necessary to make examination after unprotected sex?

A: It is necessary to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 10 days after having unprotected sex. Antibodies test will give information only in 1-3 months.

Q: Is it possible to get recovered more rapidly if PCR detected virus in blood immediately after infection?

A: Test will show if you are infected or not, and also will help your partner to vaccinate. However, for the treatment is not so important when diagnosis was made – in several days or weeks after infection. It was proved that treatment delay even for a few months never aggravates the result but it is virulent to delay treatment more than one year.

Frequently, doctors choose waiting game when they meet hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis B in adults without immune deficiencies in 95% cases ends up with autorecovery. And acute hepatitis C in 60-85% cases becomes chronic.

Q: How to know from test results whether treatment is needed or not?

A: Any type of hepatitis reqiures treatment if liver damage is significant. Biochemical test and biopsy, which detects fibrosis (when liver cells are replaced with connective tissue), will show it. In hepatitis B are taken into account viral loads – the more virus is in blood, the more probability is for the disease to progress.

When viral load is low and bioorganics indicators are normal, you may live in security and once a year undergo examination. Remember that in this period you may infect people around you via blood or sexual intercource that is why your relatives should vaccinate. The effectiveness of vaccination is 98%.

Q: What are the treatments for chronic hepatitis?

A: Hepatitis C may be treated with interferon alfa and ribavirin. Hepatitis B may be ctreated with interferon alfa or nucleoside analogues that are build into virus structure preventing it from reproduction. However, small persentage of patients get recovered from hepatitis B. Stopping virus reproduction helps to reduce significantly probability of complications.

Q: Are there any false-positive test results for hepatitis?

A: Yes, only in case of mistakes in the laboratory. In order to avoid such results, in good laboratories is made additionally check analysis.

Hepatitis Glossary

Antibodies are protective proteins which produce our immune cells in reply to contacting with virus antigenes.

Antigens are particles of the virus.

Viral hepatitis is hepatitis caused by a viral infection.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a high-strung test which allows to detect in the blood genetic material of the virus (its DNA or RNA). PCR detects virus in blood in 10 days after infection.

Viral load is the amount of virus in 1 ml of blood.

Additional examinations

1. Ultrasonic examination not detects hepatitis but at the stage of cirrhosis it shows first signs of changes. By the way, large liver mass is not a sign of hepatitis.
2. Genotyping is an examination of virus for the choice of treatment strategy. Different genotypes of virus C are treated with different effectiveness. Detecting of genotypes of virus B has no impact on the treatment effectiveness.
3. Liver biopsy detects the degree of inflammation. This is required when other analysis are not clear.

How To Improve Your Immunity?

In autumn, winter and spring many of us complain on immunity lowering. We become more vulnerable to different diseases and we may catch any virus.


First of all, what is immunity?
Immunity is body resistance to everything heterogenes. Immune system protects body from penetration of dangerous for its life activity matters such as bacteria, viruses and fungi and other harmful micro organisms.

If infection enters human body, then infection starts to reproduce and human condition breaks down. Do appear first symptoms: sneeze, cough, high body temperature. If a person has good immunity then comes breaking point and in the blood start to produce antibodies – matters that destroy infection in the body.

Humans have special cells called lymphocytes. They act as soldiers protecting their state, in other words, they along with antibodies destroy infection acting as aggressors.
There exists species immunity when cats and dogs do not get infected with human diseases and vise versa.

Natural acquired immunity appears after past disease. Artificial immunity appears after flu shot. Everybody know that some people get diseased frequently and some quite rarely. That's a shame. So what to do?

The answer is quite simple – it is necessary to improve your immunity. It is not so difficult as it seems at first sight, although it requires some efforts. Alcohol, smoking, stress, poor ecology, unhealthy food and water, great mental and physical stress do lower immunity.

For most of us it is much easier to take a modern pill than to come down the sofa. Today modern human moves less and less, because civilization brings him a number of things literally on the plate. That is why those who want to iimprove their immunity should increase their physical activity. It may be gymnastics, aerobics, swimming. outdoor games, working in the garden, walking.

Quenching and yoga help in immunity strengthening. Healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, cereals, coarse bread, legumes, vegetable oils, honey, lactate products) also help to increase immunity. Vitamins should always be presented in your diet. Make your habit to drink vitaminic mineral assemblage. It is healthful to take each morning a spoon with honey when your stomach is empty.

Green tea and mate positively work on the immunity. Stress usually is resulted from overfatigue that is why you should rest good. So, you will reduce chances to get infected. And in case you get infected, you will recover from disease much easily. It is better to improve immunity in late spring, summer and early autumn.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the agent called herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes virus:

I herpes virus type affects mainly skin and mucous coat of lips, eyes, nose (HSV-1)

II herpes virus type affects mucous coat of genital organs (HSV-2)

However, genital herpes may be developed under the influence of mixed infection of type I and type II.

Ways of transmission:
1. sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection;
2. genital oral contact;
3. autoinfection, when diseased person carries the virus from center of infection on uninfected parts of the body, for example, from face to genital organs;
4. vertical way of transmission is possible when during pregnancy occurs infection of baby from his mother (fetal infection) or during childbirth
5. domestic mode of transmission occurs extremely rarely and is completely excluded if the virus containing the secret dries.

The main source of infection in men is the urogenital tract, and in women - cervical canal.

Course

Infection with the herpes virus does not always cause manifestation of the disease, often it may have hidden character. In this case people do not know they have this virus disease, so they become source of infection for their sexual partner. A characteristic feature of herpes infection is duration of staying of the virus in the body (herpes virus may stay in the body whole life) and predisposition to aggravation. Undercooling, stress, overfatigue, infective disease (influenza, sore throat, respiratory viral infection) may cause aggravation of herpes.

Common manifestation: high temperature, headache, muscle pain, nausea.

Local manifestations occur in vulva area, vesical cervix area, urine. Typical sign is appearing of numerous small bladders with liquid, redness and edema of affected areas. When those bladders do burst, on their spots appear sores which do heal during 2-3 weeks. Along with bladder eruption and sore appearing patient can experience itch, pain, burning, lower abdomen severity.

Diagnostics of herpes infection is based on detecting the virus and its antibodies in the blood and in swabs from affected area.

Genital Herpes Treatment

Treatment takes quite long time. Genital herpes treatment is directed on stoppage of virus reproduction in human body and elevation of body defenses. Remedies acting directly on virus are not still found. Doctors prescribe such medications as Zovirax (Aciclovir), Neovir, specific zoster immunoglobulin. Ointments are used to shorten time for sores healing on affected areas.

In order to rise immunity doctors prescribe immunostimulants and vitamin and mineral complexes.

Taking Zovirax (Aciclovir) during several months helps to prevent recurrence of genital herpes.

Complications caused by herpes virus during pregnancy:

# prematurity or premature birth
# development of fetus abnormalities
# transplacental infection

Swine Flu. Part Two

Should women stop breastfeeding if they do think they might have swine flu H1N1?

No, they should continue breastfeeding unless doctor advises them to stop. Continuing breastfeeding protects baby from getting infected by passing on maternal antibodies and boosting the immune system.

Should I take an antiviral drug in order to prevent swine flu H1N1?

No, you should not take antiviral drugs unless prescribed by the doctor.

Should I avoid traveling to flu affected countries?

Some health ministries have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to flu affected countries. But the World Health Organization is not recommending travel restrictions because international travel will disrupt people's plans and schedules with little impact on the spread of the virus.

May I go to the work if I have swine flu H1N1?

No, it is recommended to stay at home if you have symptoms of swine flu. This is important to protect your friends and colleagues from becoming ill.

What is the treatment of swine flu H1N1?

Swine flu is responding to two antiviral drugs called oseltamivir or zanamivir. These are prescription drugs that stop the flu virus from reproducing in your body. Antiviral drugs can make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

Can I travel if I have swine flu H1N1?

If you have symptoms of swine flu, you should not travel. If you feel bad but cannot avoid traveling or contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with special mask.

What is the incubation period of swine flu H1N1?

The incubation period of swine flu is unknown but it could range from 1 to 7 days, and more likely 1 to 4 days.

WHO has declared a swine flu H1N1 pandemic. What does that mean?

A pandemic is an infectious disease that is spreading worldwide. If a disease is declared a pandemic, it means that it is spreading rapidly across the world. When the WHO declared a swine flu H1N1 pandemic, the flu virus had already been reported from 70 countries and cases were occurring in multiple parts of the world.

How long does influenza virus remain alive on surfaces such as tables and doorknobs?

Influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

Bronchitis

An individual, who with the advent of cold has began to cough not even once, is a happy man! Other individuals should find out the cause of his cough which may be a symptom of many different diseases. Every second individual is diagnosed with bronchitis. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic, and depending on its type doctor prescribes a particular treatment. Although phrase “acute bronchitis” sounds quite horrible, in fact, doctors fight it quite successfully.

Bronchitis shows itself with cough, temperature, muscle pains, joint pains, headaches and common discomfort. In other words, a virus has settled in your bronchus and caused their inflammation.

If you are already ill, main treatment is to remove acute symptoms such as temperature, pains, etc. You should help your body to fight the disease. It is necessary to stay in the bed for a week, gargle, drink hot drinks and take Vitamin C. It would be good to make inhalations with alcalinous mineral waters that may help wet to get removed. You should forget about inhalations with potato peels and oily solutions as they may harm your body.

Workaholics should forget about their job. Going seek at the job may result in bronchopneumonitis which should be treated not at home but at the hospital. If “creative resources” did not brought cough relief and did not removed temperature in three days then you should call for a doctor. Probably, the disease has passed into a new stage and it needs a special treatment.

This often happens when acute bronchitis provokes manifestation of chronic one which is caused not just by viruses but also by bacterias. It is wrong to think that chronic bronchitis is untreated acute bronchitis. In fact, chronic bronchitis is an independent disease caused by cigarette smoke, exhaust, industrial wastes that we inhale. If you inhale those wastes every day then natural sputum discharge is lowered. The mechanism of bronchus self-purification is broken and as a result the infection is doesn't mat any resistance and so bronchus are damaged.

An individual may live and not know about developing disease. The treatment of chronic bronchitis is very long and recovery half-way depends on the discipline of the patient. Patient has to constantly take different medications such as expectorants, antiinflammatory drugs, immunomodulators, and in some cases is used bronchus sputum removal with special devise – this method is called therapeutic bronchoscopy.

When chronic bronchitis it is important to make remedial gymnastics, respiratory gymnastics, chest message. Do not think that if you have chronic bronchitis then mucosa disorders may be restored. For example, epithelium of smokers may be restored in 10 years. If the number of contagious recrudescence may be reduced annually, some medications may be called off. The disease itself will not disappear but several symptoms will be removed.

How To Protect Your Children From Influenza?

When a man is diseased with influenza virus, almost all body systems are damaged including immune system, that is why recovered children feel weak and vulnerable to different viruses and bacterial infections. In order to lower disease incidence it is recommended to vaccinate not only children but also their parents.

In children from 6 months to 2 years with influenza virus, there is a high probability of complications influencing on cardiovascular and even nervous systems. According to research data, 40% of children of that age have complications with otitis, which often leads to deafness. New-born children diseases with influenza virus are subjected to complications.

Vaccination of children from 3 to 17 years is also necessary because children in this age often get diseased with influenza. Besides, children of that age are major spreaders of the virus which increases the risk of parents to get diseased.

The effectiveness and safety of vaccine

Vaccination practically has no contraindications but when choosing a vaccine you should consult your doctor. The effectiveness of vaccination in children is 70-100%. In children up to 6 months vaccination is less effective because of freshness of their immune system, so it is recommended to vaccinate pregnant women in second or third Trimester.

How to make a vaccine?

In order to get vaccinated you should go in one of vaccinating centers, or you can buy vaccine and use it by yourself.