Tag: Viral Infections

While a Pap smear is important to detect and prevent cervical cancer, there are other medical conditions that it cannot detect. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and syphilis are common STDs that a Pap smear cannot screen for. And since they don't show any symptoms, most people often fail to diagnose them. Other serious conditions that a Pap smear can't detect are PCOS and ovarian cancer.

Getting inked can be an exhilarating experience for an individual. But it is not a cake walk. Getting inked or tattooed can be a...

Coming down with the stomach flu will be one of the least glamorous moments of your life. In between all the (explosive) diarrhea and...

HIV/AIDS is one of the most misunderstood diseases in the industrialized world. The conventional view is that it is a dangerous disease that has killed...

It’s that time of the year again when everything from candles to lattes are flavored with pumpkin spice! Fall is more than just an...

Do you see red spots developing like a rash on your little one's skin? Your child may be suffering from Acrodermatitis or Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome. This common skin condition is associated with viral infections and usually affects children aged 3 months to 15 years. Its symptoms include itchy, red or purple blisters, swollen and sore lymph nodes, as well as a bloated abdomen. Your child may even have a fever or feel fatigued. Even without treatment, this condition can quite possibly go away on its own in four to eight weeks.

When flu season rolls around, the best way to protect yourself is the flu shot. Contrary to popular belief, you still need the flu shot even if you are healthy. Similarly, you can still pass it on even if you don't show any symptoms. Some people believe flu shots cause Alzheimer’s disease which isn’t true.. It is better to get vaccinated than risk contracting the disease.

To protect yourself from the flu, focus on the gut. Clostridium orbiscindens – a good bacterium – breaks down flavonoids creating metabolites that enhance antiviral ability, so eat a flavonoid-rich diet. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit and berries like blackberries and elderberries are top choices. Dark chocolate, red cabbage, and chickpeas are also high in flavonoids. Black or green tea will also help, even if you already have the flu.

You must have heard of people using alcohol to clean a cut or a wound to reduce infection. Have you ever wondered the reason...

Food poisoning from the norovirus looks a lot like the flu. It causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and sometimes fever and body aches. Flu symptoms also spark fever and aches but it comes with coughing, sore throat, headache, and chills. Food poisoning only lasts up to 3 days, so anything longer is probably the flu. Coughing and chills are additional tell-tale signs.

Hepatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the liver that has been estimated to affect millions worldwide. Viral hepatitis present as severe digestive trouble and abdominal pain. The causative organisms are viruses namely hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. The practical ways to protect oneself from the disease involves practising proper hand hygiene, eating clean food and avoiding contact with infected body fluids.

Catching a common cold is quite common. Pineapple and turmeric are simple foods that strengthen us from the inside-out. With a powerhouse of antioxidants and vitamin C, pineapple helps strengthen immunity. Turmeric is considered a superfood with its free radical scavenging ability to cure common colds and sore throats in no time. In order to get the full benefit of the two super foods, we have to combine them. A pineapple and turmeric infused smoothie is a great option, with some coconut oil and dates for added flavor.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that may not always have any noticeable symptoms – and that’s what makes it a challenge to identify. Be watchful and you might notice cracks in your skin or lesions that could mean a mild outbreak of genital herpes. If you have a harsher outbreak, you may have symptoms like feverishness, pain, tiredness, or swelling of the glands. Not to mention the blisters, ulcers, or lesions that you have to live with for a few weeks.

Runners are determined folk. They run. And they run. And then they run some more. Come hail, rain or sunshine. But what about times...

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection, but it isn’t the only one. Ehrlichiosis can be found all over the country. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is common in the Midwest and Southeast, while tularemia is found in the South and Midwest. If you’re in the Northeast or by the Great Lakes, be aware of Powassan virus disease, a rare but fatal infection. Anaplasmosis is found in the Northern areas of America. Always do a tick check after going outside!