infections – Hello Doctor

Preventing the flu naturally this winter

April 7th, 2021 by The Hello Doctor Team

The flu is not anything to sneeze at. It kills about 10,000 people of five years and older each year in South Africa. While that’s a relatively small number compared with the past year’s COVID-19 deaths, it’s still a heavy toll.

Comparing COVID-19 and the flu

Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2), and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Like SARS-CoV-2, flu is transmitted by hitching a lift on droplets from the upper respiratory tract, and by people transferring virus-carrying droplets by hand from surfaces to their nose, mouth and eyes. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer.

The impact of COVID-19 on the flu

Just like COVID-19, the flu virus transmission is prevented through masking, physical distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor areas, good hand hygiene and isolating. Therefore, unsurprisingly, much fewer cases of the flu were reported in 2020 – both during lockdown, and afterwards (due to the COVID-19 hygiene practises in place). You may have even noticed that you haven’t had the same number of colds over the past year?

What this tells us is that basic principles are effective in preventing the transmission of germs that cause the common cold, the flu and even COVID-19. This is important because, as winter approaches, we don’t want to be faced with the prospect of a “double disease whammy”, COVID-19 plus the flu.

Preventing a “double whammy”

While waiting for the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine to gather some pace, here are 3 other ways you can improve your overall health and lower the risk of catching COVID-19 or the flu this winter.

Follow basic COVID-19 regulations

- Wash your hands
- Santitise
- Wear a mask
- Social distance
- Don’t attend large gatherings

Maintain a healthy immune system

- Eat well
- Move more
- Make sleep a priority
- Manage your stress
- Expose yourself to some daily sunshine

Get vaccinated: have an annual flu jab and accept a COVID-19 jab when it becomes available

Both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine are safe and effective. By having the flu jab, your risk of developing any severe complications, if you do happen to get flu, is reduced. This means you won’t be putting any strain on the health system. It also means that if you DO present with severe complications, your doctor can more easily exclude flu as a possible factor. Second, it lowers your risk of getting flu which automatically lowers your immunity. With a lower immunity, you’re more likely to pick up other infections… and in this case, COVID-19. Little information is available on the severity of COVID-19 and other viral co-infections. But a recent report suggests that influenza and COVID-19 co-infections may result in more severe disease in high-risk patients and complicate the diagnoses.

How does cold medication work?

March 19th, 2020 by Content Editor

A cold is a viral infection that affects the nose, ears and throat. It has symptoms that generally resolve within ten days.

Cold medications don’t “cure” or shorten your cold, but they can ease some symptoms. In most cases, getting plenty of rest and keeping fluids up can do the trick on their own.

Let’s look at commonly used cold remedies. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve symptoms, they include:

Decongestants and saline nasal sprays

Nasal decongestants and saline (salt water) nasal sprays can help relieve a blocked nose. When it comes to decongestants, you can use drops or sprays for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause rebound symptoms. Before using a decongestant, check with your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you.

Expectorants: Help loosen mucus so you can cough it up.

Pain relievers: Ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains.

Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines: These are a combination of the above. Cough and cold medicines often contain paracetamol. Be sure to check the label to avoid overdosing and taking other medicines that may contain paracetamol too.

Complementary medicines: Some may find vitamins (like vitamin C), mineral supplements (like zinc) or herbal medicines (like echinacea) helpful. However, there isn’t enough evidence to show they’re effective in helping to treat or prevent colds.

Antiviral medications

If you’re likely to suffer complications, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. These medicines won’t cure your cold, but if they are taken within 48 hours of symptoms they can help:

Reduce the length of time you are ill by around 1 day
Relieve some of the symptoms
Reduce the potential for serious complications
Stop the virus from multiplying in your body.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics won’t help the symptoms of a cold or stop them from spreading to other people. This is because they are viral infections. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Read and follow the directions on medication labels carefully. If you’re not sure about something check with your doctor or pharmacist.

References:

Coronavirus – how to stay calm and clean

March 12th, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Where and when did it all begin?

On the 31^st of December 2019, China alerted the World Health Organisation to several patients with flu-like symptoms in a city called Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province. Initial assessments of these patients ruled out “known” flu-like viruses including bird flu, seasonal flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Once these initial patients were assessed, they were placed into quarantine. The suspected source of the outbreak was identified as a busy seafood market in the city the following day. Days later Chinese authorities identified the virus, called Coronavirus, a family of viruses including the common cold, SARS and MERS. The new virus was named 2019-nCoV.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1960s and their name comes from their crown or halo-like shape. Their danger lies in their ability to adapt. This means they can easily spread between and infect different species. While some coronaviruses can cause the common cold, others can develop into more serious illnesses that lead to difficulty breathing, pneumonia and death.

Where did it come from?

Scientists have confirmed that the Coronavirus, like around 70% of new human pathogens, was transmitted from an animal. Genetic analyses have come up short of pinpointing the culprit so far, but among the prime suspects is the pangolin, a long-snouted, ant-eating mammal virtually unknown in the West but widely prized in China as a delicacy and for its purported medicinal virtues. In February 2020, China placed a ban on trading and eating several different types of wildlife, including pangolin.

Spreading like wildfire

As a respiratory virus, Coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the infected person’s nose.

By mid-March, 2020, the virus had touched every continent, with more than 126,000 confirmed cases, and a total of 4,600 deaths. On 5^th March, the first South African case was confirmed in a resident of Kwa Zulu Natal who had recently travelled to Italy. (For live updates and virus tracking, visit https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6)

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of contracting the Coronavirus include those who have existing heart or lung diseases, people with weakened immune systems (e.g. HIV, TB, diabetes or cancer), infants, and older adults.

What are the symptoms?

Patients who have contracted the virus have experienced fever, shortness of breath and coughing. The virus can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs and can cause them to fill with fluid.

The incubation period for a virus is the time between catching the virus and showing symptoms of the disease. For Coronavirus, health officials estimate an incubation period of between one and 14 days. Most people start showing symptoms about five days after becoming infected.

What you can do to protect yourself

Most importantly: DON’T PANIC. Your best defence in preventing Coronavirus is a strong immune system. One of the biggest factors impacting immunity is stress, so the less time you spend worrying about contracting the virus and the more time you spend proactively staying healthy, the better your immunity becomes.

The media is abuzz with reporting new cases as they appear around the world. One aspect of Coronavirus seldom reported is the recovery rate. Of the 96,000 plus people who have contracted the virus, more than 55,000 have recovered.

To protect yourself and your family, follow these rules:

Wash your hands often, using the proper technique. If you only do 1 thing, make it this. Always use soap and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash and rub the entire hand surface, including the back of your hands.
Keep your distance. Aim to keep at least 1 metre between yourself and someone who is coughing or sneezing.
Fist pump don’t shake. Fist bumps transfer only about 10% of the number of germs that handshakes do (out of interest, high 5’s transfer around 50%)
Avoid touching your face. The average person touches their face around 23 times per hour. Germs on your hands are easily transferred into your body via the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. Keep your hands busy by holding a pencil, or a stress ball
Practise respiratory hygiene. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing
Seek medical care early. Stay at home if you feel unwell, even if your symptoms are mild. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, reach out to Hello Doctor immediately and speak to our doctors anytime (24/7) about your own personal concerns, what you should do and where you can be tested if need be.

Social media is flooded with stories and images about the virus, many of which are not true. In the case of Coronavirus, knowledge is power. Limit your worry and anxiety by limiting your, and your family’s exposure to media coverage that you perceive to be upsetting. Stay informed about developments using reliable and reputable sites and channels only.

Busting a few myths about Coronavirus

Coronavirus cannot be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or any other country reporting cases
Having a hot bath will not prevent you from catching Coronavirus. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
To date, there has been no evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.
Hand dryers are not effective in killing the virus
Spraying alcohol all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. There is also no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline can offer protection from coronavirus
Existing vaccines against pneumonia do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. Since the virus is so new and different, it needs its own vaccine
While garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties, there is no evidence it can prevent infection from Coronavirus
Antibiotics are powerless against Coronavirus since they are effective only against bacteria.

Weird medical treatments from 100 years ago

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

When you’re sick and in need of treatment, you pretty much know what you’re in for: Medication and bed rest or at worst, an injection in your behind!

Back in the day though, scarier treatment options were common. Here are some hilarious and even downright creepy medical treatments from 100 years ago.

Heroin for cough

Most of us know that the drug heroin isn’t good for our health. If you had a bad cough in the 19th century though, it was highly likely that you’d have been prescribed some heroin! Yikes.

It was marketed as a treatment for coughs, wheezes and even morphine addiction. The company who marketed it as such, had to take it off the shelves once it was discovered that heroin converts into morphine in the human body, essentially making it a fast-acting form of morphine!

Today: Over-the-counter cough suppressants or antibiotics (if a bacterial infection is the cause).

Bloodletting for headache

Do you have a pounding headache? Feeling stressed out? Have an STD? In the 19th century, you’d probably have been told to lose some blood. Back then, it wasn’t yet discovered that blood circulates. Instead it was believed that it would stagnate in certain parts of the body and could cause illness this way.

Another belief was that the body contained four different substances called humours (blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm). What’s more, it was thought that if there was an excess or shortage of any of these, it would result in illness. Due to this, bloodletting would balance out the humours.

Today: Over-the-counter pain killers, a trip to your doctor for medication or lifestyle changes to help with stress

Mercury for wounds

While today known as a toxic, poisonous substance, in the past, mercury was often used as a treatment for wounds and ironically, prolonging life. One Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang was obsessed with eternal life and ingested mercury given to him by doctors and scientists. He, of course, didn’t live a long life and was killed by the so-called “miracle elixir”.

Today: Antibiotic ointment to prevent any infection in the wound and a clean bandage.

Trepanation for evil spirits

Having a hole drilled into your head sounds terrifying, but as far back as 7 000 years ago, it was a sure way to cure certain illnesses. This ancient surgery involved literally boring a hole into the skull. The common theory was that the hole could release evil spirits that caused illnesses. It was also used as a method to treat headaches and blood clots.

Today: Today, surgeons may perform brain surgery to remove tumours, or give medication for epilepsy: a condition that was previously thought to be caused by evil spirits.

References:

Getting a tattoo? Here are the do’s and don’ts

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. Whether plain or elaborate they have served as personal symbols, status symbols, declarations of love and signs of religious beliefs.

How does it work?

When you get a tattoo, dye is injected into your skin using small needles that puncture the skin at speed. The needles penetrate past the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) into the underlying dermis. This leaves behind pigment on the area.

Your dermis is made up of collagen fibres, nerves, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, blood vessels and basically everything that keeps skin connected to the rest of the body.

So every time the needle penetrates, it causes a wound in the skin and alerts the body to begin the inflammatory process which is the skin’s way to deal with ‘danger’. Cells of the immune system then travel to the wound site and begin to repair the skin.

What to expect

Keep a good level of communication between you and the artist, that way everything is clear from the get-go.
The artist will apply a stencil to the area you’re going to have tattooed to ensure the size and angle is exactly right.
The first needlework will be the outline which is done with a loaded tattoo gun and a liner needle.
Next, he’ll probably rinse your tattoo area and will then use broader needles to shade your tattoo.
Once the tattoo is completely inked, it will be washed and covered with a sterile bandage. Expect some slight bleeding during and after the process.

After getting your tattoo, get precise instructions for aftercare. Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.

Healing time can vary from person to person, but it generally takes about two weeks.

Your artist should cover your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly or unscented cream and a bandage.
Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently remove any ointment or blood to completely clean the area and pat dry.
Apply a layer of antibacterial ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
Gently wash your tattoo area several times a day with soap and water and gently pat dry.
Keep applying a moisturiser or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist. Repeat this process for two to four weeks.
Avoid wearing clothes that will stick to your tattoo, as well as sleeping on it so you don’t agitate the healing process. Avoid swimming in the sun for about two weeks.
Take cool showers. Scorching hot water will hurt and may fade the ink.

Good to know

If your tattoo develops hard layers or scabs, don’t stress. It’s normal. Never pick, scratch, or peel it as you could get an infection or remove the colour. If you think your tattoo is infected or isn’t healing properly, see your doctor.

Sun exposure can mess with your tattoo. Avoid the sun rays during the healing process. Soon after that, always use sunblock to protect it.

Keep your hands clean. This is as important as keeping your tattoo clean, as your hands can introduce bacteria to your tattoo. Remember; never touch your tattoo unless you have just washed your hands!

References:

What exactly is a virus?

June 17th, 2019 by Content Editor

Viruses are tiny living organisms that can cause illnesses in humans, animals and even plants. They’re considered the largest biological species on the planet.

Viruses are made up of a protein coat and genetic material but exist only to reproduce. By doing this, they spread to new cells and hosts.

Unlike bacteria, viruses can’t survive without having a host. They can only reproduce if they attach themselves to cells.

Viruses enter the body from the environment or other people; from soil to water to the air through the nose, mouth or even breaks in the skin. Once inside, they look for cells to infect.

After making contact with a host cell, a virus inserts its genetic material into the host to take over its functions. It also reprograms cells to make new viruses until they burst and die. Once a virus takes over a host, it can spread from one organism to another.

Viruses can spread through:

Touch.
Exchanging of saliva, coughing, or sneezing.
Sexual contact.
Contaminated food or water.
Insects that carry them from one person to another.

Common viral diseases include:

Measles.
Smallpox.
The common cold and different kinds of flu.
Hepatitis.
Rabies.
Ebola.
HIV and AIDS.
Zika and Epstein-Barr.

What happens during a viral infection? 

When your body’s immune system finds a virus, it tries to protect your cells against the attack. It makes special antibodies that attach to the viruses so they can’t infect you. T-cells are released to destroy the virus. Most viral infections trigger this response, but with deadly viruses like HIV, it isn’t possible.

Prevention and treatment 

Treating viral infections can be challenging.

While bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, viruses need other medication like antiviral drugs which kill or prevent the growth of viruses.

Antiviral drugs are often used to help with AIDS. Although they can’t destroy the AIDS virus, they can slow down the progress of the disease. Antivirals are also able to treat infections related to herpes, chicken pox, shingles, the flu and Hepatitis B and C.

Vaccines are the cheapest and most effective way to protect yourself against viruses. Some vaccines have even been able to completely remove viruses over time, like smallpox.

Treatment for viral infections also focuses on relief of symptoms while your body works to clear the infection.

This can include things like:

Getting rest.
Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Using over-the-counter pain medication to relieve pain and fever and decongestants to help with a runny or stuffy nose.
Throat lozenges to help ease a sore throat.

Keep viral infections at bay:

Always wash your hands.
Get vaccinated.
Don’t go out if you’re sick.
Practise safe sex.
Make sure that food is cooked thoroughly, and all raw fruits or vegetables are washed before eating.
Protect yourself against bug bites and use insect repellent if you’ll be in contact with mosquitoes and ticks.

References:

Myth-busting: The truth about allergies

June 17th, 2019 by Content Editor

Beliefs can be hard to change even after you’ve found out that they’re scientifically wrong. Allergies are no different; let’s bust the myths of allergies.

Myth 1: Cut flowers trigger allergy symptoms.

Fact: Store-bought flowers aren’t to blame for your allergies. Pollen made by grass, weeds and grass are usually to blame for your sniffles.

Myth 2: Food allergies aren’t serious.

Fact: Food allergies can cause symptoms like hives, a stuffy nose, vomiting, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. If an allergic reaction is severe or spreads to other parts of your body, it becomes what’s called anaphylaxis; which is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
People with food allergies must always be alert and aware of what ingredients are used in their food.

Myth 3: Moving to another part of the country can get rid of allergies.

Fact: Allergens (foreign substances) exist everywhere, so relocating probably won’t help you escape allergies. Airborne allergens like pollen can travel distances, and indoor allergens, like pet dander and cockroaches, exist anywhere. A change of climate may reduce your exposure to certain allergens. Dust mites, for example, thrive in heat and humidity, so they’re less common in drier climates. But if you have allergies, you may also develop new allergies in a different environment.

Myth 4: Food allergies are the same as food intolerances.

Fact: When it comes to food allergies, your immune system produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE for short) when it notices a food allergen. IgE antibodies fight the “enemy” food by releasing histamine and other chemicals. These chemicals then trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction which can be deadly.
Food intolerances don’t involve the immune system. They can cause great discomfort, but aren’t life-threatening.

Myth 5: A food allergy always develops in childhood. Then you’re stuck with it for life.

Fact: According to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), you can develop a food allergy at any age, even to a food that you’ve safely eaten before. Children may outgrow a food allergy over time. This is common with allergies to milk, egg, soy and wheat. Allergies that are harder to outgrow include peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

Myth 6: Allergies aren’t dangerous – they won’t kill me.

While it doesn’t happen often, in extreme cases, a person can go into anaphylactic shock which may cause death. Always take an allergic reaction seriously.

Reference:

Does your baby’s cough sound like a dog’s bark?

May 13th, 2019 by Content Editor

If so, it could be croup. Croup is a viral illness that makes your baby’s voice box and windpipe swell. The high-pitched or barking cough develops when air is forced against a narrowed.

The smaller your child is, the more noticeable the sound. Some children with severe croup get a harsh, tight sound while breathing in. This is called stridor.

When does it happen? 

The virus that triggers croup can be passed on by breathing in respiratory droplets from a cough from an infected person, or from playing with toys that have the virus on them. Croup normally affects infants and children between the ages of six months and three years. As children grow, so do their airways. Therefore, children older than six don’t often get diagnosed with croup.

What are the symptoms? 

You may notice the typical symptoms of a cold, like a runny nose and fever. Usually, the barky cough begins at night and gets worse when your child gets upset and cries. Croup usually lasts for around five days.

How is croup diagnosed? 

The doctor will usually listen for a cough and stridor. They may also ask if your child has had any recent illnesses that caused a fever and congestion, and whether the child has a history of croup or other breathing problems.

He may also perform an X-ray if the croup is severe and doesn’t get better after treatment. An X-ray, in this case, will help show the top of the airway narrowing to a point, which doctors call a “steeple sign”. This is a narrowing of the airway below the vocal cords.

Home treatment for croup

If your child wakes up in the middle of the night with croup, try to keep him calm to help ease his breathing. Crying can make croup worse.

For a fever, medicine like paracetamol, or ibuprofen for kids older than 6 months can help make your child more comfortable. Ask your doctor for guidance before giving your child any medication.

Help your child breathe in moist air. This can make him feel better.

Use a cool-mist humidifier or run a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where you can sit with your child for 10 minutes. Breathing in the mist will sometimes stop the severe coughing.
In cooler weather, take your child outside to help ease symptoms so they can breathe fresh air.
Make sure your child is well-hydrated. If needed, give small amounts of liquid more often using a spoon or medicine dropper. Children with croup should also get lots of rest.

When to call the doctor 

If you’re concerned that your child’s croup is not improving, contact your child’s doctor, especially if you see the following symptoms:

A sound that gets louder with each breath.
If your child speaks or makes verbal sounds for lack of breath.
Seems to be struggling to catch his breath.
Has blue lips or fingernails.
Has stridor when resting.
Drooling or extreme difficulty swallowing saliva.

References:

Bedwetting teenager? Here’s what you can do

May 12th, 2019 by Content Editor

Wetting the bed is expected amongst young children. When you’re a child, you’re still learning to listen to your body when it comes to visiting the toilet. But you grow out of this, right?

As kids grow older and their bodies develop, messages between the bladder and brain become clearer, allowing the child to wake up when their bladder is full. The majority of children master bladder control by the age of 5, but for others, this can take a lot longer.

If your teen has this problem, they’re not alone. Bedwetting can be common amongst teenagers and it happens for several reasons.

Reasons for bedwetting:

A small bladder

If you have a small bladder, it may not be able to hold much urine. This can cause bedwetting.

Your genes 

If you or your partner were prone to bedwetting as a child, there’s a good chance your child will become a bedwetter. If both of you were bedwetters, it’s even more likely.

Stress 

Some experts believe that stressful events could lead to bedwetting. These events may include changing schools, moving to a new city, parents going through a divorce etc.

Your diet 

Some foods that are high in salt. Drinking too much fluid before bed can also cause bedwetting.

Unusual sleep patterns

Many teens ignore bedtimes or don’t get enough sleep every night. This makes them likely to want to take naps and sleep late on weekends, causing an erratic sleeping pattern. This kind of sleep pattern can interfere with the brain’s normal sleep-wake cycles which tell you when you need the toilet.

Medical issues 

If your child has a medical condition like a urinary tract infection (UTI), a symptom could be bedwetting. Other conditions include diabetes and constipation.

Help your child beat bedwetting

Encourage your teen to use the toilet before bed so he can empty his bladder. An empty bladder means he’s less likely to wet the bed.
Limit drinks before bedtime.
Talk to your doctor about your child’s bedwetting. He may suggest medication or other solutions. Some treatments work by decreasing the amount of urine released from the kidneys or increasing how much urine the bladder can hold. Always ask your doctor about any risks of taking medication before giving it to your teen.
Try a bedwetting alarm. Bedwetting alarms have a moisture sensor that makes a buzzing or beeping sound to wake your teen if it senses your child is about to wet the bed.

Good to know 

Bedwetting can cause embarrassment and self-esteem issues, particularly in teens. If bedwetting affects your child’s social life (e.g. prevents him from attending sleepovers), then you may need to take him to a therapist. Talk to your doctor who can refer you to one.

If your child is experiencing ongoing bedwetting after you’ve tried different treatment options, it might be a medical condition. See your doctor immediately in that case.

References:

Winning the war against polio

May 3rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious condition caused by the Poliovirus. Children under the age of five are most often affected.

The Poliovirus is mainly spread by person-to-person contact, but can also be transferred via eating raw or undercooked food or water that’s been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person.

Most people with polio don’t experience noticeable signs. The most common indication of polio is a sudden weakness or lameness in the limbs. People who have symptoms may have minor issues like fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, a sore throat, coughing, congestion and stiffness and pain in the arms, legs, back and neck.

The majority of those who contract polio recover completely, but in extreme cases, it causes the permanent loss of muscle function, which may result in paralysis, usually in the arms or legs. It may also cause death if it decreases muscle function used for breathing or if the virus infects your brain.

Polio today

Thankfully, due to routine immunisations, South Africa has been free from polio since 1989. There are, however still cases of polio in other countries. Globally, most countries are polio-free, except for Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and certain areas in Asia. In recent years, the number of people affected by polio has decreased, but unfortunately, even a small number of infected people can put many others at risk.

What’s worrying is that the poliovirus can easily spread from an infected country to a polio-free one.

What can you do to fight polio?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for polio, so the only way to fight it is with prevention. To fight polio you should:

Keep up with vaccinations

Ensure you have had a polio vaccination. An additional one-time polio vaccine booster is recommended for those travelling to high-risk countries. To be safe, ask your doctor or nurse if your polio vaccine is up-to-date before travelling. It’s also important to ensure your children are vaccinated. Kids should be immunised with polio drops at birth, six weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months and when they’re five years old.

Watch your food

Make sure your food is always cooked properly before eating it and avoid raw food. Street vendors in some developing countries may not be safe, so always be cautious. Bushmeat is especially risky, so avoid eating it and don’t drink tap water when travelling, unless it’s been boiled or filtered. Bottled or canned factory drinks are usually safe, but watch out for bottled water that could just be regular tap water.

Practise good hygiene

Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. Use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol if there’s no water or soap available.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve if you cough or sneeze.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth. If you do, make sure your hands are clean.
Avoid sharing utensils with sick people and avoid close contact (like hugging, holding hands and kissing).

Good to know

Ask your doctor or a nurse at your local clinic or hospital about immunisation and follow the schedule.
Immediately report any child under the age of 15 who develops sudden weakness of either an arm and/or leg (without any injury).

References:

Is your eyesight failing? Here’s what to do about it

May 2nd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Ageing is a common cause of deteriorating eyesight, but there may be other reasons why you’re struggling to read.

Retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited condition. The retina, a layer of nerves at the back of the eye, do not respond to light properly. This can cause vision loss over time.

Prevention: Retinitis pigmentosa cannot be prevented.

Treatment: Research into treatment for the disease is ongoing. A recent breakthrough has suggested gene therapy may work for this condition.

Eye infections

Infectious keratitis

This infection can occur after an eye injury, such as a scratch, and can also occur in those with diabetes who are more prone to eye infections.

Bacterial keratitis can sometimes happen in those who swim while wearing their contact lenses. Left untreated, the condition can progress rapidly with the loss of vision or even losing the eye!

Prevention: Eye infections can be prevented through good hygiene, keeping contact lenses clean and avoiding contact with infected people. In those with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels helps prevent infections.

Treatment: Most eye infections are treated with antibiotics..

Cataracts

Cataracts are very common amongst the elderly. You may be developing a cataract if you have cloudy or blurry vision, struggle to see without bright light, have double vision or colours look faded.

Prevention: Stop smoking, eat well (include foods high in vitamins C and E), reduce exposure to sunlight, and if necessary, manage your diabetes.

Treatment: New spectacles or anti-glare sunglasses may help with early-stage cataracts, but advanced cataracts need to be surgically removed. The lens that is affected will be replaced.

Diabetic retinopathy

Those with diabetes often suffer eyesight problems as a result of high blood sugar levels which cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes.

Prevention: Maintain a healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Exercise regularly, regulate your weight and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

Treatment: Laser surgery to cauterise the damaged blood vessels in the eye. Keep blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure at healthy levels.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma can run in the family and is most often found in adults over 60 years old. It’s caused by high pressure in the eye which puts pressure on the optic nerve.

Prevention: There is no way to prevent glaucoma.

Treatment: Early detection may lead to treatment. There are also medications that decrease the pressure in the eye which delays the onset of blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration causes blurred or opaque vision and problems with focus. This occurs mostly in the elderly, and the risk is higher in those exposed to excess sunlight and those who are heavy smokers.
Prevention: Regular visits to your optometrist can help detect early symptoms of the disease. Eating eye-boosting healthy foods also improves overall eye health.

Treatment: In early-stage AMD, a specific cocktail of vitamins may help slow the disease.

Cancer of the eyes

Cancer of the eye becomes more likely as you age, especially if you have light-coloured eyes or are Caucasian. Sometimes the condition is an inherited one.

Prevention: There is no way to completely prevent eye cancer.

Treatment: These include chemotherapy, surgery, laser therapy, specific medications or radiation therapy.

If you fear you may have an eye condition that’s affecting your sight, visit your GP or optometrist, who may refer you to an ophthalmologist if necessary. If your eyes are healthy, keep them so by limiting exposure to harsh light, keeping any other conditions in check, and eating as healthily as possible.

References:

Do you have a viral rash?

April 8th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

A viral rash is, as its name suggests, caused by a virus. Like viral infections, viral rashes mostly affect toddlers and children. They generally look like splotches, red spots or raised bumps, but this can change, depending on the type of rash.

These spots can come on suddenly or develop over a few days. They form in many areas on the body or cluster together in a small section. Viral rashes often feel painful and itchy. Other common symptoms include:

Chills
Fever
Fatigue
Body aches

What causes a viral rash?

Viral rashes come from your immune system’s response to a virus or damage to your skin cells. For example, measles is a viral rash. It develops when your immune cells react to the virus when it moves through your bloodstream.

Immune cells release chemicals to kill the virus. These chemicals also inflame your skin, which causes a rash. Some viruses can bring on viral rashes. These are contagious and are spread through the air when you inhale saliva droplets through your nose or throat.

A few common ones include:

Chickenpox

Although there’s a lower risk for this viral rash due to available vaccines, some kids are still vulnerable to it. Symptoms include a fever, a sore throat and itchy spots all over the body. The chickenpox virus is contagious.

Shingles

This viral rash is a reactivation of chickenpox. It happens when the chickenpox virus travels down from your nerves into your skin. After this, the virus multiplies, causing a rash.

Fifth disease

This virus causes a splotchy red rash that forms on the face. It looks like a mark that would be left behind after a smack. Other symptoms include a fever and body aches. This virus normally spreads through saliva and is mainly found in children. A web-like rash may also spread on the arms, legs and other body parts.

Other viral infections like the Zika and West Nile virus are caused by mosquitos, ticks and fleas. These can also cause viral rashes.

How is it treated?

Viral infections are often not treated at all and are left to clear up on their own. Since antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, they can’t be used for a viral rash. Doctors may give you some medication to help relieve your symptoms.

Soothe the symptoms by applying a cool compress or calamine lotion to the affected areas. Do your best to avoid scratching your rash. Fever and aches can be soothed with over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.