infections – Page 3 – Hello Doctor

How to get bed rest when you have the flu

August 3rd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your head is pounding, your nose is stuffy and you have a terrible cough. Your doctor suggested “bed rest”, but how are you supposed to rest when you feel awful?

When you have the flu, your body takes a toll and must repair itself. This means rest. Staying in bed and resting helps speed up the healing process while attempting to soldier through your symptoms will only leave you sick for longer. A healthy person who rests and follows their doctor’s prescribed medication should recover from the flu within 10 days. On the other hand, without bed rest, a healthy person will take longer to recover, may infect others with their flu and become sicker as the flu can become viral if left untreated.

Although you may think that resting at home is a waste of time, when your doctor says you need bed rest, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Here’s how to get proper rest when you’re sick.

Rest up

Drink something warm
If you’re suffering from the sniffles, drinking something hot will help loosen mucus. This will make it easier for you to breathe. The steam from a hot drink like soup or tea is what does the trick, as well as from a shower or bath. If you’re having tea, add some honey to soothe your throat and help with your cough.
Sit up in bed
Bed rest doesn’t literally mean that you must lay down for the entire day! Prop yourself up in bed while reading or watching television. When you lie down, a postnasal drip can build up which makes your throat sore and may cause you to cough. Use a few pillows to prop yourself up in bed. This will help you sleep better, and ease sinus pressure which lets up when your head is higher than your body.
Sleep alone
You’re more likely to get enough rest if you don’t have to share a bed with someone. So, if possible, sleep alone while you’re recovering from the flu. You’re also less likely to infect your partner or children.
Try medication
Besides sipping on hot drinks, ask your doctor or pharmacist about medication to help ease your symptoms or speed up your recovery. Make sure you follow your prescription carefully and don’t stop taking medication if you feel better! Talk to your doctor first.
Use a humidifier
Moisturise the air in your home and room with a vaporiser or humidifier. This will help to prevent your cold symptoms from drying out your airways. Remember to clean your humidifier or vaporiser regularly so that it won’t trap bacteria or mould.
Avoid alcohol
If you struggle to sleep, don’t turn to alcohol as a crutch. Alcohol can dehydrate you which can swell up your sinuses and keep you up at night. It can also react badly to any flu medication you may need to take.

Good to know

It usually takes two to three days from when you’re exposed to the flu or cold virus before you start feeling any symptoms. You may feel fine, but when the symptoms come on, it’s important to contain your germs. Containing your germs is important because if you infect others and stay around each other, your flu can spread and boomerang back to you, making it feel like you’ll never recover.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands regularly to prevent spreading germs.

References

What is cat scratch disease?

July 16th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your kitten’s little claws may seem harmless, but his scratch may not be.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease starts when cats become infected from a bacteria, usually passed on by a flea. The infection can spread to humans when the infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of their skin.

You can also get CSD from the saliva of an infected cat if it gets into an open wound or touches the whites of your eyes.

It takes about three to 14 days after the skin is broken for a mild infection to happen. Kittens younger than one are most likely to carry the bacteria called Bartonella Henselae, which causes the infection. Nearly 40% of all cats carry the bacteria, but show no sign of having the illness.

The first sign of CSD is a small lump where your cat bit or scratched you. Within one to seven weeks, the lymph glands swell near the place you were injured. For example, if you were bitten on your arm, the glands in the armpit on the same side of your body would swell.

Common symptoms of CSD in humans include:

A bump or blister near the bite or scratch.
Swollen, tender, lymph nodes near the bite or scratch.
Fatigue.
Headaches.
A fever.
Body aches.
Poor appetite.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CSD is usually done with a blood test. Your doctor may also take a sample from your swollen lymph glands to test for CSD. If you don’t suspect cat scratch disease but have swollen lymph glands, it’s still important that you see your doctor as it can signal other conditions.

How can CSD be prevented?

The best way is to avoid contact with all cats. If you have a cat, specifically a kitten, avoid rough play to avoid being scratched or bitten. Keep your cat’s nails trimmed to help prevent scratches and wash your hands after playing with him.

Don’t allow your cat to lick your wounds, eyes, or mouth. Keep your cat indoors as far as possible, and use antiflea medication to keep him flea-free. Control fleas in your home by vacuuming regularly and washing your sheets every week.

If you’re thinking of adopting a cat, choose an older cat instead of a kitten.

Treatment

Most cases of cat scratch disease aren’t serious and won’t need treatment. And you don’t have to worry about spreading the infection because person-to-person infection is not possible. But, it’s important to wash any scratches or bites with soap and water.

If you have a weak immune system, you’re more likely to experience serious symptoms from having CSD. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if your CSD is serious. He may also give you medication to decrease the size of the lymph nodes.

See your doctor if:

Your symptoms haven’t eased after a few days.
Your injury isn’t healing.
You develop a fever.
Redness around the wound is spreading over your skin.

References:

How sick is too sick to go to work?

July 16th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Just how sick do you have to be to stay home? But how sick can you be to qualify for a day off?

Well, truth is if you’re really feeling unwell and especially if you have a fever, you need to stay home. You also have to consider whether you’re putting yourself or others at risk if you go to work.

If the symptoms of your condition, or the side-effects of medication could cause an injury or accident on the job, affect others, or if your work flow is interrupted and you can’t focus, then you need to stay at home.

Don’t put yourself and others at risk. Remember, some people are vulnerable to viruses and infections and can easily be infected; especially pregnant women, young children and older people.

Signs that you’re too sick to go to work:

Fever
Muscle aches and pains
Fatigue
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoeah
Dizziness and confusion

According to research, airborne “breathing droplets” from sneezing and coughing commonly spread infectious germs. The flu virus can last for up to 24 hours depending on the surface. So, it’s recommended that you stay home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours.

Stay home, even if you think you’re feeling better especially if you have:

Limited access to a bathroom during the day.
Little or no way to wash your hands often.
Nowhere to store or use any medication you need.
To directly work with the public or with food that goes to the public. It would be unhygienic and unprofessional to sneeze, cough, and sniffle under these circumstances.
To work outside in the heat or in a strenuous job, like construction, and there’s no other option for light work.

When are you fit enough?

If your health condition no longer affects your ability to do your normal duties, you may be able to return even though you’ve only partly recovered.

But make sure you’re actually well enough to work. After your sick leave and while you’re taking your prescribed medication, the best way to assess your current health is to ask for another appointment. Tell your doctor that you want to go back to work and ask if they think you are well enough.

If you’re able to be somewhat busy at home for a full day and have finished your medication, you’re probably physically able to return to work.

Good to know

Remember to wash your hands often.
Keep hand sanitiser ready and use it often.
Clean the common work areas with sanitising or disinfectant wipes.

Don’t be a hero and drag yourself to work if you’re too sick. And remember, your coworkers will appreciate you not bringing your germs around them!

References

What your tongue tells you about your health

June 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your tongue is one of the most powerful organs that you have. It’s made up of a mobile group of muscles that are attached to the floor of the mouth. We use this fleshy pink organ to taste, lick, swallow and speak. The top of the tongue is covered with small bumps called papillae. The majority of our tastebuds are found in these papillae.

Your tongue does more than help you gobble down your food; it assists with digestion and mouth cleaning during the chewing and swallowing process. This muscular organ also holds secrets about your health!

Stick out your tongue

Your tongue can be a reflector of your health by its smell, appearance and texture.

This is what your tongue says about you…

Red or strawberry tongue

You may have a vitamin deficiency. A bright and glossy red tongue says that your body lacks iron or Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 and iron are needed to mature papillae on the tongue. If you have a deficiency of those vitamins, you lose those papillae, which can make your tongue appear very smooth.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that develops in some people who have strep throat and it can cause the tongue to have a red and bumpy appearance.
Kawasaki Disease, which is often seen in children under the age of five and usually comes with a high fever, can also cause the strawberry-like appearance.

Whites patches, spots or coating

This could be oral thrush; a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. It appears in the form of white patches that look like cottage cheese. It’s commonly seen in infants, the elderly who wear dentures and people with weak immune systems. Oral thrush is likely to appear after you’ve taken antibiotics for a long time.
Leukoplakia is a condition that causes the cells in the mouth to grow excessively. This leads to white patches on the tongue and inside the mouth. Leukoplakia can develop when the tongue has been irritated but is often seen in people who use tobacco.

Sore or bumpy

Smoking can irritate your tongue and cause soreness.
A lump or sore on your tongue that doesn’t go away within two weeks could be a sign of oral cancer.
Mouth ulcers can be sore and bumpy. These can be caused by stress and may heal within a week or two.
Your tongue may look bumpy after you eat something spicy or hot which can make your tastebuds temporarily inflamed.

Black and hairy tongue

The papillae (home to your tastebuds) on your tongue grow throughout your lifetime. When they become too long, it becomes easier for bacteria to grow and stay there. When these bacteria grow, they may look dark or black, and the overgrown papillae can have a hair-like appearance. This isn’t common or too serious, but it’s likely to happen in people who don’t have good oral hygiene.

Fissures or cracks

A fissured tongue commonly happens to people with Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. It’s also associated with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, characterised by facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips, and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue.

Worried about something on your tongue? Why not chat to one of our doctors? They can help you decide how serious it is. Always check your tongue for any changes when you brush your teeth.

References

Do you need a shingles vaccine?

June 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Itchy, scabby skin, fluid-filled blisters, fatigue and a fever. Not fun, right?

When you’re finally recovering from those painful symptoms of chickenpox, you feel a tremendous sense of relief. But what if the chickenpox virus comes back to visit?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. When you recover from chickenpox, it may seem as if the virus is gone, but it just becomes dormant in your nerve tissues.

Certain people can live their entire lives unaware of this, with no symptoms. However, if your immune system suffers a blow, the virus can be reactivated, and shingles will develop.

Symptoms

Like chickenpox, shingles grow as a blistering rash, along with itching, burning sensations and pain.

Other symptoms include a fever, chills, headache and stomach pain. The shingles rash often looks like a band or strip, forming a cluster of blisters around one side of the waist. Other common locations for shingles are the forehead and around or near the eyes, but shingles can develop anywhere on the body.

It’s not possible to give someone shingles, but if someone hasn’t had the chickenpox, they may get chickenpox from you. This is possible if someone has direct contact with the active shingles blisters.

Are you at risk?

Shingles only last two to four weeks and most people fully recover. If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you’re at risk of getting shingles and your risk increases with age.

People over 60 are 10 times more likely to develop it and a quarter of all adults will get shingles at some point.
Some cancer medications, steroid medication, a weak immune system and stress or trauma, can also affect your immunity, and put you at risk.
Children who haven’t had chickenpox are in danger of getting chickenpox if they’re exposed to shingles blisters.

Prevention and treatment

The only way to really protect yourself from getting shingles and chickenpox and particularly in children, is to get the vaccine for the varicella zoster virus. In South Africa, this vaccine is part of the South African vaccination schedule. It’s available at pharmacies or a hospital. It costs approximately R435 at local pharmacies and if given in adulthood, it may reduce the effects of shingles and is recommended in people who are 60 years old and older.

To avoid complications after having chicken pox, it’s important to have it treated as soon as possible. If you’ve had chickenpox, and suspect you may have the shingles, go to your doctor immediately.

Treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication and pain medication like Ibuprofen, paracetamol and codeine. Your doctor will also prescribe antiviral medication to prevent the virus from multiplying. It’s important to have the virus treated within 72 hours of developing shingles.

Ease the discomfort

Wear loose-fitting clothing.
Apply wet dressings and ice to the affected areas.
Take cool baths.
Moisturise your itchy skin with creams (steer clear of scented ones).

References

How long does the flu last?

June 12th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve been coughing and sneezing for what seems like forever!

“When will it end?”

Well, if your symptoms include a fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue and sometimes, diarrhoea and vomiting… then you should stay home and avoid contact with other people.

Flu stages

Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus can come on very quickly. Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after the infection.

Flu often has signs of fever or chills. A headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue follow after.
As the infection progresses, you may have warm and flushed skin, bloodshot or watery eyes, a severe cough with phlegm, and nasal congestion. Children may experience nausea and vomiting.
Flu can last for one to two weeks and severe symptoms may subside in two to three days. You’ll probably feel weak and fatigued, and have a dry cough for up to seven days

How contagious is it?

If you’re infected with influenza you may be contagious from one day before symptoms start until five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may continue to be contagious for longer than seven days. Stay at home until the contagious period has passed. This will help you avoid passing germs and picking up a virus from others.

Avoid the common cold

Cold is spread by a virus that can stay alive on different surfaces. So, make sure the areas in your home are clean as far as possible. You can easily catch the cold from someone who has it, so if you notice someone coughing and sneezing excessively, avoid them!

Use a tissue when you sneeze.
Turn your head away from others when you cough or sneeze.
Bring up your elbow and cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Get some relief

To help get rid of a common cold, take a hot shower. The steam from the shower can help clear your sinuses and respiratory passages. When you’re in the shower, gently blow your nose to help get some of the mucous out of your passages. Don’t shower too long though, you may get dehydrated.

If your symptoms last longer than 10 days and start to get worse, see a doctor.

Fight off the flu

With flu, prevention is key. Get a flu injection to reduce your chances of catching the flu. If you do catch the flu, act quickly and get the right medication from your doctor. Add lots of fruit and vegetables to your diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep to keep your immune system in shape to battle the flu. Remember; always wash your hands after shaking hands with people or touching communal bathroom door handles and lift knobs.

Get some relief:

Sleep and get plenty of rest, your immune system needs a lot of sleep to recover.
Treat your cough so you can rest easier.
Drink many fluids.

If your fever comes with a severe headache, throat swelling, unusual skin rash, mental confusion, and vomiting for more than three days, be sure to see a doctor.

References:

Is chicken soup good for flu?

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Chilly months seem to go hand-in-hand with colds and flu.

There’s the inevitable itch in your throat, coughing, headache – and of course, the sniffles. Before downing your over-the-counter medication, is it worth trying that old natural remedy: chicken soup? It’s delicious, warm and filled with nutrients – and seems to do the trick.

Here’s why.

Magic liquid

According to studies, cooking chicken releases the amino acid cysteine, which resembles a drug that can treat upper respiratory infections. Even better, when you add vegetables to your soup, you’re adding vitamins too, which ups your flu-fighting capabilities.

Drinking liquid broth soups also speeds up the movement of mucous in your nose. The hot liquid opens up your blood vessels which increases blood flow and allows the mucous to flush everything out. The warm broth not only soothes your throat, it helps you stay hydrated and eases congestion too.

More helpers

Add garlic to your soup. This pungent ingredient has antibacterial properties that help the immune system fight infections.
For veggies, choose tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, spinach and broccoli. These health helpers are packed with antioxidants that will help keep your immune system healthy.
Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are bursting with nutrients and Vitamin C, which will help fight off the sniffles. Drink water to stay hydrated. Sip on 100% orange juice with pulp. It’s packed with Vitamin C and folic acid, which will give your immune system a boost while quenching your thirst.
In cold weather, hot ginger tea warms the body.

A word on probiotics

Regulating the good bacteria in your gut can help boost your immune system. Have some yoghurt with your favourite citrus fruits to get a boost of Vitamin C too. Greek yogurt is filled with sickness-fighting probiotics, and packed with more protein than regular yogurt.

Turn up the temperature

Add a dash of cayenne pepper to your soup or stew. Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin C and helps relieve chills, coughs, and congestion. It’s also an antioxidant and antiseptic. You can even stir some into your tea.
Chilli peppers can ease congestion and reduce swelling around your nose and throat. It will also help thin out your mucous enough for your body to cough or sneeze it away.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes on your vegetables, grains, chicken, or meat. A little goes a long way. They will boost immunity and open up your blocked nose.
When you eat spicy foods, your body will naturally loosen the mucous and phlegm that’s clogging your body and you might be able to breathe a little easier.
Stay away from spicy foods if you have an irritable stomach; it may only aggravate your symptoms.

References:

Is your skin condition caused by parasites?

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Hear the word parasite and your first reaction is probably “Eww!’’ And with good reason. A parasite is an organism which eats, reproduces and secretes just like other organisms. They are an advanced species, which can survive and breed while remaining undetected. It makes sense, then, that these little critters can make your life very difficult, causing different health issues.

There are more than one thousand parasite species. Depending on their type, they eat different things. There are large parasites which are usually worms and small parasites which are microscopic. Some of them live off the food we eat and mainly exist in the digestive tract. Other parasites attach themselves anywhere on the body and feed on the nutrients and energy from your cells.

These parasites often eat the nutrients and energy before you can get to them, which means your organs and skin don’t get the nutrients they need.

Who’s at risk?

Anyone can get a parasite infection, but some people are more at risk than others.

Having an illness or a weak immune system.
Living or constantly travelling in tropical or subtropical regions of the world.
Lacking a clean supply of drinking water.
Through sexual contact.
Through the skin or nose.
Via a mosquito, flea or housefly.
Eating contaminated food.
Swimming in lakes, rivers or ponds where parasites are common.
Working in childcare or with soil regularly.

How parasites affect your skin

As your skin is the fastest way to get rid of an infection, parasitic infections may also cause breakouts and swelling while your body tries to get rid of it. This can cause any of the following symptoms:

Small, itchy bumps
rashes
blisters
reddening & inflammation of the skin

Tissue damage

The most common systemic effects from parasites include:

difficulty gaining or losing weight,
digestive problems,
food sensitivity,
joint and muscle pains
bacterial or viral infections.

Left untreated, health problems caused by parasites may become chronic and cause parasitic infections. Malnutrition may occur, specifically in children, as parasites rob the body of food or prevent food from being absorbed properly. This causes kids to be underweight or their growth to be stunted. Intestinal worms like the hookworm can cause anemia, a condition where there’s a lack of red blood cells.

It gets worse.

If parasites stick around for a long time, they contribute to the development of food allergies, and even death in severe cases, as they drain all the resources your body needs to survive.

Parasite-proof yourself

The best way to protect yourself from parasites is to make your body a bad host. Do this by creating an environment a parasite wouldn’t want to live in. Your gut is filled with bacteria and a healthy gut has about 85% good bacteria that keep your gut in check. The good bacteria protect you from the bad guys (viruses, parasites and harmful bacteria). To keep your gut in top condition, fill up on probiotics. Probiotics help produce good bacteria that support your body, by closing gaps in your gut’s barrier cells.

Good gut tips:

Include probiotics like yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut in your diet. Ask your doctor about a probiotic supplement.
Balance your diet with enough fibre, vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and nuts. Fibre helps empty parasites from your intestines and a healthy diet improves your immune system.
Limit dairy, sugar and fat as parasites thrive on these.
Cook fish, beef, chicken and other meats thoroughly.
Wash your hands before and after using the toilet.
Wear gloves when gardening or working with soil.
Wash fresh vegetables carefully.
Deworm your pets regularly and handle kitty litter with gloves.

Treatment options

Your doctor will prescribe medication depending on the type of parasitic infection. If you experience any symptoms of an infection and have reason to believe you were exposed to parasites, talk to your doctor immediately.

References

Listeria outbreak: Get rid of these meats immediately!

March 5th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Have you recently bought Viennas, Polony, Frankfurters or ANY processed meat? Get rid of it immediately, or return it to the shop where you purchased it. 180 people have already died from Listeriosis contaminated meats produced by Enterprise foods and Rainbow chicken.

The facts:

Any processed meat from Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken could be contaminated with Listeriosis.
If you bought any processed meats from shops like Checkers, Woolworths or Pick n Pay, make sure you return the meat to the shop, or dispose of it ASAP.
948 people have been infected, and 180 people have died from Listeriosis infection.
Pregnant women, elderly, babies and immune compromised are most at risk.
If you are suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting after eating processed meat, get it checked out as it could be Listeria.

How do you avoid getting infected?

Get rid of any meat products from Enterprise or Rainbow chicken. There is no way to know which meats are contaminated: even if it smells and looks normal.

Make sure you place the meat in a separate bag.
Wash your hands and the fridge with warm, soapy water after handling the meat.
According to authorities, you could return the meat to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

If you bought ANY of these products from Woolworths, you can return them to the store for a full refund:

Waferthin Chargrilled Ham 125G
Waferthin Roasted Chicken 125G
Waferthin Smoked Ham 125G
Wafterthin Cooked Ham 125G
Waferthin Smoked Chicken 125G
500G Smoked Viennas
1KG Smoked Viennas
500G Red Viennas
1KG Red Viennas
375g Cocktail Viennas
125G Smoked Cheesy Viennas
400G Bulk Salami Stikcs
150G Salami Sticks
85G Plain Salami Sticks
85G Spicy Salami Sticks
60G Plain Salami Bites
150G Spicy Salami Sticks
85G Coriander Salami
60G Spicy Salami Bites
250G Smoked and Roasted Gammon
Sliced Lean Ham 125G
Sliced Cooked Ham 250G
Sliced Cooked Ham 125G
250G Ham Selection
250G Assorted Cold Meat
200G Sliced Salami
100G Salami
100G German Salami
100G Sliced Peppered Salami
Local Chorizo
100G Spicy Salami
125G Country Ham

What is Listeriosis?

Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The infection is especially dangerous for pregnant women, babies, the elderly and immune compromised.

What are the symptoms?

If you’ve been infected by Listeria, you could have the following symptoms:

fever
muscle aches
nausea
diarrhea

If the infection spreads to the brain and nervous system, you may have some, or all of the following symptoms:

headache
stiff neck
confusion
loss of balance
convulsions

How is it treated?

Generally, healthy people can fight the infection on their own, and symptoms usually pass within a few weeks. You are at higher risk if you are pregnant or immune compromised.

For adequate treatment, doctors will prescribe antibiotics, along with fluids and medication for pain and fever.

If in doubt, get checked by your doctor.

Tips to stay safe in future:

Always wash your hands before and after you prepared food, and especially after touching raw meat, fish or poultry.
Always wash your hands after you’ve been to the toilet.
Always check sell-by and expiry dates. Only buy the freshest foods.
Don’t eat foods that are passed their expiry date.
Trust your nose! Don’t eat foods that have a suspicious smell.
Don’t eat anything from a can that is bulging or dented.
Wash fruit and veggies before eating or cooking.
Use different cutting boards for vegetables and meat.
If any utensils touch raw meat, fish or chicken, don’t reuse it: first wash with soap and hot water.
Use hot, soapy water when cleaning any cooking utensils.
Under-cooked meat, poultry, and shellfish can be very dangerous. Always make sure it’s cooked properly.
Never place food on tables ahead of time. Always take food out of the fridge just before serving.

References:

Greeting your boss could be making you sick

April 10th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You walk into a meeting and shake hands with your client. At a social event, you introduce yourself by shaking hands. When, how and why did this quirky little greeting originate?

We can’t pinpoint the exact time when humans first shook hands to introduce themselves, but historical findings date back to as far as the 5^th century BC. British historian Dr Robert Hume writes that by shaking hands, kings proved they were comfortable enough in each other’s presence not to bring weapons.

Today, weapons aside, research suggests that our customary greeting may be instinct rather than etiquette since humans, like other animals, use smell when they greet each other. According to some theories, humans subconsciously sniff their hands after greeting someone to pick up pheromones; the odourless scent that most mammals produce in response to their environment. The researchers suggest that there’s much more chemical signalling that goes on between two people who shake hands than meets the eye. Could that mean that shaking hands is perhaps just our primal way of gathering scents?

Whatever the reason, the handshake has evolved into the greeting du jour for most of us. This leaves us open and vulnerable to all kinds of health nasties, unfortunately.

Good hands

Good hygiene starts with hand washing. Many of us get it wrong – and may become seriously sick.

Hand washing gets rid of infection-causing germs before they get a chance to infect us or the people around us. Just this little act protects us from common infections like colds, flu and gastro, and other nasty diseases.

With life-threatening infectious diseases like Ebola and swine flu presenting new global challenges, you should be taking personal hygiene seriously.

Washing your hands may seem relatively simple, but it’s disturbing to note that only one in every 20 people around the world washes their hands properly!

If these survey results are anything to go by, it’s time for a good refresher course . . .

Good, effective hand washing needs a small amount of water and soap:

Lather your wet hands with soap.
Scrub your palms, the back of your hands, between the fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse your hands well with running water.
Dry your hands on a clean, dry cloth (this further helps to remove microorganisms).

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to gauge the time is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. This is also a fun way of teaching kids to wash their hands thoroughly.

Not using soap is a common mistake when it comes to hand washing. Water alone isn’t enough to dislodge the germs and dirt that get stuck in the natural oils on the skin of your hands.

Research shows that hand washing with soap and running water reduces the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory diseases, regardless of water quality.

Hand washing more than six times a day is considered the basic hygiene minimum by the Global Hygiene Council.

If that seems like a lot, consider that you should be washing your hands:

Before and after you eat.
After going to the toilet.
After touching commonly used surfaces.
After you’ve worked in the garden or touched animals.
After you’ve taken care of sick people.

You can safely use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. It will help kill micro-organisms, but will not remove dirt effectively.

Both antibacterial and regular soap are good for washing. It’s the foam created from rubbing one’s hands together with water that helps remove the dirt and germs.

References

Why do I get sick when the seasons change?

April 5th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

“Put on a jersey, or you’ll catch a cold!”

Your grandma, mother or aunt has probably told you this at some stage. In fact, maybe you are that mother or aunt? Although you may mean well, this old wives’ tale isn’t entirely true: the cold temperature won’t give you a cold. So why do we associate colds and flu with the winter season? Does the temperature have anything to do with it?

Spring & Fall
It may not be the cold weather that makes you sick. However, it’s true that certain viruses flourish in cooler weather. It’s these viruses that make people sick. Specifically, the coronavirus and the rhinovirus: two of the most common causes for the common cold. Influenza, the flu-virus, also likes cold, dry air, which is why you need to get your flu-jab before the end of April!

Summer
Infections of the summer can be a bit more complicated: you start off with an allergy, due to the pollen and dust in the air. This leads to a congested nose, and more mucous than usual. Your immune system goes into overdrive to fight with these allergens, and in the process, you become more vulnerable to a virus or bacterial infection.That is why, sometimes, you could start with a runny nose that is due to allergies, and only later develop a virus infection. It’s not always one or the other, but a combination.

Protecting yourself all year around
The advice is simple, and you must’ve heard it before. But we’ll remind you again:

Wash your hands. You may think you are clean, but you don’t know who else has touched the surfaces you touch. Door handles, money, cellphones, toilets, cutlery – germs and viruses are everywhere.
Exercise. Fit people don’t get sick as much, because their immune systems are stronger.
Sleep 6 to 8 hours per night. If you’re tired, your immune system takes a knock, and you get sick.

We know it’s not rocket science, and it can be hard to stick to, but if you make the effort to implement these habits now, you will save yourself days of sick-leave, and hundreds of rands in medication. Most importantly: you will feel great!

Different types of coughs

August 27th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

“Perhaps you should go and see a doctor about that cough!”…. if you’ve been coughing for a while, someone is bound to suggest that to you!

Continue reading “Different types of coughs”