Tag

infection

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Sexual Health
October 8, 2018

Could I have an STD?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) spread from person to person during any sexual activity. A mother can even pass these on to her baby during pregnancy and birth. You must always, under all circumstances, practise safe sex! Use a new condom every single time you have sex. This applies to oral sex too. According to the World Health Organization, more than a million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day, worldwide. The majority of STIs either have no symptoms or only mild symptoms that may not be recognised as an STI. Sexually transmitted diseases are serious, and while some have symptoms,…

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Ears, Nose & Throat
October 8, 2018

How to heal an ear infection

Do your ears feel sore? Have trouble hearing? You may have an ear infection. Ear infections are caused by bacteria, viruses and occasionally (but hardly ever), yeast. An ear infection can happen in your outer ear, your inner ear or your middle ear. Outer ear infection An outer ear infection happens when the skin tissue that covers your ear canal becomes infected, usually with bacteria. This can happen if you spend a lot of time in water (e.g. pools and the ocean). It also happens if you’ve injured your ear canal by inserting objects in it (e.g. a cotton earbud…

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Gut & digestion
September 18, 2018

Do you have food poisoning or gastro?

You feel a sharp pain in your stomach and nausea washes over you. Did the burger you just ate give you food poisoning, or do you have a stomach bug? Two of the most common causes of stomach discomfort is food poisoning and gastro. Let’s take a look at the differences between them. What is 'gastro'? Commonly known as the stomach flu, gastroenteritis (also called 'gastro'), is caused by a viral infection that attacks your digestive system. Different types of stomach flu are caused by different things. Stomach viruses are very contagious. You can get gastro by: Eating food or…

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Ears, Nose & Throat
September 14, 2018

Home remedies for sinus pain

A sinus infection can cause quite a bit of pain. Apart from the annoying stuffy nose, it also comes with symptoms like a headache, facial tenderness, a sore throat, a cough and facial swelling. Your sinuses are found by your forehead, cheekbones and the sides of your nose. You may get an infection if your air cavities become inflamed within the passages of your nose. This can be caused by allergies or when chemicals or particles irritate your sinuses. If you’re looking for a fix for your sinus or allergy symptoms, step away from the pills and try a natural,…

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Symptoms, Aches & Pains
July 16, 2018

Nauseous after eating? Here’s why

You’ve just finished a delicious meal and while it’s hit the spot, you’re starting to feel sick. Urgh. Why are you feeling nauseous? Your digestive system is a collection of organs that work together to break down what you eat or drink. When you eat, the food is digested and the nutrients are turned into energy. The process begins in your mouth when you chew and the food is broken down to be swallowed. Food travels down your food pipe and then to the stomach and intestines. Any problems during these processes may cause nausea after eating. Food poisoning If…

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Women's Health
June 19, 2018

Why is it itching around my vagina?

Many women shy away from talking about their vaginas, but it’s worth learning more about the health issues you could have down there. Ladies don’t be embarrassed; it’s time you understand what your vagina is all about. Your vagina is the internal tube that connects your womb to the outside of the body. The vulva includes the inner and outer lips (labia), the clitoris, the urethral opening (where your wee comes out) and the vaginal opening. The vulva is the general name given to the outside parts of your private part. This precious part of your body can suffer many…

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HIV / AIDS
April 20, 2018

“The cure” for HIV and other myths

About seven million people in South Africa are living with HIV. Our country has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. HIV is a virus. If HIV is not treated and managed, it can lead to AIDS, the final and most severe stage of HIV. Having HIV also means that your body becomes weaker, since HIV kills the cells in your body that protect you from infections and viruses like the flu, colds and other diseases. However, having HIV does not mean you will automatically get AIDS. This is why it’s so important to treat and manage…

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Chest & Lung
March 7, 2018

How to prevent lung infections

Our lungs are incredible organs: they allow us to inhale oxygen, literally filling our blood with the breath of life. Oxygen is the one thing we need to keep the cells in our body alive. We can only get oxygen through our lungs, so if we have any lung-condition, from asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis to pneumonia, it can become very dangerous - even fatal - if not treated. How do you get it? The natural environment of your lungs is moist which makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to get in. Whether you’re catching public transport or driving along the…

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Medication & Treatment
March 7, 2018

My phlegm is yellow – do I need antibiotics?

Coughing and wheezing, sniffles and sneezing are all symptoms of a cold, flu or even a sinus infection. These symptoms may leave you feeling down and lousy. Over-the-counter medication may have not eased the symptoms. Is it time for antibiotics? An antibiotic is not ‘stronger’ than other medication Would you say that spoons are stronger than scissors? Of course not. We understand that scissors have a different function to spoons: the one is used for cutting, and the other is used for dishing up. The same rule applies to antibiotics: it's not stronger than other medication: it is different. It works…

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Ears, Nose & Throat
January 5, 2018

How to take care of inflamed tonsils

Has someone told you that you are snoring? Do you stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping? Are you struggling with a sore throat often? Sleep apnoea is real. It means that your brain and the rest of your body may not be getting enough oxygen. If you experience recurring tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils, it may be time to consider getting your tonsils removed. Swollen tonsils can cause apnoea by directly blocking the airway while you’re lying down. According to research, the lack of oxygen to the brain and heart can result in heart disease, feelings of aggression, and sleepiness during…

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