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infections

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FluInfections
April 20, 2018

Is chicken soup good for flu?

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…

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Skin
April 20, 2018

Is your skin condition caused by parasites?

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…

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InfectionsNews
March 5, 2018

Listeria outbreak: Get rid of these meats immediately!

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.…

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Hygiene
April 10, 2017

Greeting your boss could be making you sick

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 5th 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…

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Infections
April 5, 2017

Why do I get sick when the seasons change?

"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…

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Asthma
August 27, 2016

Different types of coughs

“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! (more…)

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Infections
December 10, 2015

Treat cold sores in summer

Even though the seasons are changing, some viruses will continue to bug us. Cold sores, despite its name, can come out on hot and sunny days. But we won’t let it stain your summer. (more…)

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Chest & Lung
October 14, 2015

What kind of cough is that?

Been coughing for a while? Maybe it's time to start paying attention to the type of cough you have! Although a cough is merely a symptom of an underlying medical condition, the type of cough you have can definitely give some helpful clues as to the possible cause... (more…)

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Infections
August 23, 2015

HIV 101 – frequently asked questions

Q1: How do I know if I’ve been infected? There are no immediate symptoms and you may not experience any for years, which is why many people don’t get tested – they feel fine. Some people get flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands, and muscle and joint pains - the problem is that it’s difficult to tell if it’s a general flu virus or if HIV is affecting your immune system. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, get tested! Q2: Where can I get tested for HIV? There are many different places where…

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Infections
July 28, 2015

The different types of hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation or swelling of the liver, and it can be the result of a viral infection or over-exposure to harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol. There are three main types of hepatitis, and while some types pass without causing permanent liver damage, others can be present for years and cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), and in serious cases liver failure. (more…)

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