Epstein Barr Virus Antibodies - IgA Health Feed

Introduction to the ZIKA VIRUS:

After the deadly Yellow Fever and Ebola pandemics, Zika Virus is yet another disease borne out of the African soil and spreading across the world right now. Named after the Zika forest in Uganda, where it originated, this virus spreads through a mosquito bite - that of ‘aedes aegypti’ mosquito. It can also be passed on from mother to child, blood transfusion and sex.

What’s so deadly about ‘Aedes Aegypti’ Mosquito?
Zika Virus spreads via ‘aedes aegypti’ mosquito, same mosquito that also spreads Dengue and Chikungunya.These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near still water found in buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases. They are aggressive daytime biters, prefer to bite people, and live indoors and outdoors near people.
These mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

Symptoms of Zika Virus Attack
A person bit by an infected mosquito takes about 2-7 days to show symptoms like:
- Mild fever
- Skin Rash
- Conjunctivitis
- Muscle and joint pain
- Weakness and Fatigue

However, it lasts no more than a week and is usually milder than its cousins Dengue or Chikungunya. Although it is not a fatal disease, the real reason behind the panic is for the women who are pregnant. Zika is found to be a major cause of microcephaly – a birth defect due to which children are born with visibly smaller heads, severely limiting their mental and physical abilities.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hepatitis C is a Viral Infection That is Little Talked About, But Can Be As Dangerous As Hepatitis B

Most people have head or what became in the 1980s and '90s the dreaded AIDS virus. With time and the availability of medicines, it ceased to be a killer. However, the knowledge of it helped stem its spread. Most people, unfortunately, don't realize that hepatitis C is also a killer, simply because not much has been said about it. In fact, it is also a virus, but is 10 times more infectious than HIV.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood, and is usually passed on to women through infected needles and sex. At-home glucometers are often shared, or sometimes a woman's own lifestyle or her partner's lifestyle before marriage may put her at risk, because the virus can stay in the blood for years. It is also transmitted through blood products, like in the case of a transfusion, though in the case of pregnant women, this is not so common.

The dangers
The virus affects 1 in every 100 people in India, while globally 180 million are infected with it. Sometimes, it may just pass through the body, like many other viruses do, but sometimes, it can remain. If detected quickly, within six months or so, cure rates are high. the problem is that it is often not easy to detect, as symptoms resemble those of a regular seasonal viral infection: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite. If it remains in the body, becoming chronic, then it may progress to liver disease. But the hepatitis C virus (HCV) doesn't have to be a killer. You can conquer it with these moves. 

What you should do before
A number of couples who come to me have planned pregnancies-they opt for a baby, rather than the baby just 'happening' to them. This not only helps family planning, but it also helps us rule out infections or treat them if present. Usually, in the first trimester, your gynecologist will ask you to do a simple blood test for HIV, hepatitis B and C. In the case of a planned pregnancy, visit your doctor beforehand and ask if you need to take these tests before you conceive. However, there is no vaccine for HCV yet.

What you should do after
If a woman find out in the first trimester that she is hepatitis C positive, there's nothing much that can be done, as anti-viral medications cause birth defects, so a mother can only be put on them after delivery. She is advised to continue the pregnancy. A baby's chance of acquiring the infection in utero is between 5 and 7%. While this is not high, parents may like to avoid the risk. However, co-infection with HIV (if the mother is HIV positive) pushes the risk up to 19.4%. The pregnancy itself will not be hampered by the HCV infection. Nor does the risk of transmission to the child have anything to do with the mode of delivery-either vaginal or C-section. In India, there is little data on HCV transmission from mother to child. However, once the baby is born, the pediatrician may not do an immediate test to check for the virus, as it generally clears out from the baby's system in a year or so. Testing may only be done at 18 months.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Poliovirus is a deadly and highly contagious virus that spreads through direct or indirect human to human contact. However, what makes polio really fatal is the fact that it has no cure. 

What causes polio?

The poliovirus is caused by small RNA based viruses of the enterovirus group of the Picornavirus family. With three different types, it can cause a wide range of health concerns in humans. The type 1 virus is the most severe and is responsible for about 85% of all paralysis resulting from the infection. These types are antigenically distinct virus strains and one form of infection or immunity does not protect against the other two types, but if immunity is developed for one or more of the three strains, immunity is permanent. The problem caused by these viruses is the killing of spinal cord cells.

What is the history of polio?

The first traces of poliovirus dates back six thousand-year-old Egyptian with malformed limbs but the first recorded evidence is from 1789. By 1951 the three types of poliovirus were identified and isolated a large-scale trial of the dead polio vaccine developed by Dr Jonas Salk. Later, in 1958, Dr Albert Sabin's live attenuated poliovirus oral vaccine came into effect.

How does the virus spread?

Polio viruses can only survive in humans and be transmitted through direct or indirect human contact. The indirect methods of transmission include any traces of faecal matter of an infected person finding its way into the food and water of a healthy individual. People working with polio patients and labs with poliovirus are susceptible to direct transmissions. Other modes of direct transmission are through cough or sneeze. War and lack of access to the vaccine are among the other major causes of polio spread in the world.

The virus enters the body through the nasal or oral cavity and keeps multiplying. As their numbers increase, the virus reaches the intestines and get absorbed into the blood and lymphatic system and ultimately take over the entire body. The incubation period between the virus entering the body and the symptoms becoming apparent is seven to fourteen days. Between this period a person can experience a number of symptoms that can ultimately lead to paralysis upon the destruction of the cells of the spinal cord. As the virus has three distinct strains, immunization against one strain does not guarantee protection against the two other types.

The World Health Organization has made the eradication of polio from the world a top priority. Although there has been a 99% decrease in polio infections around the world, Africa and the Middle Eastern countries have known polio infections. However, just like smallpox, eradication of the poliovirus seems extremely likely in the near future.

The coronavirus is a family of viruses that causes illnesses like cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (sars) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS)
A new coronavirus has broken out in the Chinese city of Wuhan, named as novel coronavirus. (2019-Nov). A seafood market is assumed to be the source of the outbreak.
At least 106 people have died in China and more than 4500 people are affected worldwide.
Most coronaviruses spread the same way other cold-causing viruses do. Through infected people, coughing and sneezing by touching an infected person’s hands or face or by touching things according to who, signs and symptoms are

• sneezing
• cough
• sore throat
• runny nose
• fever
• shortness of breath and breathing difficulties

Diagnosis:- it can be done from respiratory fluids such as mucus from the nose or blood
Complications:- pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure or even death
Treatment:- There is no vaccine for coronavirus. So treatment includes taking care of yourself like the way you would treat a common cold.

• drink enough water
• get plenty of rest
• take over the counter medicine to reduce pain and fever

Prevention:- To avoid coronavirus infection, do the same things you would do to avoid a cold

• avoid close contacts with infected people
• wash your hands with soap and warm water, use sanitizers
• keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth
• do not share your towels, soap or household items with infected people
• avoid consumption of raw or uncooked food
• while visiting live markets avoid direct contact with live animals 
• whole coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with towels

Seek medical care if you have any such symptom. Remember, coronavirus can spread in the same way as common cold or flu.

Homeopathic approach of coronavirus
1) aconite:- 

• Sudden onset from exposure to cold; too cold dry winds.
• Nose. Coryza dry, with headache, roaring in ears, fever, thirst. Sleeplessness.
• Checked coryza, better open air, worse talking. Fluent coryza, frequent sneezing; dropping of clear hot water: fluent morning.
• Throat. Acute inflammation of the throat with high fever, dark redness of the parts, burning and stinging

2) allium cepa [all-c]:- 

• Coryza streaming eyes and nose, with headache; frequent sneezing, profuse acrid discharge from the nose, corroding lip and nose.
• Lachrymation also profuse, but bland hot thirsty: worse evening: indoors: warm room. Better open air. Violent catarrhal laryngitis.
• Tickling in larynx cough seems to split and tear larynx: grasps larynx, feels as if cough will tear it.
• Cough from inhaling cold air.

3) belladonna [bell]:- 

• Suppressed catarrh with the maddening headache.
• Throat raw and sore: very red and shining.
• Hoarseness with painful dryness of larynx.
• As if larynx inflamed and swollen, with snoring breathing and danger of suffocation.
• Acute catarrhal laryngitis.
• Cough with the red, injected throat.

Are you aware of the number of people who suffer because of pneumonia? As the weather becomes cold and damp, chances of getting affected by pneumonia increases. Pneumonia can originate from virus, bacteria and a host of other factors. It is one of the most common ailment which affects the adults, all over the world. Hence, it is important for all of us to prevent  ourselves from pneumonia and for that we can follow the below mentioned steps:

1. Know about the symptoms of pneumonia first: It is difficult to detect or diagnose pneumonia, especially in people over the age of 65. In older patients, the common symptoms such as fever, chills, cough may not be experienced. You should watch out for non-respiratory symptoms like weakness, dizziness, delirium and confusion. It is even more difficult to diagnose pneumonia in people who are suffering from preexisting conditions.
2. Practice good hygiene: Common respiratory infections, influenza and cold may cause pneumonia. You should follow hygienic habits. Wash your hands regularly before meals and use hand sanitizers in order to prevent the illness from spreading. You should also maintain proper oral hygiene as several oral infections may also lead to pneumonia. You should also keep away from people who are affected by pneumonia or any other illness like flu, cold and serious diseases such as measles or chicken pox. All these factors may cause pneumonia.
3. Get vaccinated: It is recommended for people of all ages who may be at risk of getting pneumonia to get vaccinated and immunised against pneumonia-causing virus called pneumococcal pneumonia. This is a one-time vaccine, which prevents and reduces the severity of pneumonia. A booster vaccine after every five years may also be prescribed. Elderly people should be vaccinated against all diseases which cause pneumonia.
4. Quit smoking: Smoking accounts for being a major cause or risk factor for pneumonia. It increases a person’s chance of getting pneumonia as the lungs’ ability to defend themselves from the infection is reduced. By quitting smoking, you will be able to prevent pneumonia.
5. Maintain good general health: Maintaining overall good health and following healthy habits will help you in preventing pneumonia. This is because your immune system stays strong and is able to fight efficiently against pneumonia-causing infections. A proper diet with all essential nutrients is also recommended along with regular physical exercise and proper rest.

Severe cases of pneumonia are capable of making you suffer and you may be admitted to a hospital. According to studies, it has been estimated that more than 60% of people over the age of 65 need to be hospitalised because of pneumonia.

इबोला एक वायरस है. यह एक जानलेवा बिमारी है और लगभग 90% इबोला रोगियों की मृत्यु हो जाती है. इस रोग को सबसे पहले 1976 में इबोला नदी के समीप एक गाँव में देखा गया था. इसी कारण कागों की एक सहायक नदी इबोला के नाम पर इस वायरस का नाम भी इबोला रखा गया है. इस बीमारी के कारण बहुत ज्यादा ब्लीडिंग होता और है और शरीर के अंग काम करना छोड़ देते है. यह एक जानलेवा रोग है. यह रोग संक्रमित जानवरों के संपर्क में आने से होता है. यह रोगी के खून, पसीने या संक्रमित सुई के संपर्क में आने से होता है. यह बीमारी टाइफाइड, कॉलरा, बुखार और मांसपेशियों में दर्द का कारण बनता है. इसलिए है. इबोला के मरीजों की 50 से 80 फीसदी मौत रिकॉर्ड की गई है. आइए इस लेख के माध्यम से हम इबोला वायरस से संबन्धित विभिन्न पहलुओं को जानें.

इबोला वायरस के फैलने का कारण
इबोला वायरस संक्रमित जानवर या मृत जानवरों के रक्त, मूत्र, मल या अंगों या तरल पदार्थ के संपर्क में आने से होता है. ऐसा माना जाता है की इबोला वायरस इंसानों में, जंगलों में रहने वाले चिम्पांजी, गोरिल्ला, फ्रूट बैट, और बंदरों से होता है. इसके अतिरिक्त, यौन संबंध और इबोला से संक्रमित शव को ठीक तरह से व्यवस्थित न करने से भी यह रोग हो सकता है. यह संक्रामक रोग है.

इबोला वायरस के फैलने का लक्षण
इसके लक्षण हैं- सिरदर्द, उल्टी-दस्त, बुखार, ब्लीडिंग, आँखें लाल होना, जोड़ों मांशपेशियों में दर्द और गले में कफ़. अक्सर इसके लक्षण का अनुभव होने में तीन सप्ताह तक का समय लग जाता है.

रोग में शरीर को क्षति
इस रोग में रोगी की त्वचा के साथ हाथ-पैर से लेकर पूरा शरीर तक गलने लग जाता है. ऐसे स्थिति में बचाव के लिए संक्रमित रोगी से दूर रहने के अलावा कोई विकल्प नहीं है रोगी से दूर रह कर ही इस रोग से बचा जा सकता है.
इबोला एक क़िस्म की वायरल बीमारी है. इसके लक्षण हैं अचानक बुख़ार, कमज़ोरी, मांसपेशियों में दर्द और गले में ख़राश.
ये लक्षण बीमारी की शुरुआत भर होते हैं. इसका अगला चरण है उल्टी होना, डायरिया और कुछ मामलों में अंदरूनी और बाहरी रक्तस्राव.

उपचार
यह एक बहुत ही जटिल और घातक बिमारी है. यह लाइलाज बीमारी है और इसके लिए कोई दवा या एंटी-वायरस उपलब्ध नहीं है. हालांकि, इसके लिए टीका विकसित करने के कोशिश जारी हैं.

संक्रमण
इबोला वायरस चिंपैंजी, चमगादड़ और हिरण आदि जैसे संक्रमित जानवरों के सीधे संपर्क में आने से होता है. यह संक्रमण संक्रमित रक्त, तरल या अंगों के माध्यम से होता है. इबोला के शिकार व्यक्ति का शव से भी संक्रमण से हो सकता है. यदि डॉक्टर प्रयाप्त सावधानी नहीं बरतते है तो वे भी संक्रमित हो सकते है. इस संक्रमण को गंभीर स्तर तक पहुंचने में लगभग दो दिन से लेकर तीन सप्ताह तक का समय लग सकता है. इसकी पहचान करना और भी जटिल है. इससे संक्रमित व्यक्ति के ठीक हो जाने के सात सप्ताह तक संक्रमण का ख़तरा बना रहता है. डब्ल्यूएचओ के मुताबिक़,ट्रॉपिकल बरसाती जंगलों वाले मध्य और पश्चिम अफ़्रीका के गावों में फैली थी. पूर्वी अफ़्रीका की ओर कांगो, युगांडा और सूडान में भी इसका संचार हो रहा है.
डब्ल्यूएचओ द्वारा जारी दिशा निर्देश के अनुसार, इबोला से पीड़ित रोगियों के शारीरिक द्रव और सीधे संपर्क से बचना चाहिए. इसके अलावा तौलिये साझा करने से बचना चाहिए क्योंकि इससे सार्वजनिक स्थलों पर संक्रमित हो सकता है. डब्ल्यूएचओ ने मुताबिक़ इलाज करने वालें डॉक्टर को दस्ताने और मास्क पहनने चाहिए और समय-समय पर हाथ धोते रहना चाहिए.

चेतावनी
चमगादड़, बंदर आदि जानवरों से दूर रहना चाहिए और जंगली जानवरों के मीट के मीट खाने से बचना चाहिए. अभी तक इस बीमारी का इलाज नहीं खोजा जा सका है लेकिन नई दवाओं का प्रयोग चल रहा है.

IgA nephropathy is also called Berger’s disease. This kidney disease happens when your body produces too much of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA) and it builds up in the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys swell up and eventually, affect the functionality of these organs. The progression of the illness is slow but relentless. The pace depends from one person to the next.

What are the symptoms of IgA nephropathy?

In the very early stages, IgA nephropathy does not reveal any symptoms. In the later stages, you may experience these signs –

• Urine that is the colour of tea (because of the presence of red blood cells)
• Frequent urination
• Traces of blood in the urine
• The urine may also be foamy because IgA nephropathy causes proteins to seep into the urine
• High blood pressure
• Backache (usually below the rib cage)
• Swelling of the hands and feet

What causes IgA nephropathy?

Immunoglobulin is vital for your body’s defence mechanism. It hunts down and destroys pathogens that have entered the system. But sometimes, too much of immunoglobulin A is produced and it collects in the glomeruli that are responsible for filtering your blood and sending the toxic wastes to the bladder for expulsion. The accumulated immunoglobulin A does not allow the kidneys to do their job.

However, the exact cause that triggers the overabundance of IgA is not known. Scientists believe that the following could be the reasons for IgA nephropathy –

• Genetic flaws (it is a hereditary condition)
• Celiac disease
• Different liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
• Bacterial infections including HIV

Apart from these, the factors that raise your chances of contracting IgA nephropathy include –

Gender- men are more likely to get this illness than women

Ethnicity- it is more common in Asians and Caucasians than other ethnic groups

Age of the person- a person is likely to come down with this disorder between the teen years and the late 30s/early 40s

There is no cure for IgA nephropathy. Treatment seeks to control the symptoms and prevent the escalation of the illness or stop future complications.

You will also be recommended to eat fatty fishes that are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, which have the capacity to reduce kidney inflammation. Moreover, you will have to cut down on proteins and constantly monitor your blood pressure.

IgA nephropathy cannot be prevented, as it is a hereditary disorder. If someone in your family who you are linked to by blood has this disease, talk to a doctor to know how you can keep your kidneys healthy.