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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.

Zika virus causes a deadly disease called Zika fever or Zika virus disease that spreads by the bite of the Aedes mosquito. The Zika virus is a member of the virus family FLAVIVIRIDAE and is closely related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. It was isolated in the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947 and is known to be prevalent in continents like Africa and Asia primarily, though it’s slowly making headway in the developed world and has spawned the deadly 2015-2016 Zika virus epidemic.

What are symptoms of Zika fever?
People with Zika virus disease can have symptoms which are similar to Dengue, like-

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Red Eye 
• Muscle Pain
• Skin Rash
• Headache

These symptoms usually last for 2-7 days.

Complications of Zika virus disease
According to WHO, Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes congenital brain abnormalities like microcephaly. And the infection can also trigger the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Microcephaly is a condition where a child is born with a small head or the head stops growing after birth and the Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition in which a person’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves which control muscle movement and sensation.

Even as we read this, intense efforts are being expended to investigate the link between Zika virus and a number of other neurological disorders.

How does Zika spread?
The causes of Zika are:

1. The bite of the Aedes mosquito that is infected with the Zika virus. This mosquito is the same that spreads dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. It bites primarily in the daytime.
2. Unprotected sexual intercourse
3. Zika’s transmission through blood transfusion is being investigated.

How can you prevent Zika infection?
Protection against mosquito bites is the most foolproof ways to prevent a Zika virus infection. Other ways to prevent Zika infection via mosquito bites are:

1. Just like Dengue prevention, you must cover your body properly, especially during daytime
2. Use physical barriers such as window screens or closing doors and windows against the mosquitoes
3. Sleep under mosquito nets
4. Using insect repellents containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin
5. Take extra care of young children, sick and  elderly people
6. Cover, empty or clean mosquito breeding sites in and around your house or colony like empty buckets, drums, flower pots and used tyres that can fill-up with water and breed mosquitoes
7. Encourage your family and community to support local government efforts to reduce mosquitoes in their localities
8. Insist on regular spraying of insecticide for mosquito control in your locality.

For stemming sexual transmission of Zika, the WHO recommends that sexually active men and women be counselled to practice safe sex using condoms. WHO also recommends that people who have come back after travelling from Zika virus zones should be extremely careful in practising safe sex or abstinence for the first 6 months at least, for preventing a pregnancy.

If affected, what is the treatment?
Zika virus disease is usually mild and requires no specific treatment as such.
Infected people are advised plenty of rest, asked to drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines like Ibuprofen.

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

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.

The Zika virus has been hogging the international limelight for some time. The virus and its effects on the human body are unique. It is known to cause microcephaly in infants born to infected mothers. Babies with microcephaly have small heads and abnormal eyes. This is the most highlighted features of Zika virus infection. However, it may also have a profound effect on the infected mother, though on rare occasions. It may precipitate Guillain-Barré syndrome. When people suffer from this syndrome, they may suffer from temporary muscle weakness, paralysis or other neurologic problems. The virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito that usually bites during the day. However, unlike many other mosquito-borne diseases it does not yet have a cure. This is why people living in or traveling to the Zika virus affected areas as well as those infected by the virus need to abide by some guidelines enunciated by the WHO.

Nutritional Aspect in Zika Virus Infection

An important consideration in Zika virus infection is the nutritional status of the patient. The effect of nutritional disorder on Zika infection adds another dimension to the treatment of Zika affected children and adults. It is argued that proper nutrition is an important part of other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. In fact, studies have pointed out that vitamins D and Vitamin E supplementation have shown promising results in Dengue patients. Although similar studies on Zika patients have not been done, it is amply clear that breastfeeding for infants and lots of fluid for infected adults can bring down the severity of the disease appreciably.

Normal Infant Feeding

Infants born to Zika infected mothers or mothers residing in or travelling to Zika infected areas should be given normal infant food. Breastfeeding is the obvious answer to infections and should start within an hour of birth. Such babies need to be exclusively breastfed for at least six months, followed by a gradual weaning of breast milk and a gradual introduction of safe, adequate and proper complementary food.

Breastfeeding is considered to be beneficial for both babies and their mothers in any country. Babies who breastfeed for longer periods face lower risk of infections. This is true for Zika infections as well. It is also beneficial for mothers since it can prevent breast cancer and improve contraception. It may also bring down the risk of ovarian cancer and diabetes in women. It is estimated that widespread breastfeeding can prevent the death of an estimated 823,000 children and that includes those affected by the Zika virus.

No Evidence of Zika Infection Through Breast Milk Yet

The safety potential of breastfeeding can be gauged from the fact that there are no reports of the Zika virus being transmitted through breast milk, although the presence of the virus has been confirmed in some lactating mothers. In fact, there are so many benefits of breastfeeding that they outweigh any potential risk of Zika virus infection and microcephaly through breast milk.