General Information About Hepatitis

The specific viruses that cause viral hepatitis include Hepatitis A virus (HAV); Hepatitis B virus(HBV); Hepatitis D virus (HDV) delta agent; Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmitted in epidemic form in Asia, North Africa and Mexico. The incubation period is usually a few days, 30 days on the average. Here in lies the sea of confusion between Yellow fever, Jaundice and Hepatitis. Sadly, it takes less blood to transmit HBV than HIV which causes AIDS. Outbreaks occur in India, Burma, Afghanistan, Algeria and Mexico.

The illness is usually self-limiting with complete recovery within two weeks. The virus (HBV) may be found in blood, saliva, semen and vagina fluids in infected persons. Incubation period is around 6-7 weeks. Chill or chillness may occur. The patient reply Doc, I have fever and my eyes are yellow.

Frequently there is diarrhea, constipation and aversion to smoking for those that smoke. This results in the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood and connective tissues leading to what is called jaundice. Suffice it to say that it is a very deadly ailment with high mortality but totally preventable by an affordable yet very effective yellow fever vaccine which is taken once every ten years. However in the science of medicine, there is a great gulf between these diseases. Certain groups of people are at higher risk of contracting the infection; doctors, nurses, dentists, blood bank staff, patients and staff of haemodialysis centers etc.

HDV may therefore co-infect a person with HBV or super infected a person with chronic hepatitis. The virus is transmitted or spread through contaminated food and water sources which may therefore lead to outbreaks in large population groups. HEPATITIS D (DELTA AGENT) Hepatitis D is a defective virus that is unable to cause hepatitis on its own except in association with HBV. The yellow fever virus causes yellow fever. There seems to be a great deal of confusion about the trio of Yellow fever, Jaundice and Hepatitis.

HBV tends to occur very commonly in homosexual or gay men and intravenous drug users (IVDUs). HEPATITIS B Hepatitis B is usually spread through the inoculation of infected blood or blood products or by sexual intercourse. In this group, death may occur in as many as 60% of them. From the time of infection, it takes 6 weeks to 6 months (average 12-14 weeks) for the infected person to become clinically ill. The subject of yellow fever is beyond the scope of this article.

There is usually a flu-like illness with generalized malaise, fever, muscle aches, joint pains, easy fatigability, sore throat, nasal discharge and loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Having multiple sexual partners would therefore increase the risk of infection by hepatitis C virus. Diet should consist of palatable meals as identified by the patient. The doctor asked. A wide range of viruses or toxins on the other hand may cause hepatitis.

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin may also protect or attenuate the severity of illness, if given within seven days of exposure to the HBV. The drug Alpha Interferon has been used in patients with acute hepatitis C and found to reduce the risk of progression to chronic hepatitis PREVENTION In general, the careful handling of needles and the screening of blood before transfusion are useful ways to prevent hepatitis. HEPATITIS E This is a waterborne hepatitis virus. To many people, it would seem that fever along with yellow discoloration of the eyes and mucous membranes and skin (technically called Jaundice) must be yellow fever. I have yellow fever doctor, said a patient.

Long lasting infection does not occur. Fluid replacement and multivitamin supplements are adjuncts to the treatment. But mortality is usually high in infected in infected pregnant women (up to 10-20%). Hepatitis B has a very potent and effective vaccine, which gives a lifelong protection and requires only intermittent booster doses. HEPATITIS C May be transmitted by blood transfusion, intravenous drug use, sexual contact and from mother to child.

Death from hepatitis A is very rare. Its spread is therefore favored by overcrowding, poor sanitation and personal hygiene.

Dysphagia, difficulty with swallowing

Find the right medicine for you who have difficulties swallowing today with the help of Rosemont. Correct posture helps the condition, along with being relaxed when it's meal time. This infrequent occurrence is not concerning. The process of swallowing is rendered complex due to the participation of numerous nerves and muscles. However, our busy schedules render it difficult for us to find ample time to devote to ourselves and our health. 

MS sufferers have a 30-40% chance of experiencing swallowing difficulties. For patients who find it painful to swallow pills, a different form of medication may be prescribed. Although swallowing problems can be alleviated to a great extent by slow eating and proper chewing, patients with swallowing issues could be suffering from the blockade of the main airway if they are found to be choking or having difficulties in breathing or swallowing. Such swallowing problems are adequately attended to by a team of medical personnel. Liquid medication not only helps the patient find relief from pain but also ensures him an improved quality of life as a result. 

That can be a very discomforting problem that can cause a lot of anxiety for sufferers. The patient receives counselling on which food may be swallowed with comparative ease from a team of professionals comprising of radiologists, speech therapists and dieticians. It should be kept in mind that in case of swallowing difficulties, which are related to other clinical symptoms that require oral intake of medicines, there is always a choice of liquid medication that alleviates pain and stress related to swallowing. Among the various queries that a doctor may have, the foremost is whether or not the patient suffers difficulties in swallowing liquids, food items, as well as tablets. Among the questions asked by the doctor are whether coughing or choking takes place post meals, whether there is any effect in the voice, if there are any further symptoms, as well as if the patient is undergoing any medication. 

The doctor would determine the cause of the swallowing difficulties based on the response to these queries. To ascertain the causes of dysphagia, it may be necessary for the medical practitioner to undertake a series of tests. Meal times need to be devoid of any stress, particularly if someone has problems swallowing. The particular cause that leads to the swallowing problem determines the path of treatment to a great extent. And when trouble starts, we become more attuned to the actual process of swallowing, when chewing food and trying to get it down the oesophagus and into the stomach. 

Swallowing trouble might be brought on by various issues such as blockages and muscle and nerve disorders. Hurried meals and chatting while eating ought to be avoided. Insertion of a feeding tube may serve not only as a temporary measure but also as a solution for a longer period of time in certain cases. Difficulty with swallowing is known medically as dysphagia. Pills may either be broken into two or four so as to render them easier to swallow, or be crushed completely and dissolved in water. 

This entails the temporary insertion of a tube inside the stomach through the nasal cavity or the abdomen until such a time that a state of normal feeding is attained. Those treatments may lessen the anxiety about taking medication for individuals who have a hard time swallowing pills. Swallowing, as a vital process, is taken quite for granted even as a number of people may have gone through swallowing problems some time or the other. This may not be the easiest of things to do for patients with swallowing difficulties. Among the measures to be taken to make it easier for the food to go down the system to the stomach are to drink sufficient water to soften the food between mouthfuls, as well as to maintain an upright posture for minimum half an hour after a meal. 

Tablet crushing, however, should be discussed with a medical professional, as there are implications to it, both legal and clinical. In addition to choking or chewing difficulties, there can also be other issues, like excessive saliva or dribbling, which can be a problem with people who have multiple sclerosis. However, it may lead to serious implications if such swallowing difficulties continue. Patients frequently relate the sensation as food being stuck in the throat somewhere. Painful swallowing must be brought to the doctor's attention, as he or she can do a proper physical examination. 

Following a small number of simple steps can greatly alleviate swallowing problems. Some things they may look for are tumours of the pharynx or some sort of obstruction. It's a fact that any time a patient swallows a tablet, they should use water even if they do not experience difficulty swallowing. These tumours can be surgically removed or treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy and only happen in serious cases.