Rheumatic fever

What is rheumatic fever mean?

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can happen after a person becomes infected with the Streptococcus bacteria.

It is common condition found in young children’s.

Causes of rheumatic fever

Generally post streptococcal infection of throat is common cause for rheumatic fever. In few cases scarlet fever may be associated with it.

How does it happen?

 Stptoccocal throat infection is responsible for the development of rheumatic fever.

Streptococcus pyogen secrets toxin which act as antigens for body cells .B cell activate and proliferates antibodies to neutralize antigenic toxin  which further deposits on wall of heart valves leading to either stenosis or prolapsed valve. The Rheumatic Fever begins with chills stage then heat, trachycardia, intense thirst, loss of appetite and weakness. Antigen aggregation may lead to nodule formation underneath the skin .

Who are at Risk?

·        Children ages 5 to 15 year, particularly if they have repeated strep throat infections.

·        Children having family history of rheumatic fever.

What are Symptoms and signs?

Rheumatic fever has following sign and symptoms:

·        Fever with chills

·        Painful joints swelling on the ankles, knees, elbows, and wrists.

·        Radiating pain in joint

·        Swelling of joint

·        small nodules  under the skin  specially on bony prominence of leg

·        chest pain

·        chest palpitations

·        Weakness

·        narrow breathing

·        confusion of thoughts

·        sweating specially on palm

·        jumpy uncontrollable hand, feet movements with face twitching

Talk to doctor and get advice on sign and symptoms of Rheumatic fever.

What is Complication of rheumatic fever?

·        mitral valve stenosis

·        mitral valve prolapse

·        tricuspid valve regurgitation

·        cardiac arrhythmia

·        atrial  fibrillation

·        heart failure

·        rheumatic arthritis

Diagnosis, Test & Interpretations

Rheumatic fever is diagnosed with proper history of streptococcal throat infection along with other test includes:

·        Mainly diagnosis is done on past history with physical observation of skin nodules.

·        movement tests to determine nervous system dysfunction

·        blood tests for streptococcal antigen ratio I.e. ASR titer

·        ECG

·        echocardiography

What are treatment Recommendations    

A.   Lifestyle changes

·        Restrict physical activities until inflammation, pain and other symptoms have improved.

·        Strict bed rest if inflammation in cardiac muscles is present.

B.   Medications

Rheumatic fever if not treated properly it may cause several cardiac problems so, it should be treated with proper course of medication.

Antibiotic

·        Penicillin

·        Erthryromycin

Anti inflammatory medicine

·        Aspirin

·        Prednisone

ACE inhibitors

·        Enalapril

·        Captopril

C.   Special Care

The only known way to prevent rheumatic fever is to treat strep throat infections or scarlet fever promptly with a full course of appropriate antibiotics.

Prevention

·        The only known way to prevent rheumatic fever is to treat strep throat infections or scarlet fever promptly with a full course of appropriate antibiotics.

·        Treat acute streptococcal pharyngitis immediately.

Type of doctor to be visited?

·        Cardiologist

·        Any qualified medical physician

·        Rheumatologist 

Herpes simplex

Herpes simplex

What is herpes simplex?

The herpes simplex is infection caused due to herpes virus. It generally affects mouth and genital.  It is common viral infection .oral herpes commonly known as fever blister which occurs around lip margins. Herpes virus affects the nerve root and remain in dominant state for years in nerve sheath.

Types of herpes simplex

• Herpes simplex type 1 i.e. oral herpes
• Herpes simplextype2 i.e. genital herpes

Common causes of Disease

People who are infected with herpes simplex virus will remain infected throughout their life .Virus will remain in dormant state in their nerve cells for whole life. Triggering factor will reoccur the herpes simplex symptom like

• Menstruation
• Stress
• Surgery
• Exposure to sun heat

How is it transmitted? 

Herpes simplex infection spreads from person to person through direct contact.

Spreads through

·         Kissing
·         Sharing utensils, towel, etc.
·         Through sexually activity
·         Through oral sex.

Who are at Risk?

Risk of herpes infection is high among children due to weak immunity. Mother having genital herpes, deliver baby at high risk of herpes simplex.

Risk among adults

·         Person having multiple sex partners

·         Female

·         Person having  sexually transmitted disease

·         Person having a weak immunity

 

 What are Symptoms and signs?

Sometimes it may be asymptomatic if person in dormant state. Symptoms may appear up to 20 days. Symptoms associated with infection are:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Itching ulcer on genitals
• Sore blister
• Pain during urination

·         Tingling, itching on genital is the usual symptoms of women in recurrent herpes.

  What are Complications of herpes simplex?

As virus remain dormant stage throut life and becomes active on exposure to triggering factor ,Online medical consultation concludes many complications which are

• Urinary retention:    In women it is common problem due to herpes infection especially during pregnancy.
• Gingivostomatitis:   It causes multiple painful ulcer formation on gums ang mucous membrane of mouth. Children are more prone for oral herpes.
• herpes whitlow:  Children can develop herpes on fingers

·         Herpetic ocular infection:   it leads to inflammatory condition of eye lids.

·         Herpes Meningitis.   Virus affecting brain, spinal cord leading to herpes meningitis.

·         Herpes Encephalitis.    In extremely serious brain affection it leads to encephalitis.

 Diagnosis, Test & Interpretations

It is generally diagnosed on the basis of physical examination of sore blister. When sore is absent no medical test required.

Online medical advice recommends that herpes simplex can be diagnosed with lab tests, including DNA -- or PCR -- tests and virus cultures. Sympt

What is treatment Recommendations of bronchitis?                         

1. Lifestyle changes

As infection trigger by stress .mind relaxing technique like meditation is advisable.

• Regular exercise for physical fitness.
• Avoid sun exposure.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat essential vitamin nutritious fruits for building immunity.
• Choose cotton cloths rather than synthetic material.
• Apply sunscreen to protect from ultraviolet sunrays.
• Avoid tight clothing so that air circulation will help to heal ulcer fast.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing, which restricts air circulation and slows healing of the sores.
• Lukewarm baths may be helpful.

Medications:

Antiviral drugs are choice for treatments in herpes

·         Acyclovir

·         Famcyclovir

·         Valacyclovir

If fever is predominant then paracetamol

For nerve weakness Antioxidant

2. Special Care

• Local application of ice packs may lessen the pain and help reduce recurrences by suppressing the virus.
• Keep ulcer clean and dry.
• Should not use talcum powder because it may increase infection.

·         In pregnancy if you have herpes infection talk to doctor to prevent spread of infection to baby.

·         Apply smoothing agent to blister like benzocaine.

 Home remedies- talk to doctor for specific home remedies and preventive measure for further comlications.

• Olive Oil: it is good moisturizing agent, rich in antioxidant. It gives cooling effect if applied on infected part.
• Echinacea: Echinacea has anti-viral properties can be used for healing herpes.
•  Ice Pack:  it is simple home based medicine to relive herpes pain.
•  Baking Soda: apply baking soda directly painful sore .it will reduce itching of herpes.

• Tea Tree Oil: apply or gargle with water adding few drops of tea tree oil in it.

Prevention

To prevent oral herpes 

Avoid kissing to infected person.

Avoid oral sex.

Do not share towels, lip balm to anyone.

Wash your hand after touching to infected sore blister.

To avoid genital herpes

Avoid sex during infected period.

Type of doctor to be visited?

Any qualified doctor

Gynaecologist

Medical consultant

Fight against low vision this year

Around millions of people all over the world are having vision problems either due to glaucoma or due to cataract. Even with proper medications, glasses and lens most of them find difficult to see the things or difficulty in reading. A low vision examination is quite different from the basic examination routinely performed by primary care optometrists and ophthalmologists. 

Month of February is observed as National Low Vision Awareness Month!!  Let’s pledge and make our eyes healthy and powerful. 

A low vision examination includes a review of your visual and medical history, and places an emphasis on the vision essential to read, cook, work, study, travel, and enjoy other common activities.

The goals of a low vision exam include assessing

1) The functional needs.

2) Capabilities& limitations of your vision.

3) Assessing ocular & systemic diseases.

4) Evaluating and prescribing low vision therapies.

Education and counseling of family and other care providers; providing an understanding of your visual functioning to aid educators, vocational counselors, employers and care givers

HealthEver Health care services in India provide online diet consultation by our Clinical nutritionists for eye health.

 Prevention is the key to curtail the risk of eye problems by following

1) Ahealthy low fat diet.

2) Wearing sun glasses for protection from ultraviolet rays.

3) Quit smoking as smoking harms and damages the blood vessels which further hamper the adequate blood supply to eyes.

4) Annual thorough eye exam.

Charge Yourself Post a Hangover

Have you planned for a party over the weekend?  Boozing is not a healthy advice but even if you do, you have to follow few basic rules to keep you healthy the next day. Especially when you overdo or have it for the first time. 

 So here’s a regimen to follow the next day to overcome the previous night hangover:

• Bank on plentiful water:  Alcohol dehydrates your body by eliminating more water than consumed. So drinking about 8-10 glasses of water early morning slowly sip by sip is very important. Especially when there are symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, headache and uneasiness.

• Sleep sufficiently:  You might have gotten up in the mid night for urinals, vomiting and uneasiness. So this is the time when your mind and body needs ample rest. Attain a stage of REM (rapid eye movement). So go back to bed and feel yourself cozy and comfortable. 

• Have a soup or a broth:  These warm and soothing foods provide enough hydration, replaces the lost electrolytes, increases the digestive fire and satisfies the appetite.

• Eatables to bang on: Cabbage is good as the blood glucose levels are stabilized. Tender coconut water and the cream is packed with Potassium that balances the electrolytes. Apples, Tomatoes and Bananas replace the minerals and revitalize you. The effect of Acetaldehyde after alcohol consumption can be combated with having plain eggs because of its amino acid ( cysteine) content.  
• Oral Rehydration solutions/Pedialyte :  If the symptoms are severe it is always better to have ORS to replace the lost fluids and components. 

• Ice creams and candys: Are good source to stimulate your senses and GIT when the whole system is upset. 

• Honey for Hangover:  Honey contains Fructose that helps to substitute during a hangover. 

• Bathe yourself: It is soothing and refreshing. Other than that the hot steamy fumes if inhaled relieve your headache.

You can still remember these tips so that you do not spend your day with the residual hangover and enjoy the party to the fullest. Dial 02240928585 to talk to doctor if you face any such problem.