Diphtheria: Symptoms,Treatment and Prevention

Introduction

Diphtheria, a bacterial infection affects nose and throat to children living in rural areas, crowded and unclean conditions. Children have not taken up to up to date immunizations are at higher risk. This disease is most common in developing countries.

Symptoms

• The early symptoms include sore throat, low-grade fever and swollen neck glands.
• The toxin produced by the bacteria may also cause thick gray coating in nose and throat resulting in difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
• In the later stage difficulty in breathing and swallowing increases.
• The breathing problem may also cause blurred vision or double vision.
• Sometimes the color of skin fades and other symptoms such as palpitations and anxiety may also be observed.
• If not treated during early stage, the toxin may enter into blood stream and affects vital organs including heart, lung, central nervous system and kidney causing irregular heart beat, abnormal lung and kidney functions. These symptoms can sometimes be fatal.

Contagious Disease

• Diphtheria being highly contagious can easily passed from infected persons to others. The bacteria can easily infect others through coughing or sneezing. Sharing coomon home items used by infected persons can also spread it.
• The person infected with diphtheria should be isolated from people and family members. All family members and people came in contact with the patient should be diagnosed for their immune status and throat cultures should be examined for the presence of bacteria. Booster doses and antibiotics for diphtheria should be provided to all members.
• People infected by bacteria may also pose a risk to spread the disease, although they may not show any sigh and symptoms of diphtheria. The time taken by a person between exposed to bacteria and to infection stage may take 2 to 4 days.

Test to diagnose diphtheria

• Throat culture is the main test carried out by a pathologist to confirm the presence of bacteria responsible for causing diphtheria.
• The clinical diagnosis and physical symptoms should support each other.

Treatment

• This is a highly contagious disease and treatment of children or adults should be carried out in special contagious wards in Hospital.
• Once the doctor confirms the disease, the information is given to the concerned government department and all precautions are taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
• The infected person is given anti toxin, to counter the diphtheria toxin produced by the bacteria, entered into the blood stream.
• The infected person is also given a suitable dose of antibiotics to kill the remaining bacteria in the body.
• In advance case of affect of toxin on human organs such as heart, lung, central nervous system or kidney, ventilator with intravenous fluid and heart medicines can be recommended for achieving the normal functioning of all these organs.
• With these medicines the patients are allowed to stay in contagious wards for one month to one and half month under the supervision of a doctor.

Prevention

Immunization of children with DTP or DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine should be carried out as mentioned below. DTaP vaccines should be given to children at 2, 4 and six month of age.

• Booster dose should be given to children between 12 to 18 months.
• Booster dose should be given to children between 4 to 6 years again.
• Booster dose given thereafter at the interval of every 10 years.

Non-immunized adults should be vaccinated with DT (diphtheria tetanus) vaccine.

Summary: Diphtheria is a contagious disease, and can be fatal if proper treatment at initial stage is not given. Vaccinations in children should be carried out as per the plan and should not be dropped in middle

Measles: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Are we giving emotion support and taking care of our children to keep them happy, healthy and disease free. We must be aware of diseases, which generally affect children. Measles is one of the diseases; it never spares a newborn child from affecting it. So why not know about measles and its prevention, so we can take care of our children, the budding flowers and the future of nations.

What is Measles?

Measles is a disease generally affects children and can occur in other age groups. Measles is a viral infection of respiratory system with distinct red spots followed by a rash in skin; occurs primarily in children. Measles is a highly communicable or contagious disease, which is characterized by general malaise, fever, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, sneezing, a brassy cough, and eruption in the entire body.

Types of Measles

There are two types of measles, they are German measles or rubella, which forms rashes on the skin and it last about three days and rubeola or regular measles, is the second type that last about seven days. Roseola is another infectious disease prevalent among children Roseola forms rashes and which comes and goes in 24 to 48 hours.

Measles Causes

The measles virus is communicable or contagious; the infection can be spread from one person to another. The person having measles sneezes or coughs, releases or expels water droplets, which carry the virus and it can infect anyone who come into contact with them.

Sometime or occasionally air is the medium for the spreading the virus.

Symptoms and signs

usually start from eight to twelve days after getting exposure to the virus. Then the rash appears in the skin after fourteen days of exposure. person can spread the disease within one to days before any symptoms appear. It is continued to be contagious three to five days before appearance of the rash and four to five days after the rash starts.

When to need medical Care

Generally, immediate emergency is not required for the measles. But the affected patient should be taken to the doctor to evaluate any general malaise, fever, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, sneezing, a brassy cough, which accompany rash in children.

Exams and Tests

The doctor may diagnose by taking physical exam and studying the history of measles patient.

In doubtful cases, the doctor may have particular specialized blood test to diagnose properly.

Self-Care at Home

There is no proper cure for measles; But one can take necessary steps at home to make total course of disease more adjustable and tolerable.

• Giving sufficient bed rest to the child so he feels more comfortable.
• If the child has fever higher than 100.5°F, then the child should be given sponge bath with lukewarm water to upper body and the face.
• Plenty of liquid should be given to drink to avoid dehydration.
• Cough medicines to be given as approved for children, this can help in control the cough.
• A vaporizer or humidifier can be used to ease the cough.
• Pain reliever and medicine for fever to be given to children such as Children's Motrin, Ibuprin, Pediaprofen and Children's Advil according to the symptoms. One has to be very careful giving medicines to children because if aspirin is given to a child then he may have Reye syndrome that is another disease.
• Benadryl or Calamine lotion should be applied on the effected parts to ease the itch occur due to the rash.
• Child fingernails should be trimmed or to be put inside the gloves to avoid scratching the rash excessively and which can hurt more.

Extra steps to be followed up

Few rare complications may be experienced in children having weak immune system during the course of measles attack then a doctor to be consulted immediately.

Prevention and summary

Vaccination and immunization has minimized the disease to great extend.

Medically, initial measles immunization is done to the children from age 12- 15 months.

The second immunization is done to the children enter to school or middle school level.

Pneumonia

Introduction:

It is an infection of lungs caused by microorganism such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Although different microorganisms can cause pneumonia, and different types of pneumonia may affect children in different age group, but most common pneumonia is caused by virus. Some of the common viruses responsible for causing pneumonia include adenoviruses, influenza viruses (flu), rhinovirus and respiratory syncytical virus (RSV).

Sign and Symptoms:

• In initial stage the infection begins nose and throat and depending upon the age and physical health of child the additional symptoms of pneumonia develop fever, cough, rapid breathing or breathing with grunting, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, poor feeding and chest pain.
• Sometimes the child may also start breathing rapidly.
• Pneumonia caused by bacteria is relatively quick and child feels high fever and rapid breathing.
• Pneumonia caused by viruses, is less severe than the pneumonia caused by viruses and symptoms appear gradually in this case.
• Sometimes in the case of pneumonia caused by a specific microorganism, the additional symptom specific to that microorganism appears and can easily be diagnosed.
  

Incubation:

The incubation period may vary from person to person as well as the type of bacteria or virus causing pneumonia. The incubation period for the most of the bacteria and viruses is in the range of one day to one week.

Pneumonia types:

Depending upon the affected area of lung, pneumonia can be either

• Lobar pneumonia or
• Bronchopneumonia.

Contagiousness:

Some of the viruses responsible for causing upper respiratory infection (Infection of throat and nose) are contagious in nature. To prevent spreading the virus, it is best to keep the patient away from general public and family members. It is also necessary to keep your child away from any person who has infection of throat and nose.

In general pneumonia is not contagious, but the viruses and bacteria causing pneumonia may infect other persons. Other persons in family should avoid coming in contact with the child if the child is suffering from nose and throat infection. Other family members should not use other common use clothes, towels and other items.

Mortality rate:

• For hospitalized patients, required hospitalization for pneumonia, the mortality rate is around 10 % to 25%. If patients are hospitalized for other conditions, the mortality rate is higher than 25%.
• For stillborn and very early infants the death rate due to pneumonia is about 20%.
• For AIDS patients, the mortality rate due to pneumonia may be higher and up to 50%.
  

Risk Factors for Recurrent Pneumonia in Children:

Some children are at more risk of pneumonia than others and risk factors include

• Inborn lung and heart defects.
• Impaired immune system
• Problem in muscle co-ordination.
• Asthma.
• GERD.
• Certain genetic disorders including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.
  

Treatment:

Several antibiotics are available for treating pneumonia. It is the choice of doctor to decide most effective antibiotic for treating a particular patient of pneumonia and the choice depends on various factors including age of patient, severity of problem and other associated symptoms.

Side Effects:

The most common side effects of these antibiotics include gastrointestinal distress, allergic reaction and skin rashes.

Prevention:

• Children should be given vaccines to prevent infections caused by viruses or bacteria.
• Children should be given immunizations against haemophilus influenza and pertusis.
• Tuberculosis screening should be carried out annually in children of high risk areas for preventing active tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Summary:

Pneumonia, a lung infection is common in children and should be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear. The prevention of pneumonia can also be encouraged by vaccinations for various viruses and bacteria.

Pneumonia: Sign, Symptoms, Side Effects and Treatment

Introduction

It is an infection of lungs caused by microorganism such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Although different microorganisms can cause pneumonia, and different types of pneumonia may affect children in different age group, but most common pneumonia is caused by virus. Some of the common viruses responsible for causing pneumonia include adenoviruses, influenza viruses (flu), rhinovirus and respiratory syncytical virus (RSV).

Sign and Symptoms

• In initial stage the infection begins nose and throat and depending upon the age and physical health of child the additional symptoms of pneumonia develop fever, cough, rapid breathing or breathing with grunting, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, poor feeding and chest pain.
• Sometimes the child may also start breathing rapidly.
• Pneumonia caused by bacteria is relatively quick and child feels high fever and rapid breathing.
• Pneumonia caused by viruses, is less severe than the pneumonia caused by viruses and symptoms appear gradually in this case.
• Sometimes in the case of pneumonia caused by a specific microorganism, the additional symptom specific to that microorganism appears and can easily be diagnosed.

Incubation

The incubation period may vary from person to person as well as the type of bacteria or virus causing pneumonia. The incubation period for the most of the bacteria and viruses is in the range of one day to one week.

Pneumonia types

Depending upon the affected area of lung, pneumonia can be either

• Lobar pneumonia or
  
• Bronchopneumonia

Contagiousness

Some of the viruses responsible for causing upper respiratory infection (Infection of throat and nose) are contagious in nature. To prevent spreading the virus, it is best to keep the patient away from general public and family members. It is also necessary to keep your child away from any person who has infection of throat and nose.

In general pneumonia is not contagious, but the viruses and bacteria causing pneumonia may infect other persons. Other persons in family should avoid coming in contact with the child if the child is suffering from nose and throat infection. Other family members should not use other common use clothes, towels and other items.

Mortality rate

• For hospitalized patients, required hospitalization for pneumonia, the mortality rate is around 10 % to 25%. If patients are hospitalized for other conditions, the mortality rate is higher than 25%.
• For stillborn and very early infants the death rate due to pneumonia is about 20%.
• For AIDS patients, the mortality rate due to pneumonia may be higher and up to 50%.

Risk Factors for Recurrent Pneumonia in Children

Some children are at more risk of pneumonia than others and risk factors include

• Inborn lung and heart defects.
• Impaired immune system
• Problem in muscle co-ordination.
• Asthma.
• GERD.
• Certain genetic disorders including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

Treatment

Several antibiotics are available for treating pneumonia. It is the choice of doctor to decide most effective antibiotic for treating a particular patient of pneumonia and the choice depends on various factors including age of patient, severity of problem and other associated symptoms.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of these antibiotics include gastrointestinal distress, allergic reaction and skin rashes.

Prevention

• Children should be given vaccines to prevent infections caused by viruses or bacteria.
• Children should be given immunizations against haemophilus influenza and pertusis.
• Tuberculosis screening should be carried out annually in children of high risk areas for preventing active tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Summary: Pneumonia, a lung infection is common in children and should be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear. The prevention of pneumonia can also be encouraged by vaccinations for various viruses and bacteria.

Polio: Information History, Symptoms and Treatment

Understanding Polio

Today, most polio outbreaks occur in Haiti, Nigeria and India. This highly contagious viral disease may cause total loss of muscle function. A communicable disease, poliomyelitis (polio) can also lead to respiratory infection or death. The only appropriate standard of care is immunization.

Polio spreads through human contact after introduction to the body through the mouth. The majority of polio victims are introduced to the virus following consumption of contaminated water or food. The poliovirus invades the nervous system after the initial point of contact. Within hours, polio may cause the onset of paralysis. Immunization.

While polio can affect any age demographic, polio cases are normally reported among youth between the ages of 3-5. For this reason, medical agencies recommend preventative care during childhood.

The best way to avoid polio is to receive immunizations. This invaluable scientific tool controls the spread of disease. Immunizations equip the human body with an ability to fight attacks from specified harmful bodies. When a doctor immunizes a patient, a small dosage of the offending virus enters the body. In most patients, the body will then build up a defense to the disease. This should protect the body from full-blown eruptions of a particular disease.

History

Jakob Heine first recognized polio as a disease in 1840. Dr. Jonas Salk introduced IPV, the inactivated poliovirus vaccine, in 1955 as a mode of treatment. By 1961, the Sabin vaccine had been introduced to the medical community. The Sabin vaccine is an oral medication known as oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).

Symptoms

Acute illness will last less than three weeks. After infection, victims suffer from fever, headache, localized pain, vomiting, and extreme fatigue. Unfortunately, most people who have been exposed to polio may not immediately exhibit symptoms.

The incubation period for polio ranges between 3-35 days. After infection, victims release virus particles in their solid waste for several weeks.

Treatment

In rare instances, usage of OPV will lead to paralytic polio. Due to that, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control strongly urge physicians to utilize IPV as the sole form of immunization against polio infection. This inactivated poliovirus vaccine has the ability to prevent polio.

Vaccination in Children

Medical professionals recommend that children receive polio vaccinations in four dosages. A child will receive a dosage at 2 months of age and 4 months of age. The third vaccination is given between 6-18 months. Finally, youth receive a booster shot between 4-6 years of age.

Vaccination in Adults

Adults who received vaccinations as children will not need additional vaccination unless there are factors present that indicate higher levels of risk exposure. For example, adults who travel to areas of the world ravaged by polio outbreaks are more susceptible to contraction of this infection. Laboratory workers who handle the poliovirus, as well as health care professionals who interact with polio victims, also maintain a higher risk level for polio contraction. Those three adult populations must receive polio booster shots as is recommended by health care experts.

When to Avoid Vaccination

People with minor illnesses will not receive the polio vaccine until they have recovered. Any illness, including the "common cold," has compromised the body's immune system.

Polio vaccinations are also not recommended for individuals who suffer from certain allergies. A physician will counsel patients who are not able to receive the inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

Summary: Polio is no longer a major health concern in the United States. However, polio is still a highly contagious disease that negatively affects the health of individuals. The only way to defend the human body against polio is through immunization. The preferred mode of treatment is inactivated poliovirus vaccine, which should be introduced to the human body during childhood.

Rheumatic Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory illness that can affect the heart, skin, nervous system, and joints. This medical affliction can attack any age group, but is prevalent in female youth. Outbreaks of rheumatic fever are more common in children between 6 and 16 years of age. Although outbreaks of rheumatic fever have virtually disappeared in the United States, this ailment continues to compromise human health in numerous developing countries.

Rheumatic fever and Strep Throat

Rheumatic fever is a painful ailment that generally follows an untreated streptococcal throat infection. This bacterial infection is also called strep throat. Strep throat attacks tissues in the back of the throat and the tonsils. Inflammation and irritation of those tissues causes a severe sore throat.

Strep Throat

Common symptoms of strep throat are a severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and swollen tonsils. Strep throat may also cause the development of white or yellow spots on the tongue or on the back of the inflamed throat. Sufferers of strep throat often experience abdominal pain, headaches, and other feelings of wide-ranging discomfort.

Strep throat is not associated with symptoms of the common cold such as coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose. Unlike the common cold, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics. However, antibiotic care is only effective within 2-3 days of the eruption of symptoms. With or without treatment, strep throat will normally disappear within 7 days.

Victims

Rheumatic fever can occur at any age, but most frequently occurs in children between the ages of 6 and 16 years. The disease is more common in females.

It is important to recognize that not all episodes of strep throat lead to rheumatic fever. Nonetheless, development of rheumatic fever is a serious medical obstacle. Onset of this disease can affect numerous portions of the human body.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatic fever generally appear within five weeks after untreated strep throat.

In addition to general indicators of strep throat, victims of rheumatic fever may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and painful, swollen joints. Rheumatic fever can also cause skin rashes on the chest, stomach, and back.

Diagnosis

To diagnose rheumatic fever, a doctor must detect the existence of a strep throat infection. Doctors detect strep throat by running a cotton swab over the back of the throat. The swab collects a sample of bacteria that will be cultured. The bacterial culture will be studied in a laboratory to confirm whether streptococcal bacteria are present.

A doctor will also listen to the heart and scrutinize the body for nodules located on the joints. Nodules will usually erupt on the knee and ankle joints. Some medical professionals will also diagnose rheumatic fever after conducting blood tests, chest x-rays or utilizing an electrocardiogram.

Treatment

There is no cure for rheumatic fever, but outbreaks can be prevented by promptly treating strep throat. Victims of rheumatic fever normally fully recover within six weeks.

Complications

Although patients may feel well, long-term damage may exist. In some instances, rheumatic fever causes permanent heart damage. The doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves. Untreated valves disrupt the flow of blood. Damaged valves cause the blood to flow backwards. Damaged valves may also reduce the amount of blood flow necessary for normal function.

Summary: Rheumatic fever is a serious ailment caused by untreated strep throat that will affect the heart, skin, and nervous system. This illness predominately affects youth, but is capable of harming any age group. Although incurable, rheumatic fever can be treated with antibiotics. After the course of acute illness dissipates, victims of rheumatic fever may suffer from long-term side affects such as heart damage.

Smallpox Vaccine in Children

The disease Smallpox is categorized as highly dangerous and harmful infectious virus that in occasions can provoke the death. The smallpox is also known as Variola virus. The prevention of contagious is the most effective treatment because it has no specific treatment except the vaccine. The name Variola comes from the Latin word for "spotted" referring to the raised bumps in the face and the body seen in the infected persons.

Two clinical forms of smallpox

Variola major is the most dangerous of the smallpox forms.

There four subtypes of this severe smallpox

• Ordinary smallpox: it is the most common form (it occurs approximately in the ninety percent of cases) and provokes an extensive rash accompanying it with high periods of fever.
• Moderated smallpox: it is mild and usually occurs in vaccinated persons
• Flat smallpox and hemorrhagic smallpox: if they occur separated there are no fatal as when they are going together; when occurs the flat-hemorrhagic modality the consequences are usually fatal (a thirty percent of the infected patients die with this type of smallpox).

Variola minor is the less common representation of this infectious disease. Usually represents only the one percent of the smallpox cases in the world, and the consequences are much less severe than its counterpart the Variola major.

Where there is smallpox now?

Although the smallpox was eradicated from world human populations several years ago, the US government is preoccupied because this virus can be used by the bioterrorism against civilization and by this reason; there have been taken new precautions to prevent that occurs this scenario inside the USA or in other part of the world.

Symptoms of a smallpox infection

This disease can be divided in several infection periods:

• The non-contagious incubation period: its duration is about seven to seventeen days. There are no symptoms during the incubation period.
• Prodome or initial symptoms: there are symptoms like high fever, rash, malaise and vomiting. This period endures about two to five days.
• Early rash period: This period is extremely contagious and it could be lasts about four days and is characterized by the budding of bumper spots starting first on the head and then spreading on the extremities (arms and legs).
• The contagious scab period: After the formation of pustules there is a crusting and scabbing period, that can be as long as fifteen days.
• Finally, the scabs are resolved, the scabs has fallen. This period is non-contagious.

The transmission and the children vaccination

The unique natural host of smallpox are the humans and it passes form one to the other person generally through an extended face-to-face contact or through bodily fluids or contaminated objects. The aerial transmission is not common with smallpox though there are cases that confirmed this. The only treatment is the prevention, but a vaccine would no be recommended to all persons by the only purpose of a general prevention campaign against a possible risk of infection.

Why is not recommended the smallpox vaccination in the childhood population?

There some points that support this recommendation:

• There a great risk of dangerous side effects when the child is vaccinated including the possibility of allergic induced fatalities.
• The vaccine is too expensive.
• The actual risk of a bioterrorist act using the smallpox virus is too low.
• Actually, the FDA has not approved any smallpox vaccine for the childhood population.
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Dryvax vaccine used in adults had shown to be effective only in adults and there is no clinical trials that had test it with children, therefore, the efficacy of Dryvax in children never has been proved.
• Children physiology's response is distinct from the adult response.

Summary: Smallpox is an eradicated virus that could be dangerous again with the terrorism and bioterrorism. Although there is several vaccines is not recommended to vaccine infants and children because its unknown results in them.

Tetanus: Types, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Introduction

Tetanus is a serious and fatal disease caused by bacterial toxin produced by the bacterium tetani and affects the nervous system. A cut or wound on the skin are infected by the bacteria, which is generally found in agricultural soil, intestines and feces of various animals including rats, dogs, cats, chickens, guinea pigs. Infection may cause severe muscle spasms including locking of jaw.

Clostridium Tetani

C. tetani is a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore forming bacteria. These spores are found in manure, agricultural soils, feces of animals and can survive for month to years. The spores are resistant to heat and antiseptic and can survive a few minutes at more than 100 degree centigrade. The toxin produced by C. tetani is tetanolysin and tetanospasmin. Tetanospasmin acts as neutroxin and causes the disease tetanus.

Neonatal Tetanus

This forms of tetanus occurs in newborn infants, born without protective passive immune. Neonatal tetanus occurs through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, especially when the stump is cut with an unsterlite knife or blade. This is common in some of the developing countries and developed countries report a few tetanus cases.

Incubation Period

The incubation for neonates varies from 4 to 14 days; however the incubation for adults may vary from 3 days to 15 weeks. The incubation period depends on the distance of wound from central nervous system and severity of wounds. A deep wound may allow bacteria to attain its full strength and may cause severe infection and result may be more fatal.

Symptoms

• The first early symptoms of tetanus may be the jaw spasm also called lockjaw. This causes difficulty in moving jaw muscles and eating and swallowing.
• The other symptoms follow lockjaw includes stiffness in neck and back and rigidity in muscles of abdomen.
• he muscular spasms may expand to throughout of the body and sometimes may even cause muscle tears.
• Body temperature rises 2 to 4 degree centigrade and sweating occurs.
• Rise in blood pressure and heart rate are additional symptoms of tetanus.

Wound Care and Treatment

The wound must be cleaned and infected tissues should be taken out to reduce the bacteria. If wounds are deep and the patient had earlier taken zero to two doses of tetanus toxoid, should be given TIG as well as Td toxoid.

Recovery and Mortality:

• Initial recovery in muscle may begin within 3 to 4 weeks but complete recovery may take months and in some cases up to one year or more than one.
• Mortality rate may be high and highest mortality rate is in some of the developing countries.

Complication in tetanus

• The vocal cord spasm and muscle spasm may lead to respiration problem.
• Contractions and convulsions in muscle may lead to fracture of the spine or long bones.
• Nervous system abnormality may led to hypertension and abnormal heart rhythm.
• Prolonged hospitalization can lead to Nosocomial infections. Secondary infection may also cause sepsis from catheters and decubitus ulcers.
• A common late complication of tetanus is aspiration pneumonia and found in majority of autopsied cases.

Prevention

All children should be vaccinated. Tetanus vaccines are available worldwide and booster vaccines should be recommended at every 10-year interval. If a person suffers a wound and he or she is unable to remember, when he or she has earlier vaccinated, the person should be vaccinated with a tetanus booster DTaP.

Summary: Tetanus is a serious and fatal disease with high mortality rate. To prevent, vaccinations should be given to the children as per the plan and should not be stopped in middle. At the interval of 10 years tetanus boosters should be taken to avoid the fatal disease.

Typhoid: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Introduction

Typhoid is caused by bacterium salmonella typhi. Bacterium salmonella typhi is only finding in human and is responsible for causing the infectious feverish disease, if not properly treated may lead to serious illness and even sometimes the disease may be fatal.

The bacteria are found only in humans, and are passed to the human by a carrier of bacteria through water or food.

Hygiene and Disease

Hygiene and sanitary conditions determines the spread of typhoid. Poor hygiene and sanitary conditions in some part of the developing countries , large parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South Africa are responsible for spread of typhoid in these areas. Due to the good hygienic conditions and sanitary conditions in some parts of Europe and US, rare hypoid cases are reported in this part of the world.

The storage of food and food preparation procedure is also a factor for proper hygiene. If any bacteria are present in food before preparation or during storage, it should not multiply.

Incubation Period

if some one is exposed to sufficient enough quantity of bacteria capable to cause typhoid, the symptoms of the disease may not start immediately. The days required to begin the symptoms from the day, the person is exposed to bacteria is known as incubation period. Incubation period for typhoid is ten to twenty days and will depend on various factors including the quantity of bacteria, the age and other health conditions of patients.

If after incubation period, mild symptoms appear, the bacteria may be eliminated by mild therapy and the person may become a healthy carrier of the bacteria and infection.

Symptoms of Typhoid

Typhoid is a serious feverish disease and fever is primary symptom of the disease. Some other symptoms include digestive system and small-bowl symptoms if the disease enters in the second phase.

Phases of typhoid fever

There are two phases of the disease as mentioned below.

First Phase: The child's temperature rises slowly to 40 degree centigrade and the condition of child deteriorates continuously and develops additional symptoms such as appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, low feeding, coughing, and sweating. Some additional skin symptoms may also develop.

Second Phase: The first phase may be as long as one week and at the end of the week, the child may develop symptoms of intestinal infection. The temperature of the child remains high for second to third week. In the third week, the child also develops severe diarrhea.

Treatment

Various antibiotics are available in the market and after monitoring the symptoms the doctor will recommend appropriate antibiotic and monitor the effect of antibiotic in-patient for a few days or until the condition of patient is stable. It is also advised the maintaining good hygienic and sanitary conditions will prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Prevention

if you suspect a potential typhoid exposure, you should take a vaccine or oral medicine to protect you from infection of salmonella typhi at least two weeks prior. The inject able vaccines has very few side effect and the injection is efficient for three years.

Summary: Typhoid is a serious disease caused by bacteria salmonella typhi and is common in developing countries where unhygienic conditions prevail. The bacterial infection takes place from human and if infected, a proper treatment of antibiotic should be taken.

Varicella or Chicken Pox: Symptoms, Complications and Risk Factors

What is Varicella?

Varicella or "chickenpox" is a benign, self-limited, infection produced primarily by the varicella-zoster virus, a herpes virus. It infected near four million children each year only in the United Sates, causing more than four thousands hospitalizations per year and causing near one hundred deaths per year.

How a child can be infected with varicella?

• The disease is produce by inhalation of virus infected respiratory secretions or by direct contact with skin lesions produced due to the virus.The child can get this virus simply by playing with other infected child in home, the school or kindergarten.
• The ages that most frequently the infection occurs in infants are between three to six years old. An example of this, of all the reported cases ninety-five percent were children belonging to this age range, and only the five percent of the reported cases were in older children.
• It can affect girls and boys without significant statistical differences.
• The statistics says that between the months from August to October is the peak period of reported Varicella cases in children during a normal year.

What are primary viremia and secondary viremia?

• Primary viremia is the first time infection with the varicella-zoster virus; the infected person is usually a healthy child.
• Secondary viremia occurs when viral particles begin to spread on the skin causing the typical skin blisters associated with this virus.

What are the most frequent symptoms of chickenpox virus infection in a child?

During the late primary viremia:

• Headache
• Anorexia
• Fever, usually can be very high
• General malaise

During the secondary viremia:

• Erupting lesions beginning first on the trunk and then spreading to other parts: scalp, arms and legs.
• The first presentation of this skin lesion occurs a few days the general malaise and high fever appeared and the lesions begin as red maculae and then will become .
• A general rash is presented that in occasions is very itchy.

The blister lesions also can occur into the mouth, especially, into the throat and tonsils.

What are the most frequent complications of chickenpox?

• Pneumonia
• Encephalitis
• Hepatitis

Neonate chicken pox

• Neonatal varicella is caused by maternal virus infection, leading to spread of the virus across the placenta.
• Varicella during the first three months of pregnant can induce serious malformations to the fetus that could be shown as congenital malformation like abnormalities in the ocular structures and nervous system, limb atrophies and possible growth retardation.
• Neonates born from infected women during five days before delivery or fewer than two days postpartum can be infected by the also dangerous Varicella Neonatorum; this is a disseminated manifestation of the virus in the baby that could cause severe and hemorrhagic lesions in the lungs and the liver, making this a potentially fatal disease.

What are the risk factors?

• Your baby is at higher risk if never has had this disease.
• Your child is at higher risk if he/she is under a immunosuppressant therapy
• Vaccine is the most useful manner to prevent varicella disease; if he/she is not vaccinated then he/she is at higher risk.

What the mother can do to relief the symptoms of her baby?

• Never use aspirin to down the fever; it could cause a severe condition named Reyes Syndrome, rather than aspirin she should use acetaminophen.
• Give the child to drink sufficient liquids as she does when the baby has flu.
• Keep the baby with his/her hands and feet covered with socks to prevent the infant to scratch his/her skin blisters.

Summary: The chicken pox is a very frequent disease in infants between the ages from three to six years old. Although this infection is regularly a benign and self-limited, it can get worse especially in inmunosupressed patients and in newborns.

Baby's Diseases: How to Protect your Child

If you think that diseases are only for adults, think again! Babies are prone to a host of diseases and are more susceptible to them than adults. That is why it is very critical for parents to immunize their babies against these diseases at the right time. Neglecting to do so might make you regret it for a long time to come. It is important for parents to keep a chart in order to track when and what injections should be given. Otherwise it can get quite confusing and you may end up missing out on a particular vaccination. If you are keen to know more details about these diseases, their symptoms and how to avoid them or cure them, please browse through the links provided for you along the left panel on our site.

So what are the common but dangerous diseases that babies should be protected against? We will go through a few of them in brief just to give you an overview.

Chicken Pox is one of the most common diseases that children get especially between the ages of 3 and 6. It is caused by a virus and though it is not highly dangerous, sufficient care should be taken during the infection period. A child can get this infection just by being in contact with another person who is infected.

Typhoid is quite a serious condition because if it is not treated properly and at the right time, it can lead to various complications. This bacteria is mainly transmitted to humans from contaminated food and water. Fever is the most common symptom of this disease and it can be treated with antibiotics. Vaccinations are also available these days and should be taken every three years.

Tetanus is a fatal disease again cause by bacteria which affects the nervous system in the human body. It is mainly contracted through a wound which comes in contact with soil or grime which contains animal feces. The main symptom is locked jaw. To prevent tetanus, any wound should be cleaned immediately with antiseptic lotion and it is best to get a tetanus shot to be on the safe side.

Polio is another disease that can be prevented in children by giving the vaccinations at the proper time. It is a virus which affects the nervous system and leads to paralysis. From the time a bay is born till the age of six, a child should ideally receive four doses of the Polio vaccine.

Then there are others like Mumps, Measles and Diphtheria for all of which vaccines are available. Small-pox has been eradicated and therefore vaccines are not given these days though it is available.

Parents should ensure that they do not miss the boosters for the vaccinations that the children are taking. They should follow the plan given by the doctors and should not drop it in between. If proper care is taken, many of these diseases can be avoided. We encourage you to read more of these diseases so as to prevent your children from contracting the same.

Baby’s Carriage

One of the most important and significant purchases that you will ever make for your baby is to purchase a baby stroller or carriage for him or her. They are so many carriages on the market today, how do you know which one to select. They key to remember is to shop around and make sure you find one that is safe and comfortable for both baby and you.

Types of Carriages

They are many types of carriages; they come in different styles, forms, sizes, and in level of abilities. In some cases, you may need to purchase more than one carriage to meet baby’s different and changing needs. Strollers or carriages fall into a few major categories, based on these you can make an educated decision on what to purchase.

Carriage- This is usually a large, heavy stroller. It usually has a reclining back, a padded seat, canopy, and a large basket. These carriages feature large wheels for a smooth ride. As the baby grows, it will be able to adjust and become an upright seat. These are the best for infants.

Umbrella- These are lightweight easy to carry and very inexpensive. They fold easily and can fit in small spaces for quick storage. It consists of a pouch that you can sling around the metal frame, with an umbrella. Sometimes it has a canopy or basket. These models if you place too much stuff on them, can tip over, so you must be careful.

Standard-This is usually the family’s main carriage. The standard carriage can offer a partial or a fully reclining seat and a well-covered seat. It has a double set of wheels for an easy ride, and ease of moving around.

Lightweight-These carriages are a combination of a convenience with all the features of a standard carriage. They are made of aluminum, and is very sturdy. It is very portable and comes with a reclining seat. These types are generally more expensive.

Jogging-These types of carriages are built for parents who want to jog around with their babies. They are light weight and feature three large types of tires. They roll very smoothly and they come with shock absorbers and brakes. These are great for parents who love to exercise and want their kids to exercise with them.

Safety Tips

When using a carriage, remember the following safety tips:

• Make sure that the hand rest and seat are in the reclined carriage position.
• When you are folding and unfolding the carriage, keep the baby away from it, accidents can happen.
• Make sure you secure the seat belts on the carriage, you don’t want your child slipping out.
• Never leave a baby unattended in the carriage.
• Never use a pillow, quilt or blanket as a mattress in a carriage, kids can get tangled up in it, and suffocate easily while sleeping in the carriage.

While they are many types of carriages, you have to keep some things in mind. Make sure that the metal frame is strong and sturdy. Check out all four of the wheels on the carriage, they should be touching the floor, and it should not rock back and forth and be unstable. The seat should be covered and well padded. Make sure that the carriage offers a smooth ride for the child. Check consumer reports and make sure that they are no recalls or safety defects with the carriage that you are looking to purchase. Remember that the most important thing is safety first when deciding on the type of carriage to purchase for you and your child.

Consumer Guide for Baby Back Packs:-
Click here to read Baby Backpacks Review Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Carrying Your Baby!