Hepatitis C: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that infects the cells of the liver. Most cases occur in people who share needles or injecting equipment to inject 'street drugs' contaminated with infected blood (intravenous drug users). Some people clear the infection naturally. Some develop persistent infection but remain free of symptoms, although others may have symptoms. Persistent infection can lead to 'scarring' of the liver (cirrhosis) which may result in liver cancer. Treatment can clear the infection in over half of cases.

Malaria - Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment and Prevention

Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease caused by one of the Plasmodium parasites. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Symptoms have been known to occur up to a year after travelling to an area in which malaria is present. Left untreated, individuals may develop severe complications and die. In 2018 an estimated 228 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 405,000 people died, mostly children aged under 5.

Covid 19 Herd Immunity: Hopes Fade As Study Shows Drop in Antibody Levels

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a push to develop a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If scientists can develop a vaccine quickly, and while we slow the spread of the disease, it’s believed that we can limit deaths by achieving herd immunity. This is a term that has been bandied about for awhile now and which some scientists hope will get all of us out of the clutches of the ravaging COVID-19 scourge.

Hepatitis B: Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

The hepatitis B virus can cause a short-term (acute) infection, which may or may not cause symptoms. Following an acute infection, a minority of infected adults develop a persistent infection called chronic hepatitis B. Many people with chronic hepatitis B remain well, but can still pass on the virus to others. Some develop serious liver problems. The virus is mainly passed on by sexual contact, sharing needles to inject drugs, and from mother to baby.

Adolescent Pregnancy - Risk Factors, Adverse Effects, Advice on Contraceptive Methods

Most teenage girls do not plan to get pregnant, but in some countries, many do. Adolescent pregnancies carry extra health risks to both the mother and the baby. Often, teens do not get prenatal care soon enough, which can lead to problems later on. They have a higher risk for pregnancy-related high blood pressure and its complications. Risks for the baby include premature birth and a low birth weight.

Testosterone Deficiency in Men: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, Treatment and Prognosis

Testosterone deficiency is often part of the ageing process and therefore common in older men. It can also occur at any age as a result of conditions affecting the testicles, or the pituitary gland in the brain. Testosterone deficiency can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Any underlying cause for the testosterone deficiency will also need treatment. The outlook will depend on the underlying cause of testosterone deficiency.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Biological medicines are a newer type of medicine, used to ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reduce the damaging effect of the disease on the joints. They are usually prescribed when you have tried the older more traditional types of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) but they have not worked well. If a biological medicine will work, you will usually feel better within 12 weeks of starting it. Biological medicines make you more prone to infections and sometimes damage the blood-producing cells. You should carry a biological therapy alert card with you at all times to ensure that doctors or nurses treating you know that you are taking a biological medicine and so are at increased risk of developing a serious infection.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Overview of Risk Factors, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, pain, and swelling of joints. Persistent inflammation over time can damage affected joints. The severity can vary from mild to severe. Treatments include disease-modifying medicines to suppress inflammation, which can prevent or delay the progression of the disease, and medication to ease pain. The earlier treatment is started, the less joint damage is likely to occur. Surgery is needed in some cases if a joint becomes badly damaged.

Arthritis and Exercise: How Exercise Benefits The Different Forms Of Arthritis

Deaths from lack of exercise has been compared with deaths from cigarette smoking. See Lack of Exercise 'Killing As Many As Smoking'. Physical activity has an overarching benefit over and above the minor disadvantages that some forms of exercise may throw up. People with arthritis have been shown to benefit from a deliberate plan of physical exercise.