It is important to thoroughly clean the wound with an antiseptic product before applying the liquid skin though. This is because any germs that are in the wound become trapped once the liquid is applied.
Any injury that breaks the skin, regardless of size and severity, can quickly become infected with a variety of germs, many of which are airborne. Larger or major injuries tend to have a bigger surface area for germs to attack though and so it is important to clean and dress this type of injury as quickly as possible for effective infection prevention. The following steps explain how to do this:
To keep the injury infection free, the dressing will need to be replaced on a regular basis. Areas that are at high risk of developing an infection may also require a course of antibiotics, for which a physician is needed. In any case, the easiest way to prevent infections within injuries is with swift treatment and good, ongoing hygiene.
]]>Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that can be passed from cats to humans through contact with the cat's feces. In adults this doesn't normally cause a severe problem and the flu-like symptoms come and go within a few weeks. People who have weakened immune systems or those who are pregnant may become very ill or even die. During pregnancy, the infection can also be passed on to the developing fetus - causing congenital toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is most commonly found in the digestive system of pet and feral cats, especially if they have raw meat in their diet. Once in the intestinal tract of the cat, the parasite forms oocysts which are then excreted in the cat's feces, in their litter box if they have one. From here it is simple to transfer the toxoplasmosis infection to you as a human.
Thankfully the answer to this is no. If a female has already been infected with toxoplasmosis pregnancy will not normally be affected in any way. This is because prior exposure to the toxoplasmosis parasite will provide lasting immunity, and so a second infection, even during pregnancy, will have no effect on mother or fetus.
Toxoplasmosis is therefore only a concern for those women who develop their first infection during pregnancy. This is because they will have no immunity to the parasite and can easily pass it on to their unborn child. It is estimated that 65% of women in the US have had no prior exposure and so are not immune to the effects of the infection.
In order to totally eliminate the chances of developing toxoplasmosis cats that live within the household should be tested and if necessary treated for the parasite. Obviously this can be quite an expense though, so the next best way is to protect yourself from exposure as much as possible.
Pregnant women should ask someone else in the home to clean and empty the cat's litter boxes each day. If this isn't possible then they should at the very least wear gloves when they empty the cat litter and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
It isn't necessary to avoid contact with a pet cat. However, every effort should be made to avoid litter boxes and contact with cat feces.
]]>
Bleeding from minor injuries can often be controlled with a simple sterile dressing or even a band aid. An alternative is to use liquid skin; a type of liquid plastic that is applied to the injured area. Once applied the liquid quickly forms a waterproof and germ proof barrier that also stops any bleeding.
The steps above will allow you to control bleeding from major injuries until members of the emergency service arrive. If you can't stop the bleeding or you feel the wound is severe then it is advisable to call 911 as soon as possible. This also applies to injuries that involve protruding, foreign objects.
Regardless of the severity of the bleeding it is important to control it as quickly as possible. Applying direct pressure and a suitable dressing are the best methods. Major injuries, however, may require medical attention and calling emergency services.
]]>Your child's immune system then remembers the chicken pox viral strain so that antibodies are automatically produced should they come into contact with the virus again. In other words your child is then immune to that particular virus.
If everyone chose to have their children vaccinated against chicken pox, the chicken pox virus would eventually die out because there wouldn't be any unprotected human bodies to harbor it. This scenario also applies to numerous other illnesses you can be vaccinated for.
Routine vaccinations very rarely have adverse effects however there have been claims made recently that some have led to children developing autism and other neurological disorders. The vaccines in question contain a mercury preservative called thimerosal and it is this ingredient that seems to affect the workings of the brain.
There are now alternatives available which are mercury-free. These have a much higher vaccine safety rating that those with the mercury ingredient and offer an alternative for parent who may have concerns regarding the vaccination of their child.
Before making the decision to have your child vaccinated against one or all of the main illnesses it is advisable to talk to an expert. Your physician or your local clinic will be able to provide a wealth of vaccine information to make your decision easier and to put your mind at rest.
There are risks with some types of vaccine, however, they are minimal. The number of cases that report adverse effects each year is minute when compared to the number of children that are vaccinated. The benefits however can be invaluable and it is this fact that should be remembered when making the decision.
]]>In the event that a family member or a work colleague does accidentally ingest a poison, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible. Poisons, in sufficient quantity, can cause short term or even permanent damage to internal organs and so it is vital that the correct procedures are followed.
Knowing the severity of the accidental ingestion is very important - whether it is a single incident or there are numerous victims, as there could be in an industrial setting. You will need to call emergency services and possibly your local poison control hotline and inform them of the situation. The emergency services organization needs to know what type of poison has been ingested, how much or how strong the poison is, when it was ingested and the medical status of the victim - have they vomited? are they unconscious? and as much other information as you can give them.
Large scale poisoning will also need to be reported to your local poison control centre. Again you will need the information mentioned above and also a rough estimate of the number of casualties and the severity of the poisoning. Although rare, there have been cases of severe food poisoning at places of work and it is this type of incident that needs to be reported to poison control.
In general, the quicker you can get medical treatment for a victim of accidental ingestion, the better their prognosis is. You shouldn't attempt to induce vomiting as this can make the situation worse, although they may vomit of their own accord with some poisons. The best course of action is simply to phone the emergency services and administer any first aid that may be required until professional help arrives.
]]>Emergency first aid kits pack vital medical supplies into a compact, convenient, organized container. Emergency first aid kits come in variety of configurations, from small pocket-sized kits suitable for backpacking or bicycling to suitcase-sized kits that can handle practically any emergency that does not require major surgery.]]> A basic emergency first aid kit found in a backpack or car should include the following:
Being prepared for a medical emergency, like having emergency first aid kits, is an important step to take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. The contents of your kit can either tide you over until you get professional help or in some cases instead of professional help.
Bacteria for the most part is only thought of as only a bad thing, but there are bacteria that are good for you and help keep your immune and the digestive systems working efficiently. The good or friendly bacteria, or probiotics, are live bacteria that are beneficial to the human body. These probiotics can be found in some types of food and in dietary supplements to help prevent and treat some illnesses and conditions. Knowing what foods and dietary supplements contain probiotics makes it easier for you to get them.]]> Yogurt, miso, tempeh, fermented and unfermented milk, soy beverages, and some juices all contain helpful bacteria for the body or probiotics. The good bacteria may be naturally found in these foods or they may be added to help make your food healthier for the body. You can also find dietary supplements that will offer you the same results without having to eat the foods. Probiotic foods have been used far back in history to treat illnesses and medical conditions and use of these helpful bacteria has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade. What are some of the health effects of probiotics?
Probiotics are an under-recognized helpful bacteria that promotes health. Whether you get your probiotics from your foods or supplements you can strengthen your immune system and improve your reaction to some foods and infections.
Therapeutic hypothermia is the deliberate lowering of the body's temperature, intended to reduce the body's need for oxygen. It is particularly designed to preserve the brain in cases of ischemia -- a restriction of blood flow usually caused by cardiac arrest, ischemic stroke, or generalized brain trauma. And there are numerous other applications of this medical practice.]]> Therapeutic hypothermia has been used since ancient times. Hippocrates advocated the packing of wounded soldiers in snow and ice. A Napoleonic surgeon, Baron Dominque Larrey, noted that wounded officers, who were kept closer to the camp fire, fared less well than enlisted men who were not so pampered.
Pediatric therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest is a little documented practice. Given the intended use of therapeutic hypothermia in general it's an interesting theory to work with. The lack of documentation is probably more a reflection of the rare instances where it was used than anything else.
Google is one of these third-party vendors, and they use cookies to serve ads here. Google uses a special DART cookie that enables it to serve ads to you based upon your visit to this site and others that you visit.
If you don't want to have this DART cookie on your computer, you can opt out. We feel you'll be making a mistake by doing that, as you'll then see random ads that won't be of much use to you.
]]>The skin is the largest living organ of the body and is very susceptible to damage. Any opening made in the skin can allow access into the body to germs and bacteria, causing illness and damage. Staph skin infections can be quite dangerous, so it is important to recognize the symptoms of this type of skin infection to be sure that you get it treated as soon as possible. Staph skin infections can vary, depending upon the location and severity of the infection. Some common staph skin infections include:]]>
Staph skin infections are generally minor infections, but without proper care can become serious. When you realize you have such an infection it's best to get medical attention rather than try to tend to this yourself.
Nasal congestion, coughing, and a fever may indicate something more involved than the common cold. You may be dealing with a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis. Sinus infections are very common and can be separated into two main types -- acute or chronic. An acute sinus infection is one that comes on suddenly, while a chronic sinus infection lasts for a long period of time. What do you need to understand about sinus infections?]]> When the sinus cavity become inflamed, then you have sinusitis or a sinus infection. A sinus infection is one of the most common infections that people of all ages are diagnosed with over the course of their lives. They can be caused by many different things as well, including viruses, bacteria, environmental pollens, and irritants that are in the air, which may include chemicals. Knowing how to distinguish a sinus infection from the common cold is essential to getting the medical help that you need. What are the symptoms of sinus infections?
Some people seem to suffer from sinus infections more than others. Diet, health and exposure to bacteria all impact your sinus health.
The most common symptoms of a sinus infection include:
Other symptoms that may occur include:
Diagnosing a sinus infection is normally based upon your symptoms and what your doctor finds when he examines you. Your doctor will examine you, ask questions about your symptoms, and then determine whether you have a sinus infection or a simple cold and determine a treatment plan for you. What are some of the treatments that are available for sinus infections?
Treatment of the symptoms themselves is normally the first method of treatment. Treating the pain and fever with acetaminophen or Tylenol, as well as treating the congestion with a decongestant will give you some relief from your sinus infection. After a week or so, if the symptoms have not subsided, it may be necessary to get an antibiotic, as this indicates an acute sinus infection. Your physician will most likely choose a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works on a variety of bacteria that can cause a sinus infection. Take your antibiotic as directed until you have taken the full prescription to get maximum benefits; don't stop short of the full regime. Is there any way that you can protect yourself against a sinus infection?
Preventing a sinus infection will be pretty much based on the cause of your sinus infections. Some things that you can do to prevent a sinus infection includes washing your hands frequently, staying away from people who have colds, reducing stress, drinking enough water to keep the sinuses hydrated, eating healthy foods to keep your immune system strong, using a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages moist, and staying away from allergens that tend to aggravate your sinuses. By practicing the most basic of good health habits, you can help to prevent sinus infections in your future.
Sinus infections can be uncomfortable, but they are very rarely life threatening. Be aware of your symptoms, visit the doctor as needed, and practice good health habits so you can decrease your chance of getting a sinus infection and increase your chance of staying well.
]]>When an object such as a nail pierces the skin and leaves a hole, this injury is what is called a puncture wound. A puncture wound may not excessively bleed and may close up on its own without any medical treatment, but in some cases it may not.]]> You need to be concerned about what the object is that created the puncture wound. For example, a rusty nail may carry tetanus that can cause significant medical issues. Other common objects that may carry tetanus or bacteria include wood splinters, glass, pins, and nails. Puncture wounds can also be caused by scissors and knives, as any sharp object can cause a puncture wound. What first aid should you administer when you get a puncture wound?
Tending to a puncture wound as quickly as possible is the best way to keep infection at bay. If the puncture wound is severe take the patient straight to the hospital for professional care. If it's a minor puncture tending to it at home works. But always watch for infection signs.
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that the object is not left in the puncture wound. This includes any piece of the object where it has broken or flaked off. After you have checked the wound carefully to be sure that there is not anything left in it, you need to allow the wound to bleed freely. If the blood is spurting out or is especially heavy, apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If it does not stop, you will need to get medical attention. Most of the time, a puncture wound will stop bleeding on its own, but if it does not seek out medical help.
The next step to take care of your puncture wound is to clean the wound. A simple cleansing with mild soap and water are all you need to do this. If you cleanse the puncture wound and still see dirt or debris in the wound, you can remove it with an alcohol sanitized pair of tweezers. If this does not remove the dirt or debris, you will want to get medical attention.
Protecting the wound is the next step. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the wound to cover and protect the puncture wound. Be sure that you apply it with a clean piece of gauze or cotton swab. Your first inclination may be to put a lot of antibiotic ointment, but a large amount of ointment can attract bacteria to your puncture wound. Apply the ointment three times a day after cleaning the wound.
A puncture wound is not necessarily something that you need to worry about, but it can cause significant health issues if you do not take proper care of it or your wound is inflicted by an object that carries tetanus or bacteria. By understanding more about puncture wound care, you can better take care of yourself or your family to keep all of you healthy.
]]>When you get injured and are left with a wound, you want to be sure that it heals as quickly as possible. Most of the time, wounds will heal without much effort from the patient or medical professionals, but there are cases where wounds are slow to heal or refuse to heal, due to medical conditions and problems like diabetes. This is when negative pressure wound therapy is used to help speed healing to the wound and get your body back to health quickly and efficiently and, in the case of diabetics, it can save their life or even their limbs.]]> One use of negative pressure wound therapy is for diabetic ulcers on the body. Diabetics have issues with wound healing, simply because their body does not work as efficiently as people who do not have diabetes. The negative pressure wound therapy can help these diabetic ulcers to heal much quicker and get the diabetic back to normal life as much as possible.
There are several uses of negative pressure wound therapy, all are life saving and/or beneficial to your health.
Negative pressure wound therapy is done in one common way, but may have different components to it. The most common way that negative pressure wound therapy is carried out is via the use of a suction device that is applied to the area that is covered by a dressing. The wound is packed with foam dressing that allows the vacuum device to draw out the excess fluid and bacteria to allow the wound to heal quickly. This application of negative pressure via suction increases the blood flow to the wound to give it what it needs to heal. Any wound that is not healing can be aided with the application of negative pressure wound therapy.
The benefits of negative pressure wound therapy are numerous. The most common benefit is that it aids in healing, but that is not the only one. Other benefits include increased blood flow, increase the rate of tissue formation, decreasing the bacteria, and keeping the wound moist. All of these benefits come together to help keep the wound clean and help it to heal faster. By applying this negative pressure to non-healing wounds, the healing process can be aided to help close the wound and prevent further illness or medical issues.
This vacuum-assisted closure of wounds can give a patient a decreased chance of sepsis and infection. In diabetics, this can be life-saving and even limb saving. By using negative pressure wound therapy, the patient may be able to return back to living their life in a shorter legnth of time. Wounds that do not heal due to diabetes or other medical problems can be aided by negative pressure wound therapy, so be sure to ask about it if you have a chronic wound or a diabetic ulcer that will not heal.
]]>Viral infections are different from bacterial infections in that they will go away after they run their course through your body. They can cause many of the same symptoms as bacterial infections, but it is not necessary to treat the infection itself for it to go away. Instead, the symptoms are often treated to help make the patient feel better. It is important to learn about viral infections, as they are quite common in adults and children. What makes up a viral infection?]]> A virus is a self-contained capsule with genetic material inside that causes an immune response in the body. Viruses invade normal, healthy, living cells and use these cells to multiply and move throughout the body. The death of the healthy cells causes you to experience symptoms of illness that can occur in any part of the body. A virus is hard to treat, as it lives inside of your cells and is protected by the cell membranes. Many common diseases are caused by a viral infection, including:
Not feeling well? Don't just assume an antibiotic will make you well. Viral infections aren't treatable with antibiotics so don't go that route if you have a virus. Medical attention will determine if you have a bacteria or virus and treatment should be handled accordingly.
Other, more severe, diseases are also caused by a viral infection, including:
Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, but there have been some vaccines developed that can prevent you from getting these viral illnesses, including the flu vaccine, the chicken pox vaccine, and the polio, mumps, and rubella vaccines. Antiviral medications have also been developed to help decrease the time length of the virus to help you to get better more quickly. These are commonly used for patients who exhibit the symptoms of the flu. While an antiviral medication will not "cure" you from a virus, it can help to decrease the symptoms, so that you can resume normal life much quicker.
Viruses are very contagious, which is why it is important to practice good health habits every single day. By washing your hands with soap and water frequently during the day, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wearing a mask when around people who are sick, and cleaning much used doorknobs, phones, computer keyboards and other items, you can help to decrease your chances of getting or giving a viral infection.
A viral infection will go away if not treated when allowed to run its course, but it is still important to be evaluated by your physician. You may be an excellent candidate for an antiviral medication to help decrease the life of the virus or you may need to have your viral symptoms treated to help prevent additional illness. Either way, you will want to be evaluated by your physician to determine if there is a treatment for you.
Viral infections have been linked to many illnesses, which is why it is important to learn more about them. Colds and coughs, and rashes are the simpler illnesses associated with viruses. Bronchitis can be associated with either a bacteria or a virus, so be sure to get cultured so you can know the best way to treat that illness. Shingles, herpes, encephalitis, and meningitis are more serious illnesses associated with viruses. By paying attention to your body and your physician, you can live through these viral infections and have a full and happy life.
]]>Insect bites are something that we all have to deal with at some time or another. It is often difficult to determine what type of insect has bitten you, simply because you may not actually see the insect bite you. The only way you can determine what type of insect bite you have been afflicted with is by evaluating the appearance of the insect bite.]]> If you can figure out what bit you, then you can treat the bite correctly thereby decreasing the severity of the symptoms and the irritation. The most common thing that all insect bite appearance have in common is swelling and redness, but each type of insect bite has other characteristics that differ it from other insect bites.
An insect bite appearance may catch you by surprise because you may not have noticed the bite (or sting). Most bites are inconsequential, but not always. Some bites will lead to illness, others to allergic reactions, while others are just uncomfortable. An allergic reaction and infection are the two biggest concerns about insect bites, so be pay attention and take care of any bites you get.
Chiggers, red spider mites and fleas are examples of the other types of insects that can bite you, the appearance of a red spot being your first indication you've been bitten. The information here applies as much to these bites as to others.
The main worry with any insect bite is an allergic reaction, though infection can be a potential problem too. If you are having trouble breathing, your face is swelling, you notice hives, or another unusual reaction, you need to get medical help quickly. The insect bite appearance will help give the healthcare provider the information that they need to treat you correctly.
]]>