Health and Fitness

Overview Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is transmitted to people from animals, and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person-to-person. In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers. Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people. During the first recognized outbreak in Malaysia, which also affected Singapore, most human infections resulted from direct contact with sick pigs or their contaminated tissues. Transmission is thought to have occurred via unprotected exposure to secretions from the pigs, or unprotected contact with the tissue of a sick animal. In subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh and India, consumption of fruit...

Overview Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a severe and highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the same family as the one that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Both diseases are rare, but can cause dramatic outbreaks with high fatality. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine. Symptoms Nausea, vomiting, chest pain, a sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may appear. Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, massive hemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.Many patients develop severe haemorrhagic manifestations between 5 and 7 days, and fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas. Fresh blood in vomitus and faeces is often accompanied by bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina. Spontaneous bleeding at venepuncture sites (where intravenous access is obtained to give fluids or obtain blood samples) can be particularly troublesome. During the...

OVERVIEW Inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyeball. It can be caused by allergies or a bacterial or viral infection. Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious and is spread by contact with eye secretions from someone who is infected. Symptoms include redness, itching and tearing of the eyes. It can also lead to discharge or crusting around the eyes. It's important to stop wearing contact lenses whilst affected by conjunctivitis. It often resolves on its own, but treatment can speed the recovery process. Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with antihistamines. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with antibiotic eye drops. SYMPTOMS Symptoms include redness, itching and tearing of the eyes. It can also lead to discharge or crusting around the eyes. Pink or red color in the white of the eye(s) Swelling of the con...

Overview Biotin deficiency is rare in humans because biotin is widely available in foods, and the “good” gut bacteria can usually synthesize more biotin than the body needs. Signs of deficiency include : hair loss, or alopecia. a scaly, red rash around the eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin B7 Deficiency? Diseases caused by deficiency of vitamin B7 are not very common. This is because vitamin B is produced by bacteria in the intestine and is also available in regular food items. However, pre-existing disorders like biotinidase deficiency can make you prone to vitamin B7 deficiency. In that case, you need to look out for tell-tale vitamin B7 deficiency symptoms – Mild depression Red rash around your eyes and nose  Lethargy Hair loss or alopecia Bacterial and fungal infections Loss of body control or ataxia Hallucinations Nausea Conjunctivitis Appetite loss Insomnia Pain in muscles If left untreated, these vitamin B7 deficiency symptoms can lead to seri...

                                  Definition A brainstem stroke happens when blood supply to the base of the brain is stopped. This can affect many functions in the body, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. There are two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic . An ischemic stroke is the most common type. Symptoms of a brain stem stroke Because the brain stem controls a variety of motor functions, strokes in this area of the brain cause a diverse range of symptoms. Brain stem strokes can disrupt vital bodily functions, such as: Muscle weakness. Hearing and vision problems. Sensory changes. Problems with balance. A feeling of spinning when a person is still. Problems breathing. Problems chewing, swallowing, and speaking. What is brain stem stroke? A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, either due to a blocked artery or a leaking blood vessel. The brain st...

Overview Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy. Food sources of vitamin B-6 include poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas, bananas and fortified cereals. Vitamin B-6 can also be taken as a supplement, typically as an oral capsule, tablet or liquid. People who have kidney disease or conditions that prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from foods (malabsorption syndromes) are more likely to be vitamin B-6 deficient. Certain autoimmune disorders, some epilepsy medications and alcohol dependence also can lead to vitamin B-6 deficiency. This can cause a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues (anemia), confusion, depression and a weakened immune system. A vitamin B-6 deficiency is usually coupled with deficiency in other B vitamins, such as folic acid (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-12. What Is Vitamin B6 Deficien...

Overview Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetic disorder in which white blood cells called phagocytes are unable to kill certain types of bacteria and fungi. People with CGD are highly susceptible to frequent and sometimes life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. People with chronic granulomatous disease may develop infections in their lungs, skin, lymph nodes, liver, stomach and intestines, or other areas. They may also develop clusters of white blood cells in infected areas. Most people are diagnosed with CGD during childhood, but some people may not be diagnosed until adulthood. Symptoms People with chronic granulomatous disease experience serious bacterial or fungal infection every few years. An infection in the lungs, including pneumonia, is common. People with CGD may develop a serious type of fungal pneumonia after being exposed to dead leaves, mulch or hay. It's also common for people with CGD to experience infections of the skin, liver, stomach and intes...