Addressing symptom relief of optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis
Genital Herpes: When Is It Contagious? Is It Forever?
backQuestion:I just found out I have genital herpes. Does this mean I'll always have it? What should I tell my partner?
Answer:You're definitely contagious when you've got an outbreak, and probably for a few days before. Unfortunately, a few people are contagious between outbreaks, even if they don't have symptoms, and there isn't an easy way to find out who those folks are. However, normally speaking, if you don't have symptoms or lesions, you're probably not contagious.
It's important to get new sores in the genital area checked right away: it's easier to diagnose problems when they can be seen, and if your initial outbreak is treated early, you're less likely to get recurrences. Most folks who get herpes only get one outbreak, and those who get multiple outbreaks don't get many. Folks who get lots of outbreaks can suppress them with oral medications taken daily.
I know it's not much consolation, but herpes is a very common condition; the majority of American adults have it. And though the virus may always be in your body, chances are it won't be a major problem.
By Dr. Flash Gordon
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Heart Attacks Could Be Contagious
by MARTYN HALLE
Scientists claim that people who have been made ill by a flu-like bug could be at higher risk of heart disease.
A growing number of studies into bacteria point to a link with heart attacks, but as yet there has been no firm evidence to prove conclusively that catching a bug puts us at risk.
But if it is true then a course of antibiotics could prevent heart disease or reduce the risk to patients already affected.
The latest research on heart disease and bacteria comes from the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. Its doctors found very high levels of bacteria in plaque that was blocking the arteries of mice.
The damage was similar to plaques found in the diseased arteries of humans.
Scientists exposed the mice to chlamydia, a pneumonia-like bacterial infection of the lungs, and found it travelled through the bloodstream to the heart.
The researchers also discovered that mice lacking a protein called IL10 had arteries 20 times more clogged than other mice.
The theory underlining the link between bacteria and heart disease is the belief that bacterial infections cause an inflammation to the walls of arteries and enlarge any plaques sticking to artery walls, reducing the blood flow and increasing the likelihood of a clot.
Doctors supporting the bacterial link to heart disease, point to the fairly recent discovery that cancer of the stomach and ulcers are caused by a bug called helicobacter pylori.
Professor Juan Kaski, a cardiologist at St George's Hospital, London is carrying out a number of research projects into bacteria and their effect on circulation.
'I wouldn't want to detract from all the sound research that has linked poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and excess drinking as a cause of coronary disease,' he says.
'But there is evidence that bacteria might play a contributory role.'
In a study just about to be published, Professor Kaski looked at 72 patients who were treated by their GPs for the chlamydia infection and found that those given antibiotics were four to five times less likely to go on to have a heart attack.
In a seven-year review of 46,000 patients in the UK, researchers found that patients prescribed anitbiotics were 50 pc less likely to have heart attacks than those who received no treatment.
{"status":"error","code":"499","payload":"Asset id not found: readcomments comments with assetId=826, assetTypeId=1"}How Long Is Bronchitis Contagious?
Bronchitis is usually contagious for a few days. The length of time it's contagious depends on the cause, ranging from 24 hours for bacterial bronchitis in children to 7 days for bronchitis caused by certain viral infections.
Bronchitis is a respiratory infection that develops when viruses, bacteria, or certain substances irritate and inflame the bronchial tubes in your lower airways. This condition usually comes with a dry but productive cough, and it's usually contagious.
The amount of time bronchitis may be contagious depends on its cause. Bacterial bronchitis in children may be contagious for only 24 hours, while bronchitis resulting from a viral infection may be contagious for a week or longer.
If you have acute bronchitis caused by a virus or bacteria, you can pass the infection to others through the mucus you cough up and into the air around you.
Chronic bronchitis, which is typically the result of long-term toxin exposure such as cigarette smoking, is not usually contagious.
This article will review when bronchitis is contagious, for how long, and how you can avoid transmitting or contracting an infection that can cause bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis infections are usually caused by viruses and less often by bacteria. Both viral and bacterial respiratory infections are contagious, meaning you can transmit the infection to people around you.
Viral and bacterial respiratory diseases usually spread from one person to another through tiny particles in the air or through contact with mucus that contains the virus or bacteria. How contagious your infection is depends on what caused it and how susceptible the people around you are to infection.
People with weakened immune systems are most sensitive to infections and may be able to contract viral and bacterial infections when other people are no longer susceptible.
Viral infections that can cause bronchitis are usually contagious for a few days.
For example, if your bronchitis was caused by an infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it will probably be contagious for 3–8 days, including the day or two before you started showing symptoms.
If you have bronchitis resulting from the flu, it could be contagious for 5–7 days after you contracted the infection, including about 1 day before you showed any symptoms.
Bacterial bronchitis is less common and doesn't necessarily need treatment with antibiotics.
In children, these infections tend to last longer and may be called protracted bacterial bronchitis. This condition can require antibiotic treatment for as long as 2 weeks, at which time the coughing resolves.
A dry-sounding productive cough that brings up mucus is the main symptom of bronchitis, regardless of whether it's caused by a viral or a bacterial infection.
Other symptoms you might experience, depending on the type of infection that caused your bronchitis, include:
Many of the respiratory viruses and bacteria that lead to bronchitis spread though contact with a surface or substance that carries the pathogen.
Most of the time, these germs travel from one person to another in tiny droplets that are propelled through the air or onto surfaces by a cough or sneeze.
Wearing a face mask when you are sick can help you avoid spreading respiratory viruses and other pathogens to others. It can also prevent you from contracting viruses from people around you.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests washing your hands and avoiding close contact with people who are sick to avoid contracting respiratory infections.
Bronchitis is an inflammation in your airway that develops from a viral or bacterial respiratory infection. It is possible for an infection to transfer from person to person, but basic infection prevention measures, such as washing your hands and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, can help you stay healthy.
You may want to take additional infection prevention measures if you know you have a health condition or take any medications that can weaken your immune system.
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