Sunday 11 August 2013

1st week pregnancy symptoms

 A Pregnancy Symptom


 A Pregnancy Symptom

Pregnancy symptoms vary among women. In addition, the symptoms you may get may be different from pregnancy to pregnancy. However, the good thing is that the symptoms are easy to recognize even if it's your first pregnancy. Let's take a look at the common symptoms that nudge you at the early stages of pregnancy.

Unusual Fatigue

This happens because your body has to work double hard to withstand the drastic changes occurring in it. There are raging hormones and a faster pumping heart to deal with, in order to nourish the growing fetus. The chief reason for you to feel extreme tiredness or dizziness in the beginning of pregnancy is the increased production of progesterone. Actually, it is a signal given by your body to indulge in extra hours of beauty sleep before you give birth, as you will requite more energy to take care of your baby after it's born.

Late Or Missed Period

If you have missed your period, then you could be pregnant. However, only a pregnancy test will confirm this. So, you should go to your doctor immediately or carry out a home pregnancy test.
NOTE: If the results are negative, then you should consult your doctor immediately. There might be some other cause for amenorrhea (absence of menstruation


Keep a track on weekly pregnancy progress. Know from experts!

Morning Sickness

Unlike its name, this pregnancy symptom may occur any time of the day. You feel nausea with or without vomiting. It happens due to high estrogen level. The common foods that trigger morning sickness are coffee, spicy foods, and dairy products. Many times, perfumes, household odors, and smoke may also make you sick.

Mood Swings

The mood swings that you are going to experience at this time would put a pendulum to shame! You may suddenly burst into tears without any reason. Some women get irritated easily. The high levels of hormones are the culprits of your unusual emotions.

Spotting And/Or Cramping

If you notice a spot of blood on your panties, then you might be pregnant. Spotting occurs in the early stage of pregnancy, about 10-14 days after fertilization, due to implantation. The fertilized egg gets implanted in the lining of the uterus. You may also experience cramps that are similar to menstrual cramps. It occurs at a very early stage when the uterus expands to accommodate the embryo.
The other symptoms are frequent urination, headaches, increased basal body temperature, and constipation.
NOTE: If your pregnancy test shows negative results despite the pregnancy symptom, then consult your doctor for the cause of the discussed symptoms. They might be the signs of some disease.

Saturday 3 August 2013

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)          


 Diseases & Related Conditions 
Molluscum lesions on an arm

Molluscum contagiosum papules
1.    Any woman can get BV. (BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS)


2.    Most people who have chlamydia don’t know it since the disease often has no symptoms.

3.    Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea.

4.    Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver                         transplantation.

5.    Genital herpes is a common STD, and most people with genital herpes infection do not knothey
       have it.

6.     Having an STD can make you more likely to get HIV.

7.     Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States.

8.     Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can lead to serious consequences including infertility.

9.     The sexual behaviors that spread syphilis also spread other STDs, like HIV.

10.  Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is easy to cure.

11.    Chancroid, scabies, and more.

Prevention

How You Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases

This page includes information about STD prevention, testing, and resources.

woman with laptop

Get the Facts

Take Control
You have the facts; now protect yourself and your sexual partners. Effective strategies for reducing STD risk include:

couple holding hands

Abstinence:   The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal or oral).

Vaccination:

girl being vaccinated

 Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent hepatitis B and HPV
  For males and females can protect against some of the most common types of HPV. It is best to get all   three doses (shots) before becoming sexually active. However,  HPV vaccines are recommended for all teen girls and women through age 26 and all teen boys and men through age 21, who did not get all three doses of the vaccine when they were younger.
if you were not vaccinated when you were younger. 

HPV Vaccines

Kids standing in a line at summer camp
HPV vaccines are given as a series of three shots over 6 months to protect against HPV infection and the health problems that HPV infection can cause. Two vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil) protect against cervical cancers in women. One vaccine (Gardasil) also protects against genital warts and cancers of the anus, vagina and vulva. Both vaccines are available for females. Only Gardasil is available for males.
HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys who receive all three vaccine doses and have time to develop an immune response before being sexually active with another person. That's why HPV vaccination is recommended for preteen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years.


Who else should get the HPV vaccine?
In addition to girls and boys aged 11 or 12 years, HPV vaccines are also recommended for teen boys and girls who did not get the vaccine when they were younger, teen girls and young women through age 26, as well as teen boys and young men through age 21.
The vaccine is also recommended for gay and bisexual men (or any man who has sex with a man). It is also recommended for men and women with compromised immune systems (including people living with HIV/AIDS) through age 26, if they did not get fully vaccinated when they were younger.
HPV Vaccine Safety
Photo of a three women taking a photo
All vaccines used in the United States are required to go through years of extensive safety testing before they are licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once in use, they are continually monitored for their safety and effectiveness.
There are two human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. These vaccines are available to protect females against the two HPV types that cause most cervical cancers. The safety of Gardasil was studied in clinical trials with 29,000 females and males before it was licensed. The safety of Cervarix was studied in clinical trials with more than 30,000 females and males before it was licensed.
Both HPV vaccines are currently being monitored for any adverse events, especially rare events not identified in the study trials.

couple embracing

Mutual monogamy:

Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with you. Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STDs. But you must both be certain you are not infected with STDs. It is important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner.


couple in grassy field

Reduced number of sex partners:

Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for STDs. It is still important that you and your partner get tested, and that you share your test results with one another.


condom

Condoms:

Correct and consistent use is highly effective in reducing STD transmission. Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Put Yourself to the Test

doctor and patient
Knowing your STD status is a critical step to stopping STD transmission. If you know you are infected you can take steps to protect yourself and your partners.
Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to test you for STDs — asking is the only way to know whether you are receiving the right tests. And don’t forget to tell your partner to ask a healthcare provider about STD testing as well.
Many STDs can be easily diagnosed and treated. If either you or your partner is infected, both of you need to receive treatment at the same time to avoid getting re-infected.
You can quickly find a place to be tested for STDs by entering your zip code in the form below.   

STDs & Pregnancy
Montage of pregnant women and families.  
When a woman is pregnant STDs can be more serious for her and her baby.
  • A pregnant woman with an STD can infect her baby before, during, or after the baby’s birth.
  • She may also have a miscarriage, early labor, or early rupture of the membranes surrounding the baby in the uterus leading to a premature birth.
  • Pregnant women should ask their doctors about getting tested for STDs because some doctors do not routinely perform these tests and many STDs have no symptoms.
STDs & Infertility

CDC Recommends Chlamydia Screening of All Sexually Active Women 25 and Under

Collage of people and an empty crib.
 Chlamydia and gonorrhea are important preventable causes of infertility. Untreated, about 10-15% of women with chlamydia will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and “silent” infection in the upper genital tract may cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues, which can lead to infertility.
  • An estimated 2.8 million cases of chlamydia and 718,000 cases of gonorrhea occur annually in the United States.
  • Most women infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms.
CDC recommends annual chlamydia screening for all sexually active females 25 and under and for women older than 25 with risk factors such as a new sex partner or multiple partners.

Expedited Partner Therapy

partners discussing prescriptions
 Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is the clinical practice of treating the sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea by providing prescriptions or medications to the patient to take to his/her partner without the health care provider first examining the partner.

Thursday 25 July 2013

7 Terrifying Things They Don't Tell You About Pregnancy

Thanks to sitcoms, romantic comedies and our mother's cuss-filled horror stories, we all know pregnancy is no walk in the park. In fact, pregnancy can cause some horrible, horrible things, like inny belly buttons temporarily turning into outies and ugly-people-making.
And then there's the stuff from a horror movie. Here are seven bizarre symptoms pregnant women experience prior to giving birth that would make the rest of us think we were dying of a disease they're going to name after us.

pregnant women, the number of weeks of pregnancy can usually hear ...     

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

In movies like Knocked Up, vomiting is a quick and tidy signal that the lady in question has a bun in the oven. Once she realizes what's going on, the nausea magically disappears, and our mother-to-be gets on with her wacky life crisis, right?


Anyone who's ever had a killer hangover or suffered through a raging flu has experienced the glory of constant nausea. Not just the throw-up-and-get-it-over-with kind of sick, the kind where everything that goes down comes back up in the form of Satanic bile. Everything. Every meal, every snack, even every sip of water or swallow of saliva. Even when you don't eat, you're treated to the dry heaves and the burps. You're so broken-down that all you want to do is go to bed and/or die.
Now, picture getting that sick after every meal of every day for nine solid months. Oh, and another thing -- picture that as the months progress, a rib-crushing basketball grows under your shirt, making your hourly face-down trips to the toilet an exercise in torture. Also, just for funsies, imagine you're also experiencing a host of other ailments, like heartburn, backaches, random bloody noses, loss of bladder control and a wicked case of the furious farts. If you can imagine all that, you've got hyperemesis gravidarum down pa
In the worst cases, extreme nausea lands moms-to-be in the hospital for dehydration, and nothing short of an IV can get them back into fighting shape. And even when someone does come up with a medicine to treat nausea, most ladies hesitate to medicate themselves while hosting a mini-human parasite. Especially since the last time a nausea medicine was widely prescribed, it left 10,000 kids around the world with severe birth defects.
#6
.
Metal Mouth
Anyone who's ever spent more than an hour around a pregnant woman already knows what hormones can do to an otherwise normal, reasonable person. When not sobbing over weight gain or the horrors of elastic waistbands, her heightened estrogen levels are also turning her body into a freak show. For example, in some cases extra estrogen is making the inside of the woman's mouth taste like a quarry.
To someone already suffering from a host of other ailments, the constant taste of penny suckage is not the best way to start the day. Plus, some prenatal vitamins make the metal taste worse. And it's not like you can skip out on the prenatal vitamins if you ever want to look your child in the eye (eyes, if you're lucky) later on. On the plus side, for most women suffering from metal mouth, the taste goes away after the first trimester. On the negative side, the best way to distract taste buds is with foods that are high in acid, which probably aren't going to be doing the maternal stomach any favors.


#5.
Relaxin

What starts out sounding like something the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff do in the summer actually suuuuucks when you're pregnant. As everyone knows, the most horrifying part of pregnancy isn't the changes your body goes through, it's the prospect of squeezing a person out of a lemon-sized orifice. Fortunately, that's where the hormone relaxin comes in. Relaxin is what gets the pelvic muscles all loosey-goosey in preparation for the big push. So, obviously, it's a good thing. Unfortunately, the hormone doesn't just confine itself to the nether regions; it's also what causes women's feet to grow by up to a whole shoe size during pregnancy, as the tendons that keep the bones in her feet together relax and start high-fiving the ground with every step.

But walking around with a permanent case of clown feet isn't the worst part of relaxin. The horror is that all that relaxin extends to your freakin' esophagus. As in, the one place that blocks stomach acid from shooting up into your throat hole. So if you're ever talking to a glowing mom to be and she gives a sudden, gurgled "GAHHARHGG," don't make fun. Her stomach contents just relaxed their way up into her mouth.


Speaking of relaxin, sometimes ladies get so much of it that their abdominal muscles relax the fuck off the belly. They just flat out vamanos from the the Front of the Stomach Club and separate. That's when a new gang shows up, the Ridge Going Down the Middle of Your Stomach Gang. That ridge? That's a uterus. Here's an illustration of one in action 

.
It's almost like the abdominal muscles are giving your body a preview of what's going to happen to your vagina in a few months. But where things really get disgusting is after the baby is long gone from its home womb. When a mom has a diastasis recti, her abdominal walls stay separated, but without a 7-pound person stretching them out. It looks, uh, sorry to do this, kind of like this:
Be sure to call your mom and say hello!

Gingivitis and Pregnancy "Tumors"There's an old wives' tale that says, "For every pregnancy, a woman loses a tooth."



It turns out that research found that, on average, women with children have fewer teeth than women without. As the levels of estrogen and progesterone climb higher, gums become more sensitive and often swell. They also bleed more easily, so the pearly white smile that normally follows a good tooth-brushing becomes a nasty red one.

    

Teeth by David Shankbone.jpg
In fact, according to one report, up to 75 percent of women suffer from gingivitis during their pregnancies. And since we're so jaded from hearing all about gingivitis on toothpaste commercials, we tend to forget what actual gingivitis looks like. Here you

BABY CARE

Here are some things you can do to make the transition into motherhood smooth.


1   Don't let yourself get completely frustrated. Keep yourself calm and your newborn baby will  stay calm.
Newborn Baby Care - How to Take Care of Newborns - Newborn Parenting ...







2 . All babies respond differently to certain situations. Your baby may not like to be held when   he/she wants to sleep. Other babies will only sleep if you hold them. Don't be afraid to figure out what is your baby wants. You will soon realize what your baby's cries mean.
3 Grandparents and friends will be more than wiling to help with the new baby and chores around  the house. Let them do it. This is a great opportunity for you to rest up. The help won't be last forever so take it while you can get it.

4 Babies love vibration. Having a bassinet or baby seat that vibrates will help your newborn baby fall asleep much faster. This puts the new mom and baby in much better moods when the baby is  awake.
 5  A rocking chair is a great way for new mothers to bond with their babies. Rocking your baby back and forth gently while looking into his/her eyes is one of the most relaxing times you will have with your newborn.
      
  6   Keep things organized as you go along. Wash bottles when baby is done eating. Put things in their proper place as soon as you are done with them. This will help tremendously in keeping your spirits  high .

  7  Follow your instincts. The instincts of a mother for her newborn baby is the strongest tool sh  has. Follow those instincts to the letter and your newborn.


 8 When your newborn baby feels secure, he/she will be much calmer. New moms can do this by  swaddling him/her in a blanket and responding quickly to his/her cries.
9. Forget feeding "schedules". Babies are hungry little people. If you put your baby on a feedi "schedule", you may find that baby is cranky more often. Feed your newborn when he/she wants to eat. When a human is hungry, he/she gets cranky. Babies are no different.
 10  Pacifiers are a great tool for new parents. Newborns need to suckle but it isn't always because the want to eat. When baby is sucking on a "binky" it helps him/her feel more secure. This means that baby will be more relaxed which will pass directly to you.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

CARE  FOR  HAIR  

HOME MADE TREATMENT

Eggs, yogurt and honey are, at first glance, all components of a tasty breakfast—but they also happen to be hair treatment ingredients, and affordable, all-natural ones at that. And they're not the only ones. Did you know, for instance, that the oils in avocados more closely resemble our own skin's oils than any product in the beauty aisle does? Or that the mild acidity in lemon is an effective—and gentler—alternative to chemical-laden products? Next time your locks need a lift, save money by using one of these kitchen fixes.
basket of fresh eggs

For All Hair    

Natural Beauty at Home. The yolk, rich in fats and proteins, is naturally moisturizing, while the white, which contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removes unwanted oils.

To Use: For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair, Cox says. Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from “cooking”) and shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.


For Dull Hair

 Styling products (as well as air pollution) can leave a film that both saps moisture and dulls shine—but dairy products like sour cream and plain yogurt can help reverse this damage.

To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied every other week..

For Itchy Scalp


 To fight flakes—brought on by poor diet, stress and climate, among other factors—try a lemon juice and olive oil mixture in your hair.
 To Use: Mix 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp water, and massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.

For Limp or Fine Hair
 To add body to hair, reach for an unlikely beauty beverage: beer! The fermented drink contains generous supplies of yeast, which works to plump tired tresses, explains Cox.

To Use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer (pour beer into a container and let it sit out for a couple of hours to deplete carbonation) with 1 tsp light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair.  Treatments can be applied every other week.

For Dry or Sun-Damaged Hair


 Whatever your hair-dehydrating demon—hard water, sun overexposure, your trusty flat iron—nature's sweetener can help.

To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application. For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can be applied once a month.

For Oily or Greasy hair.

To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.

For Frizzy Hair

Ripe Sliced Avocado Isolated on White Background
Home beauty experts swear by avocado—and not just to repair damaged hair. Its oils (which are light and moist like our own natural skin secretions) and proteins boast the best combination of nutrients for smoothing and weighing down unruly hair, 

To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

For Residue-Ridden Hair


 Sodium bicarbonate essentially breaks down anything acidic.

To Use: Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp baking soda with small amounts of water until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Monday 22 July 2013

How to cure from fever

Take your temperature

If your temperature is below 102°, no treatment is necessary beside waiting for the fever to pass.

Take an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) 
Follow directions on the packaging for doses. Aspirin can be taken, but it is not advised to give Aspirin to children younger than 18.


Cool down your body with targeted measures
Help your body fight the fever by: Taking a lukewarm shower or bath.Be sure to keep the water warm enough. Bathing in cold water may lower your core temperature too much.

Putting an ice pack or damp cloth on your forehead. This will cool your body down temporarily. You could also soak a washcloth in a bowl of cool water, then place it on your forehead.

Applying a damp cloth to legs, feet and neck. Only apply until the cloth is warm because excess application only makes the situation worse by causing shivering, thereby increasing the core body temperature.

Dress in light comfy clothes.Dress in something that is warm without being too warm. Avoid layers. If the fever causes the person to get the chills, drape him or her with an extra blanket for the time being.

Stay hydrated
Have the feverish person drink lots of water in order to stay properly hydrated.

Know when to call a doctor 
Most fevers pass quickly and uneventfully. Look for the following signs, seeking immediate medical attention if the person has:

  • A history of serious illness such as AIDS, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, or if the person is taking immunosuppressant drugs.
  • A fever above 103° F (39.4° C).
  • Feels extremely hot but is no longer sweating.
  • A stiff neck, is disoriented, or has trouble staying awake.
  • Severe pain in the lower abdomen or in the stomach.
  • Is repeatedly vomiting and passing diarrhea.
  • Skin rashes, blisters, or a red streak on an arm or leg.
  • Pain with urination, back pain, or shaking chills
  • Coughs up blood or has trouble bleeding.

Home Remedies From the Refrigerator

Drink plenty of liquids
Make sure to get lots of water in your system. If you feel good enough, try some Ginger Ale. This really feels cool and soothing on your throat. If you're over 21, enjoy a hot toddy made by adding honey, lemon, and whiskey to hot water (but don't take the whiskey if you are taking some Tylenol later. They should not mix).

Eat cold foods.
 Get a bowl of ice cream or a popsicle. This will take your temperature down. Don't worry about your diet; calories consumed while you are sick don't count. Your body is burning a ton of calories having a fever.
If you are having the reverse issue and experiencing the chills, you may want hot chocolate.

Add blackberry vinegar to water.
This is a great fever elixir, but it takes several days to prepare. Pour cider vinegar over a pound or two of blackberries, then cover the container and store it in a cool, dark place for three days. Strain for a day, since it takes time for all the liquid to drain from the berries, and collect the liquid in another container. Add 2 cups sugar to each 2 1/2 cups of juice. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes while you skim the scum off the top. Cool and store in an airtight jar in a cool place. Mix 1 teaspoonful with water to quench the thirst caused by a fever.

Drink fruit juice.
Any fruit juice, including lemonade, will replace the fluids lost through sweating.

Steep lettuce.
Pour a pint of boiling water over an entire head of lettuce and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten the liquid to your preferred taste. In addition to keeping you hydrated, this lettuce infusion may also help you sleep better.

Part Two: Remedies From the Cupboard

Soak garlic in hot water
Sip the contents slowly. This can reduce the chance of another fever and alleviate the symptoms of the current fever.

Take angelica root
If boiled and infused in water, this will help bring down a fever.

Add cream of tartar to liquid
Make a tea of 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 1/2 cups warm water, and 1/2 teaspoon honey. Drink this for 4 to 6 ounces at a time.

Eat fresh pineapple
Pineapple is not only an anti-inflammatory agent that can fight fever, but the juice also prevents dehydration.

Mix raisins in water
Put 3/4 cup chopped raisins in 7 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the water has been reduced by one-third. Drink a little of this several times a day to keep yourself hydrated during a fever.

Mix basil in tea
Mix 1 teaspoon basil with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Put the mixture into a cup of water and add 1 teaspoon honey. Drink this two to three times a day.

Enjoy oregano tea
 Steep 1 teaspoon each of oregano and marjoram in a pint of boiling water for 30 minutes. You can drink this warm a couple of times each day.

Friday 19 July 2013

How to Cure a Viral Infection with Home Remedies

Rest A viral illness is usually associated with fatigue and feeling generally unwell. This is your body telling you to rest. Take a few days away from your normal routine to give your immune system a chance to fight. Many people try to keep going, prioritizing work or study and consequently prolonging the course of the illness. The best advice is to allow yourself some time off.

Maintain your fluid intake. Viral symptoms such as fever, tiredness, and headache are much worse if you are dehydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during a viral illness. You will know you are hydrated if you are passing the usual amount of urine. Someone with a high fever requires more fluid due to the increased body temperature. Note the amount of fluids in and the the losses (e.g. vomiting, passing urine, loose stool)

Take herbal remedies. They may reduce the duration and severity of symptoms of viral illness (in particular colds and flu like illness) These include Zinc, vitamin C and echinacea. Some people take these supplements regularly to help prevent a viral infection.

Try over-the-counter analgesics to ease pain and fever. Paracetamol 1g every four to six hours for adults is a very effective way to manage a viral illness. Ibuprofen can be taken alone or in combination with paracetamol to allieviate the symptoms.

Eat well. Many people attest to the healing effects of hot chicken soup, or a nice bowl of minestrone soup.

Use humidifiers and vapor rub to improve congestion. There is no evidence to support the use of cough syrup.

Tips

  • Most common infections are viral. Antibiotic treatment is ineffective against a virus. If you suspect your infection may be caused by a viral illness stay home and engage the above steps (rest, fluids, simple pain relief). If there is no improvement in a few days, or symptoms are getting worse, then it may be time to see a doctor.
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise and a varied diet keeps your immune system strong.
  • Wash your hands regularly to prevent transmission of infections. If you are unwell, stay home and don't expose others to your virus, especially those who are very old, very young or very sick.

Warnings

  • Persisting high fever, hacking cough, or other severe symptoms should prompt a visit to your doctor. On occasion, a bacterial infection may develop.