HealthyLife Articles

Tag: infection

The Abcs Of Hepatitis

MEDICAL NEWS

Millions of Americans are living with hepatitis today, and many don’t know they have it. Hepatitis can be serious and can lead to lifelong health problems. To help fight this dangerous disease, it’s important to know how it is spread and what you can do to prevent it.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Without the liver, the body cannot process nutrients, fight infection, or filter the blood. Hepatitis can make someone very sick. Some people with viral hepatitis can get liver cancer or severe scarring of the liver, known as cirrhosis.

How does someone get hepatitis?

The three most common types of viral hepatitis are spread in different ways:

* Hepatitis A can spread if a person eats or drinks something that has been contaminated with the virus. A person with hepatitis A spreads the virus through their stool.

* Hepatitis B can spread when blood, semen or other body fluids from an infected person get into the body of another person. This can happen during childbirth, sexual contact, getting tattoos or piercings, sharing needles or medical equipment, or sharing personal items, such as razors.

* Hepatitis C spreads through blood. Sharing needles or personal equipment that comes into contact with blood is the main way it gets spread. It may also spread during sexual contact. Like hepatitis B, Hep C can infect a baby during childbirth if the mother has it.

How do I prevent hepatitis?

Many people don’t have symptoms of hepatitis and don’t know they are infected. This means they can spread it to others without knowing it.

The best ways to help prevent the spread of hepatitis are:

* Getting the vaccine, if needed. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B.

* Getting screened for hepatitis if you are at risk and getting treatment when available.

* Being aware of risk factors and avoiding them whenever possible. This may include not sharing needles or other personal equipment as listed on this page. Use latex condoms during sexual activity.

Is there a cure for viral hepatitis?

Most people who get hepatitis A will recover after a few weeks or months. People with hepatitis B may need to be checked regularly for liver damage, and the infection may be lifelong. Hepatitis C can often be cured with today’s advanced medications.

Ask your doctor if you are at risk for hepatitis and whether you should be screened or vaccinated.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
5 Ways To Protect Against Infections

General Health Conditions

As part of your community, be responsible to prevent getting and spreading infections.

1. Wash your hands often.

2. Get a yearly flu vaccine. Stay up to date with COVID-19 booster shots. Get complete lists of vaccines atcdc.gov/vaccinesthat you and your children need. Follow your doctor’s advice for vaccines. Getting recommended vaccines save millions of lives and prevent millions of illnesses.

3. Stay home when you are sick.

4. Keep foods safe to eat. Use clean hands, surfaces, and utensils. Store food that can spoil below 40° F and higher than 140° F.

5. Practice safer sex to help prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Take Action: Proper Handwashing

1. Use clean water and soap. Lather your hands all over and under your nails.

2. Spend 20 seconds each time. (Hum “Happy Birthday” twice.)

3. Rinse your hands with clean running water.

4. Dry your hands with an air drier or clean towel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bites On The Hand That Feeds It

SELF-CARE CORNER

More than 4 million people are bitten by dogs and cats each year. And orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Kennedy said all bites to the hand should receive medical care, although he says most people are reluctant to see a doctor.

Animal saliva contains a broad range of bacteria. Adult dog jaws, especially among larger breeds, can bite with a force of more than 300 pounds, and when combined with the variety and sharpness of their teeth can cause significant injuries to hand and finger ligaments, tendons, and bones.

Cats do not have the jaw strength of dogs, but their sharp, narrow teeth also can cause serious injury. Up to half of cat bites get infected.

Signs of infection:

* Redness

* Swelling

* Pain that worsens

* Fever

If a bite occurs:

* Inspect the hand carefully for any puncture wounds. Even a small wound can inject lethal bacteria under the skin.

* If there is a puncture wound of any size, wash it as soon as possible with soap and water. Then seek medical advice.

* Get immediate medical attention if you see redness, feel increasing pain over time, or see red streaking up the hand or arm (or along a tendon). These are signs of a serious infection.

Antibiotics are often given to reduce the chance of infection. More serious bites may need surgery to clean the wound.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bronchitis

Respiratory conditions

Acute bronchitis is swelling of the air passages of the lung. Chronic bronchitis is swelling of the air passages of the lung that persists for a long time or occurs again and again.

Acute Bronchitis

Signs & Symptoms

* A cough starts out dry. Then mucus or phlegm come with the cough. Hoarseness or a sore throat can also occur.

* Chills. Fever less than 102ºF.

* Feeling of pressure behind the breastbone or a burning feeling in the chest.

These symptoms can last from 3 days to 3 weeks. They go away when the acute episode is over.

Causes

* A viral or bacterial infection.

* Pollutants, such as smog.

These attack the mucus membranes within the windpipe or air passages in your respiratory tract leaving them red and inflamed. Acute bronchitis often develops after a cold or other respiratory infection.

Treatment

Most of the time, this type is caused by a virus and goes away without treatment. Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe:

* Bronchodilators. These medicines open up air passages in the lungs.

* An antibiotic if you smoke, are older than age 40, or if you have a condition or take medication that makes it hard for you to fight infections.

Chronic Bronchitis

Signs & Symptoms

* A cough with mucus or phlegm for 3 or more months at a time. This occurs for more than 2 years in a row.

* Shortness of breath with exertion (in early stages).

* Shortness of breath at rest (in later stages).

Many people, most of them smokers, develop emphysema (destruction of the air sacs) with chronic bronchitis. This is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Causes

* Cigarette smoking. This is the most common cause.

* Air pollution.

* Repeated infections of the air passages in the lungs.

Chronic bronchitis causes permanent damage to the respiratory tract. It can make you more prone to respiratory infections like acute bronchitis and pneumonia. Chronic bronchitis is not contagious.

Treatment

* Not smoking. Avoiding secondhand smoke.

* Avoiding or reducing exposure to air pollution, chemical irritants, and cold, wet weather.

* Medical treatment as needed, for airway infections and heart problems.

* Oxygen, as prescribed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.

* Reduce your exposure to air pollution. Use air conditioning, air filters, and a mouth and nose filter mask if you have to. Stay indoors during episodes of heavy air pollution.

* Rest. Drink plenty of liquids.

* Breathe air from a cool-mist vaporizer. Bacteria grows in vaporizers, so clean your unit after each use. Breathing in mist with bacteria can make bronchitis worse. Use distilled (not tap) water in the vaporizer.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for fever, pain, and/or inflammation as directed.

* Instead of cough suppressants, use expectorants.

* Use bronchodilators and/or take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.

Resources

American Lung Association

800.LUNG.USA (586.4872)

www.lungusa.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Clean Contacts Matter

SELF-CARE CORNER

If you wear contact lenses, it’s important to keep them clean and care for them properly. Not taking care of your contact lens could cause an eye infection known as keratitis, which can cause serious eye problems. The CDC says 988,000 people had keratitis in 2010. The biggest risk factor was improper care of contact lenses.

You can greatly reduce your risk of this infection by doing the following things each day:

* Wash your hands with soap and water before inserting or removing your lenses.

* Use only sterile contact lens solution and disinfectant. Don’t use water, saliva, or other liquids to store or rinse your lenses.

* Gently rub your lenses with disinfectant daily.

* Remove your lenses before showering, swimming and sleeping.

* Use fresh solution every day. Dump out all the old solution.

* Don’t wear lenses longer than directed. For instance, some disposable contacts are designed to be worn for one day. Some can be worn for several weeks or longer. Ask your eye care professional if you’re not sure.

* Don’t use expired solution or contacts.

* Replace your contact lens case every three to six months.

Source: The American Academy of Ophthalmology

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Cellulitis

Skin Conditions

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and tissues below it. Most often, cellulitis occurs on the arms and legs or on the face.

Signs & Symptoms

* Red, swollen, painful, tender, and warm skin.

* Red lines that spread from the wound.

* Swollen lymph nodes near the wound.

* Chills and fever.

Causes

Cellulitis is caused by several types of bacteria. These usually enter the body through minor skin breaks (cuts, burns, other wounds). One cause for cellulitis that recurs is community-acquired MRSA (Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus.)

Treatment

Oral, topical, and/or IV antibiotics are given. The type(s) used depend on how serious the infection is. Medicine to relieve pain may be needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Prevent Cellulitis

* Keep your skin clean and protect it from injury.

* Clean cuts, scrapes, and other skin wounds and injuries, thoroughly, with soap and water. Keep wounds and sores clean, dry, and covered until healed.

* To help prevent community-acquired MRSA, avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages in schools, health care settings and sports. Do not share towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with an infected wound or bandage. Shower right after sporting events, workouts, etc.

To Treat Cellulitis

* Follow your treatment plan. Take all of your prescribed antibiotic(s).

* Take pain relievers as directed.

* Rest the affected area. Elevate it to reduce swelling.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Is It The Flu?

MEDICAL NEWS

Influenza, or the flu, circulates every winter and leaves thousands of people sick with a cough, aches, fever, and fatigue. The flu is much more serious than a cold: thousands of people die each year from flu-related complications. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have the flu until it’s too late. By then, they may have exposed people at work, school, or other public places. Here’s how to know if you have the flu, or just a cold:

When you come down with a cold, your symptoms usually appear very gradually over a few days. They often start with a sore throat followed by a runny nose. The flu often hits hard, very quickly. Symptoms appear suddenly and the exhaustion and aches can quickly become severe.

If in doubt, try to stay home and stay away from others when you’re sick. In particular, try to avoid exposing young children and older adults, who may be more likely to suffer from flu-related problems. Wash your hands frequently and encourage others in your household to do the same.

If you think you have the flu, call your doctor right away. You may be able to take an antiviral medication (brand name: Tamiflu), which can decrease your symptoms and the amount of time you are sick. Antiviral medications should be taken within 48 hours of the start of symptoms.

Finally, talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot each year: it’s the number one way to help avoid getting – and spreading – the flu!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Diarrhea

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Diarrhea occurs when body wastes are discharged from the bowel more often and in a more liquid state than usual.

Signs & Symptoms

* Frequent watery, loose stools.

* Cramping or pain in the abdomen.

Causes

Common causes are infections that affect the digestive system, food allergies, overuse of laxatives or alcohol, and taking some antibiotics. Diarrhea is also a symptom of lactose intolerance, diverticulitis, food poisoning, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Treatment

Self-care usually treats diarrhea. The goal is to replace lost fluids and minerals to prevent dehydration.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* If vomiting is also present, treat for vomiting first.

* To prevent dehydration:

– Drink plenty of water and other fluids, such as sports drinks, broths, and Kool-Aid (which usually has less sugar than soda).

– Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

– Avoid having high “simple” sugar drinks, like apple juice, grape juice, and sodas. These can make the diarrhea persist. Or, dilute juices and sodas with water.

If you have signs of dehydration seek medical care. Until you get care, drink fluids:

* Broths and sports drinks.

* For children less than 2 years old, give over- the-counter mixtures, such as Pedialyte as advised by their doctors.

* If you breast-feed, give only as much milk as your baby wants. Feed every 2 hours.

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

* Choose foods that don’t upset your stomach.

* Do not have foods that are greasy, high in fiber, or very sweet.

* Avoid milk, but try yogurt that has live cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus (unless you are lactose intolerant).

* Follow a light diet. Eat foods that are easy to digest, such as:

– Bananas.

– Plain rice.

– Boiled potatoes.

– Toast.

– Crackers.

– Cooked carrots.

– Baked chicken without the skin or fat.

– Soups with vegetables and noodles or rice.

* Don’t exercise too hard.

* Adults can try an over-the-counter medicine, such as Imodium A-D or Pepto-Bismol. Follow the directions on the label. {Note: Stools can become black after taking Pepto- Bismol. Also, do not give aspirin or any medication that has salicylates, such as Pepto- Bismol, to anyone under 19 years of age, due to the link to Reye’s syndrome.}

* Wash your hands after you go to the toilet and before you prepare food. Use paper towels to dry your hands. Throw the towels away.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)www2.niddk.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Nail The Infection

SELF-CARE CORNER

Despite the wealth of over-the-counter products available that claim to treat fungal nail infections (in the toenails and sometimes in the fingernails), the only way to cure an infection is to see a skin doctor (a dermatologist).

Over-the-counter topical medications don’t penetrate the nail and therefore aren’t as effective as oral prescriptions. A dermatologist can prescribe the proper drugs to get rid of the fungi that are the problem in yellowing and misshapen nails.

One of the best ways to deal with fungal nail infections is to prevent them from happening. The fungi love warm, damp environments around swimming pools and gym locker rooms-and inside your warm, sweaty socks.

The best way to nail a nail infection is to keep your feet clean and dry and wear sandals in public shower areas.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Earaches

Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

Signs & Symptoms

* Mild to severe ear pain.

* Feeling of fullness or discomfort in the ears.

* Tugging at the ear and restlessness in young children.

* Ear pain.

* Some hearing loss.

* Blood or other discharge from the ear (especially after sticking an object in the ear or exposure to extremely loud noise).

Causes

The most common cause of earaches is plugged Eustachian tubes. These go from the back of the throat to the middle ear. Fluid or pressure in a plugged Eustachian tube causes pain. This is caused by an infection of the middle ear, a cold or sinus infection, or allergies. Other things that can cause ear pain include changes in air pressure in a plane, something stuck in the ear, too much earwax, tooth problems, and ear injuries.

Treatment

Treatment includes pain relievers and methods to dry up or clear the blocked ear canal. Self-care can be used to treat many earaches. Severe and/or constant ear pain needs a medical diagnosis. Often, antibiotics are not needed for middle ear infections in children. About 8 in 10 children with ear infections get better without antibiotics. Let your child’s doctor decide if and when an antibiotic should be prescribed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Help Prevent Ear Pain

* Don’t put cotton-tipped swabs, bobby pins, etc., in your ears. This could damage the eardrum.

* Don’t blow your nose with too much force.

* If you can, avoid places that have very loud noises (construction sites, etc.). Wear earplugs when exposed to loud noises.

* Keep the volume on low when using stereos, compact discs (CDs), etc. If someone else can hear the music when you are listening to one of these devices with earphones, the volume is too loud.

To Avoid Getting “Swimmer’s Ear”

* Wear wax or silicone earplugs.

* Wear a bathing cap.

* Don’t swim in dirty water. Swim on the surface not underneath the water.

* Use an over-the-counter product, such as Swim-Ear, as directed.

To Reduce Ear Pain

* Place a warm washcloth next to the ear. Some health professionals recommend putting an ice bag or ice in a wet washcloth over the painful ear for 20 minutes.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed on the label.

To Open Up the Eustachian Tubes and Help Them Drain

* Sit up. Prop your head up when you sleep.

* Yawn. This helps move the muscles that open the Eustachian tubes.

* Chew gum or suck on hard candy. (Do not give to children under age 5.) This tip is especially helpful during pressure changes that take place during air travel, but can also help if you wake up with ear pain.

* When traveling by air, stay awake when the plane takes off and lands. Wear ear plugs.

* Take a steamy shower.

* Use a cool-mist vaporizer, especially at night.

* Drink plenty of cool water.

* Gently, but firmly, blow through your nose while holding both nostrils closed until you hear a pop. This can be done several times a day.

* If okay with your doctor, take a decongestant to help relieve the swelling that causes the pain. (Don’t use a nasal spray decongestant for more than 3 days unless directed by your doctor.)

* When you give a baby a bottle, hold the baby in an upright position.

To Treat a Mild Case of “Swimmer’s Ear”

The goal is to clean and dry the outer ear canal without doing further damage to the top layer of skin.

* Shake the head to expel trapped water.

* Dry the ear canal. Get a clean facial tissue. Twist each corner into a tip and gently place each tip into the ear canal for 10 seconds. Repeat with the other ear using a new tissue.

* Use an over-the-counter product, such as Swim-Ear. Drop it into the ears to fight infection. Follow package directions.

* Do not remove earwax. This protects the ear canal.

For an Insect in the Ear

Shine a flashlight into the ear. Doing this may cause the insect to come out.

Resources

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

800.241.1044

www.nidcd.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026