Psoriasis is not a contagious disease but anyone who has it can tell you that it is not a pleasant thing to have. Skin cells are affected in this disorder. Red marks on the skin are only some of the symptoms. It is not uncommon for people to show Psoriasis wherever there is a large patch of dry skin like the back or the upper arms.

Origins of the Disease?

a chronic autoimmune disease is characterized by a faulty immune system. In essence, the body is too weak to manage the build up of skin cells because of the faulty immune system. Patchiness of the skin happens because new skin cells are being made without the older ones being sloughed off. the most common areas affected are the elbows and knees where the skin is naturally drier than the rest of the body. Silvery white appearance of skin patches is evident in these regions.

Psoriasis that results in skin plaques? Drying of the skin also happens around the genital region and result in the creation of plaques.

Coping With Psoriasis

Extensive moisturizing is needed if you are afflicted with this disorder. You can avoid getting Psoriasis even if one or more relative has it if you take care of your skin. Stay away from stress. Most patients also complain that Psoriasis becomes more frequent during stressful situations.

Environment may also be the trigger for the disease. if you are at risk of developing this disease, you need to protect yourself from the elements more.

Psoriasis symptoms differ from one person to another. if your diet and lifestyle is conducive to good skin health, then you’re keeping this disorder at bay.

Moisturization is the key to keeping the symptoms at bay. your bathing products must not cause allergies. Any skin irritation may trigger the disease. there are also a number of home remedies for Psoriasis that a person can find online.

Morning sunlight is not as damaging as afternoon sun so make sure you soak it up. do this daily. this can be a challenge if you’re terribly embarrassed about your disorder and would rather wear a jacket everyday to hide your skin.

Friday March 4, 2011

PITTSFIELD — Massachusetts health officials suspect they’ve identified a possible fifth case of measles in the state, and Berkshire health professionals say the county is at the ready should the highly contagious disease show up locally.

“We saw it with H1N1 [bird flu], which made it through from Mexico,” said James Wilusz of the Pittsfield Board of Health. “It doesn’t take long to get to a state of pandemic. There’s always a possibility [for the disease to reach the Berkshires], which is why we always preach prevention.”

Measles has been rarely seen in the United States in half a century. Doctors have been giving vaccinations for the disease since the late 1950s, and students are required to get two vaccinations before beginning school. Older Americans carry the antibodies from when the disease was more widely prevalent.

An employee of the French Consulate in Boston brought measles back to Massachusetts in January, the only confirmed case of the disease. since then, an additional four people in the state have been identified as having measles-like symptoms, the latest being a University of Massachusetts Boston professor.

Local officials are wary, but aren’t predicting an immediate threat here.

“Do I think it’s going to make it out here? I think the likelihood is very low,” said Dr. Philip Adamo, saying that the geographic distance mitigates much of the threat. “But if somebody in the Berkshires was in the same building as the [original patient], or rode the T when this woman did and they weren’t vaccinated, that would be the perfect storm.”

According to Adamo, measles is a condition that travels through airborne contact, including sneezing, coughing or breathing on other people. the main symptoms of the disease include fever, rashes, pinkeye, watery eyes, cough and white spots inside the mouth.

If left untreated, measles can lead to life-threatening respiratory and neurological conditions, including pneumonia, brain swelling and death. He said that with the U.S.’s history of vaccination, the most vulnerable people would be foreign-born residents, who might not have received one or both shots.

“This is a good way to educate people,” Adamo said. “It’s a very safe vaccine, so people shouldn’t worry about that.”

Wilusz said that with the county’s preparation for H1N1 and its connections with the federal government, the framework is in place to treat mass numbers if measles did somehow spread throughout the county.

When H1N1 was at its peak, Wilusz worked with the Berkshire Sheriff’s Department and the local school systems to divide the county into three coalitions.

These coalitions would then dispense vaccines or immune system-boosting treatments such as Immune Globulin, in the event someone was exposed.

“We always try to be as prepared as we possibly can — the board and I are in constant communication with emergency dispenser site plans, pandemic plans, continuation of operation plans,” Wilusz said. “We’re always doing our best to stay ahead of the curve.”

It is not a death-threatening ailment but it is a big source of discomfort caused by headache, fever and fatigue

Common cold, a viral infection involving the nose and throat is the most frequent illness in the world. It is estimated that children in preschool and elementary school could have six to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults have two to four colds per year.

The disease otherwise known as catarrh and medically referred to as a viral upper respiratory tract infection is a very contagious disease that could be caused by a number of different types of viruses. more than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause common cold, with rhinovirus causing approximately 30 to 35 percent of all adult colds. Other commonly implicated viruses include coronavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. due to so many different viruses that could cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them and it becomes a frequent and recurring problem.

Osas Omorogieva, a medical doctor with Ola Iya Specialist Hospital, Ojuelegba, Lagos, said the symptoms of the common cold typically begin two to three days after acquiring the infection. he explained that the symptoms  vary depending on the virus responsible for the infection and might include: nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, watery eyes, low-grade fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue. “The signs and symptoms of the aliment in infants and children are similar to those seen in adults. The cold may begin with a runny nose with clear nasal discharge, which later may become yellowish or greenish in color. Infants and children may also become more fussy and have decreased appetite. The symptoms of the common cold will typically last anywhere from four to 14 days, with most individuals improving in one week,” he said.

Infection is either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the airborne virus after individuals sneeze or cough. Person-to-person transmission often occurs when an individual who has a cold blows or touches his nose and then touches someone or something else. “A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions could subsequently become infected, often after his contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes or nose. A cold virus could live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects,” he said.

Common cold which occurs most frequently during the rainy season and harmattan period could occasionally lead to bacterial infections of the middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics. The cases of swollen glands, severe sinus pain, and a cough that produces mucus might indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a visit to the doctor.

Though some medical experts are of the opinion that one could get a cold from exposure to cold or overheated weather, studies have shown that there is no connection between common cold and cold temperatures. rather, it is thought that during cold weather people spend more time indoors in close proximity to each other, thus facilitating the spread of the virus. for this same reason, children in day care and school are particularly prone to acquiring the common cold.

However, there are several ways to prevent cold or passing it on to others. Omorogieva said because cold germs on the hands could easily enter the eyes and nose, hands should be kept away from those areas of the body and that if possible, avoid being close to people who have colds. “if you have a cold, avoid being close to people. Whenever you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth, and sneeze or cough into your elbow rather than your hand. Hand washing with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to keep from getting cold or giving it to others.

Medical experts claim that there is no cure for the common cold, but one could get relieved from cold symptoms by resting in bed, drinking plenty of fluids, gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays for a scratchy or sore throat, using petroleum jelly for a raw nose and taking aspirin or acetaminophen.

According to Ayodele Falase, a cardiologist, and former vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, several things, including lack of rest during the period when one has cold symptoms, can disrupt the workings of the heart muscles and subsequently lead to heart problems. “Individuals may not be able to do much about infection of the heart, but if you have cold or cold symptoms, go and rest. if you have cold and you want to jog it out, it could destroy the heart muscles. You need to rest during cold symptoms. when you rest, the heart gets better, the body gets better and then you can go on. these are some of the things that could ensure a healthy heart. Eating a good diet with low cholesterol content, controlling blood pressure, not overeating, weight control and exercising could also help to maintain a healthy heart,” he said.

A highly contagious disease, conjunctivitis is the swollenness or inflammation caused in the conjunctiva, a thin membrane which coats the front of the eyes. Also called ‘pink eye’ and ‘eye flu’, it is a condition when a person has sore eyes. Conjunctivitis is infectious and easily be transferable from one person to the other through direct contact. Symptoms for conjunctivitis are inflammation caused on the eyeball and underside of the eyelids. It also causes eye pain, burning, blured vision, feeling of dryness and discharge of a sticky fluid. On a severe stage, it also forms pus over and under the eyelid. the main cause of conjunctivitis is unhealthy and unhygienic state of living but since it is transferable, it may also be caused because of someone in the vicinity has it.

Read more on Weak Eyesight Treatment and Treatment of Redness in Eyes and also visit on Eye problem TreatmentSome facts about eye flu:1.  The disease is caused by virus infection like adenovirus, herpes, simples virus, myxovirus and pox virus.2.  The disease is highly infectious, so if somebody around you is infected there is high risk of you getting infected. So take proper care in order to avoid the infection.3.  There is a myth that the disease spreads just by looking into the eyes of an infected person. But this is not true.4.  If somebody touch the infected eyes the fingers gets infected and if these fingers comes in contact of other person’s eyes he may get infected.5.  One may also get infected from swimming pool also.Symptoms of Eye Flu:1.  Red, swollen eyes.2.  Watery discharge from eyes.3.  Severe etching in eyes and/or pain in eyes.4.  Blurring of vision.5.  Lid Swelling.6.  Feeling of discomfort.Read more on herbalcureindia.comPrevention of eye flu:1.  Avoid going to swimming pool which has regular chlorination of water.2.  Avoid shaking hands esp. with the infected person. Wash your hand with soap after handshake with infected person.3.  Clean your eyes with clean water 2-3 times a day.4.  Don’t use common towel or handkerchief.Treatment of eye flu:1.  Wear dark goggles.2.  Use anti-allergic eye drops three to four times a day.3.  Close your eyes and apply ice wrapped in a cloth over the eye lids.4.  The disease is usually self limiting and normally goes away in around three days.Home Remedy for Conjunctivitis:1.  One of the effective remedies for curing conjunctivitis is to mix 2 tsp. chamomile flowers and 1 tsp oregon grape root in 2 cups of boiling water. Once cooled, strain this mixture and use it as an eye wash.2.  Sliced potatoes would also be beneficial in curing conjunctivitis. Peel the potato and cut it into thin slices. Apply on the affected area of the eye.3.  Prepare a tea using goldthread leaves and use it as a eye wash. Not only does it cure the swollenness caused and the infection, it also relieves a person of the pain.4.  An excellent eye wash for treating conjunctivitis would be to prepare a decoction using handful of dried coriander in 60 ml of water. It relieves a person of the pain and lessens the swelling as well.

Hepatitis B is a contagious disease that attacks t&#104&#101&#32liver, and is the result of infection with the Hep&#97&#116&#105tis B virus. The severity of symptoms for Hepatiti&#115&#32&#66 ranges from a mild illness that may only last sev&#101&#114&#97l weeks, to a serious, permanent condition. Hepati&#116&#105&#115 B infection can be an “acute” or “chronic” illness: Acute Hepatitis B: A short-term illness that normally&#32&#109&#97nifests within the first 6 months exposure. It is &#112&#111&#115sible for a Hepatitis B infection to progress from&#32&#97&#99ute to chronic. Chronic Hepatitis B: A permanent, &#108&#111&#110g-term condition that can occur when the Hepatitis&#32&#66&#32virus remains in an infected person’s body. What are the symptom&#115&#32&#111f Hepatitis B? Symptoms of acute hepatitis B, if t&#104&#101&#121 appear, can vary widely. these acute symptoms can&#32&#105&#110clude:   What are the statistics for Hepatitis B?&#32&#73&#110 2006, there were an estimated 46,000 new Hepatiti&#115&#32&#66 virus infections in the United States. however, t&#104&#101&#32official number of reported Hepatitis B cases is m&#117&#99&#104 lower than the actual number of infected people. &#77&#97&#110y people may not have symptoms and don’t know they are infected,&#32&#116&#104erefore never seeking the attention of medical or &#112&#117&#98lic health officials. How common is chronic Hepati&#116&#105&#115 B in the US? in the United States, an estimated 8&#48&#48&#44000 to 1.4 million persons have chronic Hepatitis &#66&#32&#118irus infection. How is Hepatitis B transmitted? Th&#101&#32&#72epatitis B infection is spread when blood, semen, &#111&#114&#32other body fluid that is infected with the hepatit&#105&#115&#32B virus enters the body of a person who is not inf&#101&#99&#116ed. People can become infected with the virus duri&#110&#103&#32activities such as:   who is at increased risk fo&#114&#32&#72epatitis B? Although anyone can get hepatitis B, s&#111&#109&#101 people are at greater risk, such as those who:  &#32&#72&#111w do I prevent Hepatitis B from happening to me? T&#104&#101&#32best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting the &#104&#101&#112atitis B vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe &#97&#110&#100 effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over &#97&#32&#54-month period. Most residents of the United States&#32&#97&#114e now required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis &#66&#32&#98efore attending college. If you have been vaccinat&#101&#100&#32against Hepatitis B you do not need any further He&#112&#97&#116itis B testing. Can you get tested for Hepatitis B&#63&#32&#89es – there are many different blood tests available to diagnose &#104&#101&#112atitis B. since Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg&#41&#32&#105s a protein on the surface of the Hepatitis B viru&#115&#44&#32it can be detected in the blood during acute or ch&#114&#111&#110ic Hepatitis B virus infection. getSTDtested.com o&#102&#102&#101rs a blood test for Hepatitis B, which you can tes&#116&#32&#102or at any of our over 2,000 local medical centers &#97&#99&#114oss the US. How soon do symptoms of Hepatitis B ap&#112&#101&#97r after infection? For most, Hepatitis B symptoms &#97&#112&#112ear 90 days (or 3 months) after exposure, but symp&#116&#111&#109s can appear any time between 6 weeks and 6 months&#32&#97&#102ter exposure to the Hepatitis B virus. Is there a &#118&#97&#99cine or treatment for Hepatitis B? Yes, there is a&#32&#118&#97ccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine series is a sequenc&#101&#32&#111f shots that stimulate a person’s natural immune system to prote&#99&#116&#32against HBV (Hepatitis B Virus). after the vaccine&#32&#105&#115 given, the body makes antibodies that protect a p&#101&#114&#115on against the virus. An antibody is a substance f&#111&#117&#110d in the blood that is produced in response to a v&#105&#114&#117s invading the body. these antibodies are then sto&#114&#101&#100 in the body and will fight off the infection if a&#32&#112&#101rson is exposed to the hepatitis B virus in the fu&#116&#117&#114e. who should be vaccinated for Hepatitis B? Hepat&#105&#116&#105s B vaccination is CDC recommended for: in order t&#111&#32&#114each individuals at risk for hepatitis B, vaccinat&#105&#111&#110 is also recommended for anyone in or seeking trea&#116&#109&#101nt from the following: when should someone get the&#32&#72&#101patitis B vaccine? The hepatitis B vaccine for Chi&#108&#100&#114en and Adolescents: all children should get their &#102&#105&#114st dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and comple&#116&#101&#32the vaccine series by 6-18 months of age. all chil&#100&#114&#101n and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who&#32&#104&#97ve not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vacci&#110&#97&#116ed. “Catch-up” vaccination is recommended for children and adolescents who wer&#101&#32&#110ever vaccinated or who did not get the entire vacc&#105&#110&#101 series.The hepatitis B vaccine for Adults: any ad&#117&#108&#116 who is at risk for hepatitis B virus infection or&#32&#119&#104o wants to be vaccinated should talk to a health p&#114&#111&#102essional about getting the vaccine series.while we&#32&#114&#101commend everyone get vaccinated for Hepatitis B af&#116&#101&#114 testing negative, at this time we can only offer &#116&#104&#101 Hepatitis B Test and not the vaccine. Get tested &#116&#111&#100ay!