Halton residents urged to get niggling coughs checked

1:20pm Monday 5th December 2011 in News

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(1)

A NIGGLING cough you’ve had for more than three weeks could be a sign of lung cancer, warn health chiefs.

Lung cancer remains the second most common cancer in the UK, after breast cancer, with more than 100 people being diagnosed with the disease every day.

Dr Mel Forrest, a GP who specialises in early detection of cancer at NHS Halton, said: “The symptoms of lung cancer are normally a cough, breathlessness and particularly worryingly, coughing up blood.

“Any changes like this you should get checked out.

“To reduce the death rate from cancer and to save lives, we need to detect cancer in its early stages.

“Cancer is not a life sentence. if it is picked up early, it is treatable and that’s what we want people to understand. not to be frightened of the word cancer but if there’s a suspicion, get it checked.”

I started coughing really badly for a few days now. Before that I have some symptoms and I'm just now reading about whooping cough. I'm just wondering if there's a good chance that I have whooping cough b/c unlike ordinary coughs, I've started having a little bit of pain in my left shoulder/neck. I've read a few articles but it doesn't say anything about shoulder pains only chest/breastbone pains are symptoms. Any ideas? thanks!

STD SYMPTOMS/TESTING FOR WOMEN

STDTESTINGFORWOMEN.com CONFIDENTIAL, DISCREET, FREE DOCTOR CONSULTATION. CALL 1-877-222-3169 24/7 HELP OPERATORS STANDING BY. QUESTIONS ABOUT STD TESTING OR SYMPTOMS WE ARE HERE TO HELP. STDTESTINGFORWOMEN.com std symptoms gonorrhea symptoms std infections symptoms of stds stds symptoms std chlamydia gonorrhea women std syphilis testing for stds gonorrhea symptom symptoms of chlamydia treatment for chlamydia gonorrhea local std testing syphilis symptoms for women vaginal std genital warts symptoms syphilis testing std herpes symptomsVideo Rating: 3 / 5

explains the prevention, causes, symptoms, modes of transmission, and treatment of hepatitis C.Lung Cancer Patient Coughs Up 38 Dead Tumors on Natural Mineral Protocal

Another Joe, While Recovering from Lung and Hip Cancer (Lipposarcoma) and given a grim prognosis with no hope to recover. after a few weeks, the lung cancer started to die and he started to cough out the dead tumors. (He coughed up about 38 tumors. This has also happened and is happening to others right now with this same protocol) He had a tumor on his hip that was there for 20 years that also reduced in size. He says “The pain was gone within 3 days” of starting this program. This protocal has also shown to help with alleviation of symptoms of: ADHD, Allergies, Aneurysm, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Autism, Back & Joint Pain, Bells Palsy, Bi-Polar, Brain Damage, Bursitis, Candida Yeast, Cerebral Palsy, Chemical Poisoning, Cholesterol, Chronic Fatigue, Colds and Flu, Cyst & Fibroids, Diabetes, Diverticulosis, Down’s Syndrome, Drug Addiction, Eczema, Endurance, Epstein Barre, Fibroids, Fibromyalgia, Fungus – Nail, Toe etc., Glaucoma, Gout, Grave’s Disease, Guillian Barre, Headaches, Hearing Loss, Heart Conditions, Hemorrhoids, Hepatitis C, Hormone Imbalance, Huntington’s Disease, Hypertension, Inflammation, Injuries, Irritable Bowel, Joint Pain, Kidney Stones, Leg Cramps, Lung Disease, Lung Nodules, Lupus, Lymes, Manic Depression, Mental Clarity, Multiple Conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, Nail Weakness, Neck Pain, Neurological Conditions, Osteoporosis, Ovarian Conditions, Parasitic Conditions, Parkinson’s, PMS & related, Poisoning, Polyps, Pregnancy, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid …Video Rating: 4 / 5

explains the prevention, causes, symptoms, modes of transmission, and treatment of hepatitis C. Orignal from: STD SYMPTOMS/TESTING FOR WOMEN

 Health Home >>  >>   Written by: MARILYN LINTON, Special to QMI Agency Feb. 28, 2011As winter drags on, so does that scratching in your throat – so at what point should you worry?

Bark, hack, sputter, rattle, whoop! Sure, coughs are a normal part of having a cold or flu, but when should you see a doctor about that hacking, and what might your particular cough (wet, dry, phlegmy) say about you? As for cough medicine, should you believe all the hype in the ads – or can a teaspoon of honey do the trick as well as a $15 bottle from your local pharmacy?

Coughing is the most common symptom for which patients seek medical attention, says Dr. Robert Hyland, a respirologist at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital. “Coughing is common but it can also be a very significant symptom of something else.” even animals cough occasionally to clear their throats or airways, but excessive coughing that continues long after having a cold should be investigated.

AdWell people who get a cough that lasts longer than six weeks usually have a post-viral cough, explains Dr. Hyland, who is also past-president of the Ontario Thoracic Society: “You get an infection and it goes into your chest. you get a cough, get sort of better and, though you have no fever and the sputum goes away, you are still coughing. In some cases this is an indication that this person has very mild asthma.”

A virus, he explains, can attack the tracheal bronchial lining; the cells can become damaged and the lining inflamed. “The irritation causes coughing and the more you cough, the more you irritate it. It’s a vicious cycle. Sometimes, whether someone is asthmatic or not, treatment with anti-inflammatory inhalers can interrupt the cycle.”

Coughs are known as productive if they produce phlegm or mucus. “The common belief is that the greener the mucus is, the more likely it is to be a bacterial infection and therefore the more likely antibiotics would be of benefit,” says Dr. Hyland. “But that’s not always true, as you can have greeny phlegm with a viral infection.”

A productive cough can also be a classic sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. People who have COPD have enough to deal with in this challenging disease, but when they end up with chronic bronchitis they also have a cough that is filled with thick coloured hard-to-raise phlegm. COPD is a condition that benefits from early prognosis and treatment. and if you’re a smoker with COPD, stop now.

One serious cough in children is pertussis, a bacterial disease known as whooping cough. In the U.S. they’ve recorded the highest rates in 63 years; its steady rise has been blamed on a drop in vaccination rates. one of its symptoms is definitely the classic “whoop” – a violent, debilitating cough so strong that a child will gag or even vomit.

Coughs can also be due to allergies, says Dr. Hyland. “Lungs are the one internal organ in the body that’s directly exposed to the environment. so every time you take a breath, you’re also taking in any gaseous or particulate matter that might be in the air. The cough is a mechanism for getting that stuff out.”

One cough that has nothing to do with flu, colds or infection is the cough associated with acid-reflux disease. when you have chronic heartburn, the acid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus and produce a cough. Antacids may be prescribed.

Assuming you don’t need antibiotics, what should you look for in a cough remedy? Expectorants claim to decrease the thickness of phlegm but Dr. Hyland doesn’t believe there’s enough evidence to back up that claim. Medications which contain dextromethorphan may suppress a cough and honey is a favourite that can calm that back of the throat tickle.

Coughing is pretty common and in most people it’s benign. “But there can be complications from coughing. People can break ribs and blood vessels,” says Dr. Hyland. and remember that the goal in treatment is not only to get you to stop coughing, but to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Call the doc

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you should call the doc when you have a violent cough that begins suddenly; cough up blood; have cough-accompanied shortness of breath; cough with fever, abdominal swelling or thick and smelly green phlegm; a cough that produces a high pitched sound (called stridor) when inhaling; or a cough in infants less than three months old. for more on coughs, go to umm.edu. Take the cough test at familydoctor.org to see if your cough is an emergency.

Cough causes

Get the right diagnosis so you can treat the cause behind the cough. causes of coughing include allergies, asthma, COPD, acid-reflux disease, cigarette smoking, postnasal drip, a respiratory tract infection or the aspiration of foreign matter into the lungs.

A shot of whisky

Grandma may have prescribed a shot of whisky, but there’s no proof that it works. plus, some cough medicines should not be taken when drinking alcohol, particularly those that may cause drowsiness, such as nighttime cold medicines. Hard candies may ease a dry cough and soothe an irritated throat.

View more news

Did you find what you were looking for on our website? please let us know.

Zionsville – A confirmed case of whooping cough (pertussis) is being reported at Zionsville High School.

The school notified parents that some students may have been exposed in class or on the bus. They're asking parents to be alert for symptoms. if students are showing symptoms, parents should seek treatment immediately and keep their child at home.

Symptoms usually begin in 7-10 days following exposure, range 4-21 days. the first symptoms of pertussis are those of the common cold with a mild cough. after a week or two, the cough becomes more severe and may occur more frequently during sleep. As the cough gets worse, it usually includes a series of coughs (“coughing fits or spasms”).

People with pertussis may have vomiting following the coughing spell and have difficulty catching their breath, which may cause a whooping sound. However, adolescents, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop. Generally, there is no fever or a low grade fever with pertussis.

If a doctor prescribes an antibiotic for treatment, the child must stay home until after taking the medicine for five full days. All household members of a suspected case or positive test result should also be given antibiotics for prevention.

Whooping cough can be avoided through immunization. sometimes it will infect immunized children, but symptoms will usually be milder than in unimmunized children.

It is recommmended you check the immunization status of all family members and make sure they are up-to-date for DtaP (a pertussis containing vaccine for persons less than seven years of age) or Tdap (a pertussis booster vaccine for persons 10-64 years of age). your physician or local health department should be able to assist you in determing if vaccination is needed for any of your family members.

Learn more about whooping cough.

MASON CITY — if you have been suffering from upper-respiratoryinfections or the stomach flu lately, take solice in knowing thatyou are not alone.

A spokeswoman for Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa said theEmergency Department has had several cases of sore throat, upperrespiratory infection, ear pain and coughs in recent days.

The number of cases reported at the Mercy Emergency Departmentis up slightly from seasons past, but it’s a pretty normal year,she said.

The number one illness reported to Mercy Family Health Line,however, is stomach flu, properly known as viralgastroenteritis.

“We’ve had the most calls over the last two months for thestomach flu,” said Melissa Foster, clinical leader at Mercy FamilyHealth Line.

“Truly, it’s the number one call.”

Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and low-grade fever. It isoccurring in both adults and children, Foster said.

Caused by a virus, the illness has to run its course. Patientsare advised to take Tylenol, rest and drink plenty of liquids.

Electrolyte replacement drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade areespecially good for adults, Foster said. for children, Pedialyte, arehydration solution, is recommended.

“If you are sick, stay home and don’t expose others to it.”

Karen Crimmings, disease prevention and investigation servicemanager for the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health,said she has been hearing reports of strep throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Influenza, strains A and B, has been increasing over the lastcouple of weeks, she said.

In North Iowa, six new lab confirmed cases of flu have beenconfirmed since Feb. 1, Cummings said. But some patients who havethe flu do not necessarily go to a doctor, she said.

“You’ve got a chance to get influenza three times this yearbecause (all three strains) are circulating,” she said. “Now’s thetime to get vaccinated if you haven’t been.”

Nausea and vomiting, symptoms of “stomach flu,” have beenreported since Thanksgiving, Crimmings said.

“Once it gets in the community it kind of has to run itscourse,” she said.

Bethany Hythecker, school nurse for the Clear Lake SchoolDistrict, said absences during the last two weeks are the highestthey have been all winter.

They include some cases of the flu, strains A and B,characterized by high fever and body aches.

There have also been reports of sinus infection, strep throatand stomach flu, Hythecker said.

Deb Ballantyne, administrative assistant at Newman Catholic HighSchool, said five to 10 students have been out each day this weekwith strep throat, stomach flu and other illness, but that it wasnothing out of the ordinary.

Hal Minear, assistant superintendent of administrative servicesfor the Mason City public schools, said there has not been asignificant number of cases of illness reported in the Mason Citypublic schools during the week.

Cough is not a disease actually; it is a symptom of any kind of obstruction in the respiratory tract. Coughs can originate in the pharynx, bronchial tubes, trachea and the pleura lining of the lungs.

In Ayurveda, coughing is known as Kaasa roga. It is predominantly an effect of the vitiation of the vata dosha. but the pitta and the kapha doshas can also cause coughs. Based on the causative factor, there are five types of coughs – vataja, pittaja, kaphaja, kshataja and kshayaja.

Vataja cough is dry and hacking in nature. There is little phlegm observed. Side symptoms are headache and pain in the chest. In pittaja cough, there is yellow sputum which may sometimes have streaks of blood in it. Other symptoms like fever, excessive thirst and burning sensation in the mouth and the pharynx are also felt. In kaphaja cough, there is a thick mucus discharge, which is slimy and white in color. This cough makes the whole body feel heavy.

Kshataja cough is vata vitiation to the extreme limit. There is dyspnoea and blood in the sputum. Kshayaja cough is a very serious kind of cough in which pus is observed in the sputum.(1) useful Herbs in the Treatment of Cough

- Bay Berry (Myrica nagi) the bay berry is very effective in curing throat congestions which causes the coughs. It can even cure coughs that are caused due to chronic bronchitis. its bark is the effective part which is to be taken in the form of a powder.

- Belleric Myroblan (Terminalia belerica) the fruit of the belleric myroblan has excellent curative powers in the treatment of coughs caused due to catarrh.

- Betel (Piper betle) Betel leaves when crushed, made into paste with water and applied externally on the chest have amazing effects in the treatment of coughs.

- Butea (Butea monosperma) Butea leaves can treat congested and inflamed throats. They are effective in the treatment of coughs and sore throats. the leaves are boiled in water. This solution is used as a mouthwash to get the desired effects. Coughs caused due to septic and sore throats are treated in this manner.

- Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Cloves can reduce the irritation of the throat. Cloves are more effective if the coughs are produced due to inflammation of the pharynx.

- Euphorbia (Euphorbia hirta) Euphorbia is a very potent medicine in the treatment of all kinds of cough. It enjoys a special position in Indian herbology in treating the coughs caused due to colds, asthma and bronchitis.

- Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) Fenugreek seeds are effective in the removal of coughs that are associated with sore throats. the seeds are boiled in water for half an hour and this water is used to take gargles.

- Garlic (Allium sativum) Garlic is an excellent remedy for whooping cough. the syrup of two to three pieces of garlic must be taken two to three times a day in the case of whooping cough. if the symptoms still persist, or if it is a severe cough, then the dosage must be increased.

- Henna (Lawsonia inermis) Henna is a definite remedy for sore throat and the related cough problems.(2) Dietary Treatments for Cough

- cold foods must be avoided as these can aggravate the throat further. Water that is drunk normally also must be warmed a little before drinking.

- use old rice in the diet. Wheat can also be used beneficially.

- Do not consumer any fruits or vegetables that can cause excessive cooling of the body. Foods like cucumbers, green bananas, papayas, watermelons and oranges must be strictly avoided.

- Fennel seeds are effective in the treatment of cough. these must be taken along with figs for better results.(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Cough

- Ayurvedic doctors prescribe slightly different kinds of medicines depending on which type of cough is observed. a) if the cough is of vataja type, then kanakasava or kantakaryavaleha are prescribed. b) if the cough is of pittaja type, then sitopaladi choorna is preferred in conjunction with chandansava or vasarishta. Vasavaleha and matulungadi avaleha may also be prescribed. b) if the cough is of kaphaja type, then trikatu, triphala, guggulu and shilajit are the drugs of choice.(4) Home Medications

- the pulp of the fruit of the belleric myroblan is mixed with long pepper, salt and honey. This is to be taken once a day.

- Clove oil mixed with garlic and honey helps to eliminate spasmodic coughs which are produced in tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis. This mixture must be taken every night before going to bed.

- Prepare an extract of ginger. Sweeten this with honey. Take this in a teaspoonful quantity three to four times a day. There will be confirmed positive results.

- Prepare a mixture of extract of tulsi (holy basil) leaves with ginger and honey. This is better than the above method for the treatment of coughs. This mixture must be taken if the cough is severe, and is caused due to some serious ailment such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, etc.

- Make a decoction of licorice in honey. Consume this decoction so that it makes good contact with the inner lining of the throat. This will relieve cough and the feeling of irritation in the throat.

- A very simple way to stop coughs in the night is to place three to four pieces of long pepper in the mouth. Chew them slightly so that their extract oozes into the mouth. as long as the peppers remain in the mouth, the urge to cough will be suppressed and you will get a restful sleep at night.

- Figs are known to clear the buildup of phlegm in the chest cavity. This brings about an elimination of cough.

- Make a powder of cardamom and dissolved it in water. Take this thrice in a day. This will keep all types of cough at bay.

Incoming search terms for the article:ayurveda cough pain chest (1),how to know about vata pitta and kapha frequent throat pain (1),effective treament for bronchitis and pneumonia (1),diabetic cough mixture (1),cough little blood ayurvedic remedy (1),cough (1),Can u get catarrh on the chest tightness & clearing of thick mucus in throat? (1),ayurvedic treatment for cough due to liver problem (1),ayurvedic treatement for mucus in throat (1),ayurvedic remedy to cough due to liver problem (1),ayurvedic method for mucas (1),phlegm in throat ayurvedic treatment (1)

Four new cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, were reported to the Madison County Health Department this week, officials said.Pertussis is a respiratory illness that is highly contagious because it is so easily spread from person to person. the disease is transmitted by people breathing in the bacteria from infected people who cough or sneeze.Debrah Knoll, personal health services manager for the Madison County Health Department, said in a news release that symptoms start with a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and a mild, occasional cough. after one or two weeks, the coughing can become severe with numerous, rapid coughs that include the characteristic high-pitched “whooping ” sound. the patient may turn blue or even vomit during the coughing fit. the coughing attacks occur more frequently at night.Pertussis can be treated with a course of the appropriate antibiotics. Unfortunately, many people do not realize they have pertussis until after they have exposed others. Pertussis can cause life-threatening, even fatal, complications in young children, especially those younger than 1 year of age who are not fully vaccinated. Children are vaccinated against pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months old, plus another dose before entering school at 4 to 6 years old.Many infants get pertussis from infected older siblings, parents or caregivers.Although many people do not believe this illness still occurs, the national Centers for Disease Control reported that nearly 19,000 cases of pertussis were reported in the United States last year, Knoll said. Vaccination is the best option for countering this disease.“In 2005, Madison County experienced a small pertussis outbreak,” Knoll said. “Thirty-nine cases of pertussis were reported in 2005, with 24 of those cases reported in November and December.”In response to the 2005 outbreak, the Madison County Health Department offered the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine to certain populations.the Tdap vaccine is licensed for those 11 to 64 years of age. During the last few years, the Madison County Health Department has recruited and encouraged new mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, day care workers and other adults who come in close contact with infants and small children to get the Tdap vaccine.recently, the Center for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Tdap vaccination for the following groups:- People older than 65 years of age who have close contact with infants.- Children 7 to 10 years of age who have not been immunized fully against pertussis, for whom no contraindication to pertussis vaccine exists or whose vaccination status against pertussis is unknown.- Adolescents and adults who have not received a dose of Tdap should be immunized as soon as feasible. Tdap can be administered regardless of the interval since the last tetanus or diphtheria-containing vaccine.Recent news reports indicate outbreaks of pertussis are occurring in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Health officials are encouraging adolescents and adults, especially those who come in close contact with children under the age of 1, to review their immunization records.

I have a blocked/runny nose and a sort of cough and sometimes sneezing. i sneezed 17 times today.

I would think that if you had drainage that it wan't blocked

* cold symptoms that don't respond to treatment
* Persistent colds with coughs
* Head pain on waking in the morning
* a low grade fever between 99F and 100F
* Weakness or tiredness
* a cough that is more prevalent at night
* a runny nose (rhinitis)
* Nasal congestion
* Halitosis (bad breath)
* Swollen eye lids
* Post nasal drip
* Blocked or stuffy nose
* Congested feeling and pressure
* Facial pain or swelling
* Headaches accompanied by fever
* Voice hoarseness
* a decreased sense of smell
* Fullness of the ears

Well with mine, which are the ones on my cheeks.. You get a pressure pain feeling and its tender to touch plus they swell up.. also with blocked sinus you get headaches, your teeth hurt, neck hurts, blocked nose, nasel drip, a cough, Itchy nose, Sensitive to light, Clicking ears when you speak, Sounds like your speaking through your nose, yellow/green discharge when you blow your nose.. Theres also other signs just way to many to type.

try this…stand and bend down like touch your toes..if you feel your head heavy and pain around your nose…then definetly your sinus cavity is full of mucus.

only way to remove it is not by blowing out directly…but first steaming your face then blowing it out…

info…steaming is nothing but boiling water and then removing from gas and then breathing the steam with a towel over your head…
be careful…

Ok Here Goes…
Nasal irrigation can potentially be the most therapeutic measure in completely eliminating a sinus infection, quickly and dramatically.
Nasal irrigation provides drugless sinus relief by improving ciliary function. The basis of your body's natural defense against upper-respiratory problems – cilia – work better.
Wash away irritating dust, pollens and molds before you have a full-blown allergic reaction, in just minutes. Remove pollutants and airborne contaminants; eliminate work-related sinus problems resulting from unhealthy work environments.
Treat and prevent chronic sinusitis. if sinus washing is done regularly, some people with persistent or chronic sinusitis need no drug treatment at all.
People with Asthma or other respiratory conditions also have nasal and sinus symptoms. Drainage from your nose and sinuses may get into the lungs, especially at night, worsening breathing symptoms. a salt water nasal wash helps reduce this possibility.
Removing mucus and bacteria from your nose reduces symptoms of postnasal drip and nasal congestion.
Freshen your breath by reducing odor-causing bacteria that move down the throat from sinuses.
Reduce severity and frequency of chronic sinus headaches by washing sinuses with saline using The amazing Snooter Sinus Irrigation system.

Sinusitis is an inflmmation of the sinuses, and it is fairly rare to have it without pain and tenderness in the sinuses. in your lower sinuses, it can feel like a toothache or tenderness in the mouth. there is generally also pain in the cheeks on both sides of your nose, and up in your forehead (basically everywhere there are sinuses).

The sneezing, runny nose and cough sound more like either a regular cold, or more likely simply allergies. I don't know where you live, but the US is experiencing record pollen counts of several types of pollen all over the whole country. Even if you have never had allergies before, you can develop them, as I found to my distress when I was in my late teens.

You might want to try taking something like Benadryl or Claritin and see if that clears up your symptoms. Benadryl is also used as a sleep medication, so it makes many people very sleepy, but Claritin is billed as being a "non-drowsy" drug. both are available without a prescription.

You can also try sinus irrigation. it sounds kind of icky, but I have used it with great success both for allergies and for colds. Everyone I have told about it (not many people have heard of it) who has tried it has experienced good results. since it is kind of a long procedure to explain, I will include a link that explains it in detail:

altmedicine.about.com/cs/allergie…

Naturally, if nothing helps, you will probably want to check with your doctor. He or she can give you a good diagnosis and suggest a course of treatment.

I hope you get some relief.

Good luck

i can suggest you one homeopathy medicine named 'pulsitilla' for runny nose and cough.. you can also try 'aconite album' both are homeopathy medicines. avoid earing banana. runny nose can also be result of excessive growth of small bone inside nose.so you can also consult physician for that.
avoid eating too much curd and buttermilk in meal.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is coordinating a tuberculosis contact investigation involving a healthcare worker at good Samaritan Hospital. the worker lives in Fayette County and is a student at Eastern Kentucky University.

The ongoing investigation is being held with good Samaritan Hospital, the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Department for Public Health, Eastern Kentucky University and the Madison County Health Department.

The worker has been isolated and has been undergoing treatment since being identified in mid-October.

Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is a disease caused by bacteria that usually attacks the lungs. It is spread when a person with TB coughs, sneezes or sings into the air, which is then breathed by another person.

Symptoms including feelings of weakness, weight loss, fever, night sweats, coughing and chest pain. some patients also cough up blood.

TB is treated by taking several antibiotics for 6-12 months. With all active cases, health department staff visit TB patients daily in their home to watch them take their medications in a process called directly observed therapy, or DOT. DOT helps the patient complete the treatment in the least amount of time and reduces the risk of transmitting the disease to others.