Summertime is the time when cases of dogs infected with rabies begin to escalate. However the term for rabies in Thai, which translates to “mad dog’s disease”, is somewhat misleading as other types of household pets are also prone to rabies, including cats, hamsters, squirrels and rabbits. and if unaware, owners can get the virus from their infected pets.

A dog owner holds his pet while a veterinarian gives a rabies vaccination.

Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system (especially the brain and meninges) in both humans and animals and can spread very rapidly, resulting in death. Currently there is still no cure for rabies and the mortality rate is almost 100%.

An infected animal carries the rabies virus in its saliva and, as we often hear, can be transmitted through open wounds, mostly from biting. Though its largely unheard of people getting rabies simply by being licked or scratched or coming into contact with an infected animal’s saliva, it is possible. Genital areas, even with no open wounds, are also prone to this infection.

There are two forms of rabies. the first, which is more common, is an aggressive type in which the infected animal becomes rabid and may try to attack or bite any moving objects, including people and other animals. the symptoms and signs of this form of rabies generally last a few days and the animal will eventually become paralysed in the throat, making it impossible to swallow, and both hind legs. the second form is harder to notice as the animal will only appear to be depressed. the infected animal may open its mouth often and its tongue will become a dark red colour. strange behaviour might also be noticed, such as eating leaves and rocks or drinking its own urine. If you are doubtful whether an animal is infected, stay away and notify relevant agencies immediately.

If you are bitten, whether its on an open wound or not, and you don’t know if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, always assume the worst and seek medical help. Once bitten, clean the wound with water and soap as soon as possible and apply alcohol solution to the wound, then see a doctor immediately. If possible, keep the animal in a cage and observe its behaviour for 10-15 days. If the animal dies within that period, contact the Department of Livestock Development in your local area.

Those who are bitten and fail to get appropriate medical care will experience flu-like symptoms, including a low-grade fever and sore throat in the first few days, then begin to lose their appetite and develop a burning sensation around the wound. Later, they might experience symptoms such as restlessness, light sensitivity and have difficulty swallowing. Fatigue will also set in, followed by paralysis and low blood pressure, and possible death within two weeks.

Although the mortality rate of rabies is almost 100%, it can be prevented by getting your pets vaccinated. Free services are available according to the WHO’s policies to eliminate rabies by 2020. Animals that have been vaccinated will be given a vaccine tag on their collars. so lookout, and make sure your buddies have them!

Bangkok Health Research Centre, Bangkok Hospital.

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This is the time of the year when reported cases of cold, flu and pneumonia are high. Infants, children and the elderly are at higher risk of acquiring one or more of these diseases and often have severe forms of the diseases with additional complications. Uninfected individuals are likely to acquire infectious virus particles that are shed from patients in their nasal and oral secretions such as saliva and sneeze droplets, making direct and close contact the major transmission routes for the viruses.

COMMON COLD

Common cold is an illness that can be found all year round but is most prevalent during the winter months. a number of different viruses can cause the common cold but infection by a single type of virus is more commonly the case. The human immune system has an amazing memory capable of remembering the virus after recovery therefore preventing the same virus from causing the disease again because the immune system can recognise and eliminate the virus before it can cause any illness.

Transmission

Viruses are found in oral and nasal secretions and are spread via cough, sneeze or direct contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms

The symptoms usually present themselves one to three days after acquiring the virus with the most common being fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, coughing, sore throat and increased nasal secretions or sometimes leading to nasal congestion. The lymph nodes around the neck may become inflamed. Infants can rapidly develop severe fever and may also suffer from diarrhea.

Secondary bacterial infections

If the patients do not recover within four days, secondary bacterial infections may cause additional complications such as tissue damage or toxins. Tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media (middle ear infection), pharyngitis and pneumonia are examples of diseases that may result from co-infection with the bacteria. Infants are at risk of suffering from deadly shock from high fever and rapid fluid loss thus professional medical care is very important. Common cold usually resolves itself within a week and the best cure is to take lots of rest, drink plenty of clean water and consume a well-balanced diet.

INFLUENZA

Influenza is an acute respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. The virus has the potential to cause a global pandemic as already seen in 1918 when Spanish flu killed more than 50 million people worldwide. it has been estimated that each year about 15% of the global population is infected with the virus during the winter months. Last year Thailand confirmed 115,183 reported cases of the flu or 180.82 per 100,000 individuals with a mortality rate of 0.2 per 100,000 individuals. The country had seen a constant decline in the number of cases between 2002 and 2006, but then experienced a significant increase in the number in 2009 with the number of confirmed flu cases being 189 per 100,000 individuals. The group with the highest infection rate is children under the age of four and the group with the highest mortality rate is the elderly group above the age of 55. Therefore, these two groups should take extra preventative measures against the influenza virus.

Transmission

Influenza virus is found in oral and nasal secretions of infected patients and spread via close or direct contact.

Infectious period

Patients may begin to shed infectious virus particles one or more days before the appearance of any signs and symptoms and can continue to shed the virus three to five days after the signs and symptoms have disappeared making the disease very difficult to control. Children and infants may continue to shed the virus for more than a week.

Symptoms

Symptoms caused by influenza are usually more severe when compared with viruses that cause common cold. The patient will start to display symptoms one to four days after becoming infected. most common symptoms are rapid onset of fever, shivering, severe headache, nausea, headache, fatigue, sore throat, coughing and pharyngitis. The recovery period usually ranges from one to two weeks. Secondary bacterial infections can lead to complications that may result in death in some patients, particularly those that are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed.

PREVENTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- Avoid coming in close contact with patients infected with the virus.

- Wash hands with soaps and clean water regularly and before every meal.

- Avoid touching or rubbing the mucosal areas _ eyes, nose and mouth.

- Maintain good health by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and consume a well-balanced diet.

- get vaccinated every year (It is recommended that those older than six months, especially the high risk groups be vaccinated every year).

HOW TO ACT ONCE YOU BECOME INFECTED

- get enough rest and sleep.

- Keep your body warm with sufficient clothes and avoid rain, cold weather and cold water when showering.

- Stay in a well-ventilated room.

- Drink lots of clean, warm water to keep the body well hydrated and avoid cold water.

- Consume foods that are easy to digest and fruit juices that are rich in vitamins.

- never share utensils with other people.

- Use a mouth cover to help minimise spreading of respiratory droplets that contain infectious viruses.

- Wash hands with soap and clean water regularly.

- Rinse your mouth often with clean water.

- Keep a distance from young children, the elderly, immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals.

Next week, getting to know pneumonia and how to prevent it.

About the author Writer: Bangkok Hospital Research Centre Latest stories in this category:

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 11 (UPI) — Children whose mothers were depressed throughout their first year of life have a higher risk of mental disorders themselves by age 6, researchers in Israel say.

Ruth Feldman, a professor at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, found 60 percent of children born to mothers who were consistently depressed across the first year of the children’s lives exhibited mental disorders when they were older. The children, similar to their mothers, also showed disordered functioning of the Oxytocin system.

Oxytocin, a mammalian hormone, is involved with sexual reproduction, childbirth, breastfeeding and pair bonding.

Researchers studied the mental health status, Oxytocin levels, genetic variation in Oxytocin receptors and interactions in 155 mother-child pairs during at-home visits. The mothers were surveyed for mental health symptoms at the birth of their child, and at 6 and 9 months after the birth of their child.

Of the pairs participating when the child reached 6 years of age, 30 percent of mothers were diagnosed with depression and had demonstrated symptoms of depression throughout the child’s first year of life. On average, these mothers had disordered Oxytocin functioning and produced less peripheral Oxytocin in their saliva.

Most children born to depressed mothers exhibited mental disorders, but 40 percent demonstrated more normal functioning of the Oxytocin system, no signs of mental illness, better social engagements and empathic behaviors.

“We found Oxytocin system functioning helps safeguard some children against the effects of chronic maternal depression,” Feldman said.

The findings were presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting.

What are they allergic to? are they on medicine or did you just change food?

My kitty seems to scratch and groom a lot and sneezes much more than his brother. I'm wondering if he's got allergies.

Look up fur – mowing. They groom themselves and chew at themselves so much that they looked really ragged. There are also dander allergies and flea and saliva allergies. I like Frontline for best results. you can check out several Internet sites. sometimes it's the flea collars causing the problem.

My cat has very bad allergies to flees. if she gets just one she will lose weight and alot of her fur, mostly by licking so much. She also bites her self really bad so she gets scabs. we try to keep advantage on her once a month now and most of her hair grew back and all of her scabs are gone. Definatly talk to your vet thought to pin point exactly what it is.

My neighbor has a cat that is foaming at the mouth but does not act sick at all. the only problem she has is the foam from the mouth.

My cat does this when he is really excited or when he feels really loved. If it is really foamy foam then I do not know but if it is more like bubbly saliva then go with your instinct about the cat. Cats hide pain and discomfort fairly well when they want to. Make sure he/she is drinking plenty of water. As far as rabies is concerned the cat would be extremely irritable and angry or moody not just foaming at the mouth. Also, yes rabies is highly contagious and even you can get it if he/she has rabies.

Cats will froth and foam when they have tasted something awful. Either she bit into something, licked something…. who knows what…that didn't taste good. Certain topical flea meds will cause this if she is able to groom the area where it was applied. Pilling a cat can certainly cause this.
Worst case scenario would be rabies – which is rare, but I guess still plausible. another not so great scenario would be a poisoning.

Yes this is the symptoms of rabies. asked him to meet his vet. And that can be catch by other animals also. It's a virus. Visit on agritura.com for various cat products.

My cat got absolutely terrified one time and started to foam at the mouth. As soon as the stimulus went away, she stopped foaming. she also kind of drools/foams when she is really happy and purring.

If they eat something that taste bad they will foam at the mouth. My cat did that when I put his flea medicine and it leaked where he could lick it. he did not like the taste at all.

rabies. Tell your neighbor to take her to the vet ASAP!!! Poor kitty.

rabies or the cat is very dehydrated

Kind of late, now, but maybe antifreeze?

i absalutly posatutly casapuly assure you that its rabies

One of the most common causes of allergies that exhibit hay-fever like symptoms are pet allergies and among these cat allergy is the most common kind. Cat allergy is the reaction of the human immune system to the saliva or cat pelt.Diagnosis The saliva is present on the fur of the cat as a result of grooming, which is why most people mistakenly believe that it’s the fur they are allergic to. Cat allergy can be irritating in the least but in worse cases, it can lead a person into a life threatening situation.how will you be reacting to a cat allergy, you will have watery swelled up eyes. The cat allergens can spread over long distances and float in the air so having a pet cat may really not be the key indicator that you should be looking for. The swelling and other symptoms will reduce once histamine containing eye drops are taken, or t buy cplex 60 he person removes the source of the allergy.Cat allergy can also induce asthma like conditions like coughing and wheezing. Coming into contact with the allergens, cat saliva or pelt, can cause blockage of the airways. this leads to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.Allergies are often treated with the help of antihistamines. In the event that these antihistamines don’t help the allergic person, doctors might recommend immunotherapy. Immunotherapy seeks to develop the individuals resistance to the allergens, and the task is achieved by exposing the allergic person to them for prolonged periods of time. since this may be dangerous as well, the immunotherapy is carried out under strict doctor’s observation, so you really should think of treating yourself on this one.an alternative method of dealing with cat allergy is acupuncture.

Other people asked questions on various topics, and are stillwaiting for answer. Would be great if you can take a sec andanswer them

can you catch Hepatitis C from saliva?I have a very touchy situation. My mom has hep c. She keeps feeding our 9 month old child from herspoon ice cream etc. we have a shaky relationship anyway so I don’t want to make a problem but this scares me even though chances of him getting it are small. help!!

WilliamGHep C is usually transmitted through sexual contact.

EricTheoretically yabut I’m not sure on the chances

NamaleI understand that you don’t want to create problems with your Mum, but the health of your child must come first. I think you need to talk to her about your concerns.Hepatitis C is normally transmitted via blood. but there is some new evidence to suggest that it is possible that saliva contact could be a risk (see the second link below) and people with Hep C are advised not to share toothbrushes. It is also worth taking into account that a lot of us suffer from bleeding gums.Don’t ignore your feelings. your child is probably picking up on your fears and this needs dealing with.I wish you all the best with this.

PeterHep a, B, Non a, Non B, C, Etc… There are many.

One simple rule I used to learn these a long time ago was that:

Hep a – was transmitted via a fecal oral route. so I called it ASS.

Hep B – was transmitted via Blood and body fluids. so I called it Blood.

Hep C – could be transmitted more than one way and so I called it could.

Now, there is a small book and an even bigger place called the World Health Organization. The WHO which is a big entity that produces results from testing and also recommends what immunizations we should get and at what age and so on. as a healthcare professional I had to be immunized against Hep a and B and C and whatever else they added to it. then I got a blood test to see if the immunizations worked. so my blood said it was ready to fight off the disease if introduced but not that I was positive for it.

OK, now for one thing, there is a book called control of communicable disease in man. Published by guess who? That is right the WHO. so, the information is readily available in most hospital libraries and in general libraries. but, You will also be able to look up the signs, symptoms and modes of contagion through these sources online. I am 100% certain you will be able to edify yourself with the FACTS of how Hep C is transmitted. The route that you described is called fomite. Fomite is any inanimate object like a screwdriver or a doorknob or a spoon. usually the transmission of Hep is by direct contact.

For a, a food handler does not wash hands after using the bathroom, then goes and washes lettuce and puts it out on the salad bar. then they go through all the other ingredients and refresh the salad bar. The contaminants from his unwashed hands, fester on the uncooked food items, then we ingest them. there you have it.

For B, sexual intercourse without protection and the exchange of bodily fluids. Blood transfusion, IV drug abuse, etc.

For C, well you should go read about it. You probably already know what it is.

Now, another consideration. if your Mom had Hep C for a long time, like even before having you, you could have it as well. but I understand about the whole situation. I think if it were my baby, I would say, “please do not feed my baby with your utensils” and leave it at that. if a discussion about it comes up, Know you are protecting the health of your baby and calmly say that you are very concerned about the possible transmission of hepatitis to your child. if that does not take care of it, then I say to you, make a decision and stick with it. if your Mom does not like what you had to say, at least you can be sure that you said without being disrespectful and that you are merely protecting your child from an uncertainty.

Besides that, The data you need to be sure of is, whether or not there is any other form of Hep or contagious disease process at hand. if you find out that it is only Hep C than you can look it up and see what the mode of transmission is. if the saliva is a risky behavior or not.

Now when I learned about HIV, I found out that it could be transmitted through saliva. I was really concerned by that and then when I studied communicable diseases and became an HIV/Aids educator, I learned that the amount of saliva it would take to transmit it was like a gallon. That is something to be taken with a grain of salt so try not to use that as a fact of reference or anything.

I hope that I have helped you at least one little bit. It is way late and I have typos here but I think if you get yourself educated with the facts on Hep C you will be in better shape to make a decision.

One other place that you can go and get free info, the public health department. There is literature and you could probably ask someone some questions too. I know that they have people that do education for the public in those places.

Your healthcare provider or the nurse should be able to answer some questions over the phone too.

LINDA RHep C is NOT transmitted through saliva. Hep C can be transmitted through blood, such as sharing needles for drug use. because Hep C survives outside the body for up to 4 days, and people can cut themselves while shaving, or have bleeding gums while brushing teeth, Hep C can also be transmitted through sharing razors or toothbrushes. Hep C can also be transmitted through sharing tattoo needles, tattoo ink, or piercings, for the same reasons.

Hep C can be transmitted through sex, but sexual transmission of Hep C is rare.

What do you think? answer below! Explains the prevention, causes, symptoms, modes of transmission, and treatment of hepatitis C.

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ore gums are a very common health complaint in the United States. In fact, they have become so widely accepted in society that many people view this condition as normal. Sore gums are not normal! They are usually caused by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. if the bacteria in the mouth are not removed on a daily basis, they form plaque. Plaque quickly turns into tartar, which means danger for the gum tissue.

How It All HappensWhat happens when bacteria are allowed to grow in the mouth unchecked? In people who have not made good oral care a habit, these bacteria are everywhere in the mouth, including in the saliva. if daily tooth brushing and flossing are not being done, food particles are added to this mix. a substance called plaque forms. Plaque settles on and between the teeth and gums. Plaque gets hard and changes into tartar in less than two days. It is at this point that the symptoms of gum disease began to make themselves seen.

Symptoms of Sore GumsThe symptoms of sore gums and gum disease include, but are not limited to:

• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
• Gums that bleed after you brush your teeth
• Bad breath
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Pockets forming in the gum tissue beneath the teeth
• Gums that receding
• Teeth that are loose
• Teeth that have shifted in the mouth

Improving Sore Gum SymptomsThe symptoms of sore gums can be much improved or in some case completely eradicated when a program of good oral care and cleaning with the correct type of product. Have you read the labels on the commercial products you are using right now? All of those long and strange sounding names represent toxins, chemicals, and detergents. you cannot believe the advertisements for these products. They harm the teeth and gums rather than helping them. They are the last thing you want to use to care for and soothe your sore gums.

Finding the right Oral Care ProductWhat you need to help you when you have symptoms of sore gums is an all-natural product that will soothe your gums instead of irritating them. a product like OraMD would be ideal for your needs. OraMD is a liquid formulated of spearmint, almond, and peppermint oils. These oils have proven to be beneficial to sore gums and gum disease. OraMD is a 100% natural liquid toothpaste, mouthwash, and breath freshener. the 4 Step OraMD Oral Hygiene program is dentist approved and recommended, and is just the thing for your sore gum problem.

Having dog allergies is not only a problem for people that have them as pets, it can be a problem for everyone. you may think not having a dog in your home  will help prevent you from having the dog allergy symptoms, but that is not the case.

Dog allergies are a very common problem that millions of people suffer from. Some of the allergen is produced within the pet dander. this is a problem because the dander spreads through the air. so even if a dog is not currently in the area, the dander can still be present. Although the dander is a big problem with dog allergies, it is not the most prominent cause.

The number one place that dog allergies are found is within their saliva. this type of allergen is called a Can f 1. as we all know, dogs salivate a lot therefore, Can f 1 may be found in many places. even though Can f 1 is mainly found in the dogs saliva, it is also found in their blood and can be spread through that as well.

Since dog allergies are all around, it can sometimes be a difficult task to cure and prevent the symptoms. Taking daily allergy medications are a must and some may even require allergy shots. Using a HEPA air purifier in your bedroom will also help reduce your symptoms. The filter cleans the allergens from the air and produces a sterile environment. Using allergy-proof bedding will also help decrease your symptoms. they are specifically designed to keep dander and other allergens out and therefore you will not inhale the harmful substance.

If you are a dog owner and are worried about your child having dog allergies, you may not have to give up your pooch just yet. it has been proven that exposing children to the allergens at a young age can help them build up an immunity to the danger. Therefore, they are less likely to develop a dog allergy.

Taking simple precautions can help reduce your symptoms and also prevent them altogether. Keeping your pets clean is the main way to prevent it from where it starts. Also, cleaning your house on a regular basis will give you a sterile environment that you can escape to. even though you cannot escape the dangers of dog allergies everywhere you go, you can take these steps to ensure your safety at home.

Comment on the article “Dog Allergies and How to Prevent Them”

usually when i get bit by mosquitoes I get a huge thing that looks like an enlarged mosquito bite, I know it's not a spider bite because it usually gets smaller after like an hour. and I was wondering if I might be allergic to mosquitoes.

Just about everybody is allergic to mosquito bites, the allergy is caused by proteins and other enzymes contained in the mosquitoes saliva which it injects to stop the blood coagulating.

Most people develop some immunity after being bitten several times and the allergic symptoms lessen, though being bitten by a different strain of mosquito, or going a long period without being bitten can heighten the symptoms again.