While Hepatitis A is largely only a risk in underdeveloped countries, there are a combined 5.25 million people in America living with Hepatitis B and C. the consequences of not undergoing Hepatitis treatment can be chronic Hepatitis, which can lead to serious liver damage and death. with that in mind, it’s important to understand the truth about Hepatitis…

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis A, B and C are viral diseases that generally attack the liver. Although there are vaccines against A and B (and nearly half of America has developed an immunity against A), there is no cure for the disease, though there are treatments to help you deal with the Hepatitis symptoms.

How is Hepatitis Transmitted?

Hepatitis A is from people either ingesting fecal matter (usually through unwashed hands in unsanitary conditions) or through common contact – sexual contact, contaminated water, sharing needles or consuming undercooked shellfish. This is largely localized to third world countries with poor sanitation, but is still prevalent in some areas of the US. the strain does not cause liver disease, and Hepatitis A symptoms are both mild and short lived – most people believe that once the disease has been caught, the person will have immunity for life, and the disease is very rarely fatal – however, the vaccine is recommended for trips to third world countries.

Hepatitis B is contracted via direct contact with bodily fluids. It’s usually caught via sexual contact, shared needles or through child birth. Although a quarter of those contracting chronic Hepatitis B will die from the disease, there is a vaccine to prevent initial infection, and there are medications available for long term sufferers.

Hepatitis C occurs via contact with infected human blood. This means that it is typically caught through sharing needles, borrowing razors, infected blood/organ transplants or penetrative sex. As with Hepatitis B, a new born baby can be infected during delivery.

What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?

Like many STDs, symptoms of Hepatitis’ three strains may be mild or invisible. if you do feel symptoms, they may be:

? Suppressed appetite

? Flu style symptoms

If you do feel a combination of these symptoms, you should book Hepatitis testing as soon as possible.

What does Hepatitis Testing Involve?

Although the Hepatitis testing procedure for each strain is different technically, the purpose and method is the same: a sample of blood is taken from the arm, and then tested to see if the relevant antibody is present. if it is, then the body has been trying to fight the virus, proving an exposure to the virus.

What is the Treatment for Hepatitis?

The bad news is that there is no cure for any of the forms of Hepatitis. the good news is that all strains of Hepatitis have treatments (or don’t need them) to make living with the virus bearable:

Hepatitis A is unnoticeable in many people, and infection guarantees immunity in future. Although there are a small number of cases where the disease has led to death, the majority of people will find that the virus causes immunity and they will never suffer any ill effects again.

Hepatitis B has a variety of medicines available to make the disease more manageable for those with a prolonged infection. the drugs significantly lower the chances of liver damage by slowing down the virus or preventing it from reproducing. That said, it is important to keep in regular contact with a doctor to keep an eye on liver damage.

Unlike the other strains, Hepatitis C has no vaccine because the virus’ molecular configurations are constantly shifting. Fortunately, like the others there are Hepatitis treatments available to slow the disease and improve the quality of life – usually a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Despite this, sadly some 70% of chronic Hepatitis C sufferers develop serious liver disease.

George Clooney has it all: good looks, a successful career, and a mosquito-borne tropical disease. Wait, what? yes, Clooney told Piers Morgan that he contracted malaria a couple weeks ago in Sudan. He seems oddly cheerful about it, though. Watch the clip below!

"I guess the mosquito in Juba looked at me and thought I was the bar," Clooney joked during the interview, which will air on Friday. according to Morgan, this is actually Clooney’s second bout with malaria, a tropical disease with flu-like symptoms. Malaria kills millions of people a year in third-world countries, but is easily treatable with a drug regimen. "this illustrates how with proper medication, the most lethal condition in Africa can be reduced to a bad ten days instead of a death," says Clooney, whose rep describes him as "completely over" the disease. The star of The American visited Sudan during the first week of January, as part of an international effort to prevent violence during the war torn nation’s January 9 referendum. (The result of the referendum is that the southern part of Sudan has elected to become independent from the rest of the country.) There was great concern that President Bashir, an indicted war criminal, would incite a war between the northern and southern regions. Clooney has been working against violence in Sudan for over four years, and has met twice with President Obama to discuss United States involvement. (See a video about the actor’s work in Sudan, below.)

Clooney obviously takes his humanitarian efforts seriously, but was good-natured when Morgan joked about his multiple bouts with malaria. "you don’t think President Bashir has detached a detail of sickly, vengeful mosquitos to target you whenever you arrive?" the CNN host asked. "Yeah, I think so," responded Clooney. Morgan later kidded Clooney via Twitter, saying, "Clooney malaria update: now have 24,563 offers to nurse him. But his rep says medication’s worked and he’s OK. sorry, ladies." The interview airs Friday at 9pm on CNN. Do you admire celebrities who do humanitarian work? Chime in below!

Source: ivillage.com/george-clooney-has-malaria-dont-worry/1-a-315956

Haylie Duff Heidi Klum Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton Hilary Duff

Trench mouth is a severe case of gingivitis.  Gingivitis is an infection and inflammation of the gums due to plaque build-up and bacteria.  However, if the gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria grows out of control thus resulting in trench mouth.

Trench mouth was first diagnosed during World War I. During World War I, soldiers who were stuck fighting in the trenches were unable to maintain adequate oral hygiene thus resulting in gingivitis.  as their gingivitis worsened, the bacteria within their mouth grew out of control and developed into trench mouth. Trench mouth destroys and damages the delicate gum tissue that supports the teeth.  if the infection causing trench mouth is not cured the infection worsens, spreads, and causes large ulcers in the mouth.  these ulcers are filled with bacteria, food particles, and decaying gum tissue.  these ulcers also lead to severe pain in the mouth, ulcers in the mouth, as well as bad breath.

In the United States, there are not many cases of trench mouth.  However, trench mouth is very common in third world countries or new developing countries which have poor living conditions and poor nutrition.  For those in the United States that suffer from trench mouth it is commonly the result of poor oral hygiene, smoking, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and a lowered immune system.

For those that think they may be suffering from trench mouth, it is fairly easy to diagnose.  some of the most common signs and symptoms of trench mouth include:

• Severe gum pain
• Ulcers between the teeth and on the gums
• Bad breath
• Foul taste in the mouth
• Bleeding gums
• Red and/or swollen gums
• Pain when eating and/or swallowing
• Gray film on the gums
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes around the head, neck, and/or jaw