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MEASLES

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 M

MEASLESWhat is it?Measles is a contagious viral disease that causes a rash and fever. Although measles mainly affects children, it can occur at any age.Symptoms Measles has an incubation period of 7 to 14 days before symptoms appear. The first symptoms are those of a cold-fever, runny nose, red watering eyes and cough. A day or two later tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. This is followed by a red rash. It starts on the forehead and behind the ears. The spots gradually spread to the rest of the

TICK-BITE FEVER

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 T

TICK-BITE FEVERWhat is it?Tick-bite fever is a serious infectious disease transmitted by hard ticks. It always requires medical treatment.Symptoms: The time between the tick bite and the onset of symptoms is about seven days. Fever, severe headache, rash, also on the soles and palms, Conjunctivitis, sometimes nightmares, in severe cases mental confusion, on examination, one or several tick bites (known as eschars) may be found.Causes: The Microorganism, rickettsia conori var. pijperi, both common veld ticks and common dog tick transmit the infection.Possible complications: Complications occur if treatment is delayed, disturbed

CHICKEN POX

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 C

CHICKEN POXWhat is it?Chicken pox is an infectious childhood disease. More than 90% of cases occur in Children between the ages of one and fourteen.Symptoms: There is an incubation of between 7 and 21 days before symptoms appear. A day or two before the rash appears, your child may feel generally unwell, with a sore throat, headache and fever. Small red, fluid-filled spots appear on the body. After a few days the spots dry out and crust over. They are very itchy. New crops of spots appear every few days-all stages of

FEVER

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 F

FEVERWhat is it?Fever is a temperature above 37°CSymptoms: Flushed appearance, headache, body aching all over, sweating, symptoms related to particular illness e.g. cough, abdominal pain, sore throat, runny nose, painful joints rash etc.Causes: Mostly infection, sometimes heatstroke, rarely poisoningTreatment in the home: Remove excess clothing, open windows, switch on an electric fan, and sponge the patient with tepid water, give an aspirin or paracetamol in recommended doses. Do not give aspirin to children under twelve years of age.Possible complications: Fever fits in childrenWhen to consult a doctor: Immediately when temperature approaches 39°C,

MENOPAUSE

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 M

MENOPAUSEWhat is it?Menopause is the time at which menstruation ceases. The last menses occurs at an average age of 50, but it can range from as early as 37 to as late as 55 years of age.Symptoms: Menses may stop abruptly or gradually become less frequent and less heavy over a period of months. Hot flushes in the upper chest which spread to the face and neck. Night sweats, Palpitations, Depression, Fatigue, Vaginal dryness, Insomnia A sensation of an ice cold feeling along the entire length of the spine Causes:

TONSILLITIS AND PHARYNGITIS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 T

TONSILLITIS AND PHARYNGITISWhat is it?The tonsils are two glands at the back of the throat. The pharynx is the part of the throat between the tonsils and the vocal chords. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis refer to inflammation of these parts respectively.Symptoms: Sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, glands in the neck may be swollen, fever, bad breath, headache and malaise, young children may complain of abdominal pain.Causes: Bacterial or viral infection, tonsillitis and pharyngitis are more prevalent during the winter months.Possible complications: Abscess formation, scarlet fever, rheumatic heart disease, kidney infection.Treatment in

COLD SORES

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 C

COLD SORESWhat they are: Cold sores are small, blistering sores that appear on the face, around the lips and nose.Symptoms: An itching and burning feeling before the sore appears. Painful red blisters. Within a few days of their appearance the blisters burst, weep and dry out. The wet blisters are very infectious. In children a crop of blisters may appear inside the mouth and around the gums. The child may be feverish and generally unwell.Causes: The Herpes simplex virus. Outbreak of blisters may be caused by being run down-Stress and other

FEVER FITS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 F

FEVER FITSWhat is it?Fever fits refer to the convulsions some children experience as the result of a high temperature. Fever fits occur most commonly between the ages of six months and five years.Symptoms: The child becomes unconscious and the arms and legs are stiff. After a few seconds the arms and legs, and sometimes the face, start to twitch and jerk. The movements may be violent. The fit usually last for about two minutes. Urine and farces may be passed during the fit. During the next few minutes the child slowly regains

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 M

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMSWHAT PROBLEMS ARE THERE? : The main problems associated with menstrual cycle that may require treatment are: Amenorrhoea ( absence of menses) Dysmenorrhoea (pains during menses) Menorrhagia (excessive blood loss) and Premenstrual syndrome (distressing symptoms prior to menses) AMENORRHOEA (absence of menses)Symptoms: Absence of menses. Episodes of amenorrhoea occur, with the odd menses now and thenCauses: Amenorrhoea is normal before puberty, after menopause or during pregnancy and lactation. Others include: Anorexia nervosa, severe stress, regular strenuous exercise, the contraceptive pill-if this is stopped after

TRAVEL SICKNESS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 T

TRAVEL SICKNESSWhat is it?Travel or motion sickness is the nausea and/or vomiting experienced by many people when travelling by road, rail, sea or air. Children in particular, are prone to travel sickness.Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting, the person feels faint, cold and clammy, loss of appetite, pallor, there may be abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea.Causes: Motion causes a temporary disturbance of the balance mechanism of the inner ear.Possible complications: NoneTreatment in the home: fresh air helps. If you are travelling by car, stop regularly, lie down and rest.When to consult a doctor: If