Navigating Health

Archive for March, 2010

Infectious diseased used to be the most common cause of death in children and young adults. However, since doctors started using immunization-injecting vaccines, for example- to help our immune systems fight harmful invaders, infections such as meningitis, measles and tetanus are no longer widespread killers. A range of methods have been developed to boost the immune system, and if immunized early in life a child can be protected even before they are at risk from infection. Most immunizations are very safe and produce few side effects.

Immunization is general terms for the ways in which medicine can help the body prepare in advance to fight disease. Immunization is achieved by giving vaccines, typically by injection. These may be dead or weakened forms of disease causing micro organisms, which stimulate the body to produce disease fighting antibodies against that illness. In this way, the immune system is primed to recognize and defeat the micro-organism if the child encounters it at a later date. This method is also known as vaccination. Vaccination can give your child long-term protection from a range of infectious diseases that either cannot be treated or that spread so rapidly that treatment is inadequate.

A different vaccine is given for each disease, because the immune system produces specific antibodies to kill each invader. For most infections, several vaccinations are needed so that the immune system builds up and maintains a protective level of antibodies. Vaccination gives a significant level of protection against potentially fatal diseases. Many of these diseases still do not have an effective treatment, so vaccination may be the only way to protect your child. Immunization can also help to eradicate the virus or bacterium from circulation.

A vast range of tiny pathogens-disease-causing micro organisms are able to infect your body and cause all kinds of problems, from a mild cold to life threatening malaria. An infection may be localized, where it affects only one part of your body, or systemic, which means that it affects the whole body. Infectious can be spread in water or food, through touch or sexual contact, in the air and by insects. These micro organisms also have the ability to change and adapt in order to outwit medication, so controlling them is a constant battle.

Invading micro organisms, commonly called germs can be classified broadly into several distinct groups’ bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi and yeasts. Your body can also be invaded by larger, more complex organisms, such as worms and lies; these are often referred to as infestations rather than infections. Bacteria are microscopic organisms consisting of one cell. They are able to multiply very rapidly and are found everywhere-all around us and inside our bodies. Fungi that cause disease tend to fall into two groups filamentous fungi and single celled yeasts. Yeasts resemble human cells. Viruses are powerful organisms made up of simple protein packets containing a few strands of genetic material.

They are so tiny that millions of viruses could fit inside one human cell. A protozoan is a single celled organism that scavenges food from other micro organisms. They live mainly in moist environments such as soil and water but some can live inside creatures, such as parasitic protozoan that causes malaria found in mosquitoes. The creatures that live in close contact with one another and cannot live without their hosts are parasitic worms, mites and lice. This is the reason why the most advanced parasite does not kill their host.

Now that air travel is relatively inexpensive, more of us are traveling to exotic places. Whatever the destination, it is vital to know what precautions to take when traveling abroad even for a two week holiday. On the journey itself it is advisable to drink plenty of water, stretch your legs and avoid alcohol to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Travel insurance come high up the list of travel essential, along with adequate planning in term of prevention-via immunizations, malaria tablets and supplies of medicine. If you have a medical problem that requires attenuation from time to time, make sure you check out what medical facilities will available at your destination.

If you have a complex medical problem, visit your doctor or specialist so that they can write a medical summary for you to take with you. It is essential to take out suitable travel insurance before any holiday. It is also a good idea to make sure that your insurance cover is appropriate to the activities that you intend to undertake on your holiday. So, bear this in mind if your holiday involves high risk activities such as skiing, diving or hang gliding. If you have to take medicines on a daily basis, make sure that you have more than enough to take away with you.

It is a good idea to carry medication, stored in its original containers, in your hand luggage in case your suitcases go missing en route. Many sexually transmitted infections are contracted on holidays or trips abroad. The best method of protection against such infections is using a condom. Be prepared and take a plentiful supply with you as they may not be quite easy to come once you are overseas.