Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease and is considered to be the most common of all these STD’s. Found in vaginal fluids and semen, it is a bacterial infection that infects approximately one in ten sexually active young people.

This disease is spread from one person to another via all types of sexual activity and can survive inside the cells of the urethra, cervix, rectum and on some occasions in the eyes and throat. Chlamydia can also be transferred from a pregnant mother to her baby. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot catch the disease from activities such as hugging, kissing, toilet seats, sharing of towels, plates, or cups.

The effects of Chlamydia in Women

There are no obvious symptoms and it is often described as the “silent infection” because of this. Women who catch Chlamydia may notice bleeding between periods, unusual vaginal discharge or lower abdominal pain. Men could notice a discharge from the tip of their penis, painful testicles or pain when urinating.

If Chlamydia is suspected in an individual, its important get tested quickly to diagnose the infection. Once diagnosed, the condition is easily treatable with antibiotics. There has been an influx of Chlamydia testing kits onto the market, but as yet these are still not accurate enough, so a medical diagnosis is vital.

When the heart is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently, it is known as heart failure. Heart failure can affect either the left or right side of the heart, or in some cases, both sides. The condition can be brought on by a number of diseases including high blood pressure, heart valve disease, blood clot in the coronary arteries and heart muscle disease.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, breathing problems, coughing, fatigue, leg swelling, eczema type rash and accumulation of fluid in the organs or abdominal cavity. Heart failure is usually diagnosed by a combination of medical history along with an examination that will check out such issues as heart sounds, heart rate, heart murmurs, fluid on the lungs, swollen legs, swollen neck veins or an enlarged liver. It can also be diagnosed by means of a chest x-ray, an ECG and blood samples. Doctors can also find out what caused the heart failure by performing additional blood tests so certain viral infections can be spotted, an ultrasound of the heart, a coronary artery examinations (done by injecting a dye into the left and right coronary arteries), exercise testing carried out on a treadmill and by taking a biopsy of a small bit of heart muscle.

Heart Failure

Ways to avoid heart failure include stopping smoking, a change of diet as well as avoiding overeating, exercising more often and getting problems such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol treated in a timely manner.

Rotavirus infection affects the stomach and intestines in children with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. Most cases of the rotavirus infection are mild and usually clear up without medical intervention within a few days but some children, especially toddlers under the age of two, can be at risk of dehydration so it is essential to keep them hydrated with plenty of fluids.

The rotavirus infection is spread by infected people who haven’t washed their hands properly after going to the toilet. This can cause tiny amounts of infected feces being passed on to the child.  Small amounts of these infected feces can also be carried in the air resulting in the child inhaling them. Most children will have contracted the rotavirus infection by the age of five.  The rotavirus infection is more common during the winter and spring and it is usually common for the first virus to be the worst as after that the child will have built up some immunity.  It is for this reason that the rotavirus is rare in adults.

Rotavirus Infection

The rotavirus is extremely contagious in children and can even infect children who have already had the infection due to full immunity not being built up.  It is a good idea to isolate an infected child for a period of at least 48 hours after they have stopped having diarrhea and vomiting.

Symptoms of the rotavirus infection include rapid onset of diarrhea and vomiting and also occasionally a high temperature of 38C or above however it is important to recognize the signs of dehydration as this can occur if not enough fluids are taken.  Signs of dehydration include weakness, rapid breathing, little or no urine, or dry mouth and eyes.

The most important thing to do for a child with the rotavirus infection is to keep them hydrated and the infection will usually pass within a few days.