West Nile Virus is a disease which is spread by mosquitoes and for the most part is not a serious disease.  Often there are no symptoms but sometimes if an infected mosquito bites somebody it can lead to inflammation of the brain, spinal cord or the tissues which surround the brain and spinal cord.

The West Nile Virus is caused when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and then bites an animal or human.  Most of the time people with West Nile Virus have no symptoms but some people experience symptoms which include headache, muscle ache, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, back pain, abdominal pain, sore throat and diarrhea.  The symptoms will usually surface roughly three to 14 days after the infected mosquito bite and will last for approximately three to six days.

There can be complications however, and sometimes the virus can cause an infection of the brain and nervous system.  Symptoms of this would include severe headaches, high fever, stiff neck, lack of co-ordination, muscle tremors, convulsions, coma, disorientation, coma or even partial paralysis.

West Nile Virus is not serious if symptoms are mild.  However, if the virus spreads to the brain or spinal cord it can lead to brain damage or death.

The best way to avoid the virus is to protect against mosquito bites at all times when away.  It is advisable to check whether the virus is present in the country you are visiting and take extra precautions against being bitten.

West Nile Virus

The testicles are found within the scrotum which is a loose sac of skin hanging down behind the penis.  The function of the testicles is to produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.  Most of the time any lumps or swelling within the testicles are benign but it is natural for people to worry when they have found a lump.

Testicular torsion results in swelling of the testicles if the testicle has become twisted.  This interrupts blood flow and causes a large tender distension.  It often happens in developing boys who are experiencing puberty but has also been know to happen in men in their 20’s although it is quite rare.  Testicular torsion is a medical emergency due to the fact that it needs to be rectified by surgery within 6 hours or there is a risk that the testicle will be lost.

Symptoms of testicular torsion include nausea; vomiting; swelling of the scrotum; fever; abdominal pain; the need to urinate often; and, excruciating pain in one testicle.  The cause of testicular torsion results from a spermatic cord that is too long.  The spermatic cord is where the testicles hang from and in some boys this cord is too long leading to increased movement of the testicle which means the cord becoming twisted.  If it twists too much it will cut off the blood supply and the testicle will die.  Testicular torsion can sometimes just happen for no reason at all or it can be the result of strenuous exercise or other physical activity.

An ultrasound scan can be done to confirm suspicion of testicular torsion. Surgery needs to take place almost immediately to save the testicle.  The surgeon will have to cut the scrotum and untwist the cord.  He will then sew the cord to the scrotum to prevent this happening again.

Testicular Torsion

Drug allergies are adverse reactions to medication drugs and these reactions can be separated into three groups. First are those not actually related to the drug in question at all, but are coincidental and attributed to other mitigating factors associated with the illness or disease. Second are common predictable reactions like side effects related to taking other medication at the same time, or having an overdose. The third is unpredictable and uncommon reactions of which quite a few are allergic reactions that typically involve the immune system, being either immediate or delayed in reaction.

Allergic reactions can vary greatly from simple, slight rashes to very severe anaphylactic reactions of the immune system. Some drugs that can cause allergic reactions include heart drugs such as ACE inhibitors, antibiotics like penicillin, anesthetic drugs such as muscle relaxants, morphine, aspirin like drugs such as ibuprofen, chemotherapy drugs, antiseptics like iodine, vaccines such as tetanus, and colorings or preservatives in certain medications.

Reactions usually occur within one hour of taking the medication and can involve a measle-like rash that is very itchy. Some life threatening reactions may involve skin blistering with peeling accompanied by fever.

Common Allergic Reactions

Treatments of various drug allergic reactions involve the immediate withdrawal of the offending drug and then the administration of an antihistamine medicine. In severe allergic reactions, adrenaline and steroids may be used to save a life.