Incontinence is to have a loss of bowel or bladder control but is not a disease – rather a symptom of some underlying problem. Lots of medical issues can cause incontinence and these can include birth defects, pelvic region injuries, pelvic surgery, neurological diseases, aging issues brought on by degeneration, multiple sclerosis, and certain infections. Pregnancy and childbirth in females can also be a cause.

The problem can occur at any age and in both sexes, although urinary incontinence is more prevalent in females, mainly due to child birth. Sufferers may also be mentally affected as well as physically, and many individuals tend to lock themselves away for fear of being ridiculed. This obviously affects the social and professional life of the individual involved.

Nearly 80% of urinary incontinence sufferers can have their condition cured or vastly improved but a proper diagnosis has to be made initially to determine what type of incontinence is present as there are different types with different treatment options. In the more usual circumstances, incontinence involves combined treatments of medication, pelvic muscle reeducation, behavioral modification and collection devices.

Incontinence

Medication treatment on its own is also quite a common treatment, but this is only prescribed by a doctor once correct diagnosis has occurred. Surgery is also an option for many types of incontinence.

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus which can lead to AIDS. There are many ways to contract this virus, with the most common being through unprotected sex and the sharing of needles.

People who are infected with HIV may initially not realize there is anything wrong with them as they do not show any symptoms. Nevertheless, some people tend to develop some flu like symptoms which can last for several weeks. Some of these symptoms may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints, rashes and swollen lymph glands.

HIV Virus Structure

When the virus enters the body, it takes residence in white blood cells that are known as CD4 lymphocytes. The virus takes total control of these cells and starts producing billions of replicas of itself every day.

Once infection of HIV occurs, the body starts to attack the virus and because of this the virus cannot make any copies of itself. This in turn leads to a false sense of wellness as although one would still have HIV, the infected person will begin to look and feel better. Unfortunately, during this period the virus is still attacking the lymph nodes, which are the body’s immune system center.

During the course of ten to fifteen years, the HIV manages to kill so many of the CD4 cells that the body no longer has the ability to fight off infections. Once the CD4 cell count drops below a certain number (200 or lower per mL – the average is 600 to 1000) the sufferer is classed as having AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Once a person has AIDS, the risk of infection form almost anything can cause fatal complications.

HIV Virus Cycle

Influenza can be defined as a viral disease that once contracted can last from between three to five days. Influenza is normally accompanied by aching joints and muscles, cough, headaches and fever, and sufferers normally go through a period of two to three weeks feeling fatigued. The disease can become serious, leading to such conditions as pneumonia, brain and nerve damage and sometimes even death, but occurrences of these serious conditions are rare.

Other symptoms can occur with influenza and these can include chest pain, loss of appetite, restless sleep, chills, indigestion, and vomiting. Individuals that catch influenza should drink as much fluid as they can due to the fever, rest while trying to get lots of sleep, and avoid smoking or drinking alcohol. A person should contact their doctor should the symptoms still be present after a week, or if they are feeling worse than they were.

Influenza

Influenza is spread from individual to individual through the air, infecting the throat, nose or lungs once contracted. As it can spread very quickly, epidemics often occur with affected areas in the grip of the virus from four to six weeks.

The elderly are particularly at risk from the disease, while individuals with lung or heart disease can develop complications if struck by flu. The people who are most at risk are advised to seek yearly vaccinations.