How Long Does the Flu Last in Children

Is your child down with flu? Wondering how long does the flu last in children? Influenza, which is commonly called as flu, is a very contagious respiratory infection that is caused by influenza viruses. If any of the influenza A, B or C viruses find a way into our body, it gives rise to a variety of distressing symptoms. These viruses easily spread to others through person-to-person contact. Flu is common during winters and school-going children are most commonly affected due to the infectious nature of this medical condition. If one child in the class gets infected, it wouldn't be long before other children start exhibiting the symptoms as well. This is due to the inhalation of the respiratory secretions that become airborne when a child infected by the influenza virus coughs or sneezes. Since some of the symptoms are similar to that of common cold, many people might ignore the symptoms thinking of it being just a common cold. If left untreated, the symptoms of influenza can worsen and cause a great deal of discomfort. It is, therefore, important to know the difference between common cold and influenza.

Difference between Common Cold and Influenza

Though both common cold and influenza are respiratory conditions that surface during the winter season, influenza could have serious repercussions on one's health. In fact, influenza can even lead to life-threatening situation in the absence of medical treatment. The symptoms of a common cold include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose or sore throat. A common cold is never a cause of serious concern, however, influenza can pose serious health risks. Common cold affects the nose and throat, but influenza can give rise to body ache and a host of other distressing symptoms. Influenza A virus can affect humans as well as animals and spreads through contact. Influenza A virus has been known for causing deadly epidemics such as bird flu or swine flu in the past. The risk of flu is great in populated places. This is the reason why school-going children who stay in close contact are more susceptible.

When a child infected with this virus coughs or sneezes, the air droplets containing the viruses can be inhaled by others. Sharing personal items of the infected person can also spread the virus to others. Once one comes into contact with the influenza virus, the symptoms will appear soon, unlike common cold, where the symptoms appear gradually. One is likely to experience severe symptoms at the onset of flu. Flu symptoms in children and adults include high fever, chills, dry cough, cold, body aches, malaise, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and weakness.

How Long Does the Flu Last in Children

Wondering how long does the flu last in children? Well, the answer to this question can depend on a variety of factors. In case of adults, the symptoms of flu might last anywhere between 7 - 10 days, but young children and old people might take longer to recover. One's ability to fight off the infection depends on how strong the immune system is. Since the immune system is yet to mature in very young children, they are at an increased risk of developing complications in the absence of prompt medical treatment. If certain anti-viral medications are taken within 48 hours, these can stop the virus from reproducing and thus, the severity of the symptoms might be greatly reduced. If the immune system of a child has been weakened by a chronic disease, there is a great risk of flu worsening into pneumonia. Once a child has been diagnosed with flu, it's essential that he/she takes ample rest. Besides using d rugs and taking rest, one can also follow flu home remedies. Staying well-hydrated, inhaling steam and drinking herbal tea are some of the effective home remedies. If all the precautionary measures are taken, then a child may be able to recover from flu in a couple of weeks. Administration of flu vaccine before the flu season is one of the most effective preventive measures.

I hope that this article helped you understand what causes flu and how it's different from common cold. Though one cannot give a definitive answer on how long does the flu last in children, a prompt medical treatment can definitely speed up the process of recovery and prevent dangerous complications. So, if your child seems to be exhibiting the symptoms of flu, instead of assuming it to be common cold, let a doctor ascertain whether it is flu or not.

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Εγκαινιάζουμε την συνεργασία μας με το Amazon.com

Î'ποκλειστικά για σας εξασφαλίσαμε την συνεργασία με το Amazon.Com για να μπορείτε να προβείτε σε διαδικτυακές αγορές. Περισσότερα εδώ: Amazon.com - Ηλεκτρονικό Κατάστημα

Lower Calf Pain

A calf muscle strain is one of the most common causes of lower calf pain, but there could be other causes of calf pain as well. Before I move on to the causes of pain in lower calf muscle, let me give you a basic idea about the anatomy of the calf muscles. Various movements of the legs are facilitated by the calf muscles located in the posterior section of the lower leg. Gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are both calf muscles that insert into the heel bone through the Achilles tendon. Gastrocnemius, which is bigger in size, attaches above the knee and helps to flex the leg at the knee, while soleus is located beneath gastrocnemius.

Gastrocnemius helps us to bring our body forward while we walk or run. Gastrocnemius works in conjunction with soleus and helps our body to maintain balance while we stand or indulge in other leg movements such walking, running or jumping. If any of these muscles get strained, one's mobility gets adversely affected. Running, sprinting and various activities can put strain on the muscles of the lower leg, this is why sports persons are extremely susceptible to tightness and pain in calf muscles. Though one might be able to recover quickly from a mild calf muscle strain, an injury that causes the calf muscles to rupture will give rise to distressing symptoms. In this article, we will look into the common causes of lower calf pain.

Causes of Lower Calf Pain

Now that you have some idea about the function of these muscles, let's find out what causes calf pain.

Pulled Calf Muscle: A pulled calf muscle is most likely to cause lower calf pain when walking. Those who indulge in sports that involve substantial leg movement in the form of running, sprinting and jumping are definitely at a great risk of suffering from a strained calf muscle. It is also important to perform warm up exercises before indulging in sports or any strenuous activity. Warming up helps the body prepare itself for the increased muscle activity, and those who don't follow a warm up routine are likely to suffer from pain.

Wearing Ill-fitting Footwear: Many a time, muscles in the lower leg might get strained due to wearing shoes that don't fit perfectly. This is the reason why women who wear high-heeled shoes are likely to suffer from calf muscle pain. If you go for jogging everyday, make sure that you buy running shoes that are properly cushioned and also facilitate shock absorption. If your shoes are not well-equipped with cushioning and don't provide proper support to the ankle, the stress on muscles, ligaments or tendons might increase and give rise to calf pain.

Achilles Tendonitis: Since the calf muscles attach to the heel bone through the Achilles tendon, the pain around ankles and calf muscles, could arise due to inflammation of this tendon. Overzealous running could stretch the muscles beyond normal limits and cause sore calf muscles. Overuse of leg muscles, running on uneven surfaces or wearing improper shoes could cause an inflammation of the tendon. People suffering from flat feet are also more susceptible to Achilles tendonitis.

Blood Circulation: Various parts of the body need oxygenated blood to be able to perform their functions. If the supply of blood is cut off, then serious problems can arise. At times, formation of blood clots in the deep veins in the lower leg can block the supply of blood. This condition is medically referred to as deep vein thrombosis. Calf pain, tenderness and swelling in the affected leg are some of the common symptoms that might arise due to this condition. Other peripheral vascular diseases such as venous or arterial insufficiency could also affect the blood circulation and cause pain in lower calf muscles.

Nutritional Deficiency: Lower calf pain could be caused due to the deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals. Tight calf muscles or cramps in the lower legs might be caused due to the deficiency of nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and phosphorus. An inadequate intake of water might also be responsible for pain in the calf muscles.

Treatment of Lower Calf Pain

Now that you are aware of the common causes of lower calf pain, let's move on to the treatment options. An injury might cause development of tears in the calf muscles, and lead to calf muscle strain. So, if you have been experiencing lower calf pain after running or on walking, consult a doctor immediately. An X-ray examination will help the doctors determine the extent of damage to the structures present in the lower leg. Since overuse of muscles is the most common cause of upper as well as lower calf pain, it's best to take rest till you recover. RICE approach is often the best for treating muscle strains. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Application of ice and use of compression bandage can help in alleviating the pain. Keeping the legs elevated will also help in reducing the swelling. Doctors might also prescribe painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is too severe, steroid injections might be prescribed. Going for massage or physiotherap y sessions will also prove beneficial in the treatment of calf muscle pain.

Overuse of calf muscles is the most common cause of lower calf pain. At times, pain in lower calf muscles might arise from use of an improper running technique, use of ill-fitting footwear or over-stretching of muscles without warming up. So, make sure that you don't indulge in anything that stretches the muscles beyond their limits. Prepare your muscles with warm up sessions and also give your body proper rest to recuperate from the effects of increased muscle activity as well.

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Blood Poisoning Treatment

Blood poisoning refers to a medical problem, in which the blood is contaminated with pathogenic microbes and their toxic productions. The close medical term for blood poisoning is sepsis. A serious infection, it is necessary to treat blood poisoning at the earliest possible date. Delay in getting blood poisoning treatment is associated with exacerbation of the condition, resulting in life-threatening complications, and at times, fatality.

What Causes Blood Poisoning?

In most cases of blood poisoning, the root cause is bacterial infection in blood (bacteremia). Also, other pathogenic organisms, like virus and fungi, contribute to blood infection causes in some cases. Initially, infection takes place in the skin, wounds, gum or other body parts, which later spread to bloodstream. Once the blood is infected, the pathogen and its secreted toxins are spread to internal organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, etc., and result in a wide range of symptoms.

Symptoms of Blood Poisoning

There are three stages of sepsis or blood poisoning, which are categorized with respect to pathogenic invasion in the host. Uncomplicated sepsis is resulted due to common infections of the wounds, cold and flu. The second stage is severe sepsis, wherein the hypersensitive reaction of body's immune system impairs the normal functioning of vital organs. An untreated severe sepsis may worsen to septic shock, the third stage of sepsis. The notable blood poisoning symptoms are listed below:

• Running high temperature on all a sudden
• Chills and abnormally low temperature
• Nauseated feeling
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased respiratory rate

Treatment of Blood Poisoning

Diagnosis of blood poisoning is done with the help of blood culture method. Of course, the doctor will strictly examine the physical symptoms for suspected blood infection. With severe infection, inflammation of body parts and blood clots are obvious signs due to action of body's defense mechanism. The treatment guide for blood poisoning is entirely based on how serious is the sepsis condition. In case of early diagnosis, blood poisoning treatment can be proceeded at home with a full course of prescription antibiotics.

If uncomplicated blood poisoning is left treated, it progresses to severe sepsis and finally, septic shock. These serious forms of blood poisoning are medical emergencies, and patients diagnosed with the same are admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective is to support the vital organ functions, say normal breathing and heart pumping, while the bacterial infection is treated completely. For such cases, blood poisoning drugs are antibiotics delivered intravenously. This intravenous treatment distributes the medication quickly, and shows improvement signs within a short time.

Blood poisoning medication is usually a combination of two or more antibiotics, given for 7 - 10 days. The logic is to give broad spectrum drugs for various bacterial strains. By the time, causal strain is identified, more specific antibiotic medication is prescribed for blood poisoning treatment. The most concerning issue with untreated severe sepsis is high risk of organ damage within a short time. For delayed antibiotic treatment, it is found that the rate of mortality is increased by about 7 percent per hour. In addition to this antibacterial therapy, organ support (e.g. kidney dialysis and intubation, mechanical ventalation) and surgical approaches to remove infection may be directed for the patient.

By the time, patients with severe sepsis and septic shock are hospitalized, the vital organs are no longer functioning normally, as they should. Thus, chances of complications are very high, and their survival rate is reduced. As per statistics, the mortality rate of these patients is about 40 percent or more. In a nutshell, a good prognosis of blood poisoning is expected, if diagnosis is made in initial stages and correct treatment is followed without wasting time. In such cases, the pathogenic invasion is stopped, before it gets spread to vital organs. Above all, the general health of the patients matters a lot in achieving prompt recovery from blood infections.

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Treatment Options for Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is responsible for causing herpes. Genital herpes is less common than oral herpes, and is reported in about 20 percent American adults. The main concern for both cases is, there is no cure for these viral infections. Once a person gets infected with this virus, it becomes a lifelong problem. However, effectual treatment options for genital herpes help in preventing the symptoms from getting worse, and quickening the healing process.

Genital Herpes: Signs and Symptoms

Incubation period of herpes simplex virus is between 2 days to 2 weeks. In most patients, notable symptoms of genital herpes are absent (which is not so in case of oral herpes). Thus, identifying infection and containment of this viral disease are very difficult. In fact, many people who have been infected by herpes virus are unaware of the infection, thus increasing the risk for spreading to their sexual partners. For symptomatic genital herpes, the notable signs and symptoms include:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina
• Burning sensation and itchiness in the genital area
• Herpes sores in the affected genital portion and areas adjacent to it
• Sore development in the urinary tract, causing painful urination
• Running high temperature, which is indicative of infection
• Swelling of glands in the groin

Considering the mode of transmission, genital herpes is categorized under sexually transmitted disease (STD). The causal pathogen is present in open sores and fluid filled blisters. Upon direct contact, it can be transmitted to the sexual partner. Any individual who experiences genital sores should get prompt treatment, as there is a high risk for exacerbation of symptoms and spreading to sexual partner. Treatment options for genital herpes depend on, whether the patient is having primary outbreak or recurrent flare ups.

Genital Herpes: Treatment Guidelines

The therapeutic techniques purported for genital herpes treatment are revolved around antiviral medications. Both oral and topical formulations are used for the purpose. However, oral antiviral drugs are found to be more reliable than the topical ones. The concerned doctor will recommend oral pills only, or both pills and ointments based on the severity of the symptoms. In patients with serious cases, antiviral formulation is delivered via intravenous injections.

In the present scenario, there are three antiviral drugs that are considered safe and effective for treating genital herpes. They are acyclovir (trade name Zovirax), famciclovir (trade name Famvir) and valacyclovir (trade name Valtrex). Of these, acyclovir is basically used for treating both primary infections and recurrent infections. On the other hand, famciclovir is suited for immunocompromised patients having frequent flare ups. And, valacyclovir is effectual for dealing with recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes. The strength of these pills varies, so is the recommended dosage.

Primary Outbreak Treatment This refers to the type of genital herpes treatment received after the first outbreak of symptoms. Any of the three antiviral pills can be used for primary sore outbreak, but in different intake dosage. Say for instance, recommended dosage for acyclovir is 1200 mg daily (taken in 3 or 5 doses), dosage intake for famciclovir is 750 mg per day (administered in three doses) and for valacyclovir, it is 2 g daily (taken in two doses). Usually, the treatment duration lasts for one week to 10 days. With this initial treatment, most likely, the symptoms will subside gradually without causing complications. After completion of the first outbreak treatment, the concerned doctor may suggest further therapeutic approaches for managing genital herpes.

Episodic Treatment Also known as intermittent therapy, it is one of the most common treatment options for genital herpes that recur frequently. Instead of daily popping antiviral pills, episodic treatment is followed as per requirement. In simple words, the patient administers antiviral medications at the first onset of genital herpes flare up symptoms, but not continuous daily treatment. The treatment period may continue for 3 - 5 days, based on the manifested symptoms. It is best suited for people, who have less frequent flare ups, accompanied with mild symptoms. Since medications are taken only when needed (not everyday), episodic treatment is less expensive than the suppressive therapy.

Suppressive Treatment The suppressive therapy is indicated for patients, who experience genital sore flare ups for 6 times or more in a year. Over here, the patients are expected to pop an antiviral pill of specific dosage (say 500 mg valacyclovir) everyday. As the name goes, this treatment option for genital herpes is aimed at suppressing viral shedding and reducing the frequency of sore outbreaks. When followed stringently, suppressive therapy for genital herpes is effective for lowering the recurrent active disease episode by about 70 - 80 percent. Some patients achieve full suppression of sore outbreaks. Nevertheless, being on this genital herpes treatment doesn't mean that the virus can no longer spread to prospective sexual partners.

In addition to therapeutic intervention for genital sore outbreaks, patients should adopt genital herpes treatment at home as directed by the doctor. The point is to prevent spreading of virus to others. For this, a couple should not indulge in sexual intercourse during flare ups. Also, if a partner experiences frequent bouts of severe genital herpes, regular use of condoms is indicated along with suppressive therapy. As far as alternative treatment options for genital herpes are concerned, some herbal products and supplements are claimed to quicken healing period of sores. But, more clinical trials need to be done for proving the claims.

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How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne

Acne getting your frustration levels soaring high...higher, higher still? Yes, yes. I am all too aware of what acne can do to one. And it's not just the acne, it's also the fact that it leaves scars and marks. So even though you might have gotten out of the whole acne cycle, there is always the constant reminders of how they inhabited your face at one point of time. Fine, we suffered. But let's not get down in the dumps about it, let's get some solutions under way. Apple cider vinegar is known as a great cure for acne and acne marks, did you know? But your question is how to use apple cider vinegar? The answer to that can be found in the following paragraphs. Let's get reading.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne Treatment

The best deal about apple cider vinegar is that it can be used in varied forms for the same problem and therefore offers a 360 degree solution. This will help 'coz it faces a problem head on and gets a solution in one way or the other for effective apple cider vinegar acne treatment.

Plain Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy Apple cider vinegar has alpha-hydroxy acids that helps to balance the pH balance of the skin and leads to clear and smoother skin. With constant use it also leads to clearing of acne marks. So how to use apple cider vinegar for acne marks? Take clear and unfiltered apple cider vinegar and dilute it with water. Apple cider vinegar has acids and if used in the pure form can harm the skin. Thus it needs to be diluted. Mix vinegar in water in the ratio of 1:8 (½ tsp in a cup of water approx). Dip a cotton swab in this solution and apply directly on the acne or even the scars and marks. Leave it overnight and wash off in the morning.

Herbal Tea + Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy One way of using apple cider vinegar for acne is by making a base of green herbal tea. Take a herbal tea bag and put it in a cup of boiling water. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Then cool off. Now add 1/3 cup vinegar and water each to the tea and mix well. Take a cotton swab, dip in solution and use on the scars and acne. The way in which it works is that it allows for deep cleansing and toning and thereby prevents the formation of acne.

Skin Toner Oily skin is more prone to developing acne and that is why an application of an astringent toner solution is important to block the pores and prevent the impurities to enter the skin and cause acne. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a very effective skin toner as well. To use, make a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio and store. After you've washed your face and wiped it clean, either splash the solution onto your face or use a cotton ball and spread an even layer over your face.

Face Mask Additive Face masks are known to be very effective when it comes to tackling acne and acne scars that follow. How to use apple cider vinegar for acne scars? For using the apple cider vinegar benefits for acne, simply make a mixture of fuller's earth and add 2 tbs of this vinegar in it. Mix well with water until it is of a consistency that you can use. Spread a thick layer over the face and let it dry for 20-30 minutes. After it begins to crack, wash it off with cold water. Never wait for the mask to dry completely on the face. The fuller's earth and vinegar will absorb the excess heat from the body and thereby get rid of the build up of toxins in the body. This will in turn lead to getting the acne and the acne scars away from the body. Which is what you are aiming at any which way.

As a Drink Apple cider vinegar is not merely used as an external element, it can also be used internally. Mix 2 tbs of vinegar and mix in a cup of water, add a little honey for taste and consume. This works as an excellent detox drink and cleanses the entire system thoroughly. An elimination of all toxins leads to increased blood circulation and thereby to healthier and smoother skin. The acne is thereby duly tackled.

That is how to use apple cider vinegar for acne and make sure that it never, ever makes a comeback. Be consistent with this one and you'll find that positive results will follow soon enough. All the best.

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Tender Breasts During Pregnancy

"Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain - your life will never be the same." ~ Catherine Jones

Pregnancy changes a lot of things for a woman, she is no longer a normal woman now, she is 'an expecting mother.' Not only does the outlook of people change towards you while you are pregnant, but your body also changes drastically. If you know that you are pregnant and are experiencing some unusual changes in your body, like frequent urination, mood swings and tenderness in the breasts, then do not worry at all. These are some of the very early pregnancy symptoms that a woman may experience even before missing a period. You may feel that your breasts have become extremely tender. Tender breasts during pregnancy may include increased sensitivity, swelling and soreness in the breasts. The degree of all these depends upon the age and the number of times a woman has been pregnant before. If this is your first pregnancy, then it is likely for you to experience extreme tenderness in your breasts. Altho ugh, these symptoms become milder in nature in the following pregnancies.

What Causes Tender Breasts During Pregnancy?

Giving birth to an all new life is a blessing in itself. There are many changes that a woman's body undergoes while she is preparing for that. This is the main cause of tender breasts during pregnancy. Your body needs to make some arrangements for catering to the needs of the baby growing within you. One of the ways of doing it is the increase in the levels of hormones in the body. These hormones, namely progesterone and estrogen increase drastically in the body, leading to increased blood flow in the breasts. It is due to this increased blood flow that your breasts become more sensitive and tender. Another reason behind tenderness and sensitivity in the breasts is the production of milk for the baby. The milk producing cells in the breasts cause the breasts to grow almost 2 cup sizes bigger than normal. This is because of the formation of the milk duct that causes the development of additional layers of fat under your breasts. All these reasons result in the increased tenderness, sensitivity, soreness, pain and swelling that you experience in your breasts during pregnancy. It is nothing but the response of the mammary ducts and the alveolar system in the body towards the drastically elevated levels of hormones.

What are the Symptoms of Tender Breasts During Pregnancy?

Most women experience tender breasts during early pregnancy. In fact, some women have noticed tender breasts even before missed period. However, a majority of women experience changes in their breasts during the 4th week to 6th week after conception. Below mentioned are the changes that you may notice in your breasts during pregnancy.

• Increase in the size
• Darkening and enlargement of nipples and areolas, which is the dark surface surrounding your nipples.
• Hypersensitivity and tenderness.
• Pain while touching or moving the breasts.
• Visible veins in your breasts due to increase in the blood flow.
• Raised Montgomery's tubercles, which are the small glands present on the surface of your areolas.
• Leakage of the colostrum, also known as the pre-milk from the breasts. This yellowish liquid is the one that feeds your baby initially. This leakage may not occur with every woman though. Whether it happens or not, both the cases are absolutely normal.
• Burning sensation or tingling in the breasts, especially the nipples can also occur during pregnancy.

What Can be Done to Handle these Changes?

While the changes you are experiencing are inevitable and there is nothing you can do to stop, you can however adapt to these changes so that handling them becomes much easier. The first thing that you need to handle your hypersensitive breasts this time, is to get a comfortable bra. Make sure that you don't wear bras with under wires as they end up chafing your breasts and can clog the milk ducts as well as the blood supply. Instead, go for bras that are much more comfortable and can give your breasts some room for further growth. Yes, that is right. Your breasts tend to grow until after your pregnancy, so buying a cotton bra which is larger than your current size would be a good idea. In fact, your breasts can account for almost 1 to 3 pounds of the total weight gain you experience during pregnancy! You can also get a bra specifically designed for yourself from a maternity store.

Apart from getting a good maternity bra, another tip to reduce the swelling on your breasts is to take warm baths and let the warm water flow down your breasts. If you are experiencing a burning sensation, then applying cool cloth on the area would prove to be of help. Tender breasts during pregnancy can cause a lot of trouble and botheration, however, keeping in mind that these changes are only for the proper growth and development of your baby, all the discomfort is totally worth it! Take care of yourself and the little one inside you.

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Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Brain

Acute insomnia lasts for 2-4 weeks while chronic insomnia may last for one or more months. Effects of sleep deprivation on the brain are discussed in this article. Read ahead...

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