Concussions are also a type of internal head injury. A concussion is the temporary loss of normal brain function due to an injury. Repeated concussions can result in permanent injury to the brain. However, it's possible to get a concussion that's mild and just requires observation.
One of the most common reasons kids get concussions is through sports, so make sure they wear appropriate protective gear and don't continue to play if they've had a head injury.
If your child sustains an injury to the head, watch for these signs of a possible concussion:
"seeing stars" and feeling dazed, dizzy, or lightheaded
memory loss, such as trouble remembering what happened right before and after the injury
nausea or vomiting
headaches
blurred vision and sensitivity to light
slurred speech or saying things that don't make sense
difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
difficulty with coordination or balance (such as being unable to catch a ball or other easy tasks)
feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason
feeling overly tired
If you suspect a concussion, call your doctor for further instructions.
Preventing Head Injuries
It's impossible to prevent kids from ever being injured, but there are ways to help prevent head blows.
Make sure that:
your home ischildproofed to prevent household accidents
your kids always wear appropriate headgear and safety equipment when biking, in-line skating, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing, and playing contact sports. Wearing a bike helmet, for instance, reduces the risk of concussion by about 85%.
your child takes it easy after a head injury, especially after a concussion, and doesn't go back to rough play or playing sports until the injury has healed. (If your child reinjures the brain while it's still healing, it will take even more time to completely heal. Each time a person has a concussion, it does additional damage.)
internal head injuries, which may involve the skull, the blood vessels within the skull, or the brain
Fortunately, most childhood falls or blows to the head result in injury to the scalp only, which is usually more frightening than threatening. An internal head injury could have more serious implications because the skull serves as the protective helmet for the delicate brain.
External (Scalp) Injury
The scalp is rich with blood vessels, so even a minor cut there can bleed profusely. The "goose egg" or swelling that may appear after a head blow is the result of the scalp's veins leaking fluid or blood into (and under) the scalp. It may take days or even weeks to disappear.
What to look for and what to do:
Call the doctor if your child is an infant; has lost consciousness, even momentarily; or if a child of any age has any of these symptoms:
won't stop crying
complains of head and neck pain
becomes difficult to console
isn't walking normally
If your child is not an infant, has not lost consciousness, and is alert and behaving normally after the fall or blow:
Apply an ice pack or instant cold pack to the injured area for 20 minutes. If you use ice, always wrap it in a washcloth or sock; ice applied directly to bare skin can cause frostbite.
Observe your child carefully for the next 24 hours. If you notice any of the signs of internal injury (see below), call your doctor immediately.
If the incident has occurred close to bedtime or naptime and your child falls asleep soon afterward, check in every few hours to look for twitching limbs or disturbances in color or breathing.
If color and breathing are normal, and you observe or sense no other abnormalities, let your child sleep (unless the doctor has advised otherwise). There's no need to keep a child awake after a head injury.
If color and/or breathing are abnormal, or if you aren't comfortable with your child's appearance (trust your instincts), rouse your child partially by sitting him or her up. Your child should fuss a bit and attempt to resettle. If he or she doesn't protest, try to awaken your child fully. If your child can't be awakened or shows any signs of internal injury (see below), call the doctor or an ambulance.
MANY parents think ulcer disease can only be sustained by an adult. In fact, little else can be affected by an ulcer. So, what causes it? Does the same symptoms like ulcers in adults? Basically, according to Dr. Budi Purnomo SpA, stomach ulcers in children are not too different from the ulcer that occurs in most adults. He said that, if seen through a microscope, the intestine is shaped like a weed (flakes). Well, in that there are flakes of enzymes, where if there's food will be accommodated and absorbed. "In particular children also increases stomach acid production. Now, this is called a kind of gastritis (gastritis), gas production increases. The second could be called bloating. This, too, its gas production is also high," beber physicians who practice in this RSAB Harapan Kita. Germs Cause ulcer Apparently, not only in adults, little else can suffer from stomach ulcers. It's just that the process can vary. Not all heartburn caused by irregular eating habits or stress. In particular, in developing countries, stomach ulcers are also caused by bacterial infection helicobactererpylori. This bacterium is usually transmitted through food and beverages. But the density of residential development can also affect the bacteria. According to Dr. Kadim Muzal SpA (K), from Cipto Mangunkusumo, the infected bacteria are classified as long. So it does not mean it will be directly exposed to bacterial symptoms. These bacteria could also have entered into the body of the child's symptoms but never completely. Depending on the child's immune system itself. On a separate occasion, Dr. Budi who also practice in RSIA Hermina Daan says, "In addition to bacteria, in children who do not like to eat vegetables, jonjotnya growth is also not good. As a result, can not digest food properly." Incidence Symptoms Heartburn symptoms in children is almost the same as general heartburn. For example sick about heartburn, bloating. Only children who are above five years who could express his pain. "Usually if children under five years old, which is felt or symptoms, stomach bloating, CHAPTER noncurrent, eat less, often fart," explained Dr. Budi. But make no mistake, said dr Muzal, although a child is suffering from stomach pains, but when checked will not find anything abnormal. This is called stomach ulcer pain caused by psychological problems. Such symptoms are often found in children whose age was greater or adulthood (5-15 years). Meanwhile, for children whose age was smaller, typically doctors perform endoscopy to confirm whether or not the bacteria. If it was little affected by the bacteria, advanced dr Muzal, there will be a clinic symptoms such as abdominal pain. Usually, abdominal pain is also found in the solar plexus. Sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Abdominal pain did not arise suddenly, but repeated or chronic abdominal pain that had lasted for three months or more. Even at night the child was often awakened by abdominal pain. So if any child had abdominal pain for more than three months, usually associated with the occurrence of infection in the stomach. In addition, other symptoms supporting the presence of bacteria in the body of the child is fever and weight they do not rise or fail to grow in the medical language. Treatment But again the parents do not worry too much. Because the germs of heartburn can be treated. According to dr Muzal, if there is an infection, doctors usually give antibiotics and medicines that must be taken twice a day for 1-2 weeks. After drug administration during the period of time, just one month later the child must be controlled again by the doctor. Whereas if you have heartburn suffered very great and there are quite a lot of bleeding in the digestive tract, usually be treated at the hospital. Way of handling must diendoskopi first. After that will be given drugs that reduce stomach acid. Meanwhile, to stop the bleeding that occurred, the patient will be fasting until the bleeding stops. Usually one to two days. And as a substitute for the entry of food, the child will diimfus as a substitute for food. Dr. Budi adds, "Also, notice their habits, set, do not forget to eat vegetables and do not drink too much milk." He continued, if the high gas production, it will be given medicine to remove the gas. Whereas if a high acid, would be given anti-acid drugs. While antibiotics are rarely done, unless there is infection. Taboo Once treated, it does not mean your child can not ulcer recurrence. Surely all this there is prohibition. "Like food, the child should not eat spicy, sour, eating lots of vegetables and fruit. Instant noodles do not get too much, because it's not good for children. Starchy snacks that many had to be reduced," warned Dr. Budi. One more thing to remember, added Dr. Muzal, when caring for children who get ulcers in the home, preventing delivery of drugs that can stimulate the bacteria. Like, painkillers, because it would interfere. "Besides giving the acidic foods like oranges and pineapples. Carbonated beverages are also not allowed," the late Dr. Muzal. (Mom & Kiddie / / tty) source website lifestyle.okezone.com
Authors: Arie Yulianto, dr. Maybe you've heard the term "Gastritis" and even the majority may have suffered from the disease. Lay people know him heartburn. Do you know how prevention and treatment? What is it heartburn? Gastritis derived from the word meaning gastric ulcers. Gastritis is an inflammation (swelling) of the gastric mucosa, which can be caused by irritation and infection. As we know, the stomach is a digestive organ in the human body that serves to store food, digest and then drain into the small intestine. Inside the hull there are digestive enzymes like pepsin, gastric acid and mucus to protect the stomach wall itself. If there is an imbalance among these factors eg excessive acid or mucus is reduced, it can irritate the stomach wall causing inflammation process (Gastritis). Also irritation can also be caused by drugs (aspirin, NSAIDs), alcohol, chronic vomiting and poisons. Infection can be caused by bacteria, most Helicobacter pylori. H.pylori colonize the deepest layer is the protective mucosa lining of the gastric mucosa and impairs their function as protectors. In some cases it can cause ulcers (ulcers) that may increase the risk of gastric cancer. What are the symptoms of heartburn? In acute cases, symptoms that often appear usually is a pain in the pit of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, no appetite, bloating, weight loss, sore or burning pain in the upper abdomen that can become better or worse when eating. While usually asymptomatic chronic if there is only a mild pain in the upper abdomen and feels full or loss of appetite. How treatment of heartburn? Gastritis Treatment depends on the cause. In many cases, reduction of gastric acid with the aid of medication is quite helpful. Antibiotics are only used when there are indications of bacterial infection. The use of drugs that irritate the stomach also had to be stopped. Other treatments are also necessary when complications arise or result other than gastritis. Drug categories in gastritis * Antacids: neutralize stomach acid and relieve the pain * Acid blockers: helping reduce the amount of stomach acid produced, eg, ranitidine * Proton pump inhibitors: stop production of stomach acid, such as omeprazole * Cytoprotective agent: protecting the gastric mucosal tissue and small intestine, for example Sucralfate * Antibiotics: destroy bacteria, such as Amoxicillin, Metronidazole How to prevent heartburn? Until now there is no easy way to healthy life free of heartburn in addition to improving lifestyles and eating habits. Here are some suggestions: * Set a good diet and regular (Avoid fatty and greasy foods, eat plenty of fibrous food) * Avoid beverages containing alcohol * Exercise regularly * Stop smoking * Avoid the use of drugs, especially that irritate the stomach (aspirin) * Reduce stress because stress can trigger stomach acid expenditure
Source:
Kapita selekta kedokteran. Mansjoer, Arif et al, editor. Ed 3. Jakarta : Media Aesculapius, 2000.
Swine influenza (also swine flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).
Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A is common and Influenzavirus C is rare.[1]Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.
Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans. However, these strains rarely are able to pass from human to human. Rarely, SIV mutates into a form able to pass easily from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.
The 2009 flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives in part from human influenza, avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza. The origins of this new strain are unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that it has not been isolated in swine.[2] It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation.[3] The strain in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines.[4]
Background
The H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the descendants of the Spanish flu that caused a devastating pandemic in humans in 1918–1919.[5][6] As well as persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also circulated in humans through the 20th century, contributing to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza.[5] However, direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare, with 12 cases in the U.S. since 2005.[7]
The flu virus is perhaps the trickiest known to medical science; it constantly changes form to elude the protective antibodies that the body has developed in response to previous exposures to influenza or to influenza vaccines. Every two or three years the virus undergoes minor changes. Then, at intervals of roughly a decade, after the bulk of the world's population has developed some level of resistance to these minor changes, it undergoes a major shift that enables it to tear off on yet another pandemic sweep around the world, infecting hundreds of millions of people who suddenly find their antibody defenses outflanked.[8] Even during the Spanish flu pandemic, the initial wave of the disease was relatively mild, while the second wave was highly lethal.[6]
In 1957, an Asian flu pandemic infected some 45 million Americans and killed 70,000. Eleven years later, lasting from 1968 to 1969, the Hong Kong flu pandemic afflicted 50 million Americans and caused 33,000 deaths, costing approximately $3.9 billion. In 1976, about 500 soldiers became infected with swine flu over a period of a few weeks. However, by the end of the month investigators found that the virus had "mysteriously disappeared", and there were no more signs of swine flu anywhere on the post.[6] There were isolated cases around the U.S., but those cases were supposedly to individuals who caught the virus from pigs.
Medical researchers worldwide, recognizing that the swine flu virus might again mutate into something as deadly as the Spanish flu, were carefully watching the latest 2009 outbreak of swine flu and making contingency plans for a possible global pandemic.
Classification
SIV strains isolated to date have been classified either as Influenzavirus C or one of the various subtypes of the genus Influenzavirus A.[9]
In swine, three influenza A virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2) are circulating throughout the world. In the United States, the H1N1 subtype was exclusively prevalent among swine populations before 1998; however, since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from pigs. As of 2004, H3N2 virus isolates in US swine and turkey stocks were triple reassortants, containing genes from human (HA, NA, and PB1), swine (NS, NP, and M), and avian (PB2 and PA) lineages.[13]
Interaction with H5N1
Avian influenza virus H3N2 is endemic in pigs in China and has been detected in pigs in Vietnam, increasing fears of the emergence of new variant strains.[14] Health experts[who?] say pigs can carry human influenza viruses, which can combine (i.e. exchange homologous genome sub-units by genetic reassortment) with H5N1, passing genes and mutating into a form which can pass easily among humans.[15]H3N2 evolved from H2N2 by antigenic shift.[16] In August 2004, researchers in China found H5N1 in pigs.[17]
Nature magazine reported that Chairul Nidom, a virologist at Airlangga University's tropical disease center in Surabaya, East Java, conducted a survey of swine infections with H5N1 in 2005. He tested the blood of 10 apparently healthy pigs housed near poultry farms in West Java where avian flu had broken out. Five of the pig samples contained the H5N1 virus. The Indonesian government has since found similar results in the same region. Additional tests of 150 pigs outside the area were negative.[18][19]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in humans the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting.[21]
Because these symptoms are not specific to swine flu, a differential diagnosis of probable swine flu requires not only symptoms but also a high likelihood of swine flu due to the person's recent history. For example, during the 2009 swine flu outbreak in the United States, CDC advised physicians to "consider swine influenza infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile respiratory illness who have either been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu, or who were in one of the five U.S. states that have reported swine flu cases or in Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset."[22] A diagnosis of confirmed swine flu requires laboratory testing of a respiratory sample (a simple nose and throat swab).[22]
Prevention
Prevention of swine influenza has three components: prevention in swine, prevention of transmission to humans, and prevention of its spread among humans.
Prevention in swine
Swine influenza has become a greater problem in recent decades as the evolution of the virus has resulted in inconsistent responses to traditional vaccines. Standard commercial swine flu vaccines are effective in controlling the infection when the virus strains match enough to have significant cross-protection, and custom (autogenous) vaccines made from the specific viruses isolated are created and used in the more difficult cases.[23][24]
Present vaccination strategies for SIV control and prevention in swine farms, typically include the use of one of several bivalent SIV vaccines commercially available in the United States. Of the 97 recent H3N2 isolates examined, only 41 isolates had strong serologic cross-reactions with antiserum to three commercial SIV vaccines. Since the protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic virus, the presence of nonreactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses.[25][26]
Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.[27] Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.[27] The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days, to the CDC for analysis.[28]
Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public.[29] Although the current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain,[30] vaccines against the new strain are being developed and could be ready as early as June 2009.[31]
Experts agree that hand-washing can help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the new swine flu virus. Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows little particles of virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should see a doctor to be tested.
Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.
The CDC recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses, however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs.[33] The virus isolates that have been tested from the US and Mexico are however resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.[34] If a person gets sick, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
Antiviral Stockpiles
Some countries have issued orders to stockpile antivirals. These typically have an expiry date of five years after manufacturing.
Preparedness
To maintain a secure household during a pandemic flu, the Water Quality & Health Council recommends keeping as supplies food and bottled water, portable power sources and chlorine bleach as an emergency water purifier and surface sanitizer.[3
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