Thalassaemia (or thalassemia) is a genetic disorder of the blood which originated in the Mediterranean region.
In thalassaemia, the disease is caused by the weakening and destruction of red blood cells. This is caused by mutant genes which affect how the body makes haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen. People with thalassaemia make less haemoglobin and fewer circulating red blood cells than normal, which results in mild or severe anemia.
Thalassaemia can cause significant complications, including pneumonia, iron overload, bone deformities and cardiovascular illness. However, this inherited disease of red blood cells gives a degree of protection against malaria, which is or was common in the regions where the trait is common. This selective survival advantage for carriers (known as heterozygous advantage) is responsible for keeping the mutation in populations way above its mutation rate. Carriers are heterozygous for the thalassaemia allele, meaning only one of their two alleles is mutant (abnormal). There are a number of different versiona of thalassaemia. Each one is caused by a mutation in a different position in the genome.
Treatment for Thalassaemia
The goal of long-term hypertransfusional support is to maintain the patient's hemoglobin level at 9-10 g/dL, thus improving his or her sense of well being while simultaneously suppressing enhanced erythropoiesis. This strategy treats the anemia and suppresses endogenous erythropoiesis so that extramedullary hematopoiesis and skeletal changes are suppressed. Patients receiving long-term transfusion therapy also require iron chelation. (See Medication)
Blood banking considerations for these patients include completely typing their erythrocytes for Rh and ABO antigens prior to the first transfusion. This procedure helps future cross-matching processes and minimizes the chances of alloimmunization. Transfusion of washed, leukocyte-poor red blood cells (RBCs) at approximately 8-15 mL RBCs per kilogram (kg) of body weight over 1-2 hours is recommended.
Hapgood et al suggest that current recommendations lead to undertransfusion in males. As a result, males may be more likely to have extramedullary hematopoiesis and thus more likely to require splenectomy or to develop spinal cord compression, an uncommon but serious complication of paraspinal extramedullary hematopoiesis.
Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that is caused by bacteria. It is caused by exotoxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes. It was once a major cause of death. It is now treated with antibiotics. The term scarlatina can be used to mean scarlet fever. Scarlatina is lesser form of scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever is caused by an infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria make a toxin (poison) that can cause the scarlet-colored rash from which this illness gets its name. it is mainly confused with simple rashes or sunburns, but it is not.
Not all streptococci bacteria make this toxin and not all kids are sensitive to it. Two kids in the same family may both have strep infections, but one child (who is sensitive to the toxin) may develop the rash of scarlet fever while the other may not. Usually, if a child has this scarlet rash and other symptoms of strep throat, it can be treated with antibiotics. So if your child has these symptoms, it's important to call your doctor.
Treatment for Scarlet fever
Majority of mild cases of scarlet fever resolve themselves within a week without treatment. The NHS advises people to get treatment anyway, as this will accelerate recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Patients generally recover about four to five days after treatment begins.
Antibiotics - a 10-day course of antibiotics is the most common treatment for scarlet fever. In the UK, and many other countries this involves taking oral penicillin. Patients who are allergic to penicillin may take erythromycin instead. Patients are advised to stay at home during the course of the antibiotic treatment.
Schizophrenia is a medical disorder of the mind.
People with this disorder often do not behave the way most people do towards others. They also may not know what is real (this is called psychosis). Some common signs are strange beliefs, unclear or confused thinking and language, hallucinations (such as hearing voices that aren't there), poor interaction with others, less expression of feelings, and not doing much.
Diagnosis is based on observing the person and what he or she says about experiences such as hearing voices. Problems have to last for at least six months before the person is diagnosed as schizophrenic.
Treatment for Schizophrenia
If you or someone you love has schizophrenia, you know that keeping up with medicine makes all the difference. But there's a catch: A lot of folks quit their meds. Sometimes they just forget to take them. Or they may think they're now well enough that they don't need them anymore. That's where long-lasting drugs can help. You only need to take them as a shot once or twice a month.
Through therapy, people can develop social and work skills to improve their lives and relationships. Learn more about the benefits of therapy.
Electroconvulsive Therapy and Schizophrenia
ECT is often misunderstood, but it’s highly effective for certain types of schizophrenia. Read more about this therapy.
Antipsychotic drugs can be a huge help in managing your symptoms, but there can be side effects. Here are some of the benefits and risks.
Toxic shock syndrome or TSS is a non-common, deadly infection caused by toxins from bacteria.
Toxic shock syndrome is usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, but it can also be caused by Streptococcus bacteria
Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome can show up suddenly, and the disease can be deadly. The symptoms are different when the toxic shock syndrome is caused by different bacteria. When it is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, the symptoms are generally high fever, low blood pressure, confusion, and malaise. If the disease is not treated, someone with toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus aureus can go into a coma.
Treatment for Toxic shock syndrome
Antibiotics are given. If severely ill, patients may need to be supported in the intensive care unit in a hospital.
Women who have had an episode of TSS are at increased risk of a second episode. Therefore a doctor may advise against tampon use in women who have had TSS.
If high fever, vomiting or diarrhoea develops during menstruation, stop using tampons and seek medical advice immediately. It may not be TSS but this must be verified because TSS can be dangerous if not treated in its early stages
the risk of TSS may be reduced by using tampons intermittently during menstruation. Overnight, it is advisable to use a pad
take special care with personal hygiene during menstruation. Bathe or shower daily
wash your hands before as well as after inserting a tampon. Unwrap a fresh, clean tampon just before insertion and do not handle it more than is necessary. Discard any tampons you may have unwrapped and not used immediately. Insert the tampon gently and carefully
use the lowest absorbency tampon necessary
do not leave the tampon in for a prolonged duration. Change the tampon as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions
never insert more than one tampon at a time
remove tampons at the end of a period.
