Livai Chemist Rongo

13/10/2024

30/07/2024

TYPHOID

~ Typhoid fever, also called enteric fever, is caused by salmonella bacteria. Typhoid fever is rare in places where few people carry the bacteria. It also is rare where water is treated to kill germs and where human waste disposal is managed.

~ Food and water with the bacteria in it cause typhoid fever. Close contact with a person who is carrying the salmonella bacteria also can cause typhoid fever.

~ Most people who have typhoid fever feel better about a week after they start treatment to kill bacteria, called antibiotics. But without treatment, there is a small chance of death from typhoid fever complications.

~ Vaccines against typhoid fever can provide some protection. But they can't protect against all cases of illness caused by other strains of salmonella. Vaccines can help lower risk of getting typhoid fever.

SYMPTOMS:
~ Symptoms are likely to start slowly, often showing up 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria.

~ Early symptoms include:

1) Fever that starts low and increases throughout the day, possibly reaching as high as 40 degrees Celsius

2) Chills.

3) Headache.

4) Weakness and fatigue.

5) Muscle aches.

6) Stomach pain.

7) Diarrhea or constipation.

8)Rash.

9) People also may have a cough, loss of appetite and sweating.

LATER ILLNESS
~ A few weeks after symptoms start, the illness can cause problems in the intestines. People may have:

1) Stomach pain.

2) Very swollen stomach.

3) An infection caused by gut bacteria spreading throughout the body, called sepsis.

~ In very serious cases, people may:

1) Become confused.

2) Not be able to pay attention to anything around them.

3) Not be able to react to the world around them.

~ In some people, symptoms may return up to a few weeks after the fever has gone away.

CAUSES:
~ A bacteria strain called Salmonella enterica serotype typhi causes typhoid fever. Other strains of salmonella bacteria cause a similar disease called paratyphoid fever.

~ People pick up the bacteria most often in places where outbreaks are common. The bacteria passes out of the body in the stool and urine of people who are carrying the bacteria. Without careful hand-washing after going to the bathroom, the bacteria can move from the hands to objects or other people.

~ The bacteria also can spread from a person who carries the bacteria. It can spread on food that isn't cooked, such as raw fruits without a peel. In places where water isn't treated to kill germs, you can pick up the bacteria from that source. This includes drinking water, using ice made from untreated water, or by drinking unpasteurized milk or juice.

TYPHOID CARRIERS:
~ Even after antibiotic treatment, a small number of people who recover from typhoid fever still have the bacteria living in their bodies. These people are known as chronic carriers. They no longer have symptoms of the disease. But they still shed the bacteria in their stools and spread it.

COMPLICATIONS:
1) Damage to the intestines

~ Typhoid fever complications can include damage and bleeding in the intestines. Typhoid fever also can cause cells in the walls of the small intestine or large bowel to die off. This allows the contents of the gut to leak into the body. That can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting and infection throughout the body called sepsis.

~ Damage to the intestines can develop in the later part of the illness. These life-threatening complications require immediate medical care.

Other possible complications include:

1) Inflammation of the heart muscle, called myocarditis.

2) Inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves, called endocarditis.

3) Infection of major blood vessels, called mycotic aneurysm.

4) Pneumonia.

5) Inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.

6) Kidney or bladder infections.

7) Infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, called meningitis.

8) Psychiatric problems, such as delirium, hallucinations and paranoid psychosis.

For more information and/or treatment, please reach us on 0748922269 or visit our facility located directly opposite Rongo Sub County Hospital.

21/07/2024

PRURITUS ANI (A**L ITCHING):

~ A**l itching is a common condition. The itch in or around the a**s is often intense and can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.

~ A**l itching, also called Pruritus Ani (proo-RIE-tus A-nie), has several possible causes. They include infections, hemorrhoids and ongoing diarrhea. Skin inflammation, also called dermatitis, is another cause.

SYMPTOMS:
~ Symptoms of a**l itching may include intense itching, inflammation, burning and soreness. The itching and irritation may be short lived or more persistent, depending on the cause. A**l itching often is worse at bedtime or in hot, humid weather.

CAUSES:
~ Possible causes of a**l itching include:

1) Irritants. F***l incontinence and long-term diarrhea can irritate the skin. Or your skin care routine may include products or behaviors that irritate the skin. Examples include using harsh soaps or wiping too hard and too often.

2) Infections. These include sexually transmitted infections, pinworm infections and yeast infections.

3) Skin conditions. Sometimes a**l itching is the result of a specific skin condition, such as dry skin, psoriasis or contact dermatitis.
Other medical conditions. These include diabetes, thyroid disease and hemorrhoids.

For more information or treatment, please visit our facility located directly opposite Rongo Sub County Hospital or call us on 0748922269.

22/05/2024

~ Colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant. Colic can be particularly frustrating for parents because the baby's distress occurs for no apparent reason and no amount of consoling seems to bring any relief. These episodes often occur in the evening, when parents themselves are often tired.

~ Episodes of colic usually peak when an infant is about 6 weeks old and decline significantly after 3 to 4 months of age. While the excessive crying will resolve with time, managing colic adds significant stress to caring for your newborn child.

~ You can take steps that may lessen the severity and duration of colic episodes, alleviate your own stress, and bolster confidence in your parent-child connection.

SYMPTOMS:
~ Babies have been known to fuss and cry, especially during the first three months of life. The range for what's considered typical crying is difficult to pin down. In general, colic is defined as crying for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks.

~ Features of colic may include the following:

1) Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain

2) Crying for no apparent reason, unlike crying to express hunger or the need for a diaper change

3) Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished

4) Predictable timing, with episodes often occurring in the evening

5) Facial discoloring, such as skin flushing or blushing

6) Body tension, such as pulled up or stiffened legs, stiffened arms, clenched fists, arched back, or tense abdomen

7) Sometimes there is relief in symptoms after the infant passes gas or has a bowel movement. Gas is likely the result of swallowed air during prolonged crying.

CAUSES:
~ The cause of colic is unknown. It may result from numerous contributing factors. While a number of causes have been explored, it's difficult for researchers to account for all the important features, such as why it usually begins late in the first month of life, how it varies among infants, why it happens at certain times of day and why it resolves on its own in time.

~ Possible contributing factors that have been explored include:

1) Digestive system that isn't fully developed

2) Imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract

3) Food allergies or intolerances

4) Overfeeding, underfeeding or infrequent burping

5) Early form of childhood migraine

6) Family stress or anxiety

RISK FACTORS:
~ Risk factors for colic are not well-understood. Research has not shown differences in risk when the following factors were considered:

1) S*x of the child

2) Preterm and full-term pregnancies

3) Formula-fed and breast-fed babies

4) Infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy or after delivery have an increased risk of developing colic.

COMPLICATIONS:
~ Colic does not cause short-term or long-term medical problems for a child.

~ Colic is stressful for parents. Research has shown an association between colic and the following problems with parent well-being:

1) Increased risk of postpartum depression in mothers

2) Early cessation of breast-feeding

3) Feelings of guilt, exhaustion, helplessness or anger

4) Shaken baby syndrome

5) The stress of calming a crying baby has sometimes prompted parents to shake or otherwise harm their child. Shaking a baby can cause serious damage to the brain and death. The risk of these uncontrolled reactions is greater if parents don't have information about soothing a crying child, education about colic and the support needed for caring for an infant with colic.

07/01/2024

Livai Chemist Rongo

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous Happy New Year to you all from Livai Chemist Rongo. God's sure blessings and peace be upon you.