Viral respiratory infections like the common cold have no lasting effects and usually tend to get cured by themselves in a few days. However, influenza (flu) is a serious ailment, which may require hospitalization if severe, and in some cases, may result in death as well. While the condition cannot be wholly avoided, a few simple prevention tips for cold and flu can help you reduce the chances of developing it. Annual flu shot The elderly, young, and chronically-ill patients are at a higher risk of suffering from flu-related complications. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine for all individuals who are six months and older. There are three types of shots, and selecting the right one under the guidance of your doctor helps prevent the condition. Infants younger than six months are too young to get vaccinated, and are therefore at a higher risk. To prevent infections in infants, other family members, and caregivers must get their annual flu shot. Frequently washing your hands When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the droplets comprising the virus causes the spread of cold and flu. It is airborne and can enter your mouth or nose through your hands after they have touched an infected surface.

Symptoms of breast cancer in menopausal women are not very different from those who are yet to reach the stage. The risk factors for breast cancer increases with age and some medications can change the category of risk for the illness. Here are some of the symptoms of breast cancer in menopausal women. New lumps It is important to conduct regular self-examination to know how the breasts feel to spot any changes if they occur. Lumps in the breasts are normal in many cases and are mostly benign. However, any newly formed lump in the breast or armpit should be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out anything concerning. The malignancy of the lumps does not depend on whether it is painful or not. Some benign issues that can cause a lump in the breast include cysts and fibrocystic breast conditions. Changes in the skin on the breast Irritation or redness of the skin, any kind of discoloration, puckering, or thickening of the skin is all changes to look out for. These symptoms are not always indicative of cancer and can be due to infection also. Some of the rare forms of cancer whose symptoms include changes in the skin on the breast can be mistakenly attributed to these infections.

Hepatitis C is an illness of the liver causing inflammation to the organ due to a viral infection. There are two types of Hepatitis C – acute and chronic. This article lists the causes and symptoms of hepatitis C. Causes Hepatitis C is a viral illness. It is caused when a person is infected with HCV (hepatitis C virus). The infection is contaminated via blood and affects the liver. It is one of the most common illnesses transmitted through blood in the country. Some of the ways this contamination happens include: Reusing injection syringes that have already been used on an infected person. Reuse of other medical equipment that has not been sterilized sufficiently. Sexual activities that can expose one to blood. Through the transfusion of blood and related products that have not been checked. Symptoms Here are some of these symptoms for both the categories of Hepatitis C. Change in bladder movement and color of urine Patients affected by Hepatitis C may notice that the urine is darker in color. The patients may also notice poor bladder and bowel movements as the capability of the body to eliminate waste gets disrupted Nausea and abdominal discomfort The doctor may ask a person get the required tests done if there are no other causes for nausea and abdominal discomfort and if it is accompanied by other symptoms of Hepatitis C. Individuals may also experience other kinds of discomfort in their abdomen due to the build-up of fluids in the stomach.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic illness characterized by muscle wasting and weakness. This happens due to the loss of motor neurons or anterior horn cells in the spinal cord. These are the cells responsible for transmitting impulses from the brain to the muscles and back for movements. These are the different types of spinal muscular atrophy divisions: Type 0 Spinal Muscular Atrophy This type affects children in the womb. Also known as the prenatal onset of SMA, it is characterized by limited fetal movements, difficulty in breathing, and difficulty in swallowing. Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Also known as Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease, this type is very common. It is also a severe type of spinal muscular atrophy. The signs of it are obvious at the birth of the patient or are indicated quite significantly in the first six months after birth. Kids affected by Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy mostly have very limited ability to move with symptoms like floppy limbs and a weak movement.  Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy This type of disorder starts showing its symptoms in children between the ages group of 7 to 18 months. It shows a significant effect on the legs as compared to the arms. This is why children affected by this type of spinal muscular atrophy cannot stand.

Leukemia is a form of blood cancer that is caused by an excessive formation of white blood cells in the body. These white blood cells are mutated and impact your health. Leukemia can lead to swelling in lymph nodes, night sweating, vomiting, and bruising of the skin. Let us take a look at some of the effective  treatments for leukemia: Radiation therapy In radiation therapy, radiation is used through X-rays to target and destroy harmful leukemia cells. Some patients receive radiation therapy to the whole body, and some receive it only to specific areas.  Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the most common form of treatment used for leukemia. This treatment method may be administered in the form of intravenous drips or a tablet.  Biological therapy Biological therapy is a specialized form of treatment that helps the immune system to fight the cancer cells.  Stem cell transplant In a stem cell transplant, the patient is given healthy bone marrow from a donor. Stem cell treatment is not done in isolation. It is usually performed after the patient is put through a certain number of chemotherapy and radiation therapy cycles. In a stem cell transplant, some patients require donors for stem cells. Surgical treatment In some cases, the doctor may find the surgery option to be helpful in the removal of a significant portion of cancer cells within the body.