Head Lice Problem

One of the most common problems of parents is having head lice.  My daughter catches headlice when her cousin came to visit in our house and play with her. After a few days, I notice that my daughter has itching around her head.  When I check her hair, I found nit, a lice egg. I know what is head lice look like because when I was a child, I also suffering from head lice because of having contact with my classmate who is infected by head lice.  My mother just removes lice by hand and using a special fine comb to catch head lice without over the counter drug.

Removing head lice manually requires a lot of effort, patience and time but you it makes sure that you are not using toxin materials in your head.  The same thing I do with my daughter, since I am a housewife mom, I patiently comb her hand in the morning, afternoon and evening to catch head lice and at same time remove it manually by my hand especially those nits that firmly attached to the hair shaft. And at same time, changed curtains, clothing and bed sheet to totally eliminate all nits around the house. After three weeks of natural treatment, my daughter finally free from head lice.  But for those who are busy and not have enough time to remove head lice manually, there is available over the counter medication to treat head lice, just ask your physician.

Gas Stomach Pain

My father-in-law has been hospitalize for 3 days due to trapped gas in his stomach.  It started with a stomach cramps.  He is complaining for stomach cramps for 3 days and we thought that it is just a simple stomach pain.  But he is started vomiting; we decided to go to the doctor for evaluation. The doctor told us that is may be indigestion, so he recommended taking medicine for stomach pain and indigestion.  But he still suffering from severe stomach pain and massive vomiting, so we take him to the ER and the doctor took x-ray and found out intestinal inflammation due to trap gas in the large and small intestine.  The doctor placed a tube though his nose into the stomach in order to pass the trap gas.

Of course, there are lifestyle modification to avoid excess gas and gas pain. Some of these modifications include; eat small meal or eat several small meals throughout the day instead of three or four large meals, avoid smoking, eat food slowly, and don’t eat while anxious or upset.

Some causes of excessive gas in the digestive tract are constipation, food intolerances, laxatives, antibiotics and other health condition such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease.  Thanks to God that Daddy has no serious condition, it is just a simple gas pain.

How to Manage Diabetes

My father-in-law has diabetes so he should know how to manage his eating habit to control blood glucose or sugar.  For person with diabetes, the total amount of carbohydrates consumed each day should be monitored carefully as well as the total fat consumption. In all different components of nutrition, carbohydrates have the most influence on blood sugar levels, that’s why I see to eat that we monitor every plate given to my daddy.

I ensure that his plate contains plenty of vegetables, fruits, meat and other proteins like nuts, dairy products, and grains/cereals. Of course, it is important to maintain a healthy weight by eating the right amount of calories.  Excess calories may result in excess fat and excess weight.  Dietitian can help to determine the right amount of serving sizes need depending to your body. Also, avoid sugary foods because it is high in fats and calories, need to eat in moderation.  When eating sugar, be sure to check your blood sugar and talk with your physician on how to adjust your insulin. 

If you have diabetes, don’t worry, you can still enjoy your favorite foods as long as you monitor carbs, calories and other dietary components and always keep a regular check on your blood glucose levels.  Also, you should have regular exercise and take medicines if necessary.

How to Prevent Heat Stroke

Summer is approaching here in the Philippines that’s why Department of Health (DOH) warns the public of the possible illnesses during this summer.  One of the common illnesses during summer season according to DOH is heat stroke aside from skin disease due to very hot climate nowadays. 

Heat stroke is a heat related disorder and is the one of the most dangerous disorder because it is often put the victim’s lives in danger so it is important to protect yourself against heat stroke. It is a disease due to an environmental exposure to heat which results a high body temperature which can exceed to 40 degree or higher. Some symptoms of heat stroke are red and flushed skin without sweating, seizure, headache, rapid pulse and unconsciousness.

Here are some tips to prevent heat stroke.

• Always drink a plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.  It is recommended to drink eight or more glasses of water per day during normal weather conditions and twice that during high heat temperature. 

• Wear loose fitting dress or cotton clothing during excessive heat to aid your body in breathing.

• Find a place where there is plenty of airspace which helps your body to naturally cool itself.  Stay in the shaded and wide open area will help your body rid itself of heat through sweating.  If your inside your house, always open windows, or use a fan or air-conditioning during heat season.

• Limit yourself from sun exposure.  If you go outside, make sure to have umbrella to protect yourself from the sun or stay in the shaded area if you feel yourself getting warm. 

Recurrent Yeast Infection

Yeast infection is cause by candida albicans fungus. This fungus is normally resides in the vagina but if it is overgrowth it can cause yeast infection. Symptoms of yeast infection include vaginal itching, thick and cheese cottage discharge, pain during sex, redness and swelling of vagina and vulva and rash in the vagina. It is usually treated with antifungal medicines that comes from tablet, cream, ointment or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina.  Avoid douches and always wear cotton underwear to avoid recurrent yeast infection.  Also, change tampons, napkin or pads often during menstruation and prevent hot tubs and hot baths.

About five percent of women have repeated yeast infection four or more in one year.  So it is important to point out actual cause of yeast infection because women who have recurrent yeast infection may be at risk.  Some common causes of recurrent yeast infection are pregnancy, hormonal disorder, weak immune system, birth control pills and diabetes.  Excess sugar in the blood and urine may cause overgrowth of yeast.  Other reason is taking antibiotic to treat different infection but kill good bacteria which may cause overgrowth of yeast infection.  It is necessary to seek medical advice to have proper treatment for the causes of yeast infection.

MMR and Varicella Vaccine (MMRV)

My daughter had been vaccinated with MMRV last week.  During her childhood, she has no MMR and varicella that’s why we use the catch up schedule to have her complete immunization.  Her second booster will be after 2 or 3 months. I feel nervous of the side effects of MMR and Varicella vaccine but I want also to have protection against these diseases including mumps, measles, rubella and chicken pox. I read some articles that MMR is linked to autism but according to nhs.uk news there is no evidence between MMR and autism.

According to Wikipedia, MMRV vaccine combines the attenuated virus MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine with the addition of chickenpox vaccine or varicella vaccine (V stands for varicella).  The MMRV vaccine is typically given to children between 1 and 2 years of age.  The second injection or the booster will be given at the age of 4 to 6 years of age.

MMR is a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.  It is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.  The first vaccine for MMR is usually given at 13 months old.

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine provides protection against the varicella zoster that causes the chickenpox.  Varicella vaccine given to 12 to 15 months old while the second injection will be 4 to 6 years old.

Asthma and Allergy Medicine

My 5 years old daughter diagnosed that she has asthma due to allergy since she have persistent cold and cough.  The following are the list of medicine.

• Co-Amoxiclav, AmoClav . She has to take 2.5 ml twice a day for 7 days. It is antibacterial medicine and it is a white-cream colored, raspberry flavored homogeneous powder for suspension.
•  Loratadine Phenylephrine HCI Loraped is anti-allergy, blocks the action of naturally occurring histamine, a substance that causes allergic symptoms.  Phenylephrine HCI, a nasal decongestant, clears obstructed air passages and nasal sinuses due to congestion making breathing easier and reduces postnasal drip.
• Pred 10 Suspension.  Prednisone is a biologically inert glucocorticoid which is converted to prednisone in the liver.  It has the same chemical relationship to prednisolone as cortisone has to hydrocortisone.
• Meptin.  It is used for the relief of dyspnea and other symptoms caused by respiratory obstructive disturbance in the following disease: bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.

 
The mentioned medicine such as loratadine phenylephrine HCI, Pred 10 and Meptin are to be taken twice a day for 5 days.  She will have follow up check after five days and if there is no improvement, she have an x-ray for better evaluation of her cold and cough.  I just hope that she will get better when taking these medicines. 

Points on How to Improve your Life

I receive an email from my friend and it is very inspiring that’s why I would like to share it with others.  The following are from the book of Dr. Randy Pausch.  He died of pancreatic cancer in 2008 and wrote a book entitled “ The last lecture”.

Personality:

1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2.  Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
3.  Don't over do; keep your limits.
4.  Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
5.  Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
6.  Dream more while you are awake.
7.  Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
8.  Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10.  Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
11.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
12.  Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. 
13.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
14.  Smile and laugh more
15.  You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

1. Call your family often.
2.  Each day give something good to others.
3.  Forgive everyone for everything.
4.  Spend time with people over the age of 70 &; under the age of 6.
5.  Try to make at least three people smile each day.
6.  What other people think of you is none of your business.
7.  Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

1. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
2. GOD heals everything.
3.  Do the right things.
4.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
5.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
6.  The best is yet to come.
7.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
8.  When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it 
9.  If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

Bleeding during Pregnancy

Some woman experience bleeding during pregnancy, it can be normal or it can be an alarming situation.  My cousin is experiencing bleeding that’s why I decided to write this article. Of course, her doctor advice her to have bed rest to help prevent pregnancy complications.

Bleeding during pregnancy can be common during first trimester of pregnancy but it should also take seriously because it can be an indication of impending miscarriage or a problem that needs prompt treatment.

Some causes of bleeding during pregnancy for the first trimester includes, cervical cancer, ectopic pregnancy, implantation bleeding, molar pregnancy, sign of miscarriage and some cervical infections. For second and third trimester bleeding during pregnancy can be due to placenta previa, plancental abruption, premature opening of the cervix, miscarriage, preterm labor and uterine rupture. It is important to report to your physician any bleeding during pregnancy.  Describe the amount of blood passed as well as the appearance of blood to properly evaluate the causes of your bleeding.

During trimester, weeks 25 through 40, if your bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain and have any amount of bleeding before 37 weeks, contact your physician because it can be a sign of impeding labor.

Tonsillitis Treatment and Prevention

Good hygiene is always the prevention for all the bacteria and viruses in our surrounding so it is important to teach our kids to proper hygiene such as the importance of hand washing.  Tonsillitis is an inflammation of tonsils caused by virus or bacteria and parasites.  It spread through the air in droplets when an infected person breathes coughs or sneezes.  The main symptom of tonsillitis is sore throat and tonsil looks swollen and red as well as fever. Doctors will determine if you have tonsillitis if you have red and swollen tonsils with spot or sores and he may do rapid strep test along with a throat culture to show whether your tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria and to provide proper treatment.

If your tonsillitis is caused by virus, it will go away on its own. You can gargling with salt water and drinking warm tea to ease the pain. But if your tonsillitis is caused by strep bacteria, you need to take antibiotic to control spread of bacteria and prevent from serious illness.

For tonsillitis prevention, always prevent yourself from close contact with other who are sick and always requires yourself to wash your hand especially when there are people who appear sick.  Avoid sharing toothbrushes and other eating utensils. Prevent smoking around your child.  In addition, always carry disposable wipes and hand sanitizer to clean hands and

If you have tonsillitis symptoms, it is advised to visit your doctor for proper treatment because uncured tonsillitis can cause complications such as ear and sinus infection, pockets of infection outside the tonsil. Also, it can cause rheumatic fever.

Subchorionic Hematoma Symptoms and Treatment

My friend who is four weeks pregnant was diagnosed that she has subchorionic hematoma in her pregnancy. Her doctor told her that she might have miscarriage that’s why she should not be stress and be careful.  Aside from this, she also takes vitamins and some medicine.

Subchorionic Hematoma is also known as blot clot in the placenta and uterus.  It is also a gathering of blood between placenta and uterus.  Doctors nowadays can be easily identify subchorionic hematoma with the help of ultrasound technology. One of the symptoms of SCH is vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy. During ultrasound scan, the doctor or radiologist will find the fetus and assess it.  A clot that appears like a black mass within a uterus is seen if there is SCH. 

Since there is not formal treatment for SCH, doctors have different approach in case of SCH.  Some used the wait and see approach while other use medication such as estrogen and progesterone therapy as aid in pregnancy.  Also, some suggest refraining from sexual intercourse and bed rest during pregnancy. Other suggests continuing their everyday activities. 

The statistics of pregnancy loss or miscarriage with a SCH is low such as 1 to 3%.  This percentage is related to large blood clot.  Most pregnancies with SCH are not progress without complication since it can be resolves on their own by 20 weeks of pregnancy.  Of course, plenty of fluids and adequate rest should be recommended because dehydration can cause the uterus contract irritating your baby and clot.

Of course, in case of placental abruption that’s when the placenta tears away from the uterus, a medical attention is required. Pregnant women with SCH often experience intermittent periods of vaginal bleeding during her pregnancy, tampon and sexual intercourse should be avoided during bleeding or spotting period.

If you experience any symptoms of SCH, doctor should be contacted for proper diagnosis.

Avoid Overeating to Prevent Overweight

One reason for being obese or overweight is overeating. Some people may not have control on foods they eat. Eating becomes their habit to avoid stresses in life and to avoid their emotions. And it’s too late to realize that they are overweight. And because of their food habit, they have the hard time to reduce the food intake. But I believe that in order to break this habit, one must have the self discipline in your eating. Consider the following tips to avoid overeating.

• Drink a glass of water or enjoy a cup of soup before eating. In this way, you may reduce the amount of food you eventually eat.
•  Eat more frequent meals often than three large meals but don’t empty your stomach for five hours because your appetite will stay throughout the day.
• Don’t buy large packages of food to avoid temptation. Just a small serving for your food cravings.
• Put only one serving size in your plate. Never place the food container in your table to control your urge to eat too much. You can use smaller plate so that the portion of food is makes large in relationship of the size of the plate.
• Avoid overeating when you are down, stress, angry or depressed.  Keep yourself busy with something productive. Also, you may talk to your family and friends.
• Don’t eat junk food or high calorie food instead eats fruits when you feel like eating.

Other problems associated with overeating aside from obesity are high blood pressure, cholesterol stroke, and heart attack.

So better watch out your eating habits. 

Cure Cold Naturally

Nowadays, weather is changing due to climate change.  Sometimes too hot climate are experiencing then a sudden wind and cold weather most especially here in the Philippines, that’s why you can see everywhere that children will catch cold easily.  For me, as much as possible I would like to rely on natural remedies because unlike over the counter medicine, there is always a side effect since it is a synthetic drug.

A cold is characterized when someone is sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and has runny nose and congestion.  Colds cannot be cure but it will always have a ways to treat it easily and fight the infection.  Strengthening the immune system is the best way to speed up recovery against cold.  Taking vitamin C and zinc is one way to relieve symptoms as well as enough rest. Zinc helps to shorten the duration of cold.

Drinking plenty of fluids such as water and juices is other way to break up the mucus in the chest and restore breathing.  Try to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses everyday. Also sipping hot drinks and hot soups such as hot chicken soup or hot beverages will thins mucus quickly and relieve congestion. Placing humidifier near you is an effective remedy. In addition, make a habit of washing hand to prevent of catching cold.

Painful Boil Remedy

This is the first time that I have a boil; at first I thought that it is only insect bite such as mosquito or ant bite.  I apply petroleum jelly but there is no improvement that’s why I google it and I found it that it is like a boil so I can’t believe it at first.  I observed for the following days, it is very painful, sore and swelling so I decided to take mefenamic acid for anti inflammatory purposes and as a pain reliever.  It is started as reddened tender area at my buttocks and as day passes it becomes firm and hard. I know that mefenamic acid is not a solution for this boil, I just take it once since it is not recommended.

I apply hot compresses by soaking cotton with hot water and apply it in the area of the boil. I noticed that there is small pus coming out of the boil, according to my husband these pus are the head of the boil, it should come out so that it can be healed. I really hate this boil aside from being painful, it is very embarrassing since I was not be able to sit properly and I have to change bandage every now and then.
Thanks to my husband’s cousin Daisy who recommended to take antibiotic, Cloxacilline I don’t need to wait to come out the boil’s head completely because after three days of taking cloxacilline and hot compresses, the boil heals in his own and no head anymore

Recurrent Cold and Cough

Yesterday, I decided to take my daughter to the pediatrician to check her because of her recurrent persistent cold and cough.  Her cold is on and off for almost two months. Although she already taken an antibiotic, co-amoxiclav natrovox last month.  Me and my husband is always caution in giving antibiotic because we know that this can be harmful since good bacteria will also destroy.  The pedia suspects that she has an asthma and allergy so she gave four types of medicines such as Loradine Phenylephrine HCI, Meptin, Prednisone 10 and co-amoxiclav.  These medicines should be take twice a day for five days except her antibiotic, co-amoxiclav to be take for seven days.  On the fifth day, she will have her follow-up check up to see if there is an improvement. The pedia said that if there is no improvement, she will have an x-ray to properly diagnose the cause of her cold and cough.

As a mother, I really worried when I feed my daughter with many medicines but I don’t have a choice but to give her in order to treat her illnesses. I just hope that after five days of taking her medicines, her condition will be improved. 

My Daughter has Amoebiasis

One morning, my daughter has fever and stomach pain.  I thought it is just a fever due to weather condition here.  So she take tempra for her fever then after a while she loose bowel. The fever goes down in the afternoon so I thought that everything is ok.  I also give her dicycloverine for stomach pain. But at the evening she has heavy stomach pain that she couldn’t sleep and at the same time loose bowel so I worry so my husband go to the laboratory  for stool examination and find out that there is protozoa in her bowel. The doctor prescribed metronidazole for amoebasis and cotrimoxazole for antibacterial to be taken for 7 to 10 days. And also the doctor advised her to drink distilled water or boiled water. After two days of treatment she seems to be okay but still she has to take her medicine.

Amoebiasis is caused by parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica when indigested through contaminated water or food.  Symptoms of amoebiasis are diarrhea, stomach pain or stomach cramps, nausea and fever. As of now there is no vaccine available for amoebiasis so it is important to make sure that you drink bottled water when traveled and a cleaned food.

Antibiotics Taken during Dengue and UTI

During Dengue and UTI, my daughter has taken different antibiotics, I know and believe that taking too much antibiotic is not good to our health because it can damage cell and good bacteria will also destroy. But I have no choice but to take these antibiotics.  My daughter was diagnosed Dengue and after 4 days, she have chronic UTI and blood infection.

The following are the antibiotics she taken.

1. Cefaclor – She advised to take this antibiotic because there is slight urinary tract infection according to her urinalysis.  
2.  Clarithromycin – Her pedia changed her antibiotic from cefaclor t clarithromycin because she still a fever after 3 days of taking cefaclor.
3. Cefuroxime – When she admitted to the hospital, the pedia again changed her antibiotic to Cefuroxime.
4. Cefalexin – After 4 days of recovery from Dengue, once again she experience fever and sore throat, so she advised to take cefalexin for tonsillitis.
5. Cefexime – After 3 days of taking cefalexin, she still have sore throat and stomach pain, so after CBC and urinalysis, it came out that she has Urinary Tract infection, so she advised to take cefexime.
6. Ceprofloxacin – Once again she admitted to the hospital because she still has fever, stomach pain, chills and sore throat. The doctor changed her antibiotic to ciprofloxacin.

As a mother, I can’t bear to see my daughter having a hard time.  I broke my heart every time I see her with pain. Thanks to God, after 5 days she released from hospital.

Chronic Urinary Tract Infection after Dengue

My daughter had been hospitalized from dengue but after four days, she had a fever once again, she also told us that she has a sore throat, so since his pedia is out for a conference, we decided to go to other pedia.  He just gave her cefalexin and told us that she has a mild tonsillitis since her urinalysis is clear from infection, after 2 days of taking cefalexin, there is no improvement. She has already abdominal pain and chilling.  So we decided to take her pedia, his pediatrician ordered urinalysis and Complete Blood Count (CBC) with platelet, and found out that there is urinary tract infection (UTI) so her pedia change her antibiotic from cefalexin to cefexime. 

After 3 days of taking cefexime, nothing happen, she still have fever, stomach pain and chills so her pedia decided to admit her to the hospital and have several test to know the exact cause of fever.  Her pediatrician ordered to have malaria test, typhoid fever test, pneumonia test, leukemia test since her white blood cell had elevated.  The doctor order also to have urine and blood culture.

Thanks to God, her leukemia, typhoid fever, pneumonia and malaria test went negative but still she had stomach pain and chills. She had also an ultrasound and found out that her bladder is distended.  Her pedia advised us to get a nephrologist, kidney specialist to determine the cause of distended bladder.  The nephrologist confirms the cause of distended bladder is cystitis or bladder infection.

After 3 days of confinement, her urine is clear but her white blood cells in the blood is still elevated so her pedia decided to extent her hospitalization. Her pediatrician release her from hospital after 5 days and prescribed ciprofloxacin, 1/2 tablet every 12 hours up to 5 days, Ferlin for the treatment of anemia.

During follow-up, urine and blood culture results were negative meaning there is no bacteria growth. After 3 weeks, her pedia advised us to have CBC again.  I just hope and pray that everything will be normal. 

Recurrent Stomach Pain

It was last year when my daughter has a lot of stomach pain after the treatment of her urinary tract infection (UTI).  Stomach pain is more frequent upon waking up and before going to bed.  But after massaging her stomach with aciete manzanilla, the pain was then subside so I though it is due to excessive gas in her stomach.  I don’t want to take her to the doctor because it is mean more antibiotic to take and examination.

When we transferred to our new home, she suffered amoebiasis and after treatment of amoebiasis, stomach pain is still present so I decided to have another stool examination.  It found out that there are a lot of bacteria in her stool so the doctor gave her another antibiotic for her stomach.  The doctor thought that bacteria can be the cause of her stomach pain but after taking of 7 days antibiotic, the stomach pain is still there. 

After one week, she suffered severe cough and develop a fever with stomach pain at night so once again I take her to the doctor and gave her cemaflor for upper and lower infection and salbutamol for her cough.  After taking these medicine, the fever is on and off with stomach pain so we take her to the hospital and do urinalysis and hematology.  According to the result of her urinalysis, there is urinary tract infection but thanks to God that her blood is negative to any illnesses. She didn’t admit to the hospital instead gave another antibiotic such as clariget and relestal for her stomach pain.  The doctor advised also to take Kremil S for two weeks because her stomach pain can be a sign of gastritis.   Relestal can’t improve her stomach pain so I decided to take advised from the elders here in my neighborhood, lola Maring advised to use betel leaf (samat leaf). I apply castor oil and warm the leaf lightly and then keep it in her stomach for three nights.  I believe that traditional medicines are still effective. Her stomach pain is now instantly healed.  There is no more complaint for stomach pain.  I think the cause of her stomach pain is due to bubble gas in her intestine. Betel leaf is believe to be effective in digestive and stomach disorder.  I also give her pandan lalaki for her urinary tract infection. I boil fresh pandan lalaki with a cup of water and drink it as water.

Battle with Dengue

It has been a week when we are in the hospital because my daughter has Dengue stage 2, I feel very nervous since there are many rashes all over her body.  At first, we thought is it just tonsillitis since she told us that her throat is sore. At day 2 of high fever, we decided to go to the doctor and he prescribe cefaclor, since there is a slight urinary infection (UTI) then her fever subsides so we decided not to take a dengue test anymore since she has appetite and the only problem she has is her throat.  At day 3, we decided to take her to her pedia since her fever is on and off, but her pedia just change her antibiotic from cefaclor to clarithromycin.  Her pedia told us that clarithromycin should be taken with food and she will experience stomach pain. At day 4, she still experience sore throat, abdominal pain, and fever.  We thought that her abdominal pain is due to antibiotic. We also requested for CBC and tyhoid fever blood test.  Her platelet still normal and has negative result of typhoid. At day 5, she has rashes all over her legs and arms.  My sister in law told us that it might be tigdas hangin or rubella, as I see her rashes, is a flat, red rash.  I talk to my husband and thank God, I convince her to take my daughter to the nearest hospital.

She taken a blood for dengue test and it turn out to be positive so we immediately admitted her to the hospital.  The doctor order to get Complete Blood Count (CBC) test every 12 hours in order to monitor the platelet and thanks God, her platelet is fine.  Her pedia also told us if the platelet will be lowered, the CBC test will be conducted every 6 hours.  I feel nervous since the doctor also told us that if ever the platelet will be lowered than normal, a blood transfusion will be done.  Her dengue is on stage 2 so I started to panic since her blood type is AB and her blood is so rare. 

Thanks God, her platelet never drops from 210 up to 300. So, on the 4th day, we release from the hospital.  Her doctor also gave cefuroxime axetil antibiotic and iterax for itch. In her follow up check, she recommended to take OM-X to have strong immune system and ascorbic acid with zinc. The pedia also told us that sometimes dengue virus has side effects eventhough platelet came normal. Some dengue complication includes kidney damage and inflammation of heart vessels. We instruct us to observe my daughter for 1 week for possible complication.  I believe that God already healed my daughter. I thank for those who pray for my daughter’s recovery. Glory be to God.

Her Daughter has Kawasaki Disease

I received a text from my friend and former classmate and telling me to please pray for the quick recovery of my daughter who was infected by Kawasaki virus.  I immediately called her and give some word of wisdom, I don’t know what to say but one thing I can be sure that I will help her is to pray and intercede with her daughter.  She also told me that her daughter needed 19 vials of IVIG to prevent complication of the disease.

She told me that her daughter have been experiencing fever for 4 days as high as 38.5 C with red eyes, rash on the stomach, chest and some part of the body, with red, dry and cracked lips, sore throat and joint pain.  At the fifth day, they decided to confine it to the hospital and her pediatrician diagnosed that she has Kawasaki disease.

According to Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes inflammation in the walls of small and medium-sized arteries throughout the body, including the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.  Also, it can affect lymph nodes, skin and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat.  It causes is still unknown.  It often affects children under five years old.

Other symptoms includes peeling of the skin on the hands and feet, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Having Kawasaki disease is a serious disease since it is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.  Heart complication includes myocarditis, mitral regurgitation, dysrhythmia, vasculitis and aneurysm.

As of now there is no specific test to diagnose Kawasaki disease.  It is just based on the symptoms to rule out the disease. Treatment of Kawasaki disease includes Aspirin and Gamma globulin or Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Aspirin is help to treat inflammation and decrease pain and joint inflammation while Gamma globulin is use to lower the risk of coronary artery problems.

Aside from being a fatal disease, Kawasaki disease is also very costly since per vial of IVIG is P12000 here in the Philippines. So it is essential to our children to strengthen their immune system.  Although, expert said that there is no way to prevent Kawasaki disease, it is still necessary to build a strong immune system to fight against bacteria and viruses. 

No more Asthma

Almost every month, we visited my pedia’s daughter since she always has a productive cough and cold.  Her pedia always prescribes loraped for her cold and meptin for cough and sometimes pred10.  After taking these medicines the symptoms of cough, cold and chest pain were reduced but not treated.  So I decided not to go to her pedia and just go to traditional healer.  He said that her lung is just full of hard phlegm so medicine she taken just calm the symptoms but not remove the cause.  He healer advised her to take oregano to break the phlegm in her lungs.

The healer advised to boil seven leaves of oregano, then add calamansi and drink it like a tea.  I observed that she have no longer chest pain while coughing and her cold is reduced.  She has to take oregano for two weeks, three times per week.  I hope that her cold and cough gone forever.

By the way, my daughter is also taken medicine for primary complex for about five months now. I hope and pray that after six months, her primary complex also completely treated.  As parents, our heart is broken every time we see our children are taking medicine for a longer time.  Sometimes, herbal medicines are also good for common cold and cough. 

Doxycyline and Neo Penotran for Vaginal Bacterial Infection

The result of my pap smear examination indicate that  I have severe bacterial infection that’s why my obgyne prescribed me doxycyline to be taken twice a day for seven days.  Also, she prescribed me vaginal suppositories such as Neo Penotran to be inserted at night before going to sleep for seven days. 

Neo Penotran is used to treat bacterial and fungi infection of the vagina.  It has metronidazole which fight aerobic bacteria and different protozoa infection and Miconazole which treat fungi.

Doxycyline is used to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria.  It is also called tetracycline antibiotic because it treat several bacterial infections such as acne, gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, Chlamydia, periodontitis and others. 

If you have excessive vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, unpleasant odor, itching and burning during urination.  Make sure to visit your obgyne to determine the possible causes. Don’t be afraid to go to obgyne because your health is depended on it.  I assure you that treatment will be quick and easy.

Preventing Cold and Flu during Rainy Season

During rainy days, flu is very prevalent since our immune system is very low that’s why kids are easily catch cold and flu.  Cold is very common during rainy season due to fluctuation in temperature.  As parent, we should be aware to take precautionary measure in order to prevent cold and flu.

Some tips to prevent cold and flu

• Make sure to bring rain gear such as umbrella and rain coat with hooded jacket to protect yourself from rain.
• Bring handkerchief to cover your mouth every time there is someone sneezing beside you.
• Increasing the intake of vitamin C because it can reduce the severity of cold.
• Always make a habit of washing hands frequently because most viruses spread through direct contact.
• Don’t touch your face because flu viruses enter through eyes, nose and mouth.
• Drink plenty of water to flush out any toxins.
• Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Prepare more nutritious meal for your family and avoid eating out.
• Keep away from sick person to protect yourself from getting viruses.
• Avoid overstressed and fatigue because body resistance can weakens it.
• Get enough sleep to regain energy and strength

Children are more vulnerable to cold and flu during rainy season since their immune system is not yet developed as that of adults. So parents make sure to prepare meals that have natural immunity booster which include green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and vitamin C.

Dengue Symptoms

Based on my personal experience when my daughter has dengue, symptoms may vary depending on individual.

During dengue, my daughter experience sore throats, and slight urinary tract infection, on and off.  We thought that it is just tonsillitis since there is slight redness in her throat.  Her pedia never realized that it is a sign of dengue since there is no headache and loss of appetite. She just prescribed antibiotics. After four days, she experience abdominal pain and then at the five days, she have rashes. So she rushed to the hospital and have dengue test and turn out positive.   She diagnosed dengue stage 2 since there is a bleeding of veins that’s why she has rashes.

Some other dengue symptoms include headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe muscle and joint pain, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes.  In later stage, there is a gum bleeding, red palms and soles, red lips, pain behind the eyes, low heart rate bradycardia, low blood pressure or hypotension.

There is no medicine or antibiotic for dengue virus.  The only medicine taken is the relief of the symptoms of dengue such as fever, headache, and other pains. As of now, there is no vaccine or cure for dengue.

Primary Complex (PTB) Treatment

For the couples of months, my daughter experience recurrent colds and cough.  If there is a fever, we brought him to the physician and he advised to take antibiotic.  After taking the complete course of antibiotic, my daughter will heal for sometime but after a month there is another cold and cough that is on and off. So, we decided to take her to the pediatrician to closely monitor her health.

Her pediatrician advised her to take loradine phenylephrine, meptin, pred10 and co-amoxiclav.  After taking these medicines, the symptoms are temporary disappear so her pediatrician decided to have chest xray examination to further evaluation of the symptoms.

When I and my husband see the x-ray result, it impression result is “bilateral primary (PTB), we feel sad because we knew that medicine for primary complex should be taken for 6 months or more.  A lot of sacrifice and perseverance is necessary in order to a child to fully cure because a tuberculosis bacterium which is the mycobacterium tuberculosis is hard to kill. Also, the pedia advised us to both of us should have x-ray to determine if we were infected.

Primary complex is not contagious but tuberculosis in adult is very contagious so it is important to stay away from adult who have positive xray result for TB.  But of course, if adult is taking TB medicine for about 2 to 3 weeks, tuberculosis is no longer contagious.

Tuberculosis Signs and Symptoms

My daughter was diagnosed with Primary Complex that’s why her pediatrician was required me and my husband to have chest x-ray to be able to know the source of infection.  So I asked our general physician regarding the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis since primary complex is also cause by tuberculosis bacteria known as mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The typical signs and symptoms of TB, tuberculosis are persistent or chronic cough with sputum production and with blood if in the advanced stage, fatigue, lack of appetite, unexplainable weight loss, fever and night sweats.  The mode of transmission of tuberculosis is mainly by droplet infection and droplet nuclei produced when an adult or patient who has tuberculosis coughs. When coughing, speaking or sneezing, droplets are expelled into the air. Droplets dry out quickly but the bacteria can remain airborne for hours.

Chest xray and PPD skin test are used to diagnose tuberculosis.  Also, it can diagnose sputum microscopic examination.  Treatment of Tuberculosis includes taking antibiotics such as isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Pyrazinamide and ethambutol were taken everyday for two months while isoniazid and rifampicin were taken everyday for six months or more. Mycobacterium is very strong bacteria so it is important not to skip a dose because bacteria will become resistant to the antibiotics and it will become difficult to treat. Antibiotic resistance means that the medicine can no longer kill the bacteria that they meant to fight.

Thanks that the result of our chest x ray is negative from tuberculosis.  According to our result lungs are clear.

Primary Complex Symptoms and Treatment

My 5 years old daughter was diagnosed from primary complex 20 days ago, she is now taking HZ2 pedia kit from Unilab. It contains Rifampicin, pyrazinamide and isoniazid.  At first the pedia dosage for the three meds are 5 ml she weighted 19 kilos, but now she loss 2 kilos that’s why she down to 4 ml. 

Rifampicin and isoniazid should be taken empty stomach.  That means it should be taken 1 hr or 2 hrs before meal or after meal while pyrazinamide can be taken anytime.  Some parents would prefer to drink the two meds before breakfast but in my case I prefer to take it between breakfast and lunchtime. At second visit, our pedia advise it to take at bedtime. It is important to take these three medicines religiously meaning don’t skip and should be taken everyday for the entire six months.  If you skip, bacteria may become resistance to these drugs and later on needs more other strong medicines.

Pyrazinamide is taken for only two months while Rifampicin and isoniazid is taken for six months.  If there is no improvement, it will have an extension of three months for the total of nine months. One indication that your child is cured from primary complex is weight gain and no other symptoms of PTB.

The symptoms of primary complex include enlarged lymph nodes in the neck area, prolonged cough that doesn’t resolve with treatment, low grade afternoon fever, weight loss, loss of appetite.  In order to diagnose primary complex is by positive PPD or tuberculin test and chest xray.  If there is positive PPD and negative xray, the child should is also require to take one type of anti-TB medicines which is the isoniazid for six months also. PPD or tuberculin test positive result means that there is an TB bacteria exposure that why it is also recommended to take medicine for prevention.

If your kid is diagnosed primary complex, it is essential to treat it immediately without delay because untreated tuberculosis may lead to complications which can be life threatening.

Causes of Recurrent Primary Complex (PTB)

I often heard my friends who told me that their daughter is suffer from recurrent Primary Complex or recurrent PTB.

As of now my daughter is under medication for Primary Complex. She already consumed one month and I am worried if PTB is keep on coming back even though it already treated.  So I ask my pediatrician about this, she told me that re-infected can occur if
The primary source is not treated and not be able to take medication properly or incomplete treatment.  Just like us, I and my husband also advised to have chest x-ray so that she will able to locate the source of infection. Our chest x-ray came out negative so we really don’t know.

The three drugs, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and  Pyrazinamide should be taken for about 6 months and more depending on the evaluation of your physician.  Pyrazinamide is taken for the initial of two months while Isoniazid and Rifampicin is continued for four months and more.  An indication that your kid or child is responding to the TB medication and is getting healed is weight gain.  Symptoms of PTB includes weight loss, on and off cough, loss of appetite, low grade afternoon or night fever, etc. 


In order to avoid the recurrence of Primary complex, make sure to give medicines everyday religiously for six months or more. If not, bacteria will develop into more med resistant kind.  Also, as much as possible, find the source of infection, make sure to your household member will be screening for PTB or Tuberculosis since the infection is came from adult.  Other causes of re-infected PTB is a weak immune system so be sure to build strong immune system of your children. 

Soup Diet Recipe

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