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4 early signs of viral infections and ways to prevent them

Viruses can be found in many places, including within the human body. While not all viruses are harmful, some can cause serious health issues. Viral infections occur when certain viruses start to thrive on the healthy cells of the body to replicate themselves. Some of these common viral infections include cold, flu, stomach flu, HPV, chicken pox, and herpes simplex viral infection. All of these infections start with a few common symptoms. These are early signs of viral infections.

Flu-like symptoms
A viral infection starts with the development of several flu-like symptoms, which include fatigue, fever, body aches, and headaches. The intensity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on how far the infection has progressed. In most cases of viral infections, these symptoms develop suddenly. Therefore, it is crucial to seek immediate medical consultation to treat the infection before the symptoms worsen.

Upper respiratory issues
In some of the most common types of viral infections, the upper respiratory tract is affected. As a result, there can be persistent coughing, sore throat, sneezing, and nasal congestion. In addition, ear infections may also develop. Some people experience sinus infections as well. If medical help is not sought sooner, the infection may become severe, leading to extreme inflammation and sepsis in the lungs. The sepsis can further spread to the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and skin. In such cases, it is essential to seek emergency medical care as soon as possible.

Digestive problems
A viral infection causing digestive issues is a common occurrence, particularly with stomach flu. The symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps in the abdomen. In some cases of viral infection, such as chicken pox or herpes simplex virus, constipation may also occur instead of diarrhea. Also, if a person has viral gastroenteritis, their stool may appear dark and tarry with the presence of blood or pus.

Skin problems
Skin problems are a common early sign of viral infections, particularly HPV and herpes simplex viral infections. Blisters, rashes, warts, and sores may start appearing in different parts of the body. It is important to note that these rashes and sores can be contagious and spread to others if they come in contact with them. Therefore, it is crucial to take necessary precautions to avoid the spread of the virus.

Tips to prevent viral infections
Nearly all viral infections are contagious, which means they can spread through contact, breathing in air from an infected person, or through saliva droplets. While some types of viral infections are not easy to prevent, it is possible to reduce the risk of infections. Here are a few tips that can help.

Always sanitize hands after touching public surfaces, like doors and handlebars.
Choose food and water that come from safe and hygienic sources.
Cover nose and mouth while traveling, especially in crowded areas that are not well-ventilated.
Disinfect and sanitize daily-use surfaces at home regularly.
As far as possible, avoid sharing cutlery, drinking glasses, and plates.
Wear protective clothing and use bug sprays to avoid getting bitten by bugs.

Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected jointsâ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause poppingÂ sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase oneâs risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

8 tips to manage a runny nose

Nothing is more discomforting than managing a runny nose while doing daily chores. A runny nose or rhinorrhea is a classic symptom of common cold, flu, or allergic reactions. The fluid released from the nose may be thin and transparent or thick and yellowish. Addressing a runny noseâs underlying cause can help deal with this symptom effectively. So, here are some practical, quick tips to prevent oneself from a runny nose: Have warm beverages A warm beverage to stop a runny nose may range from essential warm water to soothing herbal teas, warm milk with some honey drizzled, comforting tomato soup, or clear chicken broth. Warm beverages soothe the throat and clear congestion, helping one recover from a runny nose. Moreover, warm beverages like tomato soup and chicken broth contain electrolytes, which help regain energy more quickly and accelerate recovery. Apply a warm, wet compress Applying a warm, wet compress on the forehead can clear up mucus, relieving nasal congestion and helping manage runny nose and cold-induced headaches. Inhale steam Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of steam inhalation in loosening up mucus, relieving congestion, and managing a runny nose. One may inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or a vaporizer device for the best results. Having a warm shower or sitting in the bathroom with warm water turned on are other ways of inhaling steam. Use a saline nasal spray The primary function of saline nasal sprays is to clear the nasal passage and wash away allergens that may have triggered or aggravated oneâs condition. Thus, a gentle saline nasal spray can help clear congestion due to cold or flu and quickly relieve symptoms like runny nose. Have moderately spicy foods rich in capsaicin Certain spicy foods, particularly those rich in capsaicin, can help relieve nasal congestion and common cold symptoms like runny nose. Specifically, this natural compound releases heat to loosen the thick mucus accumulated in the nasal passage. Some foods high in capsaicin include garlic, bell pepper, ginger, wasabi, horseradish, and cayenne pepper. Stay hydrated A runny nose involves constantly dripping mucus from the nostrils, which can trigger inflammation of the airway membranes and worsen the conditionâhaving plenty of water results in the thinning of mucus, expediting recovery. Thus, it is important to stay hydrated to ensure quick relief from a runny nose. Install a humidifier Dry air can thicken mucus and worsen common cold and flu symptoms like a runny nose. A humidifier increases the humidity and levels of moisture in a room, causing the thinning of mucus and speedier recovery from a runny nose. Thus, it is a good idea to install a humidifier while healing from a runny nose, especially if oneâs city or town is prone to dry weather and low humidity levels. Ensure adequate rest Lastly, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergy or infection, which implies that the immune system is fighting against the bacteria or virus that has triggered it. The immune system typically produces more cells when the body is at rest; therefore, it is essential to get adequate rest and proper sleep while healing from a common cold, flu, or sinus allergy.