Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy

An ultrasound scan is done with the help of a sonar device that reveals objects in fluid (amniotic fluid in pregnancy) by using high frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear. An ultrasound scan is a non-invasive, painless procedure and usually lasts for about 15 minutes. You will probably be asked to drink few… [ Continue Reading ]

Changes in the Internal Organs during pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones bring about changes to almost every part of your body, both externally and internally. Uterus An average uterus measures seven centimetres in length, five centimetres in width and is over two centimetres thick. At full term, it can measure as much as 38 centimetres in length, 25 centimetres in width and 20 centimetres… [ Continue Reading ]

Small Pox

Fortunately, in April 1977, India was declared a small pox free country. Small pox was once a major killer throughout the world and its eradication has prevented two million deaths, a few hundred cases of blindness and 10-15 million cases of diseases. Causative Agent Small pox is an infectious disease caused by the variola virus…. [ Continue Reading ]

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E, which is known to be a water born disease, was discovered in 1990. Incubation period Usually two to nine weeks. Age group It mainly affects young adults, between 15 to 40 years. Transmission Hepatitis E thrives in hot climes where water or food is contaminated by faeces containing the virus. Symptoms Acute viral… [ Continue Reading ]

Worried about Stretch Marks from Pregnancy?

You are planning to have a baby. But you are worried that you will get marks on your stomach. Well, stretch marks are something that may be unavoidable. Nearly every pregnant woman gets them. Actually the number of marks you will have depends entirely on the pliability of the skin on your stomach. The skin… [ Continue Reading ]

Amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis

Reema got married very late. And by the time she was ready for a child, she was 35 years old. Since she was aware of problems that could arise from a late pregnancy, she consulted her gynaecologist about tests she could go through that would assure her that her baby is normal and healthy. One… [ Continue Reading ]

Mumps

Another infectious disease like measles or chicken pox, mumps is caused by a virus which attacks mainly the glandular and nervous tissues. Although the morbidity rate tends to be high, mortality rate is negligible. Causative agent Mumps is caused by a virus called Myxovirus parotiditis. Source of infection The disease is spread by direct contact… [ Continue Reading ]

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese Encephalitis, which is caused by a virus called the Flavivirus, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Previously an endemic disease in Japan, China and Korea, it has now spread to South East Asia, in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Burma and Srilanka. About 85 per cent of the people affected are children less than 15 years of… [ Continue Reading ]