chatwithketch

Q: Hello Dr., please help. My boyfriend has been having blisters and I think it’s genital herpes but he does not want to talk about it. what can I do to not get infected because we don’t use protection?

A: Hallos! Thanks for writing in.

The very first thing that I’m in a hurry to spill out is that you’ve got to use protection, otherwise you will get infected. There is no cure for this but if your boyfriend goes on medications, the chances of infecting you are greatly reduced. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and the main way that the virus is spread is through sexual contact.

Another point to note on HSV….

Cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are also caused by HSV. They typically occur around the mouth or under the nose. The interesting thing about it is that after the initial infection, the virus can lie dormant in the body and then be reactivated several times a year. So, there may be recurrence in people who have had them when they have another infection like a respiratory tract infection, fever, injury to affected area, are emotionally upset, fatigued etc.

Fever blisters can cause pain in the mouth and the pain associated with this condition is worse when hot, spicy or acidic foods like lemon are taken. These sores are contagious but most times clear up without the need for medication within 7 to 10 days. Sometimes, antiviral drugs are administered. Local anesthetic drugs may help reduce the pain of the sores.

Cold sores in rare cases can also occur due to oral sex with someone who has genital herpes. This risk of contracting infections through oral sex is increased in the presence of already existing Sexually Transmitted Infections, mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and sores in the genital area.

This risk of infections through oral sex may be reduced by the use of barriers like condoms and avoiding ejaculation in the mouth. Use of pre-exposure drugs (prescribed for people at risk of HIV infection) and ensuring that anti-retroviral drugs (drugs used for the treatment of HIV) are being used correctly by partners who are HIV positive may also reduce risk of HIV infection through oral sex.

Generally for STIs, remember the ABCs. Abstain…which is always the best bet if you’re not married, be faithful to one partner (who is hopefully being faithful to you) or use condoms.

I hope this helps

‘

A recent survey found that about 25% of adults over age 50 take a supplement to improve their brain health with the promise of enhanced memory and sharper attention and focus.

The problem? There’s no solid proof any of them work.’

Want to know more? Read!

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dont-buy-into-brain-health-supplements

Q: Good evening ma’am. Please my question is that my mum has been going to toilet and the poo will be coming without control, since two months ago. Is it because she’s diabetic and please is it treatable?

A: Hello there! Thanks for writing in. Your question sounds like one I had responded to some years back and I have re-posted it here. It also answers your questions.

Q: Why is it that diabetics sweat a lot?

A: Everyone sweats when they have exerted themselves like after exercise, staying out on a hot day, staying in a poorly ventilated room or even when anxious. However, sweating in a cool room with no source of anxiety may mean that things are not A-okay. This is usually typified by night sweats which are not related to sleeping in a stuffy room.

Do diabetics sweat more than others? Yes and I’ll tell you why. The high sugar level in Diabetes is thought to affect nerve function in several different ways. One of the ways is by affecting the nerves that control involuntary body functions (Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy) like sweating, urinating, sexual arousal etc. This can lead to increased or reduced activities of the organs involved. For instance:

•    If it affects the intestines, people experience diarrhoea or constipation.

•    If it affects the stomach, it can limit the ability of food to move through the digestive system causing bloating and vomiting

•    If it affects the nerves that control erection when there is sexual arousal, it can lead to erectile dysfunction. However, the sexual desire is unaffected.

•    It can cause paralysis of the bladder such that the usual impulse to urinate when the bladder is full is lost. This leads to urine being stored for long periods in the bladder causing Urinary Tract Infections.

•    It can even blunt people’s normal response to low blood sugar such that they no longer feel the warning signs and can’t take preventive measures.

•    Diabetics, still as a result of nerve damage, either sweat a lot or don’t even sweat when hot.

So, if you are diabetic or know anyone who is, blood sugar control is very key.

I hope this helps!

Q: Hello Dr. Ketch, I need your help. My baby is 11 months old, He refuses to eat. I’ve been trying different foods but no luck. He only enjoys breastfeeding and tap water. I thought it might be “Teething “but clearly I think it’s not, because some teeth have already came out I’m stressed. His weight is constant – it doesn’t change!! I know You can help us, My Adorable Doctor.

A: Hello there! Thanks for writing in. Although your baby is already 11 months, I’ll start the discourse from the time weaning starts – six months.

From six months, baby is ready to be introduced to some other food than just breast milk and water. For a long time, the standard teaching had been to go for rice cereal as the first add-on meal because it is bland and babies tolerate this well. Other studies question this wisdom now and suggest that foods like meats with lots of essential nutrients like iron may be a good place to start. What should you do? You can boil beef/chicken very soft and blend it up for baby. If baby tolerates this, then by the next week, you could try adding some rice cereal. Try not to introduce more than one food per week so that you have time to study how your baby adapts to it and of course, look out for/isolate food allergy. And, to start off, only one meal of the complementary feed should be given daily. The rest should be the usual…breast milk 😀 This will, of course, as baby tolerates.

Generally, foods to start off weaning should be just slightly thicker than milk and so, if it retains its shape on a spoon, it may be too thick.

From 9 months, baby can be allowed to start experimenting with regular family meals…minus the spices, of course 😀
From one year of age, you can add other regular cereals and it’s also okay to introduce cow milk at this time. Full cream cow milk is advocated at this time for proper brain development. Thereafter, please switch to skimmed/1%/2% milk as full cream milk has a lot of saturated fat which may contribute to poor heart health. Grains, green leafy vegetables, cow milk, honey, whole eggs can generally be introduced after the baby turns 1 year old.

Generally, other weaning foods that can be introduced include:
Boiled egg yolk (egg whites contain substances that baby may react to), sweet potatoes, fish, chicken, beef, fruits like banana, avocados, boiled beans (with skin removed if possible etc
Simple recipes include, blend some chicken or beef with the stock or mash a banana and add to baby’s cereal.

Our local cereals can also be used and fortified with some breast milk or formula.

As baby tolerates these meals, you can get a little more adventurous.

Boiled carrots mashed with some coconut oil or a little yoghurt with mashed banana may not go amiss too.

An example of a recipe I make for my children is boil potatoes in a pot and place a stainless plate on top of the pot. Add your egg yolk and a drop Olive oil and when the yolk is cooked and potatoes soft, mash all together and feed baby.

Now I know we are all very busy, but weaning is no easy task and so we must commit to trying as much as to prepare these meals ourselves. Packaged meals usually contain additives that may trigger problems/allergies etc in the baby. Hygiene is also critical!

All the best and whenever in doubt, consult your baby’s doctor.

Q: How can sinusitis be managed?

A: Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses (air cavities) that line the nose. When these air cavities (which are supposed to be filled by air) become filled with fluid as a result of blockage, bacteria, fungi and viruses can thrive in this environment and cause infection. The blockage interferes with mucous drainage and leads to stuffy nose with patients typically breathing through their mouths. The symptoms of acute and chronic sinusitis are almost the same with the key difference that in the former symptoms are temporary and usually associated with a cold while the latter lasts at least 12 weeks. Several episodes of acute sinusitis may ultimately lead to chronic sinusitis. Pus-like nasal discharge, facial pain and persistence of these and other symptoms like ear pain, cough, sore throat, bad breath, reduced sense of smell and taste etc. for up to 12 weeks is suggestive of chronic sinusitis.

Self-help options include:

Ø Drinking a lot of water

Ø Using saline sprays instead of the nasal decongestants, if you’ve been indulging in this 

Ø Using a humidifier which loosens the mucous. Turning on the hot water shower and inhaling the steam is another great idea.

Ø Avoiding irritants of the nose like smoke

Your doctor could also recommend:

• Nasal corticosteroids to prevent and treat inflammation. In severe cases, oral or injected corticosteroids would be recommended. 
• Antibiotics in cases with secondary bacterial infection
• A desensitization treatment if this condition is triggered by the use of aspirin. This involves the use of higher doses of the medicine to increase the patient’s tolerance
• Use of immunotherapy in patients with allergy
• Surgery, if all else fails

I hope this helps 🙂

‘ You may have good intentions to limit your portions, but what happens when your appetite or cravings kick in?’

Read! https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/5-ways-to-outwit-your-appetite