Posts by Dr. Shelly Singh

Herpes infections

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Herpes infections are of 2 types – Oral Herpes and Genital Herpes .

Oral herpes is caused by Herpes simplex virus Type 1 and Genital herpes mostly by Herpes simplex virus type 2 though it may be caused by Type 1 too .
Oral herpes causes sores around the mouth whereas Genital herpes causes them around the genitals or rectum or on the buttocks and thighs . HSV 2 sores may be caused around the mouth as well .

How does Herpes infection get transmitted ?

HSV 1 is transmitted through kissing and by shared utensils and tooth brushes whereas HSV 2 is caused by sexual contact .
If herpes is acquired in pregnancy it may be transmitted to the baby growing in the womb too .

Why does herpes infection cause recurrences and reactivations ?

Once a person acquires herpes virus , it remains latent in the nerves. It can be dormant for many years but outbreaks can be brought on due to
decreased immunity , fever , minor infections , fatigue , stresses , hormonal changes , menstruation , immunosuppression due to chemotherapy or steroids, sexual activity etc.
Many people may have numerous episodes every year .

What are the symptoms of herpes ?

Herpes simplex virus typically causes blisters which break down to produce sores which are painful . There can be intense burning and pain especially with urination . Sometimes there may be urinary retention due to the intense pain and burning . Some people may also experience discharge from the vagina .

Some people hardly have any symptoms and don’t even realise they have it .

The first episode is generally very severe for most and repeat outbreaks much milder. In fact , a person may be contagious even without any visible sores .

During a recurrence , shortly before the appearance of sores there may be tingling , itching and burning where the infection first entered the body .

Diagnosis

Herpes can be diagnosed by taking a swab from these sores and sending them for PCR tests or viral cultures . The swabs can also be taken from the urethra.
If there are sores that are beginning to heal these may show a false negative results. False positive results are also known .
Herpes can also be tested by antibody tests .

How can Herpes be treated ?

Antiviral medication helps to reduce symptoms and help in healing these sores faster . They also reduce the number of outbreaks and recurrences .

Are there any complications associated with herpes ?

Neonatal herpes is a serious infection in newborns that can be acquired due to herpes infection during pregnancy . It can result in blindness , brain damage and even neonatal death .
Other sexually transmitted diseases may be transmitted through these open sores .
Bladder problems and rectal inflammation may also be caused .

Prevention

Safe sex and using barrier method of contraception is the most important way to prevent herpes . Avoiding intercourse with multiple partners and with your partner if he/ she has an outbreak of these sores is advised .
In pregnant patients who’ve had herpes in the past , a fresh outbreak around the time of delivery can be prevented by taking antiviral medication late in pregnancy ( generally after 36 weeks of pregnancy)

If there are any symptoms that appear like these , please consult your doctor and remember the mantra to staying safe is safe sex … because as we all know ,prevention is always better than cure !

What are menstrual cups?

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Menstrual cups are small, flexible, funnel-shaped cups made of silicon or rubber that are inserted inside the vagina to collect menstrual eco-friendly blood. They’ve been around since the 1930s but did not gain favour till recently when they’ve resurfaced as an eco-friendly method of feminine hygiene.

Why use menstrual cuMenstrual cupps?

If you’re interested in menstrual cups do speak to your gynaecologist.

-Menstrual cups are pocket friendly. They cost much less than the sanitary napkins and tampons you need to buy every month.

-They are safer to use compared to tampons as they collect rather than absorbing blood. They hold much more blood and need to be changed after 8-12 hours depending on the flow. Tampons, on the other hand, need to be changed 4-8 hourly.
Tampons can cause the Toxic Shock Syndrome; since cups don’t absorb blood they are less likely to be a source of infection by bacterial invasion.

-These menstrual cups cause less of odour unlike sanitary pads and tampons as they don’t absorb blood which comes in contact with environmental air that causes a bad smell.

-They are more eco-friendly. Most can be used for up to 1 year or longer ( though some are disposable too); that means less trees cut and less waste in landfills due to pads, cloths, and tampons.

-You can wear menstrual cups with an IUD in place though the thread of the IUD may need to be cut shorter so that it doesn’t get pulled out with the cup.

-You can use it during sex as well. Most well-fitted cups are not even felt by you or your partner during intercourse.

What are the disadvantages of using Menstrual Cups?

-They may be difficult to insert or remove initially till practice makes perfect.

-The removal of a cup may be messy, especially in public toilets and some people may be embarrassed doing the same. You need to carry bottles of water and tissue paper to clean them. Also, you may initially find it tough to pinch the base of the cup to release the vacuum and then pull at the stem.

-It may be tough to find the right fit.

-They may cause vaginal irritation if they are not cleaned or cared for properly.

How to use the menstrual cup?

Menstrual cups are available online and in different sizes. You need to get a size that’s appropriate for you. Please speak to your health care provider regarding the same.

You need to wash your hands, apply a water-based lube or water to the rim of the cup, fold the cup ( different styles of folding seen in the images), and insert it inside the vagina rim up. The cup is then rotated and it sits in the vagina just below the cervix after a vacuum is created.

Once it is properly placed it is very comfortable and you won’t feel it. The seal of the cup is such that leaks are prevented.

How to remove the cup?

You need to empty the cup 6-12 hours later depending on the flow. Wash your hands, insert the index finger and thumb inside the vagina, feel the stem of the cup, and reach up to the base. Pinch the base, release the vacuum and then pull at the stem bringing the cup out. This can now be emptied of blood, washed, and re-inserted inside.
Re-usable cups can be used from 6 months to 10 years while disposable ones can be thrown away after use.

Price of the menstrual cup?

Most menstrual cups available online come at a price of 200 Rs up to around 1000 Rs. They come with a cloth bag in which the cup can be stored when not in use.

So make an informed choice – your body, your choices! The menstrual cup is indeed a way of empowering yourself, of clean and safe periods, and a hygienic and more eco-friendly and sustainable way of life!

Menopause – no time to pause

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The time in a woman’s life when periods stop can be seamlessly simple or it may be fraught with many problems . Gone are the days when one had to endure them ; it’s time to now seek options that help you ease into menopause .

Phases of menopause :

1. Peri menopause: The few years preceding menopause when ovaries start producing less oestrogen hormones leading to irregular or scant / heavy periods , hot flashes , mood swings , weight issues , coarse skin and hair , vaginal dryness , sore breasts and increased frequency of urination.

2 Menopause: Natural menopause happens after the age of 40 years of life . If it happens before 40, it is called Premature Menopause. Menopause implies that there are no periods for one year.

3 Post menopause: The years following menopause are referred to as the post menopausal years .
With increased life expectancy and a better socio economic class and changed life style more and more women are grappling with menopausal and post menopausal symptoms .

Symptoms of menopause are hot flashes , sweating in the head and neck region , fatigue , irritability , depression , anxiety , breast heaviness, increasing weight which may be more difficult to lose , vaginal dryness, lack of interest in sex , often due to painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness,urge to urinate more frequently and urinary tract infections.

Later on in life there may be palpitations and heart disease, osteoporosis ( weak bones and joints ) and insomnia as well .

Diagnosis:

It is that phase of life that is inevitable and most women know their bodies and can make a diagnosis on their own with the advent of these symptoms.

Your doctor may do some blood tests like
S FSH
Estradiol
Thyroid tests
S AMH
Along with these they may get an ultrasound and DEXA scan for determining your bone strength .

Treatment for menopausal symptoms involves

Hormone replacement therapy
Topical hormonal creams
Non hormonal therapy to ease vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes
Medicines and supplements like Vitamin D and calcium .

The advantages of healthy lifestyle like exercise , clean eating and keeping your weight in check are multifold and are greatly needed . Also Kegel’s exercises to tighten pelvic floor muscles and staying socially active are extremely important . Yoga , pranayam and breathing exercises and alternate forms of exercise like Tai-chi and acupuncture also have a place in treatment . Avoidance of smoking and alcohol ( or drinking in moderation ) is strongly recommended .

Remember , this is an important phase in our life and is an inevitable part of our journey . May we empower each other in this stage of life ; may we have stronger , calmer , mentally , socially and emotionally equipped band of women – strong enough to understand and adapt to the changes in our bodies …. Strong and powerful !

The first trimester of pregnancy

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What is the first trimester of pregnancy ? 

This begins from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period ( LMP) till the end of the 13 th week of pregnancy . It begins even before you’re actually pregnant . 

 

What are the changes in your body ? 

You may have weakness and fatigue 

Nausea with or without vomiting 

Breast heaviness and tenderness 

Lower abdominal pain 

Increased frequency of urination 

Constipation and heartburn 

These symptoms may not be present and all may not be present necessarily . 

 

What are the expected changes in your baby ? 

Your baby develops from a fertilised egg to a ball of cells that looks like a mulberry to a fully formed fetus at the end of the 13 th week . 

Once the embryo gets implanted in the uterus it shows numerous changes. 

Your baby’s spine and brain develops from an open neural tube . 

The heart begins to take shape and heartbeat appears 

The digestive system and kidneys develop 

A soft skeleton starts to grow 

By the end of the first trimester your little one starts looking like a baby and is 2.5-3 inches long . 

 

What are the red flag signs to watch out for ? 

Severe abdominal pain 

Heavy bleeding or even brownish spotting 

Fainting attacks or severe dizziness 

A rapid weight gain or too little weight gain 

 

Remember this time is a crucial time ; some girls may glow with happiness while others may feel terribly miserable . 

Meet your doctor by scheduling an Antenatal visit . Pregnancy is a long journey ; let’s make a beginning positively and joyously .

Ideal time to conceive after caesarean delivery

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When to plan a delivery after a Caesarean delivery 

A delivery is an overwhelming event . Even though it comes with very happy times , it is a long process often with mixed feelings . As a new mom you struggle with bodily changes of pregnancy and lactation , sleepless nights and exhaustion . A caesarean delivery may also be associated with excessive blood loss , pain and infection at the scar site . And the Caesarean section scar is not just skin deep, there’s a cut on the uterus too that heals as time passes . It takes about 6 weeks for physiological changes of pregnancy to return to that of non pregnant state . 

The longer we give time for the scar to heal , the better it is . And the longer we give time to our body to heal and recuperate ,better still. Iron stores need to be repleted, calcium levels and Vitamin D levels need to be restored , weight lost and bone and muscle mass built with diet and regular exercise . Repeated pregnancies at short intervals drains the mother not just mentally and emotionally but physically as well . 

 

What is the best time to plan a delivery following  a caesarean delivery ? 

The WHO recommends 2 years and the Government of India says spacing of children by 3 years is ideal and desirable but that may not always be the best for you . If you’re 35 years of age or more or if you’ve had a high risk pregnancy or problems with fertility , you may not want to delay having another baby for so long . Also , sometimes unplanned pregnancies happen very soon after a caesarean delivery . It’s best to discuss your individual case and concerns with your doctor . 

 

What are the concerns about conceiving very soon after a caesarean delivery ? 

There are greater chances of a weak scar on the uterus due to the previous caesarean rupturing . Also your chances of having a VBAC ( Vaginal delivery after Caesarean birth ) go down due to conceiving too soon . 

There are greater chances of placental problems like bleeding during pregnancy and an adherent placenta . 

Some studies also show chances of preterm births if you conceive too early after a caesarean delivery . 

 

So it’s best to wait for at least 18-24 months after a caesarean delivery to rest , recuperate , heal and take care of your first baby but still talk to your doctor should you wish too/ accidentally conceive before this .

Downs Syndrome Day

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21st March is celebrated as Down’s syndrome day . Let us know a little about this . 

What is Down’s Syndrome ?
A genetic syndrome characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disabilities , a particular kind of facial features- flattened face and nose , almond shaped slanting eyes , small ears and mouth , thyroid disease, heart disease , intestinal problems and sometimes Epilepsy , Leukemia and Alzheimer’s disease .

It occurs in about 1:500 births and risks increase with increasing maternal age . 

There is an extra copy of chromosome 21 , hence the name Trisomy 21 . 

What tests are done to detect Down’s syndrome ? 

There are 2 kinds of tests- screening tests and diagnostic tests. 

Screening tests tell us your risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome ( along with Trisomy 13 and 18) whereas diagnostic tests either confirm or rule out the diagnosis . 

Screening tests may be 1 st trimester or 2 nd trimester .
1 st trimester screening tests involve an ultrasound called the NT NB scan which is done at 11-14 weeks . It is clubbed with a blood test that tests for 2 proteins called B HCG and PAPP-A . These biochemical markers are taken at 10-14 weeks. An assessment of risk of Down’s syndrome is made taking these cumulative factors along with your age . 

The second trimester screening involves assessment of 4 proteins in maternal blood ( quadruple test) along with a level 2 or anomaly ultrasound scan which specifically looks for some structural markers in the baby’s organs for Down’s syndrome . 

The result will show as low risk or high risk . In case you are at high risk for the same , you may get the diagnostic tests done . Or there is also the option of a secondary screening test called NIPT . Consult your doctor for the best option for you .

Are there any risks to your baby with these screening tests ?
No .

What diagnostic tests are done to confirm or rule out the diagnosis ?
The diagnostic tests available are amniocentesis ( done at 16-20 weeks) that involves taking a bit of the amniotic fluid around the baby under ultrasound guidance and sending it for genetic testing for abnormal chromosomes . 

The other test is CVS( Chorionic villous sampling that involves taking some placental tissue at 10-13 weeks and sending it for genetic testing . 

Do diagnostic tests have risks?
In good hands the risks are low . There are however risks of miscarriage .1:200 with CVS and 1:300-1:600 with Amniocentesis. 

What choices do you have ?
The choices are totally yours . You may decide to continue with a pregnancy even if proven to be a Down’s baby or you may decide to terminate pregnancy . The options of going in for screening tests and diagnostic tests ,should the screening tests be high risk are again yours to make . However do talk to your obstetritian regarding all the choices available . 

This Down’s syndrome day let’s be a little more educated , a little more aware and empowered . This article is a small step in that direction .

Cancer Cervix – Ominous but largely preventable – Here’s what we know

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cervix

Cancer cervix is cancer that affects the cervix, the mouth of the uterus which connects to the vagina. It is the second most common cancer amongst Indian women, second only to Cancer breast. As per Globocan, in India in 2020, there were 9.4 % of cancers due to Cancer cervix and 18.3% of new cases were added. In absolute numbers, 96,922 cases were added and 60,078 women lost their lives to cancer cervix. Due to the magnitude of the disease, it is important we are well aware of this deadly cancer and take an active part in prevention. 

Our goal by 2030 is “90-70-90 “which implies that health care workers must vaccinate at least 90 % of girls by the age of 15, screen 70 % of women by the age of 35 years and treat 90 % of women afflicted by this ominous malignancy. And if we put our efforts towards it, it should be achievable. 

 

What causes cervical cancer? 

Unlike many cancers whose causative factors we don’t really know, cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) This virus is also responsible for causing anogenital warts, vulvar and vaginal cancer. There are many types of HPV, some are the high-risk types that cause 70-80 % of cancer cervix. These viruses are sexually transmitted , extremely common and in a majority of cases, women acquire this during sexual activity. However the body is able to produce immunity against them, eliminating them from the body; in a small percentage of cases, however, these remain in the cervical cells, producing changes in their DNA and going from premalignant to malignant phase over 10-15 years. These are the viruses that need to be screened for. Screening should also be done for changes in the cervical cells by programmes like taking Pap’s smears, HPV DNA tests to screen for high-risk types of HPV and in relevant cases even colposcopy. 

 

What are the risk factors for cervical cancer? 

Women with multiple sexual partners 

or having partners who have multiple partners, smokers, women with other Sexually Transmitted diseases, patients with low immunity like patients of AIDS, intravenous drug users, women who have had many children, who started sexual activity at a very early age and who had childbirth at a very young age are all at high risk.

 

What are the types of Cancer cervix? 

There are mainly two types of cancer cervix 

  • Squamous cell cancers – originate from the flat cells on the outer surface of the cervix close to the vagina. Most cancers are of this type. 
  • Adenocarcinomas- which arise from the cervical glands lining the cervical canal. 
  • Sometimes both types of these cells are involved and at other times, rarely other types of cells are noted to cause it. 

 

What are the symptoms? 

Early cancer cervix has no symptoms. However, at a later stage, there may be irregular bleeding like post-coital bleeding ( after intercourse) bleeding at times other than your regular periods or postmenopausal bleeding. 

There may be a foul-smelling, often yellowish, pinkish or blood-tinged discharge and in late stages, pelvic pain as cancer spreads to other pelvic organs. 

If cancer has spread to distant organs like the liver, lungs, bladder and rectum, these too may be involved.

 

Diagnosis : 

  • Screening with Pap’s smears every 3 years after the age of 21 till 65 years of age or with Pap’s smear along with HPV virus screening, once every 5 years in women between 30-65 years of age. 
  • If there are abnormal changes seen in the cells of the cervix, a Colposcopy or magnified imaging of the cervix may be ordered by your gynaecologist. A biopsy of the suspicious areas may be taken which may be used to confirm or rule out cancer as well as the type of cancer.
  • Once confirmed, staging of cancer may be done using X-rays, CT scan, MRI, PET scan and also direct visualisation of other organs like the bladder or rectum using endoscopy. 
  • For early-stage suspicious areas, your doctor may perform colonisation or removal of a cone-shaped area of the cervix containing the abnormal areas, else an electrical wire loop may be used to obtain a small tissue sample.

Treatment 

  • Treatment depends on many factors like the type of cancer, stage, age of the patient, other comorbidities. 
  • The options available are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these.
  • Surgery in the early stages may be the removal of cancer by taking out a cone of the cervix ( conisation) , 
  • removal of the cervix ( trachelectomy) or maybe a hysterectomy in which there is the removal of the cervix and uterus with a cuff of the vagina and also the draining lymph nodes. Minimally invasive hysterectomy is also an option depending on eligibility factors decided by your doctor. 
  • Immunotherapy and only palliative treatment are needed in more advanced cancer that has metastasised. 
  • Regular follow up is also required even after treatment.

How can you prevent cervical cancer? 

By screening, as indicated above and vaccinating young girls 9-26 years of age, and in some carefully selected cases up to 45 years of age. This HPV vaccine is given in 2 doses if the girl is less than 15 years of age and in 3 doses if she’s crossed her 15 th birthday. It is highly effective with minimal side effects and is available with most gynaecologists and paediatricians. 

Also, practice safe sex and stop smoking.

Remember that this deadly disease is easily prevented by screening and vaccination and if picked up early, cervical cancer can easily be treated. Early treatment saves many lives – just be educated, aware and empowered. Remember Cancer cervix is largely PREVENTABLE.

Stress in Pregnancy – has it increased?

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It’s a known fact that stress and emotional upheavals are part and parcel of pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy are attributed to these mood swings. Stress has been part of our lives and from the times of our parents and grandparents, most would agree they have multiplied manifold. Whether it is to get a deadline met professionally, work pressures, getting a kid to school, pick up and drop routines or just the humdrum of fast-paced everyday living, stresses are real.

The death of a family member or friend, divorce, losing your job, financial problems, health issues, abuse or depression are unusual stresses, a bit removed from those of everyday life. Other disasters like natural calamities and in recent times, the monster of the COVID 19 pandemic are other chronic depressive events. And the latter has definitely increased, affecting everyone, especially pregnant and lactating girls. 

 

What effects does this stress cause on pregnant girls?

Stress causes the body to be in a constant state of “ fight and flight”. It causes the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine to be released. This causes you to have chronic headaches, trouble sleeping or eating disorders. It aggravates medical conditions like Gestational diabetes or Hypertension. And it also causes problems for your baby.

During the COVID pandemic, most pregnant girls have fears of contracting the disease. They fear hospitalisation and intensive care; many of them fear for their unborn babies, of miscarriages, bleeding, preterm deliveries, growth-restricted or low birth weight babies and many unfounded but completely understandable fears. Add to this the stress of being closeted at home and financial difficulties due to the economic effects of the pandemic. 

 

What effects do stresses have on your child?

While some stresses are good for us and keep us on our toes, chronic stress like that of the current seemingly never-ending pandemic increases problems for the unborn baby as well. It is known to cause issues like preterm deliveries and low birth weight babies. This stress is also known to cause changes in temperament and neurobehavioral development problems in your babies. Some studies have also been found to show a likely association between stress in the pregnant mom and children who grow up to have heart disease, high BP, Diabetes, Learning disabilities. Some trials have also shown that stresses in the first trimester are particularly harmful and can lead to irritability and depression in children born to these mothers.

Remember that a womb is a busy place. There are numerous hormones and chemicals that are being transmitted from the mom to the baby. The stress hormones act on the babies, keeping them in constant fight and flight mode; that is why we are drawn back to the age-old concept of “ Garbh Sanskar”-our babies are very much what we make them in the womb. Stressed mothers are likely to get stressed babies. So despite all our fears, we need to try and find ways and means of countering them.

 

How do pregnant girls counter stress in COVID times?

Eat healthy, exercise, sleep adequately, keep yourself occupied doing things that calm you, keep you engaged and happy. Yoga and meditation are always helpful. Dissociate yourself from negative influences like people who spread fear, too much television or news of the pandemic; remember its good to be informed but harmful to be stressed and fearful. COVID appropriate behaviour like masking up, maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowded places, hand hygiene and COVID vaccination is our best bet today even against highly mutated forms of the virus.

The Pandemic will eventually pass or phase out into an endemic like the common flu but stress and fear will live on through your children. 

So mommies, stay positive and just chill- this too shall pass!

Cancer cervix

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Cancer cervix is the second most important cancer in India over the last two decades.

Why must we know these figures? Because Cancer Cervix is rampant and a huge killer.


  • It causes 23.5 % of all cancers in women in India.
    Globally age-adjusted incidence rates are 15.3/100000. In India, this is 27/100000.

  • The incidence has reduced in urban areas but in rural areas, with limited-resource settings in medical treatment, it is still very high.

  • Every year about 134420 cases are added in India and about 75000 deaths occur due to the same. (2008)

  • By 2025 the projected increase in numbers is up to 116171.

 

-Why vaccinate?
We do not know the reasons behind many cancers, however, this is not true about the Cancer cervix. It is caused by a very common virus called HPV or Human Papillomavirus which is sexually transmitted. If we target girls for vaccination before they start with sexual activity , it will protect against this extremely ominous disease.

Which vaccines are available?
There are 2 vaccines available in India.
One is called Gardasil

The other is called CervarixGardasil protects against HPV 6,11,16,18,31,33,45,52,53


Gardasil also protects against genital warts, cancer of the anus, vagina and vulva, and is also licensed for males( though not in India)

Cervarix protects against the two high-risk HPV viruses 16,18


HPV 16 and 18 are the high-risk viruses and cause 66% of cases of cervical cancer. The rest cause around 15 % cases.
Low-risk HPV viruses cause anal and genital warts.

Who is to be vaccinated?
HPV vaccination is indicated for girls between 9-26 years of age. Some clinicians also propose vaccination till 45 years of age.

How many doses are to be given?


  • For girls between 9-14 years, 2 doses are indicated, one at 0 months, the other 6-12 months later.

  • For girls who receive the first dose on their 15 th birthday or later, 3 doses are required, at 0 months,2 months and 6 months.

  • For immunocompromised patients even less than 15 years,3 doses are needed.

Mode of administration?
Intramuscular

What are the side effects of HPV vaccines?
The side effects are minor and cause fever, dizziness, nausea, mild pain in the upper arm at the site of injection.

Are they indicated in pregnancy?
No. However if inadvertently given to a pregnant lady, this is not an indication to terminate the pregnancy.

Some pertinent questions:


If someone in the age group of 9-14 years gets 2 doses but less than 5 months apart do we need to give a third dose?

YES


If someone is more than 15 years of age but vaccination was started at 11 years of age, are 2 doses needed or 3?


1 DOSE as the first dose of vaccination was initiated before the 15 th birthday.


If the vaccination schedule was interrupted do all doses need to be repeated?
NO


Do we still need to screen for cervical cancer?
YES

Zika virus

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As the first case of the Zika virus is reported in Delhi at the RML hospital, there’s widespread buzz and panic about the virus and its effects on pregnant women. Let’s attempt to understand more about it. 

Zika virus was first detected in Uganda in 1947 and is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes mosquito ( Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus); these mosquitoes are found all over the world especially in tropical and subtropical areas and are both day and night biters. 

Zika virus causes outbreaks in Central, South and North America and also in and around West Africa. Because of increasing globalisation and international travel, it is likely that there may be infections reported in many more regions. 

When the mosquito bites a person infected with the Zika virus, it infects the mosquito, which in turn infects another person with its bite. It enters the person’s bloodstream and causes symptoms of the infection. 

The virus can also be transmitted from an infected person to another by unprotected sexual intercourse. Blood transfusion and organ donation by an infected person are also means of transmission. 

During pregnancy, an infected mother can spread it to the unborn fetus. This is a dangerous form. 

 

Risk factors

Living in areas where infections are rampant increase the chances of Zika virus infection. Moreover, unprotected sex with partners who have lived or travelled recently from endemic areas also run the risk of getting infected. 

 

Symptoms of Zika virus infection

Remember this infection is very mild. In fact, 4 out of 5 people infected are completely asymptomatic. Infections begin 2 days to 2 weeks after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms are similar to dengue and like many viral fevers last about a week. Most people have a mild fever, rash, severe body ache, a feeling of being unwell, joint pains and red eyes or conjunctivitis. 

There is headache, eye pain and maybe accompanying abdominal pain too. Most people recover completely; however, some may have late-onset neurological complications as well as Guillain Barre syndrome even in people who never really had any symptoms of the disease. 

Pregnant girls infected with the virus may have a spontaneous miscarriage, preterm births and stillbirths. 

Congenital Zika syndrome is a serious birth defect in infants born to mothers who were infected during pregnancy. 

These include microcephaly( a much smaller brain and head size) with a partly collapsed skull. There may be brain damage and reduced brain matter, eye damage, hypertonus( too much muscle tone )leading to reduced body movement and joint problems. So as you can see, the virus causes very mild symptoms in the pregnant woman but there are huge ramifications on the unborn baby . 

 

Diagnosis of Zika virus infection 

This can be done by RT PCR using the infected person’s serum, urine and throat samples. If the RNA of the virus is detected, it confirms the infection.

 

Treatment of Zika virus infection

All that is needed is plenty of rest, oral fluids and hydration, paracetamol and over the counter medicines for fever and pain. 

 

Prevention 

Currently, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for this virus, so prevention by other means is the best bet. Prevent yourself from mosquito bites.

If you are pregnant or attempting to get pregnant, you must not travel to countries where Zika virus outbreaks are common. You must wait two to three months to try to conceive if you have travelled to these regions. 

Practising safe sex is important; more so if your partner lives in or has travelled to areas where outbreaks are common.

You must protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing like full-sleeved clothes, long trousers, shoes and socks. 

You must use mosquito repellents and if you live in areas that are heavily infested with mosquitoes, you must use a mosquito net as well. 

You must make sure that you destroy mosquito habitats such as stagnant water in coolers, flower pots, containers, used automobile tyres. 

As is the norm with dengue prevention, you must follow a weekly regime of emptying standing water sources in and around your home. Using oil over drains and other areas which harbour these mosquitos also help to reduce their population and hence chances of infection.