INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Bacterial - Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Meningitis, E.Coli Infection, Whooping Cough
Bacterial Meningitis
Acute bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the leptomeninges (arachnoid and pla), and fluid residing in the space that it encloses and also that in the ventricles of the brain. As the subarachnoid space is continuous around the brain, the spinal cord and optic nerves, an infective agent gaining entry to any part of it may extend immediately to all of it, even its most remote recesses. Therefore, meningitis is always cerebrospinal. It also reaches the ventricles, either directly or by reflux through the basal foramens of Magendie and Luschka.
Meningitis may be acute meningitis (with onset over hours to days) or chronic meningitis (syndrome persisting more than 4 weeks). Partially treated pyogenic meningitis may present with chronic meningitis.
Inflammation of the meninges sometimes extends into the parenchyma with resultant symptoms and signs of cerebral or spinal cord involvement, often termed meningoencephalomyelitis.
N.meningitidis are gram-negative, bean-shaped aerobic diplococci. Most infectious are caused by organisms belonging to sero-groups A, B, C, Y and W-135. Sero-groups A and C predominate throughout Asia including India. The human naso-oropharyngeal mucosa is the only natural reservoir of N. meningitides. Meningococci are transferred from one person to another by direct contact or via droplets.
E. Coli Infection
Escherichia coli (E. col) is a bacterium that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals. Certain types can cause an intestinal infection. It can lead to severe, potentially life threatening complications.
The strains, particularly E. coli O157:H7, are called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) after the toxin that they produce.
People with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, young children, and older adults are at increased risk of developing complications from an E. coli infection.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is caused by Bordetella pertussis, a gram-negative coccobacillus. Mode of spread is by droplet infection. Incubation period is about 7-14 days.
Causes
Bacterial meningitis
Common organisms
Streptococcus pneumoniae (30-50%)
Neisseria meningitidis (10-35%)
Haemophilus infuenzae type B (1-3%)
Uncommon organisms
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Group B streptococci
E.coli
Klebsiella
Proteus
Citrobacter
Pseudomonas
Listeria monoctogenes
Rare organisms
Salmonella
Shigella
Clostridium perfringens
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
E. Coli infection
Most intestinal infections occur due to the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Even though forms of E. coli already live in your intestinal tract, ingesting £. coli from sources outside of your body can cause a severe intestinal infection.
Undercooked meat has a reputation for transmitting E. coli to humans, but the bacteria can also be present in:
contaminated soll
untreated water in the community supply
unwashed fruits and vegetables
Sanitary food prep and good hygiene can greatly decrease your chances of developing an intestinal infection.
Symptoms
Bacterial meningitis
Fever, headache and vomiting are the cardinal features.
Seizures, impairment of consiousness, photophobia, stiff neck and stiff back.
Three patterns of onset are documented:
Fulminant onset - patient becomes seriously ill within 24 hours, without antecedent respiratory tract infections (25%).
Meningitis developing over 1-7 days and associated with respiratory symptoms (50%).
Meningeal symptoms after 1-3 weeks of respiratory symptoms (20%).
In elderly, immunocompromised and debilitated patients, the classic signs of meningitis may be minimal, where low-grade fever and changes in mental status occur without headache or neck rigidity.
Meningococcal meningitis usually occurs as outbreaks. The evolution is extremely rapid and the onset is attended by petechial or purpuric skin eruptions, large ecchymoses and lividity of the skin of the lower parts of the body. Circulatory collaps may occur.
Pneumococcal meningitis usually preceded by an infection in the lung, ear or sinuses. Heart valves may be affected.
H. influenzae meningitis follows upper respiratory tract infections and ear infections in young.
E. Coli infection
Symptoms of intestinal infection generally begin 3 to 4 days after you've acquired E. coli. This is known as the incubation period. Once symptoms appear, they usually resolve within 5 to 7 days, but they can last anywhere from 1 to 10 days.
Mild to moderate symptoms
Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to more than a week. They may include:
abdominal cramping
sudden, severe watery diarrhea that may change to bloody stools
gas
loss of appetite or nausea
fatigue
fever
in rare instances, vomiting
Severe symptoms
Symptoms of a severe E. coli infection may include:
bloody urine
decreased urine output
pale skin
bruising
dehydration
Whooping cough
The first stage (catarrhal phase) is characterised by a highly infectious upper respiratory catarrh with rhinitis, conjunctivits and an unproductive cough. This stage lasts about 1 week.
The distinctive paroxysmal stage that follows is characterised by severe bouts of coughing. This stage lasts from one to several weeks. Coughing paroxysms are associated with the characteristic whoop and may produce cyanosis. Pertussis is most contagious in the catarrhal and early paroxysmal stages.
The paroxysmal stage is followed by the stage of convalescence during which slow resolution of whoop occurs, although cough may persist for several weeks to months.
Atypical presentation
Previously vaccinated adolescents and adults may have less severe symptoms.
Children who are completely vaccinated have shorter courses of illness than incompletely vaccinated children. Female children older than 3 years may have more severe paroxysms than male children of the same age.
Treatments
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is usually a emergency condition and may require patient care under ICU setup. But if it’s the beginning of the infection or post recovery after ICU treatment is given homeopathy helps a lot in recovering the patient completely. If it’s the beginning of the infection homeopathy helps in stopping the progress of disease and helps the patient recover quickly. If it’s the post recovery patient then homoeopathy helps in recovering patient from post infection low vitality by building up the immunity and also prevents complications. Homeopathy has good scope in infectious diseases acting on any particular organ of the body including central nervous system and so these conditions can be treated very effectively.
Homeopathy works quickly on such conditions and prevents further complications as well.
Few homeopathic remedies which acts on such conditions are helleborus, bryonia alba, cicuta virosa etc
E. Coli infection
E. coli bacteria can lead to mild to severe infections. It is the commonest bacterial infection that occurs in human body. Homeopathic acute medications can help heal patient completely from this infection be it UTI or severe uremic syndrome. It helps patients recover quickly and thus preventing all the complications ahead.
Few homeopathic medications which help in such patients are aloe socotrina, china, arsenic album etc.
Taking proper rest, eating and drinking hygienic home made food and boiled water is a must in preventing as well as curing these infections.
