Clostridium Tetani bacterium
(www.bio.davidson.edu)
Someone who is suffering from tetanus start to feel really ill, their heart beat starts to increase, other signs and symptoms can include, temperature, headaches, sore throats, breathing difficulties and bleeding into the bowel. (P.Ayling, 2007)(V.Michie, L.Baker, 2008). The best way to treat this condition is by getting a tetanus booster every 5 years and immediately if you receive a puncture wound, cut or graze and don't know when you had your last booster. The person who is suffering from tetanus should also seek medical advice. They should arrange an appointment with their doctor immediately if they think that they are experiencing symptoms of tetanus. The doctors may then give the patient and antibiotic called, tetanus immune globulin (TIG), which helps to protect your immune system from the bacteria and toxins. (www.nhs.uk)
Viruses are ultramicroscopic infectious agents that are not alive but which can replicate themselves within the cells of living organisms. I am now going to be talking about Hepatitis B, which is a very serious viral disease.
← Here is an example of what the Hepatitis B virus looks like.
(www.philadelphia-reflections.com)
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a very serious disease which can result in liver failure and death. Its main mode of transmission is through the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. Common symptoms of this disease include; flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, headaches, fever and general aches and pains, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pains. Jaundice is another sign which occurs and causes your skin (and sometimes the whites of eyes) to become yellow. (P.Ayling, 2007).
← Here is a diagram which shows the area of the body that Hepatitis B affects.
(www.bangkokhospital.com)
The best thing to do if worried about catching HBV is contact a doctor or GP and they may encourage the person to take a number of injections of hepatitis B vaccine for a period of4-6 months. The doctor may also take a blood test to see if the immunisations have worked properly and that person would then be immune to the disease for 5 years. (www.nhs.uk)
Fungi are plant-like organisms that feed off other organisms in order to survive. Athletes foot or Tinea pedis is a fungal infection which I am going to be writing about.
← here is an example of what the fungus tinea pedis looks like.
(www.fungusremedy.com)
← Here is an example of how the fungus can affect a person’s foot, as you can see in the picture, it causes the foot to become red, flaky (skin starts to peel off) and itchy.
(mfootshop.com)
Athlete's foot is caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes. These fungi are parasitic, which means they feed off other organisms to stay alive. Your feet provide a warm, dark and humid environment, which are the ideal conditions needed for dermatophytes to grow, causing the skin to be red, flaky and itchy. (www.nhs.uk)
The infection is normally mild and is easy to treat. If properly treated, an athlete's foot infection will normally only last for a few weeks, however, if left untreated, this skin condition can last for several months or even years. Although not all cases of athlete's foot can be prevented, there are some things which you can to do to help prevent it and this includes; practicing good foot hygiene, avoid using tight-footing shoes and changing socks, stockings and tights on a regular basis. The best way to treat the disease is by using a whole range of antifungal treatment which will help to kill the fungi that is causing the infection, these come in the form of creams, sprays, liquids and powders. (www.nhs.uk)
