Infant HIV

Does HIV detect the first week a child is born
 
The usual tests for HIV detect antibodies to the virus. These antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight the virus. Newborn babies do not have any antibodies of their own. They depend on antibodies that have crossed over from the mother across the placenta when the baby was in the womb. So, if the mother was HIV positive, the baby’s blood will also show a positive result to HIV. However, this is due to the presence of maternal antibodies in the baby’s blood. These antibodies may be present in the baby’s blood for upto 3-4 months after birth. There are other tests that can detect HIV RNA and other viral antigens. These tests are more expensive and are done only when there is a strong suspicion that the baby may have contracted infection before or during birth. You must consult with your doctor for more information.

Twisted Testicle

What causes a twisted testicle
 
Twisted testicle, or torsion of the testicle, occurs when the testis twists around the spermatic cord. This twisting causes compression of the blood vessels to the testis and can cause tissue death. The testis is normally anchored to the scrotum by a ligamentous structure. In some individuals, there may be an anomaly in this anchor, leaving the testis free to move within the scrotum and thereby also twist around the cord. Hidden testis, large testis, and previous trauma to the testis are all risk factors. Testicular torsion usually occurs in newborns, children and around puberty. The common presentation is pain which may be severe, and scrotal swelling and redness. The testis may appear to be higher than normal. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery to relieve the torsion and prevent testicular damage. There is a condition called intermittent testicular torsion where the symptoms are recurrent and may be less severe. Surgery is still advised to prevent tissue death.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
 
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive tract. It is located at the outlet of the urinary bladder. It secretes certain substances that are important in maintaining the viability of sperm in semen. Non cancerous enlargement of this gland is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The cause for this is unknown though there are several theories. High protein diet, metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes mellitus, and abnormality in hormonal balance have all been suggested as possible causes but none have been definitively proven. BPH causes increase in size of the prostate which in turn presses upon the urethra. This can cause symptoms like urgency of urination, frequent urination, delay in passing of urine, weak urinary stream, incomplete passage of urine, urinary incontinence etc. BPH will have to be differentiated from a lot of other conditions by a thorough evaluation. Treatment will depend on the severity of symptoms. There are drugs that can relieve the symptoms in most individuals. If drugs fail, surgery is an option.

After tooth extraction

What to eat after taking out your tooth
 
Upon extraction of a tooth, there is an open wound with a defect in the gum left behind where the tooth was. In case it was a difficult extraction, there might be some bone damage. You should take care not to injure the area further. For the first hour or so after extraction, you should bite hard on the cotton plug that the dentist would have placed on the wound. This will prevent excessive bleeding from the wound and cause a blood clot to form. For the next few hours you must take only cold liquids and preferably on the other side of the mouth. After this, for a couple of days it is best to take a soft diet and not to chew on the side of the extracted tooth. By this time, the wound would have healed and you can gradually get back to your normal diet. If any sutures have been placed, you should remember to go back to your dentist to have them removed. Take any medication as prescribed by the dentist. _Do not self medicate_.

Stinky vaginal discharge

Why is my discharge stinking bad️ 
 
The vagina secretes a fluid almost continuously. This fluid helps to clean the vagina and to maintain the pH balance. This is what is seen as vaginal discharge. This vaginal discharge can have a particular odour normally and this odour changes with the period of menstrual cycle.

There are several reasons why your vaginal discharge may have a bad odour. The commonest cause is a condition called bacterial vaginosis. This is causes due to bacterial overgrowth in the vagina and occurs due to change in the pH. It is also commonly seen in women with multiple sexual partners. Other infections like Trichomoniasis and Candidiasis can also cause smelly discharge. Poor hygiene is an important cause of smelly vaginal discharge. A forgotten tampon in the vagina can produce a smell discharge. In some cases, diet can alter the odour of vaginal discharge and a change in diet can give relief. Cancer of the cervix or uterus can also produce a smelly discharge. You should consult a gynaecologist for examination and appropriate treatment if required.

Pregnant ice chewing

She is pregnant but she is addicted to chewing ice is that healthy for the baby?

Chewing ice is bad for your teeth, but it won't affect the baby. On the other hand, being addicted to chewing ice is occasionally a sign of anemia. Make sure you are eating plenty of foods rich in iron like spinach, beans, and red meat.