Category: Health

Osteomyelitis is a serious infection that happens when bacteria or fungi infect your bone marrow. Infections usually start on your skin at a wound or surgery site then spread to your bones through your bloodstream. It can cause permanent bone damage if it’s not treated right away. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice any symptoms.

What is osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It happens when a bacterial infection or a fungal infection spreads to your bones.

Osteomyelitis causes painful swelling in your bone marrow. It can affect any of your bones. Kids with osteomyelitis most commonly have it in their leg or arm bones. Adults usually develop it in their vertebrae (the bones that make up your spine) or hips.

If it’s not treated in time, osteomyelitis can cause permanent bone loss and necrosis (tissue death).

Types of osteomyelitis

There are a few types of osteomyelitis:

• Acute osteomyelitis: A bone infection that happens after an infection spreads to your bones. Acute osteomyelitis is the most common type.
• Vertebral osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis that infects the vertebrae in your spine.
• Chronic osteomyelitis: Bone infections that aren’t completely cured after treatment can linger in your body and come back (recur) months or years later. Taking the full dose of any medication your healthcare provider prescribes to kill the initial infection is the best way to prevent chronic osteomyelitis.

How common is osteomyelitis?

Researchers think fewer than 25 per 100,000 people experience osteomyelitis each year. However, some studies have found it’s much more common among people who need to stay in the hospital — as high as 1 out of every 675 hospital admissions.

Experts think this difference may be because people who are admitted to the hospital often have health conditions or injuries that make them much more susceptible to bacteria and fungi getting into their blood and bones.

What are osteomyelitis symptoms?

Osteomyelitis symptoms can vary depending on which type you have and which of your bones are infected. The most common bone infection symptoms include:

• Fever.
• A general feeling of being sick or unwell.
• Bone pain.
• Chills.
• Sweating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Skin discoloration.
• Swelling (inflammation).
• A feeling of heat or warmth on your skin.
• Pus or discharge (if the infection is near a wound or surgery site).

Vertebral osteomyelitis also usually causes low back pain. Some people with chronic osteomyelitis don’t have symptoms.

What is the main cause of osteomyelitis?

Infections that spread to your bones cause osteomyelitis. It usually happens when an infection on the surface of your skin (like at a wound or a surgery site) gets into your bloodstream and spreads to your bone marrow (the spongy center of some bones).

What are the risk factors?

Anyone can develop an infection that causes osteomyelitis, but some people have a higher risk, including people who:

• Are younger than 20 or older than 50.
• Have open wounds after an injury or trauma.
• Have recently had surgery, especially arthroplasty (joint replacement) or other procedures where surgeons implant pieces into your body — including pins and screws to repair bone fractures (broken bones).
• Experience puncture injuries (something stabbing into your body).
• Have pressure injuries (bedsores).

People with health conditions or who need treatments that weaken their immune system are more likely to develop osteomyelitis, including:

• Sickle cell anemia.
• Diabetes (especially if you have diabetes-related foot ulcers).
• People who take immunosuppressants.
• People who need hemodialysis.

What are osteomyelitis complications?

Osteomyelitis complications can include:

• Abscesses: Bone infections can cause pockets of pus that break through your skin. Treatment to drain these abscesses may slightly increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Osteonecrosis: Osteonecrosis (bone death) can happen if swelling from the infection cuts off blood flow to your bone. It’s very rare, but some people with osteonecrosis need an amputation.
• Slowed growth: Osteomyelitis can cause children’s bones to grow and develop slower than usual.

How do providers diagnose osteomyelitis?

A healthcare provider will diagnose osteomyelitis with a physical exam and some tests. They’ll ask about your symptoms and when you first noticed them. Tell your provider if you’ve recently had surgery, an injury or if you’ve started new treatments for other health conditions.

Your provider will use some of the following tests to diagnose the infection and take pictures of your bones:

• Blood tests.
• X-ray.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Ultrasound.
• Bone scan.
• Bone marrow biopsy.

How is osteomyelitis cured?

Your provider will suggest treatments to kill the infection and prevent permanent bone damage. The most common osteomyelitis treatments include:

• Antibiotics: You’ll need antibiotics to cure a bacterial infection. You may need intravenous (IV) antibiotics for a few weeks before taking oral (pills you take by mouth) antibiotics for several weeks afterward.
• Antifungals: Antifungals treat fungal infections. You’ll probably need oral antifungal medications for several months.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs or acetaminophen relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Your provider will tell you which kind of anti-inflammatory medicine is best for you, and how often it’s safe to take it.
• Needle aspiration: Your healthcare provider may use a needle to drain pus or fluid from any abscesses that develop.
• Surgery: You may need surgery if the bone infection is severe or you have a high risk of complications. It’s more common to need surgery if you have vertebral osteomyelitis.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

It can take a long time for osteomyelitis to heal. You might need antibiotics or antifungals for a few months. You should start feeling better as medications start killing the infection and slowing its spread.

Ask your provider how long you’ll need to take antibiotics or antifungals. Make sure you take the full dose they prescribe for as long as they say, even if you start feeling better.

How can I prevent osteomyelitis?

Cleaning new wounds or cuts and keeping surgery sites sterile are the best ways to prevent bone infections. Wash your hands frequently, and clean scrapes and cuts with warm, soapy water. Go to the emergency room if you have a deep cut or puncture (stab) wound or experience trauma.

Ask your provider how to clean your surgery site after any type of procedure.

What can I expect if I have osteomyelitis?

Most people with osteomyelitis recover without long-term complications. But it’s important to get the infection diagnosed and start treatment right away. Contact your provider as soon as you notice any signs of an infection.

How long osteomyelitis lasts

Osteomyelitis can last for a long time. You might need treatment for several months to make sure the infection is completely cured. Ask your provider or surgeon what to expect.

How do I take care of myself?

Make sure you take the full course of your antibiotic or antifungal medication exactly as your provider prescribes. You need to finish the full dose, even if you feel better. If you stop taking your medications before you should, there’s a chance they won’t completely kill the infection. This increases your risk of chronic osteomyelitis and other complications.

Ask your surgeon how to keep incisions clean after surgery. They’ll tell you when it’s safe to shower or bathe, how to clean your surgical site and which kind of soap is best to use on it.

Contact your healthcare provider or surgeon right away if you notice signs of an infection, especially at a surgery site.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Contact your provider or surgeon right away if you notice signs of an infection, especially if you notice pus or discharge at a wound or surgery site.

Which questions should I ask my provider?

You may want to ask your provider:

• Which type of osteomyelitis do I have?
• What caused the bone infection?
• Which treatments will I need?
• How long should I take antibacterial or antifungals?
• What are the best ways to keep my surgery site or wounds clean to prevent infections?

How serious is osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is a serious condition that needs treatment right away. It usually responds very well to treatment, but you need to start treating it as soon as possible to prevent serious complications.

Once a provider diagnoses the infection and you start treatment, try not to worry. It might take a while to cure the infection, but the most important part is catching osteomyelitis early.

Does osteomyelitis go away on its own?

No, osteomyelitis won’t go away on its own. It’s extremely important to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment. Your immune system does an amazing job of fighting off germs and other invaders, but you need antibiotics or antifungals to kill the infections that cause osteomyelitis.

Never ignore signs of infection around a wound, especially if you just had surgery. Contact your provider or surgeon right away if you notice any changes in your incisions. It’s always better to ask too many questions than not enough. Trust your instincts — if something doesn’t look or feel right, it’s worth checking out.

A note from Qban Health Care Services

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that happens when bacterial or fungal infections spread from other parts of your body into your bone marrow. It can be very serious and cause permanent bone damage, but it’s very manageable if you start treatment within a few days. Contact a healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of infection like a feeling of warmth, pus or discharge or if you have a fever.

It’s especially important to keep your incisions clean after having surgery. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to keep your surgery site clean. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Your providers are there to help you stay safe and healthy; they won’t be upset to explain things in a different way or show you exactly what you need to do.

Pyomyositis is a rare bacterial infection of the muscle that usually results in an abscess. It’s most common in your thigh muscles. Pyomyositis can be difficult to diagnose, and symptoms usually include fever and muscle pain. Healthcare providers often treat it with antibiotics.

What is pyomyositis?

Pyomyositis (sometimes called tropical pyomyositis) is a rare and treatable bacterial infection that affects skeletal muscles (the muscles you use to move).

Pyomyositis usually results in an abscess (a swollen area that contains pus) that forms in your muscle. The larger muscles in your legs, especially your quadriceps (thigh muscles), are most commonly affected by pyomyositis, but it can occur in other muscles.

What bacteria cause pyomyositis?

Approximately 90% of pyomyositis cases are caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (a common staph infection bacterium).

Most people have Staphylococcus aureus bacteria living on their skin or in their noses. These bacteria only cause problems when they make their way inside your body.

How common is pyomyositis?

Pyomyositis is a rare condition. Healthcare providers used to think pyomyositis could only happen in countries with tropical climates (hence the name “tropical pyomyositis”), but people living in temperate climates, such as North America, can develop it. It’s much less common in temperate climates than it is in tropical climates.

Who does pyomyositis affect?

Pyomyositis can affect anyone at any age. Approximately 35% of pyomyositis cases occur in children, and males are more commonly affected than females.

Most people who live in tropical regions and develop pyomyositis are otherwise healthy. People who live in temperate regions and develop pyomyositis often have a weakened immune system (are immunocompromised) or have another serious health condition.

What causes pyomyositis?

Pyomyositis is most often caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus (a common staph infection bacterium).

Healthcare professionals aren’t sure exactly how the bacteria get inside your muscle. Heavy exercise, trauma to the muscle and/or certain underlying health conditions are associated with the development of pyomyositis.

What are the symptoms of pyomyositis?

The symptoms of pyomyositis depend on how far the infection has progressed. There are three general stages of pyomyositis.

Stage one of pyomyositis can last 10 to 21 days. Symptoms include:

• Cramps and aches in the affected muscle.
• Low-grade fever.

In stage two of pyomyositis, the abscess has formed in the muscle. About 90% of people with pyomyositis are diagnosed at this stage. Symptoms include:

• Fever and chills.
• A firm lump under your skin (the muscle abscess).
• Pain and tenderness in the affected muscle.
• Mobility issues, like not being able to walk like you usually do if the affected muscle is in your leg.

If pyomyositis is not treated in stage two, it progresses to stage three. Stage three of pyomyositis is serious and life-threatening. Symptoms and complications of pyomyositis include:

• Extreme pain in the affected area.
• High fever.
• Septic shock.
• Organ damage or failure.

How is pyomyositis diagnosed?

Pyomyositis can be difficult to diagnose since the affected muscle tissue is usually deep inside your body. Because of this, you can’t tell from the outside that something is wrong until the abscess gets large enough to cause a noticeable lump under your skin.

The early symptoms of pyomyositis are also common and vague. Fever and muscle soreness could be symptoms of many other conditions. Because of these factors, on average, there’s a 10-day delay in diagnosis from the beginning (onset) of the symptoms of pyomyositis.

Once someone comes to the hospital with symptoms of pyomyositis, an MRI is usually the definitive way to diagnose it. Blood tests and a physical exam can help contribute to the diagnosis.

What tests will be done to diagnose pyomyositis?

Healthcare providers use the following tests to diagnose pyomyositis:

• Physical exam: Your provider may perform a physical exam to check the affected area for mobility issues, pain sensitivities and an abscess. They may also check other areas of your body to rule out any other possible conditions.
• Blood tests: Your provider may order a few blood tests to see if your body’s immune system is responding to an infection. This could be a sign of pyomyositis.
• MRI scan: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a testing procedure that produces detailed images of the inside of your body without the use of X-rays. Providers often need to use an MRI to make a final diagnosis of pyomyositis. The infected muscle will appear different than other muscles in the images.

How is pyomyositis treated?

If pyomyositis is caught early enough, it can usually be treated with just antibiotics. You may take these medications through an IV and/or by mouth as pills. Sometimes a healthcare provider needs to drain the abscess (a swollen area that contains puss) that forms in your muscle from pyomyositis.

If you have pyomyositis and your provider prescribed you antibiotics, be sure to finish taking all the pills as prescribed even if you feel better before you’ve finished them.

How long does treatment for pyomyositis last?

The length of antibiotic treatment for pyomyositis can vary a lot depending on the severity of the infection and how you respond to treatment. Oftentimes healthcare providers use more than one antibiotic to treat pyomyositis. In general, treatment lasts for at least one week but often takes several weeks.

What are the risk factors for developing pyomyositis?

Risk factors for developing pyomyositis include:

• Living in a tropical climate: Pyomyositis is more common in tropical countries. Approximately 1% to 4% of hospitalizations in tropical countries are due to pyomyositis.
• Having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): In approximately half of pyomyositis cases in North America, the person has HIV.
• Being immunocompromised: People who have a weakened immune system, whether from a medical condition, an organ transplant or from using an immunosuppressive medication, are more likely to develop pyomyositis.
• Having diabetes: Having high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) from mismanaged diabetes can damage your muscles. People with diabetes may also have weakened immune systems. These two factors make it more likely that someone with diabetes will develop pyomyositis.
• Heavy exercise or muscle trauma: Vigorous exercise or trauma (damage) to your muscle(s) can trigger pyomyositis.
• Skin infections: Skin infections, especially staph infections (infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria), make it more likely that you could develop pyomyositis because the bacteria could spread deeper inside your body to your muscles.
• Injection drug use: Injecting drugs increases your risk of developing pyomyositis because it can introduce the bacteria that causes pyomyositis into your body.

What is the prognosis (outlook) of pyomyositis?

If you’re diagnosed with and treated for pyomyositis soon enough, you can often heal well, and the symptoms go away without any lasting damage to your affected muscle. But if left untreated, pyomyositis can cause serious health issues and can even lead to death. It’s important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of pyomyositis.

Can I die from pyomyositis?

Yes, pyomyositis can be fatal. If pyomyositis is not treated in time, the infection can spread to your blood. This can lead to sepsis, which can cause death.

When should I see my healthcare provider about pyomyositis?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of pyomyositis, such as unexplained fever and persistent pain in your muscle, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

When should I see my healthcare provider about pyomyositis?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of pyomyositis, such as unexplained fever and persistent pain in your muscle, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

A note from Qban Health Care Services

Pyomyositis is a rare but serious condition. The good news is that it’s treatable. It can take time to diagnose, so be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms such as an unexplained fever and muscle tenderness, especially if the risk factors for pyomyositis apply to you.

Muscle spasms (muscle cramps) are painful contractions and tightening of your muscles. They’re common, involuntary and unpredictable. Although there are steps you can take to prevent a muscle spasm and treat it when it attacks, those methods aren’t always dependable. Muscle relaxants, stretching and massage are most likely to help.

What are muscle spasms (muscle cramps)?

Muscle spasms (also called muscle cramps) occur when your muscle involuntarily and forcibly contracts uncontrollably and can’t relax. Muscle spasms are normal and quite common. They can involve part or all of a muscle or several muscles in a group. You can get muscle spasms anywhere in your body. Some of the most common types include:

• Back spasms.
• Arm spasms.
• Leg cramps and charley horses.
• Neck spasms.
• Chest cramps.
• Abdomen cramps.
• Ribcage spasms.

Who gets muscle spasms?

Muscle spasms can happen to anyone at any time. They can occur when you walk, sit, exercise or sleep. Some people are prone to muscle spasms and get them regularly with any type of physical exertion.

People who are most likely to get muscle spasms include:

• Athletes.
• Infants.
• Pregnant women.
• People over the age of 65.
• People who have obesity.

Are muscle spasms (muscle cramps) serious?

Most of the time, muscle spasms aren’t something to worry about. But in some cases, muscle cramps can indicate an underlying neurological condition. These conditions affect your brain — your brain helps your muscles move. When involuntary muscle movements result from a neurological condition, it’s called dystonia.

If you have chronic muscle cramps, along with other symptoms like pain, muscle weakness or poor coordination, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. They can help determine if you have an underlying neurological issue.

What are the symptoms of muscle spasms (muscle cramps)?

Muscle spasms can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, it might feel like your muscle is jumping around on its own. Sometimes, you might even see your muscle twitching. In severe cases, it might feel like your entire muscle stiffens up into a tight ball. (This happens a lot with leg cramps.) If a cramp is particularly painful, you might even have lingering discomfort in that area for a day or two.

If muscle spasms result from a neurological condition, you may develop additional symptoms like:

• Muscle pain.
• Muscle weakness.
• Paralysis.
• Numbness.
• Coordination issues.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Vision issues.

What causes muscle spasms (muscle cramps)?

Experts aren’t exactly sure why some people get muscle spasms more than others. One or more of the following may be to blame in most cases:

• Not enough stretching.
• Muscle fatigue.
• Exercising in extreme heat (heat cramps).
• Dehydration.
• Electrolyte imbalance (having too many or too few salts and minerals like potassium, magnesium and calcium, in your body).
• Stress.
• Too much high-intensity exercise.

Possible causes for nocturnal leg cramps (leg cramps at night), specifically, include:

• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Overusing your muscles.
• Standing or working on concrete floors.
• Sitting improperly.

How do healthcare providers diagnose muscle spasms?

In addition to reviewing your health history and medications, your provider may ask questions, including:

• How bad is your pain?
• When do your muscle spasms usually happen?
• How long do your cramps last?
• What do your muscle spasms feel like?
• When did your muscle spasms start?

How do you treat muscle spasms?

There’s no pill or injection that instantly relieves muscle spasms. But there are things you can do to try and stop muscle cramps fast:

• Stretch the affected area.
• Massage the affected area with your hands or a massage roller.
• Stand up and walk around.
• Apply heat or ice.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

If you have severe or frequent muscle spasms, a healthcare provider may prescribe muscle relaxers to help ease your symptoms. Muscle relaxers can cause drowsiness, dizziness and nausea. Because of these side effects, this medication may not be a long-term solution. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of muscle relaxers.

How can I prevent muscle spasms (muscle cramps)?

Muscle spasms can strike at any time. Because they’re so unpredictable, they can be difficult to prevent. There are risk factors you can’t avoid, like your age. But there are also things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Perform flexibility exercises regularly.
• Work toward better overall fitness.
• Stretch your muscles regularly. Do this especially for those most prone to muscle spasms.
• Drink lots of water.
• Avoid exercising in extreme heat.
• Wear shoes that fit you properly.
• Stay at a weight that’s healthy for you.
• Avoid medications that may cause muscle spasms as a side effect.
• To prevent leg cramps, use pillows to keep your toes pointed upward if you sleep on your back. If you sleep on your chest, hang your feet over the end of the bed.
• Stretch your muscles before you go to sleep. When you sleep, keep the sheets and blankets loose around your legs.

What can I expect if I have frequent muscle spasms?

Muscle spasms can worsen and happen more frequently with age. Preventive techniques, like the exercises outlined above, can reduce your overall risk for muscle spasms.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

See your healthcare provider if the spasms are unbearably painful, happen frequently or last for a long time. Also, talk to your provider right away if you develop:

• Significant pain.
• Swelling or numbness in your leg.
• Skin changes.
• Leg cramps that wake you up at night.

See your healthcare provider immediately if you think your muscle spasms could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

When should I go to the ER for muscle cramps?

Typically, muscle spasms — although painful — shouldn’t last very long. But you should call 911 (or your local emergency service number) or go to your nearest emergency room if you have:

• Unbearable pain.
• Muscle cramps all over your body.
• Spasms that began after touching a potentially poisoning substance.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

If you’re having frequent muscle spasms, here are some questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Should I see a specialist?
• Could my muscle spasms be a symptom of a disease?
• Can you show me the best way to stretch my muscles?
• How can I help my child when they have a muscle spasm?
• What massage techniques will best help when I have a muscle cramp?

What does a muscle spasm feel like?

It’s different for everyone. But you probably know it when it happens.

Some muscle spasms cause twitching but no pain. Other spasms are so painful you can’t move until they’re over. You might even notice that your muscle looks distorted or feels hard to the touch. Spasms typically last from seconds to 15 minutes or longer and may recur (repeat) multiple times before going away.

What deficiency causes muscle cramps?

Deficiencies in these vitamins and minerals may cause muscle cramps:

• Calcium.
• Potassium.
• Magnesium (hypomagnesemia).
• Vitamin D.

Talk to your healthcare provider about supplements if you think you might have a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

What causes severe muscle cramps all over the body?

Severe muscle cramps all over your body could indicate an electrolyte imbalance or a serious underlying medical condition like atherosclerosis, thyroid disease or multiple sclerosis (MS). If you develop this type of cramping, head to your local emergency room.

A note from Qban Health Care Services

You don’t have to “just live with” muscle spasms. They may be unpredictable, but there are a few steps you can take to soothe them or even prevent them in some cases. If muscle cramps keep you from sleeping well or doing the things you love, like playing sports, talk to your healthcare provider. They can find out why you’re having muscle cramps and determine whether you have an underlying condition that needs treatment.

Musculoskeletal pain affects bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles. An injury like a bone fracture may cause sudden, severe pain. An underlying condition like arthritis may also cause pain. If musculoskeletal pain interferes with your usual activities, see a healthcare provider. The right treatment can help relieve pain.

What is musculoskeletal pain?

Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects any of your:

• Bones.
• Joints.
• Ligaments.
• Skeletal muscles.
• Tendons.

These tissues make up your musculoskeletal system. You may have localized musculoskeletal pain (in one area of your body) or it may affect most of your body. It can range from mild to severe and be short-term or long-term.

Musculoskeletal pain is very common. It’s the most common form of noncancer pain. Virtually everyone experiences it at least once in their lives — most often from a muscle strain. Chronic (long-term) musculoskeletal conditions (like lower back pain) are also very common.

What does musculoskeletal pain feel like?

Musculoskeletal pain may feel different depending on the cause and affected tissue(s):

• Bone pain: This typically feels dull and achy — like the pain is coming from deep inside your body. If you have a bone fracture, the pain may be sharper and more intense.
• Joint pain: Pain in your joints may be constant or it can come and go. Sometimes, your joints can feel stiff, achy or sore. You might have a burning, throbbing or “grating” sensation. For many people, joint pain gets better with rest and worsens with activity.
• Muscle pain: Muscle pain may feel like a deep, steady ache or random sharp pains. Some people have muscle pain all over, while others have it in specific areas.
• Tendon and ligament pain: This type of pain is typically worse when you move the affected area. The pain often feels sharp.

Musculoskeletal pain can significantly limit your mobility and range of motion. It may also cause:

• Fatigue.
• Sleep disruptions.
• Stiffness.

How long does musculoskeletal pain last?

Musculoskeletal pain can be acute, meaning it’s sudden and severe. Or the pain can be chronic (long-lasting). Acute musculoskeletal pain is temporary. But how long it lasts depends on the cause, severity and the treatment you receive.

What causes musculoskeletal pain?

Injuries are the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain, often causing acute (sudden) pain. Certain conditions can cause chronic (long-term) musculoskeletal pain. Injuries that don’t heal properly can lead to chronic pain as well.

Causes of acute musculoskeletal pain

Examples of acute musculoskeletal pain causes include injuries like:

• Bone bruises (contusions).
• Bone fractures.
• Joint dislocation.
• Muscle bruises.
• Repetitive strain injuries, like tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.
• Sprains (stretched or torn ligaments).
• Torn muscles or tendons.

These injuries can affect anyone at any age. They’re especially common in athletes and people who do manual labor.

Other non-injury forms of acute musculoskeletal pain include:

• Muscle spasms and cramps.
• Pyomyositis (muscle infection).
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection).
• Septic arthritis (joint infection).

Causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain

Certain conditions can cause long-term musculoskeletal pain. Examples include:

• Arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
• Connective tissue diseases, like scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Gout.
• Joint hypermobility syndrome.
• Myopathies (muscle conditions), like muscular dystrophy and myositis.
• Bone conditions, like osteoporosis and osteopenia.
• Regional pain (like neck and back pain) from conditions like spinal stenosis or degenerative disk disease.
• Stiff person syndrome.

How do you treat musculoskeletal pain?

Treatment for musculoskeletal pain largely depends on the:

• Affected tissue(s).
• Severity.
• Underlying cause.

For mild musculoskeletal pain from a minor injury (like a strained muscle), conservative treatment often helps. This includes rest, over-the-counter pain medicines and cold (ice) therapy.

For more serious or complex causes of musculoskeletal pain, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. They’ll recommend a treatment plan that’s best for you. If you have chronic pain, “management” may be a better word — the cause may be incurable, so the goal is to minimize symptoms.

Some examples of treatments and pain management include:

• Acupuncture.
• Chiropractic adjustment.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and biofeedback for chronic pain management.
• Compression therapy.
• Hydrotherapy.
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
• Massage therapy.
• Medications, like pain medicine (analgesics) or medications that target an underlying condition.
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy.
• Splints, casts and other tools that stabilize the affected area.
• Steroid injections.
• Surgery.

What can I do at home to treat musculoskeletal pain?

Your healthcare provider may guide you to manage musculoskeletal pain at home. Recommendations may include:

• Getting quality sleep.
• Hot and/or cold therapy.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• The RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation).
• Strengthening and conditioning exercises.
• Stretching exercises.
• Stress reduction techniques.

What are the possible complications of not treating musculoskeletal pain?

Without proper treatment, moderate to severe injuries that cause musculoskeletal pain can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. This can negatively affect your quality of life and may prevent you from working.

Because of this, it’s very important to get medical care for severe and/or persisting pain. The sooner you can start treatment that’s tailored to your situation, the better.

How can I prevent musculoskeletal pain?

Maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints is crucial for preventing musculoskeletal pain. Steps you can take to try to prevent pain include:

• Avoiding smoking, which increases inflammation.
• Eating nutritious foods to support bone, muscle and joint health.
• Getting medical help at the first signs of persisting pain.
• Getting regular physical activity that’s appropriate for your age and overall health.
• Limiting repetitive movements.
• Practicing good posture.
• Stretching regularly.
• Using correct lifting techniques.

When should I see my healthcare provider for musculoskeletal pain?

If musculoskeletal pain interferes with your daily activities or how well you can function, see a healthcare provider. Seek immediate medical help if you have severe pain from a sudden injury.

A note from Qban Health Care Services

Almost everyone has musculoskeletal pain now and then. For temporary, mild pain, at-home remedies can help. But chronic (long-lasting) or severe pain can make it difficult to do the things you love. If you have chronic or severe pain, you don’t have to “tough it out.” Talk to a healthcare provider about therapies that can help.

Ear infections (acute otitis media) occur when a virus or bacteria infects the space behind your child’s eardrum. Symptoms include ear pain that may cause your infant or toddler to be especially fussy or irritable. Often, ear infections clear on their own. Sometimes, children need antibiotics, pain-relieving medications or ear tubes.

What is an ear infection (acute otitis media)?

An ear infection, also called acute otitis media, is a sudden infection in your middle ear. The middle ear is the air-filled space between your eardrum and inner ear. It houses the delicate bones that transmit sound vibrations from your eardrum to your inner ear so you can hear.

Eustachian tubes are canals that connect your middle ear to the back of your throat. They regulate air pressure in your ear and prevent fluid from accumulating in your middle ear space.

If a eustachian tube doesn’t function well, fluid has a hard time draining from your middle ear space and can cause muffled hearing. Ear infections (from viruses and bacteria) also cause middle ear fluid. In these cases, the middle ear fluid is infected and often causes discomfort in addition to muffled hearing.

How common are ear infections?

Middle ear infections are the most common childhood illness other than colds. Ear infections occur most often in children between 6 months and 2 years. They’re common until age 8.

Older children and adults can get ear infections, too, but they don’t happen nearly as often as in young children.

Why are children more likely to get ear infections than adults?

Children get ear infections more often than adults because:

• Their eustachian tubes don’t function as well as adults, and this encourages fluid to gather behind the eardrum.
• Their immune system, the body’s infection-fighting system, is still developing.
• They’re more likely to catch illnesses from other children.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

Symptoms of an ear infection often begin after a cold. They include:

• Ear pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Trouble hearing in the ear that’s blocked.
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear.
• Yellow, brown or white drainage from your ear. (This may mean that your eardrum has broken.)

Don’t place anything in your ear canal if you have drainage from your ear. An item touching a torn (ruptured) eardrum can cause more damage.

Infants and children

Since small children and infants can’t always communicate their symptoms, it’s important to recognize the signs. A child with an ear infection may:

• Rub or tug on their ears.
• Cry more than usual or act fussy.
• Have a fever ranging from 100.5 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 40 degrees Celsius). (Half of children have fevers with ear infections.)
• Start mouth breathing or have increased snoring. Mouth breathing may be a sign of enlarged adenoids. (Adenoids are small pads of tissue above your throat, behind your nose and near your eustachian tubes.) Adenoids may become infected/inflamed with the same viruses or bacteria that cause ear infections.
• Refuse to eat during feedings. (Pressure in the middle ear changes as your child swallows, causing more pain and less desire to eat.)

What causes an ear infection?

Bacteria and viruses cause ear infections. Often, ear infections begin after a cold or another upper respiratory infection. The germs travel into your middle ear through the eustachian tube. Once inside, the virus or bacteria can cause your eustachian tubes to swell. The swelling can cause the tube to become blocked, leading to poor eustachian tube function and infected fluid in your middle ear.

Are ear infections contagious?

Ear infections aren’t contagious, but the virus and/or bacteria causing the infection are. Multiple types of bacteria and viruses cause ear infections, including ones that cause colds and the flu.

What are the risk factors for ear infections?

Risk factors for ear infections include:

• Age: Infants and young children (between 6 months and 2 years) are at a greater risk for ear infections.
• Family history: Getting ear infections can run in the family.
• Colds: Having a cold increases your risk of developing an ear infection. Children in daycare and group settings are at a greater risk of ear infections because they’re more likely to be around children with colds or other contagious respiratory illnesses.
• Chronic illnesses: Long-term illnesses, including immune deficiency and chronic respiratory diseases (such as cystic fibrosis and asthma), can increase your risk of ear infections.
• Ethnicity: Children who are Native American, Hispanic and Alaska Natives have more ear infections than children of other ethnic groups.
• Poor air quality and smoky environments: Air pollution and exposure to secondhand smoke increase your risk of getting an ear infection.

What are the complications of ear infections?

Most ear infections don’t cause long-term issues. When complications happen, they’re usually related to repeated or ongoing ear infections. Complications include:

• Hearing loss: Temporary hearing loss or changes in your hearing (muffling or sound distortions) are common during an ear infection. Repeated or ongoing infections or damage to internal structures in your ear can cause more significant hearing loss.
• Delayed speech and language development: Children need to hear to learn language and develop speech. Muffled hearing or hearing loss for any length of time can significantly delay development.
• Torn eardrum: About 5% to 10% of children with an ear infection develop a small tear in their eardrum. Often, the tear heals on its own. If it doesn’t, your child may need surgery.
• Spread of the infection: Untreated infections or infections that don’t improve on their own can spread. Infection can spread to the bone behind your ear (mastoiditis). Occasionally, an infection can spread to the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord (meninges) and cause meningitis.

How is an ear infection diagnosed?

Most healthcare providers can tell if your child has an ear infection based on their symptoms, a physical exam to check for signs of a cold and an ear exam. For the ear exam, your child’s healthcare provider will view your child’s eardrum using a lighted instrument called an otoscope. An inflamed, swollen or red eardrum is a sign of an ear infection.

Your child’s provider may use a pneumatic otoscope to check for fluid in your child’s middle ear. A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air at the eardrum, which should cause it to move back and forth. It won’t move easily if there’s fluid inside your child’s ear.

Are there additional tests my child may need?

Your child may need other tests, including:

• Tympanometry: This test uses air pressure to check for fluid in your child’s middle ear.
• Acoustic reflectometry: This test uses sound waves to check for fluid in your child’s middle ear.
• Tympanocentesis: This procedure allows your child’s provider to remove fluid from your child’s middle ear and test it for viruses and bacteria. Their provider may recommend tympanocentesis if other treatments haven’t cleared the infection.
• Hearing tests: A provider called an audiologist might perform hearing tests to determine if your child has hearing loss. Hearing loss is more common in children with long-lasting or frequent ear infections or fluid in the middle ear that doesn’t drain.

How is an ear infection treated?

Treatment depends on many factors, including:

• Your child’s age.
• The severity of the infection.
• The nature of the infection (first-time, ongoing or repeat infection).
• Whether fluid remains in the middle ear for a long time.

Often, ear infections heal without treatment. Your provider may monitor your child’s condition to see if it improves before prescribing treatments. Your child may need antibiotics or surgery for infections that don’t go away. In the meantime, pain medicines can help with symptoms like ear pain.

Antibiotics

Your child may need antibiotics if bacteria are causing the ear infection. Healthcare providers may wait up to three days before prescribing antibiotics to see if a mild infection clears on its own. If an infection is severe, your child may need to start antibiotics immediately.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines on when a child should receive antibiotics and when it’s better to observe. Factors include your child’s age, the severity of their infection and their temperature. The table below summarizes the recommendations.

American Academy of Pediatrics Treatment Guide for Acute Otitis Media (AOM)

Child’s Age	Severity of AOM / Temperature	Treatment
6 months and older; in one or both ears.	Moderate to severe for at least 48 hours or temp of 102.2 degrees F (39 degrees C) or higher.	Treat with antibiotics.
6 months through 23 months; in both ears.	Mild for less than 48 hours and temp less than 102.2 degrees F (39 degrees C).	Treat with antibiotics.
6 months to 23 months; in one ear.	Mild for less than 48 hours and temp less than 102.2 degrees F (39 degrees C).	Treat with antibiotics OR observe. If observe, start antibiotics if the child’s condition worsens or doesn’t improve within 48 to 72 hours of start of symptoms.
24 months or older; in one or both ears.	Mild for less than 48 hours and temp less than 102.2 degrees F (39 degrees C).	Treat with antibiotics OR observe. If observe, start antibiotics if the child’s condition worsens or doesn’t improve within 48 to 72 hours of start of symptoms.

Even if symptoms improve, don’t stop taking the medicine until your provider tells you to stop. The infection can return if your child doesn’t take all antibiotics as prescribed.

Pain-relieving medications

Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), to relieve pain and reduce fever. They may prescribe pain-relieving ear drops. Follow your provider’s instructions about what medicines are safe for your child.

Never give aspirin to children. Aspirin can cause a life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes)

Your child may need ear tubes if they experience frequent ear infections, infections that don’t improve with antibiotics or hearing loss related to fluid buildup. An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist places the tubes during a tympanostomy. It’s a short (approximately 10-minute) procedure. Your child can go home that same day.

During a tympanostomy, a provider inserts a small metal or plastic tube into a tiny incision (cut) in your child’s eardrum. The procedure to perforate (pierce a hole into) and drain the eardrum is called a myringotomy. Once the tubes are in place, they let air into the middle ear and allow fluid to drain.

The tube usually stays in place for 12 to 18 months. It may fall out on its own, or your child may need surgery to remove it. Once the tubes are gone, the hole in your child’s eardrum will heal and close.

What can I do to prevent ear infections?

Here are some ways to reduce your or your child’s risk of ear infections:

• Prevent colds and other respiratory illnesses. Be proactive in preventing colds, especially during your child’s first year. Teach them about frequent handwashing and coughing or sneezing into their elbow. Don’t allow them to share food, cups or utensils. If it’s an option, avoid large daycare centers until they’re older.
• Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, and don’t allow others to smoke around your child.
• Breastfeed (chestfeed) your baby. If possible, breastfeed your baby during the first six to 12 months. Antibodies in breast milk (chest milk) fight viruses and bacteria that cause infections.
• Bottle-feed your baby in an upright position. If you bottle-feed, hold your baby upright so their head is higher than their stomach. This position can prevent formula or other fluids from flowing backward and collecting in their eustachian tubes.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations. Ensure your child’s immunizations are current, including yearly flu shots for children 6 months and older. Ask your child’s pediatrician about vaccines for pneumococcal disease and meningitis.

Can an ear infection go away on its own?

Yes, most infections go away on their own. This is why your healthcare provider may wait before prescribing medications like antibiotics. In the meantime, pain relievers can help with symptoms like ear pain.

Depending on your child’s age, symptoms and temperature, they may need antibiotics to heal. If your child has ongoing or frequent infections, or if fluid remains in the middle ear and puts their hearing at risk, your child may need ear tubes. Follow your healthcare provider’s guidance about caring for your child.

When can my child return to normal daily activities?

Children can return to school or daycare when their fever is gone.

When should I see my healthcare provider about an ear infection?

Call your healthcare provider immediately if:

• Your child develops a stiff neck.
• Your child acts sluggish, looks or acts very sick, or doesn’t stop crying despite all efforts.
• Your child’s walk isn’t steady.
• Your or your child’s ear pain is severe.
• Your or your child has a fever over 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
• Your child shows signs of weakness in their face. (Look for a crooked smile.)
• You see bloody or pus-filled fluid draining from the ear.

Call your healthcare provider during office hours if:

• A fever remains or comes back more than 48 hours after starting an antibiotic.
• Ear pain isn’t better after three days of taking an antibiotic.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Contact your child’s pediatrician if they show signs of an ear infection and their condition doesn’t improve within two to three days. Often, ear infections get better without treatment. Depending on your child’s age and symptoms, they may need antibiotics. Your child’s healthcare provider can recommend pain relievers for your child as their body works through the illness.

Giardiasis is a common illness caused by a parasite that may result in diarrhea and stomach cramps. The Giardia parasite can spread through contaminated water, food and surfaces, and from contact with someone who has it. Antibiotics can treat giardiasis.

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia. This parasite lives all over the world, especially in bodies of water. If you accidentally swallow it, it takes up residence in your small intestine and multiplies, feeding off the nutrients there. This can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms, including foul-smelling diarrhea, bloating and gas, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue.

Giardiasis symptoms can be mild to severe, and some people never have symptoms. The infection typically clears by itself after a few weeks, but people with weaker immune systems may have a harder time clearing it. A healthcare provider can prescribe antiparasitic medications for giardiasis if you need them. Sometimes, people continue to have symptoms for weeks to months after the infection has gone.

How common is giardiasis?

Giardiasis is common throughout the world. It’s the most common parasite infection in the U.S., where it affects over a million people each year. In developed countries in general, it affects an estimated 10% of the population. In developing countries, giardiasis affects an estimated one-third of the population.

Giardia thrives in regions and environments with less public sanitation, especially in natural bodies of water and inadequately sanitized public water supplies. Children are more often infected than adults, especially those under the age of 4. In the U.S., childcare centers are a frequent source of outbreaks.

What are the symptoms of giardiasis?

About half of people never develop symptoms of giardiasis. Among those who do, common symptoms include:

• Watery diarrhea.
• Fatty or greasy poop that floats.
• Stomach pain and cramping.
• Intestinal gas and bloating.
• Nausea and loss of appetite.
• Increasing fatigue.

Less common symptoms can include:

• Itchy skin.
• Hives.
• Swelling around your eyes.
• Swollen joints.

Long-term effects

Most people have short-term symptoms during their infection, but occasionally, some people have longer-lasting or recurring symptoms. They might develop dehydration and weight loss from the chronic diarrhea and nausea. Sometimes, they develop lasting digestive difficulties, like lactose intolerance.

What causes giardiasis?

Giardia infection happens when you accidentally ingest the microscopic parasite during the cyst stage of its life cycle. The Giardia cyst is sort of like an egg that can survive in the wild until it finds a body (host) to hatch in. After you swallow it, the cyst settles and “hatches” in your small intestine. The parasite feeds off your nutrients and multiplies. After this, it changes back into a cyst and passes out in your poop.

How is giardiasis transmitted to humans?

Animals and humans both get giardiasis, and they can both pass it on to others through their poop. The Giardia cyst lives within microscopic traces of poop within your environment that are too small to see. These traces can linger on surfaces, in bodies of water and on people’s hands if they don’t wash them well enough after using the bathroom. They can also transfer to people’s food and drinking water.

Some common ways you might get giardiasis include:

• Drinking or swimming in untreated or unfiltered water.
• Traveling abroad, especially in developing countries.
• Interacting with groups of babies and toddlers who wear diapers.
• Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
• Touching a surface that an infected person touched.
• Having anal sex with an infected person.

How long does giardiasis take to kick in, and how long does it last?

The incubation period for giardiasis is one to two weeks from infection. That’s how long it takes for the Giardia cyst to release the parasite and for the parasite to begin to multiply, alerting your immune system. When your immune system activates to remove it, that’s when you might begin to notice symptoms. Symptoms typically last between two and six weeks, but in some people, they can last longer.

What does giardiasis do to you?

Giardia infection doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but it can. Some symptoms are due to the parasite itself, and others are due to your body activating to remove the parasite. For example, the parasite feeding off your nutrients might sap your energy, making you feel increasingly tired. Diarrhea, swelling and skin reactions are symptoms of inflammation, part of your immune system’s response.

These symptoms are short-lived for most people. They go away when the infection does. But if giardiasis lasts a long time, or keeps coming back, it can do more long-term damage. This might happen if you have a weaker immune system, possibly from a preexisting health condition. In developing countries, malnutrition and lower health status can make people more vulnerable to complications from giardiasis.

What are the possible complications of giardiasis?

Possible complications include:

• Dehydration. Dehydration is the primary short-term risk from giardiasis, and it can also happen gradually over the long term. Anyone who’s having diarrhea and/or vomiting loses a lot of fluids. It can be hard to replace the fluids as fast as you’re losing them. Children and people over age 65 are especially vulnerable to dehydration, so it’s important for caretakers to stay alert.
• Gastrointestinal disease. If giardiasis lasts a long time, it can damage the lining of your small intestine. This can cause chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and trigger irritable bowel syndrome. It can also damage your intestine’s ability to absorb the nutrients in your food. You could develop nutritional deficiencies. This could affect growth and development in children.
• Autoimmune disease. In some people with severe and/or chronic giardiasis, long-term inflammation triggers an autoimmune response. This means that part of your immune response to the infection becomes hyperactive and automatic, continuing even after the infection is gone. Some people have developed reactive arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome or new food allergies.

How is giardiasis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can diagnose giardiasis by testing a sample of your poop for evidence of Giardia. This might take a few tries because you might pass the cysts in your poop one day but not the next. It’s not always necessary to identify giardiasis this way, though. Healthcare providers often prescribe medications to treat giardiasis based on your symptoms alone, without needing to diagnose it first.

What medications or other treatments do healthcare providers prescribe for giardiasis?

Not everyone will need treatment for giardiasis. But if you have symptoms, your healthcare provider can prescribe antiparasitic medications to make the infection go away faster. With medications, most people feel better within a week. But underlying medical conditions can affect your response. If your condition is more severe, you might need additional support, like rehydration or antidiarrheal medications.

Medications

Antibiotics for giardiasis include:

• Metronidazole (Flagyl®).
• Tinidazole (Tindamax®).
• Nitazoxanide (Alinia®).
• Paromomycin (Humatin®).

Different medications affect different people in different ways. If your first prescription doesn’t work or causes intolerable side effects, your provider will offer an alternative. Your provider might recommend that everyone in your household take them to prevent the infection from spreading. If you’re pregnant, they might recommend delaying treatment because these drugs could potentially be toxic to the fetus.

Can Giardia go away on its own?

Yes, giardiasis often goes away on its own, and if your symptoms are mild, your provider might encourage you to let it do that. When populations use certain antibiotics against common infections too often, the infections can begin to become resistant to those antibiotics. This is starting to occur in certain places with giardiasis. If you can go without medication, you can help prevent antibiotic resistance.

But giardiasis doesn’t always go away in everyone. And in some people, it can be very persistent. If you continue to have symptoms for longer than six weeks, visit your healthcare provider. They can test you to find out if you’re still infected, or if your symptoms are due to the after-effects of the infection. They can offer treatment for either the infection itself or your symptoms and screen you for complications.

What happens if Giardia is left untreated?

Untreated Giardia infection often goes away by itself. But if it doesn’t, it can cause long-term complications for your digestive system, and even your immune system. It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have symptoms lasting longer than six weeks. If your provider prescribes antibiotics, it’s important to take the full course to make sure the infection doesn’t rebound.

What happens if the treatment doesn’t work?

If you’ve taken antibiotics but testing later finds you’re still infected, it’s possible that:

• You didn’t take the full course or you need a stronger dose.
• You’ve been reinfected through your environment.
• You need a different medication or combination.
• You have a weakened immune system for some reason.

Your healthcare provider will investigate these possibilities. If you have an immune deficiency, you might need separate treatment for that. If necessary, your provider will consult an infectious disease specialist to devise an individualized treatment plan for you that combines different types of medications.

How can I lower my risk of getting or spreading giardiasis?

It’s hard to avoid something in your environment that’s too small to see. But there are steps that individuals and communities can take to prevent infection and reduce transmission of Giardia to others. For example:

• Personal hygiene: Practice frequent hand washing to prevent germs from spreading, especially before eating or having sex and after using the bathroom or interacting with soil or animals.
• Household hygiene: Clean and disinfect the bathrooms in your home regularly. If someone in your household has been sick, clean and disinfect everything they’ve touched, including linens.
• Safe food practices: Wash fruit and vegetables in clean water before eating. Avoid raw foods and unbottled water when traveling abroad, where the local water might be contaminated.
• Safe water use: Be wary when swimming in natural ponds, streams, lakes and swimming holes, and even public swimming pools if they don’t have a filtering system. Chlorine and iodine treatments aren’t always enough to kill Giardia. Try not to get any water in your mouth.

What can I expect if I get giardiasis?

About half of people who get giardiasis never have symptoms. For those who do, they’re usually mild and temporary. If your symptoms are noticeable, your healthcare provider can prescribe medications. With treatment, most people feel better within a week. Without treatment, it might take two to six weeks.

Some people sometimes have a harder time with giardiasis. They might have more severe symptoms or might need extra help clearing the infection. If the parasite significantly damages your small intestine, you might continue to have gastrointestinal symptoms for a long time, even after the infection has gone away.

When should I see a healthcare provider about giardiasis?

Contact a healthcare provider if:

• Your symptoms aren’t improving fast enough and you’d like treatment.
• You or someone in your care has signs of dehydration.
• Your medications cause intolerable side effects.
• Your symptoms haven’t improved after taking medications.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Preventive measures like hand washing and water filtering can go a long way toward protecting you and others from giardiasis. But Giardia is common everywhere, and it’s not always possible to avoid it. In most cases, the infection is mild and temporary, and you might not even need treatment. But don’t hesitate to seek treatment if you do need it, or follow up with your healthcare provider if the treatment isn’t working as expected.

Malaria is caused by parasites that enter your body through the bite of an infected mosquito. This sometimes fatal disease happens in hot and humid places, like Africa.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a serious disease that spreads when you’re bitten by a mosquito infected by tiny parasites. When it bites, the mosquito injects malaria parasites into your bloodstream. Malaria is caused by the parasites, not by a virus or by a type of bacterium.

If it isn’t treated, malaria can cause severe health problems such as seizures, brain damage, trouble breathing, organ failure and death.

The disease is rare in the U.S., with about 2,000 cases per year. If you’re traveling to an area where malaria is common, talk to your healthcare provider about ways you can prevent being infected. People who are infected and travel to the U.S. can spread the disease if a mosquito bites them and then bites someone else.

How common is malaria?

Malaria is common in tropical areas where it’s hot and humid. In 2020, there were 241 million reported cases of malaria throughout the world, with 627,000 deaths due to malaria. The majority of these cases occur in Africa and South Asia.

Where does malaria usually occur?

Malaria occurs all over the world and happens most often in developing countries and areas with warm temperatures and high humidity, including:

• Africa.
• Central and South America.
• Dominican Republic, Haiti and other areas in the Caribbean.
• Eastern Europe.
• South and Southeast Asia.
• Islands in the Central and South Pacific Ocean (Oceania).

Who might get malaria?

Anyone can get malaria, but people who live in Africa have a higher risk of infection than others. Young children, older people and those who are pregnant have an increased risk of dying from malaria. People who live in poverty and don’t have access to healthcare are more likely to have complications from the disease.

More than 90% of malaria deaths occur in Africa, and nearly all of the people who die are young children. More than 80% of malaria deaths in the region in 2020 involved children under the age of 5 years old.

What causes malaria?

When a mosquito bites someone who has malaria, the mosquito becomes infected. When that mosquito bites someone else, it transfers a parasite to the other person’s bloodstream. There, the parasites multiply. There are five types of malaria parasites that can infect humans.

In rare cases, people who are pregnant and who have malaria can transfer the disease to their children before or during birth.

It’s possible, but unlikely, for malaria to be passed through blood transfusions, organ donations and hypodermic needles.

What are the signs and symptoms of malaria?

Signs and symptoms of malaria are similar to flu symptoms. They include:

• Fever and sweating.
• Chills that shake your whole body.
• Headache and muscle aches.
• Fatigue.
• Chest pain, breathing problems and cough.
• Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

As malaria gets worse, it can cause anemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).

The most severe form of malaria, which may progress to a coma, is known as cerebral malaria. This type represents about 15% of deaths in children and nearly 20% of adult deaths.

When do symptoms begin if you’re infected with malaria?

Malaria symptoms usually appear 10 days to one month after the person was infected. Depending on the type of parasite, symptoms can be mild. Some people don’t feel sick for up to a year after the mosquito bite. Parasites can sometimes live in the body for several years without causing symptoms.

Some types of malaria, depending on the type of parasite, can occur again. The parasites are inactive in your liver and then are released into your bloodstream after years. The symptoms begin again when the parasites begin circulating.

How is malaria diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms and travel history. It’s important to share information about the countries you’ve visited recently so that your provider can clearly understand your risk.

Your provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab to see if you have malaria parasites. The blood test will tell your provider if you have malaria and will also identify the type of parasite that’s causing your symptoms. Your provider will use this information to determine the right treatment.

How is malaria treated?

It’s important to start treating malaria as soon as possible. Your provider will prescribe medications to kill the malaria parasite. Some parasites are resistant to malaria drugs.

Some drugs are given in combination with other drugs. The type of parasite will determine what type of medication you take and how long you take it.

Antimalarial drugs include:

• Artemisinin drugs (artemether and artesunate). The best treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, if available, is artemisinin combination therapy.
• Atovaquone (Mepron®).
• Chloroquine. There are parasites that are resistant to this medication.
• Doxycycline (Doxy-100®, Monodox®, Oracea®).
• Mefloquine.
• Quinine.
• Primaquine.

Medications can cure you of malaria.

What are the side effects of medications to treat malaria?

Antimalarial drugs can cause side effects. Be sure to tell your provider about other medicines you’re taking, since antimalarial drugs can interfere with them. Depending on the medication, side effects may include:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as nausea and diarrhea.
• Headaches.
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight.
• Insomnia and disturbing dreams.
• Psychological disorders and vision problems.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Seizures.
• Anemia.

Can I prevent malaria?

If you plan on living temporarily in or traveling to an area where malaria is common, talk to your provider about taking medications to prevent malaria. You will need to take the drugs before, during and after your stay. Medications can greatly reduce the chances of getting malaria. These drugs can’t be used for treatment if you do develop malaria despite taking them.

You should also take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. To lower your chances of getting malaria, you should:

• Apply mosquito repellent with DEET (diethyltoluamide) to exposed skin.
• Drape mosquito netting over beds.
• Put screens on windows and doors.
• Treat clothing, mosquito nets, tents, sleeping bags and other fabrics with an insect repellent called permethrin.
• Wear long pants and long sleeves to cover your skin.

Is there a vaccine against malaria?

There’s a vaccine for children which was developed and tested in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi in a pilot program. The RTS, S/AS01 vaccine is effective against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which causes severe disease in children.

Other programs are working to develop a malaria vaccine.

What is the outlook for people who have malaria?

If malaria isn’t treated properly, it can cause serious health problems, including permanent organ damage and death. It’s essential to seek treatment right away if you think you have malaria or have visited an area where it is common. Treatment is much more effective when it’s started early.

The right medication and correct dose can treat malaria and clear the infection from your body. If you’ve had malaria before, you can get it again if an infected mosquito bites you.

When should I see my healthcare provider about malaria?

If you’ve traveled to or live in a country where malaria is common and you have symptoms of malaria, see your provider immediately. Early diagnosis makes treatment more effective. It’s also important to seek treatment right away to stop malaria from spreading to others.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Malaria is a serious illness, but you can take steps to prevent it. You can lower your risk of infection by protecting yourself from mosquito bites and taking preventive medications. If you’re traveling where malaria is common, talk to your provider several weeks before you leave. This is especially important if you’re pregnant.

Hookworms are parasites that live in the intestines of people who are infected. Hookworm eggs (larvae) spread in poop of people with hookworm disease. Many people have no symptoms, but signs of a hookworm infection include skin rash, fever, stomach pain and diarrhea. Medication can treat the infection.

What is hookworm?

Hookworm is a parasite that infects your intestines. There are two main types of hookworm that infect humans: Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.

Hookworm larvae (eggs) break through your skin. They travel through your body and hatch once they reach your intestines. As the name implies, hookworms have a hook-like head that attaches to your intestinal walls. These tiny worms can cause a number of health problems, including iron-deficiency anemia, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Hookworm infection is most common in tropical and subtropical areas, especially if sanitation isn’t as good and people walk barefoot on contaminated soil. In the past, hookworm was a serious problem in the southern United States, but improved sanitation has made it much less common.

What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that needs to live on or inside another organism (animal or human). The parasite relies on its host (the creature it lives in or on) to survive.

Hookworms are parasites that live inside your intestines. There, they feed on blood from your intestinal wall, mature and lay eggs.

How common are hookworms in humans?

Hookworm disease is widespread in many parts of the world. As many as 740 million people worldwide have hookworm disease.

How do you tell if you have hookworm?

Many people with a hookworm infection have no symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may experience mild ones at first. Symptoms progress as the infection gets more severe.

Possible hookworm symptoms include:

• Skin rash on your feet where the larvae entered your body.
• Fever.
• Coughing or wheezing.
• Abdominal pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Weight loss.
• Iron-deficiency anemia.

How do hookworms infect humans?

Hookworm larvae pass in the feces (poop) of someone already infected with hookworm disease. If a person with hookworm disease poops outdoors, the larvae enter the soil. Using human feces as fertilizer can also contaminate the soil.

If you walk barefoot on infected soil, the larvae can enter your body by breaking through the skin on your feet. After infected larvae enter through your skin, they travel through your body:

• They move through your blood vessels to your heart and then your lungs.
• You cough up the larvae from your lungs and swallow them.
• The larvae follow the digestive tract into your small intestine, where they attach to the walls, grow and mature.
• Fertilized eggs leave your body in your poop to potentially infect another host.
• The whole process can take two to three months. The worms can live in your body for two years or more.

Are hookworms contagious?

Yes. You can get hookworm by coming in contact with poop from an infected person. Hookworm infections also spread through contact with infected soil.

Can you get hookworm disease from your pets or other animals?

Hookworm infections in dogs, cats and other animals typically come from a different species than the ones that infect humans. Animal hookworms can sometimes penetrate a person’s skin, but they don’t mature or lay eggs inside a human host.

Animal hookworms can cause a rash as they move under your skin. This itchy rash, called cutaneous larva migrans, shows up as a thin, raised red line that spreads across your skin.

Who is at risk for hookworm disease?

Hookworm disease is most common in warm, humid and tropical locations. It’s especially common in places lacking indoor sanitation.

How serious is hookworm in humans?

Hookworms feed on blood in your intestines. An untreated, severe infection results in blood loss. Blood loss can lead to anemia and protein deficiency. Severe anemia can cause:

• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle cramps.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.

Children infected with hookworms over long periods of time can develop severe effects from lack of iron and protein. This can slow both their physical and mental development.

How is hookworm disease diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of hookworm disease, your healthcare provider will test a sample of your poop (stool). They’ll analyze the stool sample under a microscope to look for hookworm eggs.

If you’ve recently traveled to an area where hookworm is common, your provider may recommend blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC) can show eosinophilia (higher than normal white blood cell count). This sign of hookworm disease can show up weeks before eggs are present in your poop.

How do you get rid of hookworms?

If tests show that you have hookworm disease, your provider will prescribe medications that treat the infection. In most cases, hookworm treatment includes an anthelmintic medication (medication used to destroy parasitic worms) orally (by mouth) for one to seven days.

Your provider may prescribe these medicines to get rid of parasitic worms:

• Mebendazole (Vermox^® or Emverm^®).
• Albendazole (Albenza^®).

Your provider may also prescribe iron supplements if you have anemia from hookworm disease.

Do hookworms go away on their own?

Hookworms may go away on their own, but it can take many years. During that time, they can cause serious health complications, like malnutrition and anemia. With treatment, you can get rid of hookworms and avoid any possible complications.

How can I prevent hookworm disease?

You can prevent hookworm disease by:

• Wearing shoes when walking on soil that may be contaminated with poop.
• Practicing good hygiene, like washing your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating.
• Disposing of poop properly.
• Not using human feces as fertilizer.

What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with hookworm disease?

Hookworm disease is easily curable with appropriate medication. Most symptoms — including anemia — will go away once the infection clears.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should call your healthcare provider if you have:

• A rash on your foot.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue or dizziness.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Do I need to worry about contracting hookworm disease when traveling out of the country?
• What steps can I take to prevent infection in areas where it’s prevalent?
• How long can hookworms live in the intestines?
• Do I need to be tested for anemia?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Hookworm disease is a common parasitic infection in many parts of the world. Most people get the parasite by walking barefoot in soil infected with hookworm eggs. Left untreated, it can lead to unpleasant — and sometimes serious — symptoms. A single course of medication that kills the parasites is usually enough to treat the infection. While hookworm can go away on its own, it can take years. So don’t wait — see your healthcare provider if you have any of the symptoms of a hookworm infection.

Pinworms, also known as threadworms, are tiny, white or light gray worms that cause the common infection called enterobiasis. The infection is highly contagious and occurs most often in children. Healthcare providers treat them with oral anti-parasitic medications that can kill the worms in just two doses.

What are pinworms (pinworm infection)?

Pinworms, also called threadworms, are parasitic worms that live in the intestines and rectums of infected people — most commonly children. Pinworms are small and thin (about ¼ inch to ½ inch long), and white or light gray.

Pinworms are called Enterobius vermicularis. A pinworm infection is called enterobiasis.

Your child will need treatment if they have a pinworm infection. Luckily, pinworms don’t usually cause serious medical problems and are easy to cure.

How common are pinworm infections?

Enterobiasis is the most common type of worm infection in the United States. It affects approximately 40 million people in the U.S. and 1 billion people worldwide.

People of all ages can become infected with pinworms. Still, pinworm infections are most common in children, especially between ages 4 to 11. Rarely, adults get pinworms. Caregivers and family members of infected children have a higher risk of infection.

Pinworm infections pass easily from person to person in places where children are in close contact, including daycare centers, preschools and schools. People who live in institutions also commonly get infected.

What are the symptoms of a pinworm infection?

About a third of infected people don’t experience symptoms. Others experience intense itching near the anus (butthole), especially when they’re trying to sleep. Watch out for these symptoms, which may signal a pinworm infection:

• Anal itching, especially at night: Female pinworms lay eggs around your anus at night, causing itching and irritation. The itching can be severe.
• Vaginal itching: Pinworm eggs on the skin surrounding your vagina can cause itching and discharge.
• Sleeplessness: The itching can lead to restlessness and keep you (or your child) from a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation can make you tired during the day and have trouble concentrating.

How does a person get pinworms?

Pinworm infection occurs when your child swallows pinworm eggs. They become the host for the pinworm life cycle. While this may sound like something obvious to avoid, it’s easy to get infected. Here’s how it usually happens:

1. Pinworms lay their eggs on the skin around your child’s anus, sometimes causing itching.
2. When your child touches or scratches the area, the microscopic eggs (which are super sticky) attach to their fingers and get stuck beneath their fingernails.
3. Unless they wash their hands, your child transmits the eggs to other people and surfaces they touch.
4. When another person touches these surfaces and puts their fingers on their mouth, the eggs enter and travel through their digestive system. The eggs hatch in that person’s intestines.
5. Once hatched, the female pinworms travel to the person’s anus to lay their eggs, and the cycle restarts.

Each female worm can produce 10,000 or more eggs. Your child may have anywhere from a few worms to hundreds of them.

Can you get pinworms without being around an infected person?

Yes. Pinworm eggs can survive from two to three weeks on contaminated surfaces. You can get pinworms through:

• Bedsheets, underwear and towels. Eggs can spread through contact with contaminated sheets, towels or underwear.
• Toys. Children with pinworm infection can contaminate toys they share with other children at school or in daycare.
• Inhalation: The tiny eggs can rarely travel through the air. Once you breathe them in, the eggs travel through your digestive tract and hatch into pinworms that lay their own eggs. For example, shaking out your child’s bedding before you wash it can spread the eggs and put you at risk of infection.

Are pinworms contagious?

They’re highly contagious. Transmission is easy because the eggs can survive for a long time on surfaces or your fingers if you don’t wash your hands. The tiny eggs are microscopic. There’s no way to know you’re touching a contaminated surface or object. It’s easy to absentmindedly touch your fingers to your lips without knowing you’ve transferred pinworm eggs.

What are the complications associated with pinworms?

While serious complications are rare, pinworms can lead to:

• Bacterial infections: Scratching too much can break your skin, causing it to bleed and become infected.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): The worms can travel to your vagina, enter your urinary tract and cause infections.
• Gastrointestinal and abdominal problems: In rare cases, pinworms have been linked to appendicitis, diverticulitis (the growth of pouches in your large intestine), and inflammation of your vagina (vaginitis) and the lining of your uterus (endometritis).

How are pinworm infections diagnosed?

You’ll know you have a pinworm infection if you find signs of either the pinworm or the eggs. You can see adult pinworms with just your eyes, but your healthcare provider uses a microscope to see the eggs.

Checking for the worm

Check for pinworms about two to three hours after you fall asleep. Around this time, pinworms make their way out of your rectum to lay eggs around your anus. Pinworms look small, thin and grayish-white, like little pieces of thread. This is why they’re sometimes called threadworms.

You may also find them wriggling in underwear or bedsheets. If your child has many pinworms, they may appear in their stool (poop) or on toilet paper, but this is rare. It’s much easier to identify them on your child’s skin.

You can capture the worms using clear Scotch tape or just let your provider know you saw them.

Checking for the pinworm eggs

You can also use tape to collect the eggs. This is called the “tape test.” Here’s what you do:

1. Place a piece of clear tape (sticky side down) over your child’s anal area as soon as they wake up in the morning. The eggs will stick to the tape.
2. Take the tape to your child’s pediatrician, following their directions about how to safely share the sample. They’ll use a microscope to check for the eggs.

It’s best to do the tape test as soon as your child wakes, before bathing or using the bathroom. Both activities can remove the eggs from skin. You should do the tape test a few times (ideally, for three consecutive days) to get the most accurate results.

Your child’s pediatrician may also collect egg samples from underneath their fingernails.

How are pinworms treated?

Your child will need to take an oral (taken by mouth) anti-parasitic medication to kill the worms. They’ll take one dose immediately and another dose two weeks later to be sure all the worms are gone.

The medicines used to treat pinworms are:

• Pyrantel pamoate (the most common pinworm treatment, available without a prescription).
• Albendazole (available with a prescription).

Pediatricians recommend that an infected child’s family members and caregivers also get treated at the same time to reduce the risk of reinfection. Preventing reinfection is one of the biggest challenges in getting rid of pinworms.

Washing all clothing, bed linens and towels in as hot water as possible while taking the treatment can help reduce the risk of reinfection.

What are the side effects of treatment for pinworms?

Before using pyrantel pamoate, consult your doctor if you’re pregnant or your child is younger than 2 years old. Side effects of pyrantel pamoate include:

• Diarrhea.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Headache.

For all three medications, side effects include an upset stomach.

Do pinworms go away if they’re untreated?

No. Untreated pinworms lay more eggs, making it easier to spread the infection. Your child will need medicine to get rid of them.

What can I do to help relieve the symptoms of a pinworm infection?

Your child may still have itching after treatment for about a week. To relieve the itching, you can:

• Wash their anal area with warm water and soap.
• Use a 1% hydrocortisone cream on the skin around their anus.

How can I prevent pinworm infections?

The most effective way to prevent a pinworm infection (or reinfection) is by preventing the eggs from reaching your child’s (or your) mouth. Model good hygiene and the following practices for your child:

• Wash your hands often: Using soap and warm water, wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Wash your hands before handling food or touching your mouth or nose.
• Keep surfaces clean: Clean toys, counters, toilets, utensils, dishes and other surfaces frequently with soap and water to lower the risk of spreading the infection.
• Shower often: People with pinworms should shower daily to remove eggs from their skin. Avoid bathing since bathwater can become contaminated with eggs. People with pinworms shouldn’t bathe with others until the infection is gone.
• Care for your fingernails: To avoid transferring the eggs, keep your fingernails clean and trimmed. Work on quitting if you bite your nails.
• Avoid touching the anal area: Tell your child not to touch or scratch the affected area.
• Wash sheets, towels and underwear frequently: Wash linens, pajamas and underwear daily in hot water until the treatment is complete. Don’t shake out the laundry before washing since eggs can scatter and spread infection.

What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with pinworms?

Medications cure pinworms 90% to 100% of the time. With proper treatment, pinworms go away and don’t cause long-term health problems.

When should I call my doctor about pinworms?

If your child has anal itching at night, contact their pediatrician to see if it’s pinworms.

Children or families can have pinworm infections several times. If your child’s symptoms return after treatment, go back to their pediatrician. If you or another family member has symptoms, see a healthcare provider.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

The thought of your child playing host to a wriggly parasitic worm may give you the willies. But take heart that there’s an easy cure. Preventing reinfection will likely be the biggest hurdle. It may feel exhausting to clean surfaces and do the laundry as much as needed to destroy all the eggs, but you’ll get through it. In the meantime, take the time to teach your child about proper handwashing and good hygiene both at home and at school or daycare. Pinworms are contagious but preventable. A pinworm infection this time can teach your child how to lower their risk in the future.

An overgrowth of the fungus candida causes a vaginal yeast infection. A vaginal yeast infection causes the skin around your vagina to burn and itch, and it may change the consistency of your vaginal discharge. Treatment includes antifungal medication.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

A vaginal yeast infection is a type of fungal infection. Your body contains a kind of yeast called candida, which causes vaginal yeast infections. Yeast is a type of fungus, and candida is a specific type of yeast. When this yeast is in balance within your body, there are no problems. But when the yeast is out of balance, it rapidly grows, and you can get a yeast infection. A yeast infection causes burning, itching, redness in your vulva (the outside parts of your vagina) and changes to your vaginal discharge. A yeast infection isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Other names for a vaginal yeast infection include vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis. A vaginal yeast infection is a type of vaginitis, a condition where the vagina is swollen, painful and possibly infected. There are several types of vaginitis — each with similar symptoms — but vaginal yeast infections are one of the most common.

Candida and vaginal yeast infections

It may be strange to think about, but fungus lives in several places within your body. The yeast that you have living in your mouth, digestive tract and vagina is candida. Normally, candida doesn’t cause a problem. It’s supposed to be in your body, and other bacteria help keep its growth under control. However, certain factors make it hard for the “good” bacteria to fight off the “bad” bacteria. Sometimes the “bad” bacteria win, and you end up with an illness.

What does a vaginal yeast infection look like?

The way your vulva looks and feels and the type of discharge that comes from your vagina may change if you have a yeast infection. The area of skin just outside your vaginal opening may itch and burn. The itching and burning can feel worse when you pee or have sex. Your vaginal discharge may become thicker and lumpier, but it shouldn’t smell different. Not everyone experiences symptoms or has the same symptoms.

Who gets vaginal yeast infections?

Anyone with a vagina can get a yeast infection. They’re most common after puberty and before menopause. Certain factors can put you at a higher risk of developing a yeast infection, but yeast infections are very common and highly treatable.

How common are vaginal yeast infections?

Up to 75% of women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) will have at least one vaginal yeast infection in their life, and over half will get two or more in their lifetime. Yeast infections are the second most common cause of vaginitis (bacterial vaginosis is the most common).

What increases my risk of getting a yeast infection?

Certain factors can increase your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection. Some of those are:

• Using antibiotics, birth control pills or certain steroids.
• Being pregnant.
• Having a health condition that weakens your immune system.
• Having unmanaged diabetes.

Certain lifestyle risk factors also increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:

• Sitting in a wet bathing suit.
• Not changing out of sweaty clothes.
• Wearing scented tampons or using a vaginal deodorant.

What are the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?

There are several tell-tale signs of a vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms can include:

• An itchy or burning sensation in your vagina and vulva.
• A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
• Redness and swelling of your vagina and vulva.
• Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area.
• A burning feeling when you pee.

In some cases, another symptom of a vaginal yeast infection can be pain during sex.

Symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to the symptoms people feel when they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other vaginal infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms so they can examine you.

Why do vaginal yeast infections happen?

When the bacteria in your vagina is out of balance, it can cause candida to multiply. This can happen for a lot of reasons, including:

• Taking antibiotics: Antibiotics that treat infections in your body kill the good bacteria in your vagina. Good bacteria keep the yeast in check. The balance shifts without good bacteria, leading to a yeast infection.
• Pregnancy and hormones: Anything that disrupts or changes your hormones can disrupt the balance of candida in your vagina. This includes being pregnant, using birth control pills and normal changes during your menstrual cycle.
• Having unmanaged diabetes: High blood sugar impacts the bacteria in your pee.
• Having a weakened immune system: If you have a disease like HIV or AIDS, your medications can suppress your immune system. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer can also suppress your immune system.

How is a yeast infection diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider diagnoses a vaginal yeast infection. You’ll need to go in for an appointment and discuss your symptoms. Your provider may need to take a sample of discharge from your vagina to confirm a yeast infection. The combination of your symptoms and the discharge sample will tell your healthcare provider what type of yeast infection you have and how to treat it.

How do I treat a vaginal yeast infection?

Antifungal medications treat most vaginal yeast infections. The specific medication depends on the severity of the infection. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the best treatment based on your symptoms and condition.

Antifungal medications work by fighting yeast overgrowth in your body. Medications are either oral (usually given in one dose of fluconazole by mouth) or topical (used daily for up to seven days). You may apply topical medications to your vaginal area or place them inside your vagina (suppository) using an applicator. Some common antifungal medications are miconazole (Monistat®) and terconazole.

Your healthcare provider will give you information about each form of medication and directions on how to use each one properly. It’s important to always follow your provider’s instructions when using these medications to make sure that the infection is fully resolved and doesn’t return.

If you’re taking medication for a yeast infection, you shouldn’t have sex until you’re finished with treatment. Sex can cause more irritation, and certain antifungal medications can weaken the materials used in condoms and diaphragms.

Can I use over-the-counter treatment for a vaginal yeast infection?

Sometimes you can treat a vaginal yeast infection with over-the-counter medicines. However, you may want to avoid this if you aren’t completely sure you have a yeast infection. It’s usually best to talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re buying the right treatment.

How long do yeast infections last?

Most yeast infections clear up with medication after a few days, but it may take a full week. More severe cases may last longer and take longer to treat. Make sure you use the medication as directed and don’t stop taking it too soon, or the infection may come back.

Will my yeast infection go away on its own?

No, a yeast infection can’t go away on its own. Only a medication that destroys fungus (yeast) will treat a vaginal yeast infection.

How can I reduce my risk of a yeast infection?

You can often prevent vaginal yeast infections by making a few lifestyle changes. These changes can include:

• Not douching — douching can kill bacteria that actually control fungus.
• Avoiding the use of feminine deodorants.
• Not using scented tampons or pads.
• Changing out of wet clothing, like bathing suits or gym clothes, as soon as you can.
• Wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes.
• Using water-based sexual lubricants.
• Keeping your blood sugar levels in a normal range if you have diabetes.

The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other conditions. If you have any questions, a physical exam by your healthcare provider will help.

What should I do if I have frequent yeast infections?

If you get more than four vaginal yeast infections per year, have a discussion with your healthcare provider. Your provider may:

• Test to confirm that you have a vaginal yeast infection.
• Order a blood sugar test for diabetes.
• Test for HIV/AIDS.
• Discuss any possible hormonal changes (birth control or pregnancy).

Your healthcare provider will use your test results to make sure you receive the right treatment. It can be important to treat the underlying cause while treating your yeast infection. Managing the reason for the infection can help prevent future vaginal yeast infections.

Does my sexual partner need to be treated if I have a vaginal yeast infection?

It’s possible to pass a yeast infection to your partner. If your partner has a vagina, they’re at risk and should watch for symptoms. If your partner doesn’t have a vagina or has a penis, the chances of passing a yeast infection to them are quite low.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Yeast infections are a very common fungal infection that most women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) will have in their lifetime. It’s highly treatable with medication, some of which are available to purchase at your local drug store without a prescription. Even though you may know the signs of a vaginal yeast infection, it’s important to get examined by your healthcare provider. They can recommend the best treatment based on the type of yeast infection you have and its severity.