Chickenpox, also called varicella, is a contagious viral infection caused by the herpes zoster (VZV) virus. It is the same virus that causes shingles. Chickenpox occurs primarily in young children and is a common childhood disease. It is rare in adults, but when it does occur it is usually more severe. It can be serious if left untreated. Symptoms include scattered red spots on the skin that have tiny 'watery blisters' in the center, weakness, nausea, fever, chills, and occasionally, in severe cases, pneumonitis. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the skin rash or by airborne droplets (coughed or sneezed) from the respiratory tract of an infected person. The virus has an incubation period of two to three weeks before the rash begins to appear. The rash begins as small, flat, pink spots that develop into blisters. After several days, the blisters dry out and form scabs, which may itch. Scratching may lead to a secondary infection. Once the scabs have formed, the infected person is no longer contagious at this point. Although lifelong immunity is developed after an attack of chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the tissues and may cause shingles later in life. There is no cure for the chickenpox, but its symptoms can be alleviated with plenty of bed rest and drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Research Chickenpox
Congenital hypertropic pyloric stenosis is quite a common condition in new-born babies and its cause is not known. The thickened sphincter at the pylorus is very strong and spastic. The stomach enlarges and becomes powerful from working against obstruction. Persistent vomiting develops and owing to the force of the stomach this is described as 'projectile vomiting'. Waves of peristalsis may be seen in the child's abdomen and the hard lump of muscle at the pylorus can readily be felt. Occasionally x-ray examination is used to prove the diagnosis. In severe and neglected cases, gastritis develops. The child becomes extremely ill from dehydration, and constipation is a constant feature, the stools being hard from dehydration and starvation. Many cases are treated by Eumydrin (methylatropine nitrate) which is an antispasmodic drug given with the feeds. Surgical operation is however very often necessary and in skilled hands is practically without risk; recovery is more rapid and certain after operation, than with medical treatment. Research Congenital Hypertropic Pyloric Stenosis
Dehydration is a condition of the body caused by loss of water and essential body salts. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, decreased or absent urination, sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, confusion, low blood pressure, and coma. The primary cause is due to excessive sweating during exercise, especially in hot, humid weather, as well as persistent vomiting or diarrhea from any cause, use of diuretics or other drugs that deplete fluids and electrolytes, overexposure to sun or heat, recent illness with high fever, or chronic kidney disease. Possible complications of
dehydration are blood pressure drop, shock, or even death from prolonged, severe
dehydration. Severe or prolonged cases of dehydration may require hospitalization for a time with fluids being taken intravenously. Research Dehydration
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA) is a powerful drug that acts as a stimulant and can produce hallucinations. The original designer drug, ecstasy was first invented in Germany in 1912, and later rediscovered in California during the 1970s where it was used by marriage guidance counsellors to increase empathy in clients. Ecstasy became popular as a recreational drug during the 1980's, with a single tablet in Southampton then costing around 17.50 pounds, by the end of 2005 the price had dropped to 1.50 pounds, with ecstasy tablets sold by a Southampton dealer at a New Year's Eve dance in Birmingham at the start of 2006 at 3 pounds each. While usually sold as a tablet, ecstasy is also produced as a white powder which may be smoked or inhaled. The effects of ecstasy take about 30 minutes to be felt and then last several hours, giving the patient energy and making them feel more alert, empathy is enhanced and serotonin levels in the brainsoar, though they then drop for a few days afterwards. Side effects include paranoia, vomiting, dehydration and heart attacks. In the UK ecstasy is illegal, and is often supplied mixed with dangerous, cheaper, other compounds including amphetamines or caffeine or even scouring powder. Research Ecstasy
In chemistry, hydration is the combination of water and another substance to produce a single product. It is the opposite of dehydration. Research Hydration
Thirst is a disaster movie starring Adam Arkin in a story about a microbiologist struggling to find a way to kill a deadly disease in a town's water supply before all the towns folk die of dehydration. Thirst was directed by Bill L Norton in 1998. Research Thirst
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Chickenpox
