Diagnosis Shigella infection is diagnosed through a combination of a physical exam and laboratory testing. Because many conditions can cause diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, a stool sample is collected either by you or your healthcare professional. The sample is then examined in a lab for the presence of shigella bacteria or toxins produced by the bacteria. Treatment Treatment for shigella …
Diagnosis A child who has been forcefully shaken requires evaluation by multiple medical specialists, including experts in child abuse. The healthcare team examines the child and reviews their medical history to identify injuries and rule out other conditions. Common tests may include: Skeletal survey: Multiple X-rays of bones, including arms, hands, legs, feet, spine, ribs, and skull, to identify fractures …
Diagnosis Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) begins with a detailed sexual history and evaluation of current symptoms. Your healthcare professional may perform a physical or pelvic exam to look for signs of infection, such as rashes, warts, or unusual discharge. Lab tests are used to confirm the presence of infections and can also detect STDs in people who …
SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-1) was a respiratory illness that spread in many countries around the world in 2002 and 2003. For many people, SARS caused flu-like symptoms (like fever and headache), but it progressed to severe illness in about 10% to 20% of people during the outbreak. More than 8,000 people in 29 countries had SARS during the …
Diagnosis When SARS first emerged, there were no specific tests to detect it. Today, various tests can identify the virus, including tests using blood, stool, and samples from the nose and throat. However, there has been no known spread of the virus that causes SARS anywhere in the world since 2004. Treatment There is no proven antiviral treatment for SARS, …
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction that results from having too much serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical produced by nerve cells in your brain and other areas of your body. Most people can safely take serotonin-affecting (serotonergic) medication when it’s prescribed at the appropriate dosage and under the guidance of their healthcare provider. Serotonin syndrome …
Diagnosis No single test can definitively diagnose serotonin syndrome. Doctors typically make a diagnosis by ruling out other possible conditions. The diagnostic process usually begins with: Asking about your symptoms, medical history, and medications you are taking Conducting a physical examination Additional tests may be used to confirm that symptoms are caused by serotonin syndrome rather than another condition. These …
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by your body’s overwhelming response to an infection. Without urgent treatment, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sepsis definition Sepsis is your body’s extreme reaction to an infection. When you have an infection, your immune system works to try to fight it. But sometimes your immune system stops fighting the infection and starts damaging …
Diagnosis Doctors often order several tests to identify the underlying cause of infection in sepsis. Blood testsBlood samples may be analyzed to check for: Evidence of infection Blood-clotting problems Abnormal liver or kidney function Low oxygen levels Electrolyte imbalances Other lab testsAdditional tests might include samples of: Urine Wound fluid Mucus or saliva from the respiratory tract Imaging testsIf the …
Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that affects children and adults. It causes a person to feel excessive fear or anxiety when separated from a close attachment figure or anticipating separation. The fear and anxiety are out of proportion to the situation and not developmentally appropriate. A child’s attachment figure is usually a parent but can be anyone they’ve bonded …