Hepatitis b is a liver disease caused by a virus with the same name. The infection may be acute or chronic and symptoms can include fever, malaise, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal tenderness, and elevated liver enzymes. While a person can be quite ill with this infection, the treatment is supportive and aimed at providing comfort. The vast majority of patients recover within eight weeks of an acute episode of the infection without any long term complications.

How is hepatitis B spread or how does a person get it? Hepatitis B is spread through contact with bodily fluids and the blood of an infected individual. You can hepatitis B through sexual contact and sharing needles when a person injects themselves with illegal drugs. If you work in the medical field, you can get hepatitis B if you are accidentally stuck with a needle on the job. Pregnant mothers can also pass the virus to their unborn child while in the womb.What are the long term affects of hepatitis B? Hepatitis B can cause chronic illnesses that usually turn into liver damage or cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and/or death.

The first vaccination that your new baby should receive is labeled HepB. This abbreviation stands for Hepatitis B, a serious virus that attacks the liver. This disease can result in lifelong liver infections, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and death. The virus is passed when the blood of an infected person enters the blood of a person who is not infected. The disease can be transmitted from an infected mother to her infant during childbirth. It is also commonly found in the infants of immigrants who came from areas that have high rates of Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C virus can be acquired by exposure to infected blood and other bodily secretion like saliva and pneumonococal secretions. The most common portal of entry of the infection is by the use of needles that has been initially used to inject an infected person. This often happens during illegal drug us wherein co- dependents use a single needle to share the substance they are abusing. A caregiver may also be of great danger since they are commonly exposed to blood and other secretions especially if proper aseptique technique and disposal is not observed.

The signs of Distemper are not always noticeable. For this reason, treatment may be delayed or neglected. Frequently it may look like a severe cold with fever, congestion, nasal and eye discharge or discharge from other body openings, weight loss, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden viciousness or lethargy, abnormal lumps, limping, difficulty getting up or lying down, excessive head shaking, scratching, licking any part of the body, difficult, abnormal or uncontrolled waste elimination, dandruff and loss of hair, open sores, ragged or dull coat, foul breath or excessive tartar deposits on teeth.

This disease is transmitted when an individual ingests food or drink that is contaminated with microscopic amounts of infected feces. Physicians and scientists use the term fecal-oral transmission to describe this pathway. For example, travelers in a restaurant can become infected if a cook or a waiter did not practice adequate hygiene after using the rest room. Diners can also become infected if the food was contaminated prior to delivery to the restaurant.

Read about babycare and also read about polio vaccine and pumping breast milk

Child immunization is an exceptionally effective way to prevent the spread of disease. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that immunizations do not guarantee that your child will not become infected with the virus. There are many types of virus mutations that are incessantly changing which makes it impossible to immunize against every type of mutation. The following is information on some of the immunizations available. Hepatitis A- This vaccine protects against the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A is a severe liver disease.

However, before we make that judgment, we have to study the whole picture. The most prominent story that grabs the headlines and our present attention is 9-year-old Atlanta resident, Hannah Poling. Her parents alleged that she contracted Autism after receiving five simultaneous childhood vaccinations at the age of 18 months. They won a settlement but the fact that the government sets funding aside for compensation to people injured by vaccines tends to raise a few eyebrows. It is an indirect admission that vaccines can harm. Therefore, the question remains, should we or should we not vaccinate our children?

Indeed, branding, well, this is tricky business to attempt such a claim. Although it is true that with diet you can boost the human immune system, which no one doubts, at the same time the CDC is putting forth articles and PR trying to educate consumers about bogus claims. Kellogg better hope that it does not end up in a cross-marketing effort and catch the ire of the FTC, CDC of Department of Health.

How Vaccines Work
Vaccines work by helping a child's body become immune to a certain illness. Each vaccination contains a dead or weakened germ that can cause a specific disease. The child's body then practices in fighting this illness by creating antibodies that will combat the germ. This way, if ever in the future, the child becomes exposed to the actual germ that would cause that disease, the child already has the specific antibodies that would fight that germ and protect him/her from that illness. This is why the process is called immunization.

Many schools are also considering making Swine Flu immunization a requirement for continued attendance. As many as one-third of parents do not agree with the idea of having their child immunized. There is some reason for concern. In 1918 when the last Swine Flu epidemic raced through the world, the Swine Flu immunization that was given had an unexpected side effect of exacerbating a certain type of paralysis. While it was an extremely small number of people who were impacted, to this day the U.S. government does not know what caused the problem.

Not only do the vaccines protect those who have been administered the dose, but also the un-vaccinated part of the population. Children who are vaccinated as per the immunization program have a heightened resistance towards potentially life threatening diseases.

The importance of immunization stays put even if your child has been consistently breast fed. Though the immunity boosting anti bodies provided your milk are very essential, they do not last longer than a year after his birth.

Read about babycare and also read about breast cancer facts and hiv breastfeeding

Breast milk is beneficial to the baby and her mother in many ways. Basically, it provides the optimum amount and type of nutrition to the baby for its healthy growth. Breast milk contains lactoferrin, an essential element that has many functions. It helps in iron absorption and fights the bacteria that can harm the gut.

Breastfeeding also provides lipases that help in the metabolism of fats and gives other useful hormones that help in the development and growth of the baby.Breast milk is beneficial to the baby and her mother in many ways. Basically, it provides the optimum amount and type of nutrition to the baby for its healthy growth.

Breast milk contains lactoferrin, an essential element that has many functions. It helps in iron absorption and fights the bacteria that can harm the gut. Breastfeeding also provides lipases that help in the metabolism of fats and gives other useful hormones that help in the development and growth of the baby.

Breast milk is more than just a form of food. It is actually made of living cells that can have huge benefits for your child's health. One of the most crucial components of breast milk is colostrum. This substance is produced early in your baby's life and is full of antibodies that help your baby's immune system to develop in the first days of his life. By breastfeeding your baby, you provide this protection that can't be matched by a commercial formula.

On top of the immune boost that breastfeeding provides, breast milk is also easier for your baby's developing digestive system to process. Your baby will have fewer problems with constipation, diarrhea, and even have fewer food allergies.

1 As your baby grows, your breast milk changes too so that your baby gets exactly what they need at every feed.
2 The antibodies that your body makes to fight any illness you contract get passed onto your baby through your breast milk. Amazing hey!
3 Your breast milk contains all the protein, fats, nutrients, salts and sugars, antibodies and antibacterial agents that your baby needs for the first 6 months of life. It's actually recommended by the World Health Organisation that breastfeeding continues to at least 2 years of age.
4 Your breast milk will protect your baby from bowel and lung illnesses, infection and gastroenteritis.
5 Breastfed babies are less likely to have middle ear infections and eczema.

There are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby. A mother can naturally provide her newborn baby with everything that he or she needs for a healthy start to life through breastfeeding. Studies have shown that babies who are breastfed have a healthier body weight and are less susceptible to illness than those that are bottle fed.

Breast milk features all of the vitamins and nutrients a child needs to grow like they should. It has four main components - water, fat, protein, and sugar. There has been plenty of research that indicates children that are breastfed are less likely to have health problems in their life due to their weight. This is due to the breast milk helping their metabolism to be in balance from the very start.

Read about babycare and also read about baby formula feeding and bornfree bottles

There was a time not so long ago when breastfeeding was considered very unfashionable, and mothers to be, simply refused to contemplate it. I respectfully suggest that it is much much more important than simply to be treated as a fashion statement. In recent years however, I am glad to say that attitudes towards breastfeeding have changed quite dramatically. it is now regarded as much more acceptable, and in fact is now considered as the norm for expecting mothers. I would strongly recommend to all mothers to be, that if they can breastfeed their new baby, then thy most certainly should. In a number of instances it will be physically impossible for some women to breastfeed their babies, and in such cases there are many excellent brands of formula milk available.

The nutritional needs of a nursing mother are very high when she starts feeding her baby as apart from the amount of breast milk required by the baby, the mother's own needs too need to be taken care of. If the mother does not take sufficient nutrition during this period, the body will strive to keep up the milk production but at the cost of the health of the mother. The breastfeeding diet must, therefore, necessarily incorporate sufficient amounts of balanced food.

Minerals are also important during the breastfeeding days. It is important for the mother to get her RDA of minerals such as Selenium, Zinc and Calcium.

Drink enough water and fluids daily, the recommended amount being 3 quarts. Drinking too much, however, may lead to less milk being produced.

The recommended daily caloric intake for a breastfeeding mother is 2,500 calories per day. If the mother plans to breastfeed for more than three months, then the intake can be increased to 2,800 calories - an addition of 300 calories.

Instead of three large meals, a breastfeeding mother should schedule 5 smaller, but more frequent meals at regular intervals. Make sure to include water, a low fat dairy product, and fruit in each meal.

1. Increase you water consumption to up to one quart more daily. Nursing mothers tend to get very thirsty because much of their water goes to milk production.
2. Eat one gram of protein daily per pound of body weight. Avoid sweets and junk food.
3. Eat equal amounts five times a day, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and midnight snack. This will make sure that the nutrients in your milk always appear in more or less the same levels.
4. Your breastfeeding diet contraindicates nicotine If you must smoke leave a time span of one hour between your puffing in smoke and your eating so that the nicotine is not absorbed into the food.
5. Again, if you must drink alcohol or beer while on a breastfeeding diet should be done after feeding your baby. Alcohol slows down the baby's development.
6. Seek the advice of your doctor before taking any medication. Chemicals with iodine, many antibiotics, laxatives, are among the drugs that are dangerous to the baby. Protracted use of any drug is also contraindicated while breast feeding.

Read about babycare and also read about baby feeding bottles and how much to feed baby

Have you been heard about baby massage? Infant massage, also referred to as baby massage, has been practiced for centuries in other parts of world but has now gained popularity in the West.Baby massage is the process of rubbing and stroking baby's muscles and extremities in a way specifically designed for them. Baby massage is now available in most hospitals and clinics in the UK but the obvious choice to massage the baby is the mother, father, grandparent, or guardian. Although medical care specialists like nurses can also perform baby massage if they are confined in the hospital.

Having a new baby opens you up to a world of new experiences. As much as you prepare for their arrival there are always elements that are going to take you by surprise. However, one thing that many parents do not give much thought to is baby massage. Baby massage can be a powerful technique to increase the bond between parents and their baby.The art of baby or infant massage can bring about tremendous benefits like improved sleeping habits, better digestion and even improved growth. For example, studies have indicated that by carrying out massage for about three times a day over 10 days then babies had greater weight gain. In addition they were observed as being more active and alert. With all of the benefits you may sincerely be wondering about what is involved in the art of baby massage.

Baby massage is great for providing comfort and relief to your baby as well as acting as an important bonding exercise for the both of you.However before you begin baby massage you need to be sure the location you are using for the massage is prepared and ready for your baby, to ensure they get the most benefit from the baby massage session.Below you will find the steps to check for when preparing a room or environment where you will perform the baby massage.

Massage has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, and nowadays in parts of India, Pakistan, some African countries and the West Indies, massage is part of a baby's daily life. Babies are massaged almost as soon as they are born, often initially by their grandmothers. The mother takes over the daily ritual when she feels fit. The practice of massage continues throughout life, and children and adults are frequently massaged. Massage creates a strong and loving link between mother, father and baby. The London obstetrician Yehudi Gordon states that 'massage helps parents communicate with their baby, thereby strengthening the bonding process'.

The wonderful art of Baby Massage, also known as Infant massage has been practiced in Africa, South America and in the Far East for hundreds of years.Relatively new in the West, therapeutic baby massage is becoming increasingly popular and is taught to parent and baby groups via a worldwide network of baby massage instructors.Baby massage courses consist of a series of weekly group classes. Parents/carers are taught specific massaging routines in small groups of six or seven parents and their babies. This is followed by a general discussion.

Read about babycare and also read about Baby Formula Feed and Breastfeeding Tips

Safety rules are pretty strict concerning children play in pools,
lakes, and oceans. Many parents are wise enough to keep a close watch
over their precious offspring when they are in outside water areas.
However, the number one reason for deaths in children between the ages
of one and four is drowning. Not only in outside pools but in bathtubs
as well. Following baby bath safety rules will keep bath time fun and
effective.

When you think of childproofing your home, baby bath safety is not
the first thing that comes to mind. Most parents do not consider baby
bath safety because usually when a child is taking a bath, they are
under the direct supervision of an adult. However, supervision does not
always prevent accidents from happening.Anyone who has children knows
and can tell you that children are totally unpredictable and prone to
accidents with or without supervision. This is why there are certain
precautions that should be taken for bathtime safety.

It doesn't take a lot of water to harm a baby. They don't understand
that water can drown them and don't know to hold their breath if they
fall underwater. For this reason, you need to make sure that you have
everything needed for bath time with in arm's reach, including baby.A
great tool is a tub that is shaped like a bucket. It was made to
imitate the womb experience for the baby. It give the baby a snug fit
on the sides and they sit in the fetal position. This helps the baby
feel like they are in their natural environment, which make them feel
safe.

Tip 1 - If you are intending to use your own bath for washing your
baby in then it is a good idea to put a slip proof mat or even some
towels into the bath on which your baby can be placed. But if you can
afford to there are baby bath chairs that can be purchased which allow
the baby to sit comfortably in the bath whilst being washed.

Tip 2 - To ensure that the temperature of the water is right for
your baby not too hot or too cold there are several things as new
parents that you can do. You can either test the temperature of the
water using the traditional method of dipping your elbow or wrist into
the water as your mother would have done. The other way is to purchase
a special thermometer which changes colour when the water temperature
is correct.

Tests done by a leading group in safe cosmetics state that in over
60 percent of bath products for kids have a couple of hazardous
chemicals that are linked to serious health conditions. There aren't
any strict regulations for the amount of use in these products. Even
though they are identified as potential cancer causing agents. At the
very least, they can cause serious skin allergies. The labels may state
that they are gentle and safe, but they aren't, more toxins can be
absorbed through the skin than ingesting tainted food and water.

Read about babycare and also read about Bathing Newborn and baby feeding bottles

Safety rules are pretty strict concerning children play in pools, lakes, and oceans. Many parents are wise enough to keep a close watch over their precious offspring when they are in outside water areas. However, the number one reason for deaths in children between the ages of one and four is drowning. Not only in outside pools but in bathtubs as well. Following baby bath safety rules will keep bath time fun and effective.

When you think of childproofing your home, baby bath safety is not the first thing that comes to mind. Most parents do not consider baby bath safety because usually when a child is taking a bath, they are under the direct supervision of an adult. However, supervision does not always prevent accidents from happening.Anyone who has children knows and can tell you that children are totally unpredictable and prone to accidents with or without supervision. This is why there are certain precautions that should be taken for bathtime safety.

It doesn't take a lot of water to harm a baby. They don't understand that water can drown them and don't know to hold their breath if they fall underwater. For this reason, you need to make sure that you have everything needed for bath time with in arm's reach, including baby.A great tool is a tub that is shaped like a bucket. It was made to imitate the womb experience for the baby. It give the baby a snug fit on the sides and they sit in the fetal position. This helps the baby feel like they are in their natural environment, which make them feel safe.

Tip 1 - If you are intending to use your own bath for washing your baby in then it is a good idea to put a slip proof mat or even some towels into the bath on which your baby can be placed. But if you can afford to there are baby bath chairs that can be purchased which allow the baby to sit comfortably in the bath whilst being washed.

Tip 2 - To ensure that the temperature of the water is right for your baby not too hot or too cold there are several things as new parents that you can do. You can either test the temperature of the water using the traditional method of dipping your elbow or wrist into the water as your mother would have done. The other way is to purchase a special thermometer which changes colour when the water temperature is correct.

Tests done by a leading group in safe cosmetics state that in over 60 percent of bath products for kids have a couple of hazardous chemicals that are linked to serious health conditions. There aren't any strict regulations for the amount of use in these products. Even though they are identified as potential cancer causing agents. At the very least, they can cause serious skin allergies. The labels may state that they are gentle and safe, but they aren't, more toxins can be absorbed through the skin than ingesting tainted food and water.

Read about babycare and also read about Bathing Newborn and baby feeding bottles

If you follow some simple rules, getting baby to sleep through the night can be achieved painlessly and quicker than if you just put her to bed and hope for the best. New born babies sleep a lot and feed a lot! Any mother can tell you that! If you have a new born baby he or she will sleep, eat, have a quiet period while awake, occasionally cry and frequently poop.

First of all, let's assume you have a daughter or a son. I getting fed up with writing 'he or she' and in any case, most babies are daughters or sons. There should be a word to apply to either sex - 'it' sounds too inhuman so sometimes I will refer to 'she' and at others to 'he'. OK?

During the first six weeks, getting baby to sleep is usually not the big problem it can become in later weeks. Babies and mothers both need to establish a firm bond and this often is best established through constant contact.

When my elder children were born, the babies were usually cared for in the hospital nursery, away from the mother and tucked firmly into cribs.

It was the task of the nursing staff to care for the babies who were brought to the mother's bedside only at feeding times. These separations were often painful experiences for new mothers and not good learning times for either mothers or babies.

The main baby sleep problems are:

* Baby sleeps all day and stays awake all night
* Baby goes to sleep but won't stay asleep
* Baby becomes very distraught when put to bed at night and screams loudly

And if you're one of these parents then this was written especially for you, so don't despair, because there is a way out of the sleeping pill trap and it probably isn't as traumatic as you think.

Swaddling is a great way to lengthen your baby's sleep. It simulates the womb by providing a warm, secure and snug environment. This age-old practice of wrapping your baby in cloth, is almost sure to help get your baby to sleep faster, and for a longer period of time. In addition to making your baby feel warm and secure, swaddling your baby is beneficial in keeping your baby from startling herself with flailing limbs and preventing scratches to your baby's face. Swaddling also helps to restrain the Moro Reflex, which is an involuntary spasm in response to a perceived loss of balance.

Walking with the baby, or gently swaying the baby while walking can often lull a baby to sleep. Rocking the baby in a rocking chair or a glider and softly patting the baby's back is another proven way to help the baby go to sleep. Talking, reading, or even singing to a baby is an excellent way to get them down, just remember to keep your voice low and in a monotone range so as not to stir the baby. As a last resort, a parent can offer the baby a pacifier.

Read about newborn baby care and also read about immunizations baby and share sleep

Teeth grinding is a medical condition more formerly known as Bruxism. It is actually more common than most people realize, and the majority of adults that tend to grind their teeth do so while sleeping completely unaware of it. Typically, sleep grinders will often wake up with a sore jaw, or headaches throughout the day. If you know or suspect that you are experiencing Bruxism, it is important to learn how to stop teeth grinding as soon as possible. Every day or night that you continue on without gaining control over this self destructive condition, will result in further damage to your teeth.

Causes of teeth griding

Anger - Anger often causes a person to grind his teeth unconsciously. This is considered as a psychological issue. It is recommended approaching a professional psychiatrist to address the problem.

Malocclusion - This is known to be an abnormal alignment of teeth. It is known as one of the physical causes. A person tend to grind her upper teeth against er lower teeth unwillingly due to the structures of abnormality in the teeth.

Development of Teeth and Jaws - This often occurs among younger children, aged 7 years old and below. During the development of new teeth, itch may arise in the gum area, causing children to grind their teeth in attempt to ease their discomfort.

As adults are more habituated to alcohol, caffeine etc due to their lifestyle and still want to know on how to stop teeth grinding then keeping away from chocolates can help them in a way. Generally you must focus on relaxing your jaw muscles all the time as they are responsible for bruxism in your unconscious state of sleep. You can also work on how to stop teeth grinding by thinking about your reason of stress and discussing it with someone close, be it your husband or friend or any colleague along with its solutions.

Most of us think that teeth grinding is merely annoying. Few people know that grinding your teeth can actually be caused by a medical condition. This medical condition is called Bruxism and it refers to the gnashing, clenching and grinding of a person's teeth. It can cause difficulty in both children and adults and while most people think it is only a sleeping disorder but it can also happen while a person is awake. The difference is that when the problem only occurs at night, most people don't realize that it is actually happening until a more serious problem occurs because of the clenching.

Teeth grinding or bruxism is a very common thing experienced occasionally by all people. However if it becomes chronic it is a matter of concern and needs to be cured. The most common causes of this problem are stress and misaligned teeth. However it is difficult to find out if one is grinding teeth too much as it usually happens in sleep. A person grinding teeth in sleep is usually made aware of this problem by the people sleeping next to them.

Read about newborn baby care and also read about natural sleep aids and children sleep apnea

During the first six weeks, getting baby to sleep is usually not the big problem it can become in later weeks. Babies and mothers both need to establish a firm bond and this often is best established through constant contact.

When my elder children were born, the babies were usually cared for in the hospital nursery, away from the mother and tucked firmly into cribs.

It always troubles me to hear that there are parents using sleep medications for getting baby to sleep. Not just for baby's welfare but for the parents as well. Sleeping pills can be deadly for babies and small children for the following reasons:

1. Your child could be in for a lifetime of sleeping pill addiction. When he turns into an adult, he may never be able to develop a healthy sleep routine.
2. No sleeping drug has ever been tested on a baby or young child. In the case of some over-the-counter medications containing histamines (Nytol or Sominex) the effects can be reversed and they can act as a stimulant. Getting baby to sleep with these medications is virtually impossible.

Swaddling is a great way to lengthen your baby's sleep. It simulates the womb by providing a warm, secure and snug environment. This age-old practice of wrapping your baby in cloth, is almost sure to help get your baby to sleep faster, and for a longer period of time. In addition to making your baby feel warm and secure, swaddling your baby is beneficial in keeping your baby from startling herself with flailing limbs and preventing scratches to your baby's face. Swaddling also helps to restrain the Moro Reflex, which is an involuntary spasm in response to a perceived loss of balance.

With a little light playtime, your baby will have the opportunity to unwind before bedtime. A little playing can help the baby to fall asleep quicker, however, be careful not to play to hard, that can hinder a baby in falling asleep and you want to get baby to sleep as quickly as possible.

Your baby's comfort can also help to get baby down in a timely fashion. Warm baths and a fresh diaper can lull a baby to sleep. In some cases, a comfortable set of pajamas can add to a baby's comfort level and promote a drowsy baby.

Getting babies to sleep can be a frustrating and draining process. Thankfully there are ways to make it easier for you and your baby, so neither of you have to suffer. This article will explain the biggest mistake new parents make when teaching their baby to sleep and how to overcome it.

A newborn baby will sleep from 16 to 20 hours per day. Unfortunately, this sleeping time is usually broken up into 2-4 hour periods. The key is to get your baby into a routine sleeping schedule. This type of consistency will allow you ample time for household chores, a good night's rest, and time in general just for you...( because we know that all moms need some of that.)

Read about Parenting and also read about SIDS Risk and Baby Swaddling