West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne illness. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1 percent of those infected will develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Humans and horses both exhibit disease symptoms from the virus, and symptoms rarely occur in other animals. The virus can cause severe disease and death in horses. Vaccines are available for use in horses but not yet available for people. Birds are the natural hosts of West Nile virus. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, it is the body’s extreme response to an infection.  Although some people have a higher risk of infection, anyone can get sepsis. Causes are  bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Though fairly common (More than 200,000 cases per year  in the US) Severe cases of sepsis can lead to septic shock, which is a medical emergency.

There are three stages of sepsis: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

Common symptoms include:

• A fever above 101ºF (38ºC) or a temperature below 96.8ºF (36ºC)
• A high heart rate more than 90 beats per minute
• Difficulty or heavy breathing
• Fever and chill
• Body swelling
• Mental Confusion
• Probable or confirmed infection

Having a severe case of sepsis increases your risk of a future infection. Severe sepsis or septic  shock can also cause complications.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with sepsis and you would like a second opinion  please visit secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

There are over 150 types of headaches, but the most common types are tension headaches, migraine headaches, cluster headaches, chronic daily headaches, sinus headaches, and posttraumatic headaches. Most headaches are not the result of a serious illness, but some may result from a life-threatening condition requiring emergency care. A headache can be a sign of stress or emotional distress, or it can result from a medical disorder, such as migraine or high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression, which can also lead to other problems. In some cases, a headache may require immediate medical attention; especially, if you’re experiencing any of the following alongside your headache– stiff neck, a rash, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech, any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, and/or paralysis in any part of your body or visual loss. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease is a highly contagious infection characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It is caused most commonly by the coxsackievirus. It can be painful, but it isn’t serious. Anyone can have the disease, but children under age 5 are most likely to get it. It tends to spread easily in the summer and fall. The symptoms begin to develop three to seven days after the initial infection. This period is known as the incubation period. When symptoms appear, they may include: a fever, poor appetite, sore throat, headache, irritability, painful red blisters in the mouth, and/or red rash on the hands and the soles of the feet. A fever and sore throat are usually the first symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease. The characteristic blisters and rashes show up usually one or two days after the fever begins. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is a sickness caused by eating contaminated food. Food poisoning symptoms may range from mild to severe and may differ depending on the bacteria, virus, or parasite that was swallowed. The length of time it takes for symptoms to appear also depends on the source of the infection, but it can range from as little as 1 hour to as long as 28 days. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are an upset stomach, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Symptoms of potentially life-threatening food poisoning include: diarrhea persisting for more than three days; a fever higher than 101.5°F; difficulty seeing or speaking; symptoms of severe dehydration, which may include dry mouth, passing little to no urine, and difficulty keeping fluids down; and finally, bloody urine. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or an upset stomach, is a general term that describes discomfort in the upper abdomen, including abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after eating. Eating habits or a chronic digestive problem can trigger indigestion. Some other causes include drinking too much alcohol, coffee or caffeinated beverages, and/or too many carbonated drinks; eating too fast or too much spicy, fatty, greasy foods, and/or foods that contain a lot of acid; feeling stressed; smoking; medications such as anything that kills bacteria; and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Indigestion can cause stomach pain or bloating, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. The following symptoms may make indigestion a more serious condition:

• black, tar-like stools
• bloody vomit
• difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
• frequent vomiting
• losing weight without trying
• pain in your chest, jaw, neck, or arm
• severe and constant pain in your abdomen
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• yellowing of your eyes or skin

If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation. Symptoms of kidney stones include: sharp pains in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin; pink, red, or brown blood in your urine, also called hematuria; a constant need to urinate; pain while urinating; inability to urinate or can only urinate a small amount; and/or cloudy or bad-smelling urine. Kidney stones do not always cause any specific early signs or symptoms. For some, the first sign may be pain or pressure in the lower back or abdomen, or symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection. Kidney stones that do not pass out of the body can cause extreme pain if left untreated. They may also increase a person’s risk of developing urinary tract problems and kidney disease. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.