Below is listed common ailments and treatments that can be started by you at home. If you believe your condition is an emergency please call 911 or go to your nearest ER. If you have any question or concerns regarding your condition, treatment, and prevention please contact Luther Health Services  (387-1045) and make an appointment and your soonest convenience. 

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
    What is it?
         Inflammation of the mucus membrane of the eye lid which is viral, bacterial,
         or allergic in origin and may occur as a one time infection or a chronic
         infection.
    How is it transmitted?
         Contact of the eye with contaminated fingers, towels, handkerchiefs, etc...
    Viral origin (highly contagious)
          Symptoms
               Pharyngitis (sore throat)
               Fever
               Malaise (sluggish and tired)
               Eye: burning, watery discharge, red conjunctiva, swelling around the eye,
                       crusting along the eyelid, no pain or itching.
          Treatment:
               Hand and face hygiene
               Cool or warm compress
               Saline eye drops
           Runs it course in 4-7 days without treatment.
    Bacterial origin (highly contagious)
           Symptoms
                COPIOUS amounts of purulent discharge
                No visual changes
                Mild discomfort
           Treatment:
                Antibiotic eye drops
                DO NOT WEAR CONTACTS to prevent cross and reinfection
                Cool or warm compress
                Hand and face hygiene
           Will clear with or without treatment
    Allergic origin
           Symptoms
                 stringy or watery discharge
                 The eye itches and is red and swollen
                 Can be seasonal
           Treatment:
                 Good hand and face hygiene
                 Cool or warm compress
                 Saline eye drops
    Remember: wash hands before and after treatment, change eye make up after
    infection clears, do not wear eye make up during the infection, do not wear
    contacts during infection, clean contact thoroughly or discard, do not share
    personal linens (towels, pillow cases, etc).

Hordeolum (Stye)
      What is it?
          A short term infection of the eye lash hair follicle or sebaceous gland
          caused by Staphylococcus. It resembles a white head and may eventually
          rupture.
     What are the symptoms?
          1st stage: pain, redness, small round area of hardened tissue.
          2nd stage: tearing, sensitivity to light
          3rd stage: swelling in a single area, a small yellow spot
          4th stage: spontaneous rupture with discharged pus and relieved pain.
      Treatment:
          1. Warm compress applied 10-20 min 3-4 times each day. Incision of lesion
               may be needed if the stye does not rupture on its own within 48 hours.
          2. Avoid eye make-up to prevent contamination and possible reinfection.
          3. Seek medical treatment if symptoms become worse or last longer then 3
              days.
          4. Wash hands before touching eye or applying compress.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
     What is it?
          An infection, typically caused by bacteria, that begins in the urethra and
          bladder but has the ability to travel up to the kidneys.
     Symptoms
          Lower UTI
               Urgency (need to go now)
               Frequency (need to go more often)
               Pain or burning on urination
               Hesitancy (difficulty starting a stream)
               Cloudy, bad smelling urine
               Lower abdominal pain
               Fever 101 degrees or below
          Upper UTI (seek prompt medical attention)
               Fever higher then 101
               Shaking and Chills
               Nausea and Vomiting
               Flank pain (pain along your side and mid back, usually only one side)
               **Symptoms develop rapidly and may or may not have symptoms of a
               lower UTI as well.
    Treatment:
                Medication: antibiotics and pyridium
                Fluids and rest
                Proper perineal care and hygiene
To prevent UTI’s follow these guidelines:
          1. Take your entire prescribed antibiotics, even if symptoms subside, the
               infection may still be present.
          2. Report your symptoms to your care provider promptly.
          3. Void immediately after sexual intercourse. This flushes out the bacteria   
               that could possibly get into your bladder.
          4. Drink a lot of fluids. This helps flush bacteria out of the urinary system.
          5. Avoid using harsh soaps, bubble bath, powder or sprays in your perineal 
              area to prevent inflammation and bacterial infection.
          6. Avoid tight fitting clothing on the lower part of your body, to allow proper
              ventilation to the perineal area.
          7. Wear cotton, not nylon to prevent moisture build-up.
          8. Have a regular intake of Vitamin C and cranberry juice (2-3 glasses).       
              Vitamin C can acidify your urine, which prevents bacterial growth.
              Cranberry and blueberry juices prevent bacterial adherence to the
              bladder wall.
          9. Wipe the perineal area from front to back, this prevents bacteria from the
              perineal area from getting into the urethra.
        10. Take showers, rather than baths if UTI’s is a recurring problem.
        11. Pyridium (phenazopyridine) may be prescribed to relieve urinary burning. 
              Take medicine as directed. Your urine may turn to a red-orange color, this
               is normal with this medicine.  If possible, avoid using Pyridium within 24
               hours of urine testing. The staining of urine affects test results. 

Gastroenteritis
    What is it?
         Inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract lasting 24-36 hours cause by
         either bacteria or a virus.
    What are the symptoms?
         Nausea
         Vomiting
         Stomach pain/cramping
         Diarrhea
         Head ache
         Fever
    How is it spread?
         You can catch viral gastroenteritis through close contact with an infected
          person and ingesting contaminated foods and drink. The symptoms begin
         1-2 days after infection and can last 1 to 10 days depending on the virus.
          Bacterial gastroenteritis is spread through contaminated food and drink.
    Treatment progression:
          1. Vomiting for the first 6 hours - eat nothing
          2. After 4-6 hours of no vomiting then your stomach can handle liquids that
              can be seen through (water, cranberry juice, broth, ginger-ale). Start
              small and work up. If nausea and vomiting return cut back on the liquids.
          3. By 48 hours your stomach can handle soft vegetables, fruits, and grains
              (cream of wheat, applesauce, steamed carrots). Avoid fatty foods and
              limit dairy products (butter and mac and cheese).   
          4. If you have DIARRHEA then avoid fruit/vegetable juice and dairy products
              until 36 hours after the last diarrhea.
    Tips:
         Tylenol and Advil are OK for fever or aching because they do not upset your
         stomach.
         CALL DOCTOR if nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea persist for more then 2 
         days or you have a fever of 101 degrees or more.

Diarrhea
    What is it?
         The frequent passage of unformed watery bowel movement. It can also be
         accompanied by:
                 Abdominal cramping
                 Nausea
                 Vomiting
    Dietary Recommendations:
          First 12 hours: Nothing by mouth to reduce gastrointestinal activity
          Second 12 hours: Clear liquids (broth, tea, coffee, apple juice, Jell-O, drinks
                such as 7 Up and Ginger-ale).
          Third 12 hours: Full liquids (custard, thinned hot cereals, all fruit juices).
          Fourth 12 hours: Soft diet (tender meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cottage cheese,
                mild flavored cheese, creamy peanut butter, soft casseroles, cooked or
                ready to eat cereals, cooked or canned fruit, potatoes, rice, pasta, soft
                vegetables, gelatin, sherbet, ice cream).
    **If diarrhea persists beyond 2 days (48 hours) or is accompanied by fever 101
       degrees or higher, you should contact a physician for an evaluation.

Scrupulous hand washing after using the bathroom and before handling food should ALWAYS be practiced to prevent infection.

The Common Cold: Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), Acute Coryza
    What is it?
           An acute viral infection of the respiratory tract with inflammation of 
           any or all airways, including the nose, sinuses and throat.
    Signs and Symptoms:
           Short incubation period (1-3 days)
           Nasal or throat discomfort
           Sneezing
           Stuffy or runny nose, in first few days it will be runny and after a couple of
               days your immune system begins to fight back causing nasal secretions
               to change to mucus, turning white or yellow in color.
           Mild body aches
           Watery eyes
           No fever, usually
           Mild headache
           Laryngitis may occur
           Tightness in the chest
           Hack cough may occur in the second week of illness
    Transmission:
           Spread by person-to-person contact through hands, coughing or
                 sneezing (secretions in the air)
    Prevention:
           1. Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water
           2. Cover the mouth and nose with tissue when sneezing or coughing
           3. Dispose used tissues into the trash
    Treatment:
           1. Get plenty of rest
           2. Use over-the-counter medicines
           3. Drink 8-10 glasses of fluids a day to thin secretions
           4. Hot liquids such as soup or tea may clear mucus from your nose
           5. Nasal decongestants can be used, but only temporarily relieve
               symptoms
           6. Steam inhalants can mobilize secretions, and help relieve chest
                tightness
           7. Use suppressants to help relieve cough to sleep more peacefully
           8. Use antihistamines to help reduce runny nose if caused by allergies.
    Important Facts:
            -Antibiotics cannot help treat illnesses caused by viruses, unless it is a
             bacterial infection.
            -A cold is expected to last two weeks.
            -If you have a fever over 100.4ºF, symptoms last longer than 10 days,         
             symptoms are getting worse, or symptoms are not relieved by over-the-
             counter medicines, then contact your physician.

Treatment of Acute Ankle Injuries
R.I.C.E.S.
          R- Rest to protect from further injury
           I- Ice to reduce swelling and relieve some pain. 20 min. on with 40 min. off. 
              Continue until there is no sign of swelling (2-3 days).
          C- Compression with a wrap bandage (Tubigrip) starting away from the 
               heart and wrapping up to the heart. Should not have numbness or tingling
               in toes.
          E- Elevate the injury to above heart level as much as possible, including
               when asleep.
          S- Support the injury with a brace or crutches so that movement is pain free.
    Pain medication

Sexual Health 

Plan B
    What is it?
          A pill that prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus and thus
          prevents pregnancy after initial birth control fails. This does not terminate an
          already established pregnancy, a pregnancy where the egg has already
          implanted. The pill must be taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse or
          the treatment will not work. When taken appropriately Plan B decreases the
          chance of pregnancy by 89%.
   Side effects: 1-2 days after taking both doses.
          1. nausea 23% - take with food and milk to reduce chance of nausea.
          2. vomiting 6% - report to health services if occurs within 3 hours of taking
              Plan B
          3. dizziness/head ache
          4. abdominal pain
          5. fatigue
          6. breast tenderness
next period may be early or late by one week. If period is late by 3 weeks take a pregnancy test and make an appointment with your doctor.
ovulation is delayed in the next period putting you at higher risk for pregnancy so  backup contraception should be used for the remainder of the treatment cycle.

Chlamydia
    What is it?
        An STI caused by an infectious bacteria which can be transferred from one
        person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
    What are the symptoms?
        80% of women who contract the bacteria have no symptoms. Symptoms,
        when they occur, appear 1-4 weeks after having sex. The most common        
        Symptoms are:
        Females-
                        more frequent and painful urination   
                        vaginal discharge
                        bleeding between periods or after sex
                        abdominal pain
                        fever and nausea
         Males-
                        burning sensation when urinating
                        burning or itching around the opening of the penis
                        pain and swelling of the testicles is uncommon
                        discharge from the penis
   Anal and Oral sex
         Chlamydia can be spread to the rectum and throat from an infected partner. 
          You may have rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding in your throat or rectum.
          **Risks: reproductive organ damage and sterility for both male and female
  Treatment progression:
          1. First culture (10-14 days)
          2. Positive leads to prescription of antibiotics
          ** It is recommended that your partner come in for treatment so that the     
          infection is not spread back and forth.

Phthirus pubis (Crab Louse)
    What is it?
            A parasitic infection of the skin of the scalp, trunk, or pubic areas. Spreads
            often through sexual contact. Can also spread through close personal
            contact on items of clothing.
    Diagnosis:
            1. By naked eye or through a magnifying lens to see the lice or eggs.
    Varieties:
            1. Body lice: Occurs among people living in a overcrowded areas with
                 inadequate hygiene facilities.
            2. Head lice: Can be transmitted by shared use of hats, hair-to-hair contact
            3. Pediculosis Pubis: Can be acquired by sexual transmission. Lice
                usually infests hair in the pubis, chest, arm pit, eyebrows/eyelashes and
                the scalp.
    Symptoms:
             Itching
             Reddish brown specks on undergarments, this is an indicator that lice
                  are still present
    Treatment progression:
            Lindane Lotion (KWELL by prescription): A strong solution, avoid contact
            to eyes or other mucous membranes. Only apply to indicated areas.
                  1. Apply a thin layer to infested area and adjacent areas.
                  2. Wash off 12 hours later. Remaining nits (lice egg) can be removed   
                      with a fine-toothed comb.
                  3. Not recommended as first line therapy, can be toxic to the brain and
                      other parts of the nervous system. Check with provider about this       
                      treatment option.
             1% Permethrin (NIX, O-T-C): alternative treatment, over-the-counter, more
             expensive.
                  1. Apply to affected area and wash off after 10 minutes.
    After treatment:
             Clothing and linens should be washed and dried at a high temperature.
             Re-treatment may be necessary if lice or eggs are found seven or more
             days following initial treatment.