Q Sir, I am tested HIV positive, for almost 3 years i was in a relationship with a boy, but now we broke up and hes getting married to someoneelse. He wants to be sure that hes not HIV positive.... I have asked him to do the CDcount, but is there any other test which can give accurate result... Pls advice.... Also is it possible that after being in relationship with an HIV person one can still result as Negative???

Sexual relationship between HIV positive and HIV negative partners is called as "mixed status" relationship. For mixed-status couples, the possibility of HIV infection is a constant reality. There is always a risk, but it can be minimized. Antiretroviral therapy can lower the viral load and may decrease chance of HIV positive partner transmitting it to the HIV negative partner, but does not prevent it. Safe sex practices and use of condom may lower the risk of transmission. Do not share syringes, water, drug preparation equipment with others. In your case, the boy needs to do HIV test ( it is diagnosed by presence of antibodies to the HIV virus in blood) and also visit a good HIV consultant to get investigated and counseled thoroughly. HIV testing is carried out on voluntary basis with appropriate pre-test and post-test counseling.

Q Why do women experience post-delivery depression?

Depression in first few months after childbirth is called postpartum depression. It is due to hormonal changes that take place after pregnancy. The risk factors for postpartum depression can be history of depression, stress in life, poor support from the partner and family, and physical health of both baby and mother. In some cases, there are more disturbances with regards to thoughts, fears and behavior; this is termed as postpartum psychosis.

Q My two year daughter fell from the slide this morning. In evening she passed white stool with bad smell.

Episode of fall and the white stool does not seem to be connected. But at the same time white coloured stool can not be ignored. Stool gets its normal yellow- brown colour due to bile. White colour stool indicate that either the bile is not produced or it is obstructed. Hence it should be evaluated by the doctor. Consult your family physician at the earliest.

Q How can I help my child avoid triggering migraine headache?

Following measures can help you to avoid migraine triggers in your child: Avoid known triggering factors. Give your child well balanced diet. Avoid too long gaps between meals. Make sure your child is well hydrated. See to it that your child gets 7-9 hours of quality sleep on regular basis. Cut down on your childs intake of junk foods and excessive sugary drinks. Talk to your child if something is bother him/her.rnrn 

Q When is herpes contagious? I have not had an outbreak of genital herpes in years but i do take valtrex if i feel an outbreak may be coming on. If i take valtrex as needed and i do not have an outbreak, am i still contagious?

Genital herpes is the most contagious when the lesions are active and a few days before that. However, an infected person can potentially be shedding the virus all his life. Since, the virus is spread by direct skin to skin contact, it is very easy to spread it through intercourse or oral sex. Thus, protect your partner by always using a condom.

Q What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear or apprehension without any known cause. A panic attack comes suddenly lasts for few minutes and may disappear of its own without any medicine. Sometimes, panic attacks can be very frightening. Some of the symptoms you may experience during the panic attack include - palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, a choking sensation, chest pain and feeling sick etc. If the attack is recurrent, it is advised to consult the physician to get the best possible treatment.

Q Do men suffer from menopause like women?

The phase of life similar to menopause is called as andropause in men. It is marked by lethargy, sadness, weariness, lack of drive, irritability, poor concentration and sometimes loss of sexual desire in middle-aged men. This leads to boredom, lack of fitness, heavy drinking and lack of self-esteem.n Though, male menopause is controversial, as there isn~t any calculable fall in the levels of male hormones in middle age like females have fall in sex hormones drastically, yet it is advised that men experiencing the symptoms should exercise regularly and eat healthy, nurture a hobby, and have a peaceful mind and renew interest in life.

Q Why is one pupil bigger than the other in a 2 month old baby boy?

1 in 5 babies can born with different sized pupils without any underlying disorder. If other family members also have similar pupils, then the pupil size difference is possibly genetic and nothing to worry about. However, certain underlying conditions such as Homers disease, aneurysm, tumor, increased intracranial pressure, meningitis can cause a difference in pupillary size. If your baby does not have any other sign and symptom and he is healthy otherwise, then there is nothing to worry about. But our advise will be to get him examined once to rule out any underlying disease.

Q I have diarrhea,headaches,nausea,upset stomach,and pain. since 4 days

The symptoms you are suffering from are indicating an gastrointestinal infection by the microorganisma like bacteria or parasites. You must take the light diet and take more water to control the dehadration cuased due to diarrhoea. It may be due to certain other pathologies like appendicitis, crohns disease, intussuseption etc. It is necessary to rule out the cause and treat the diarrhoea at the early stage because dehydration may lead to life threatning complications.

Q What is "Selective Mutism"?

Selective mutism is a condition in which a person who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in given situations or to specific people. Selective mutism usually begins in childhood. It usually co-exists with shyness or social anxiety. Its important to understand that when the mutism happens, the child is not voluntarily refusing to speak but is literally unable to speak, feeling frozen. In time, they learn to anticipate the situations that provoke mutism and do all they can to avoid them. Example: selective mutism while interacting with the opposite sex. Other attributes of children or adults with selective mutism are nervousness, socially awkward, clingy, excessively shy or withdrawn, stubborn or aggressive. Behavioral therapy forms the mainstay of treatment with medications used in a few older patients. Most children will work their way through SM with sympathetic support, although they may remain reserved and anxious in social situations.