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Swine flu or infection by the H1N1 influenza virus reached pandemic proportions in 2009 and it is believed that a large number of seasonal flu cases in 2010 may be the swine flu. This may persist for years to come. Although specific antiviral agents and vaccines have been able to control the epidemic to a significant degree, the danger is not entirely over.

Swine flu is a highly contagious viral infection which produces flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, headache and body aches. Although the entire population is at risk, certain groups of people are in more danger of contracting the disease as well as having more severe complications once they do get the disease.

Pregnant women fall under this high-risk group and complications as well as deaths have occurred, especially in the third trimester (last 3 months) of pregnancy. It could be that pregnant women are particularly at risk because their normal immune mechanism is suppressed during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable, and so more likely to get a severe form of the disease.

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Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas, fibromyomas, or myomas, are the commonest non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. Uterine fibroids grow from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus and may vary in size from tiny seedlings to massive lumps that can distort and expand the uterus. They may be single or multiple, very often producing no symptoms at all, and are almost never associated with increased risk of developing cancer.

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Douching is an old practice of washing out the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. “Douche” is a French word that means to wash or soak and herbal concoctions, commercial preparations, as well as home remedies using baking soda or vinegar and water solutions are commonly used. These preparations or water alone are stored in a bottle is sprayed into the vagina through a tube. Although an old practice, douching is quite common among American women, and it is estimated that 20% to 40% of women aged between 15 and 44 years douche regularly.

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A breast fungus, in the skin folds between the breast and chest, is a more common fungal infection than previously thought although many women suffer silently with this skin infection. A fungus under the breast is both uncomfortable and awkward as the intense itching has to often be ignored due to the sensitive nature of the affected area. Skin fungal infections can persist for years if untreated and often results in severe scarring of the area, usually noticed as a dark skin discoloration or thickening of the skin as a result of constant irritation.

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Vaginal itching and discharge may occur at times in a woman’s life and while discharge may be normal, if it persists, is accompanied by itching or of an offensive odor, it should be investigated. Vaginal irritation, like discharge and itch, may be due to an infection or inflammation of the organs of the female reproductive system and usually the vulva of the vagina is also involved.

Normal vaginal discharge is often associated with a rise in the estrogen levels, around the time of ovulation, pregnancy, just before the first period in life (menarche) and may be caused by certain drugs. In these cases, the discharge is not usually considered to be a problem if there is an absence of other symptoms. However if other concomitant symptoms, like itching, burning during urination, a rash or pelvic pain, is also present, then further investigation is required.

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