Ask the Doctor
Oct 25, 2005
Dear Doctor,<br>I developed painless sores on the scrotum and around the private parts, and now I have an unfamiliar smell when I squat most especially when going to shower. What type of infection could it be? Where could I get treatment?
Painless genital sores
Dear Doctor,
I developed painless sores on the scrotum and around the private parts, and now I have an unfamiliar smell when I squat most especially when going to shower. What type of infection could it be? Where could I get treatment?
Kintu
Dear Kintu,
Any sores or wounds on the private parts are a serious matter. This is because it may be a sexually transmitted infection or disease (STD).
The wounds may come weeks to months after sexual contact. In cases like syphilis, they disappear after some time but the bacteria remains in the body. Genital wounds make it easier for the HIV virus to be transmitted, so it is important that a diagnosis is made as soon as possible, and treatment is received.
Many STDs can be healed with the correct medication. It is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible so that the doctor can examine you, do investigations and start you on treatment. Avoid having sex till you are treated because you can pass it on, and also you can get HIV more easily because of the wounds.
The odour or smell that you are talking about may be a hygiene issue. See a doctor to sort all things out.
Loss of appetite
Dear Doctor,
I am 24 years old, in my third year at campus. I have had loss of appetite for a long time. I checked with several doctors and there is no problem. I also have lost weight, is it due to failure of eating? What can I do to improve my health?
Bob
Dear Bob,
Loss of appetite is a general symptom that tells us there is something wrong with our bodies.
It is important to establish that it is a real loss of appetite. Some, especially children, may not have appetite at mealtime because they snack between meals. They rarely loose weight.
Are you under stress? Stress is a very common cause of loss of appetite. Long time stress can lead to loss of appetite and weight. For example, you may be worried about fees, academics, home, or other possible worries. The best solution would be resolving the stress problem, and the appetite will come back.
Another kind of stress is a worry that eating will make you grow fat or ugly. Some people may refuse to eat, or force themselves to vomit food because of that fear. This needs one to consult a doctor who can give appropriate referral.
A frequent cause of loss of appetite is inappropriate food. Campus meals are not known for their palatability. And one may not have the means to get meals of his or her choice. Drugs of any kind can also lead to loss of appetite.
Loss of appetite, with loss of weight needs a doctor to investigate. Loss of appetite is a very common symptom, caused by lots of possible medical problem. For this reason, a doctor will take a careful history, do a physical exam, and make investigations.
I think you need to confide in a doctor your problem and work together to a solution.
Using an electric coil
Dear Doctor,
I have been boiling drinking water using a coiled electric heater for the last two semesters and my friends warned me that I may get affected with cancer if I continue, is this true?
Gama
Dear Gama,
Boiling drinking water is very important because drinking water is one of the most common means of transmission of disease. The boiling kills disease germs.
Coils like the ones found in electric kettles are safe. They are made of materials coated with a layer or film preventing them from dissolving with the heating. So the water remains safe while heating.
Unfortunately, especially in schools, students may resort to using ‘locally’ made coils, like bed springs. These are not made for heating water. The coil material can dissolve in the water that you are boiling and this can poison you slowly over time. It may not specifically cause a cancer, but other health problems related to the metal of the coil getting into your body.
So it is important that you use the right sort of coil for heating your drinking water.
By Paul Semugoma
semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to
Ask The Doctor,
Box 9815, Kampala
Dear Doctor,
I developed painless sores on the scrotum and around the private parts, and now I have an unfamiliar smell when I squat most especially when going to shower. What type of infection could it be? Where could I get treatment?
Kintu
Dear Kintu,
Any sores or wounds on the private parts are a serious matter. This is because it may be a sexually transmitted infection or disease (STD).
The wounds may come weeks to months after sexual contact. In cases like syphilis, they disappear after some time but the bacteria remains in the body. Genital wounds make it easier for the HIV virus to be transmitted, so it is important that a diagnosis is made as soon as possible, and treatment is received.
Many STDs can be healed with the correct medication. It is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible so that the doctor can examine you, do investigations and start you on treatment. Avoid having sex till you are treated because you can pass it on, and also you can get HIV more easily because of the wounds.
The odour or smell that you are talking about may be a hygiene issue. See a doctor to sort all things out.
Loss of appetite
Dear Doctor,
I am 24 years old, in my third year at campus. I have had loss of appetite for a long time. I checked with several doctors and there is no problem. I also have lost weight, is it due to failure of eating? What can I do to improve my health?
Bob
Dear Bob,
Loss of appetite is a general symptom that tells us there is something wrong with our bodies.
It is important to establish that it is a real loss of appetite. Some, especially children, may not have appetite at mealtime because they snack between meals. They rarely loose weight.
Are you under stress? Stress is a very common cause of loss of appetite. Long time stress can lead to loss of appetite and weight. For example, you may be worried about fees, academics, home, or other possible worries. The best solution would be resolving the stress problem, and the appetite will come back.
Another kind of stress is a worry that eating will make you grow fat or ugly. Some people may refuse to eat, or force themselves to vomit food because of that fear. This needs one to consult a doctor who can give appropriate referral.
A frequent cause of loss of appetite is inappropriate food. Campus meals are not known for their palatability. And one may not have the means to get meals of his or her choice. Drugs of any kind can also lead to loss of appetite.
Loss of appetite, with loss of weight needs a doctor to investigate. Loss of appetite is a very common symptom, caused by lots of possible medical problem. For this reason, a doctor will take a careful history, do a physical exam, and make investigations.
I think you need to confide in a doctor your problem and work together to a solution.
Using an electric coil
Dear Doctor,
I have been boiling drinking water using a coiled electric heater for the last two semesters and my friends warned me that I may get affected with cancer if I continue, is this true?
Gama
Dear Gama,
Boiling drinking water is very important because drinking water is one of the most common means of transmission of disease. The boiling kills disease germs.
Coils like the ones found in electric kettles are safe. They are made of materials coated with a layer or film preventing them from dissolving with the heating. So the water remains safe while heating.
Unfortunately, especially in schools, students may resort to using ‘locally’ made coils, like bed springs. These are not made for heating water. The coil material can dissolve in the water that you are boiling and this can poison you slowly over time. It may not specifically cause a cancer, but other health problems related to the metal of the coil getting into your body.
So it is important that you use the right sort of coil for heating your drinking water.
By Paul Semugoma
semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to
Ask The Doctor,
Box 9815, Kampala