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Category Archives: FirstAidPlus

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

5 Quick and easy home remedy for migraine

The stressful lifestyle and improper rest has lead many on the way to headaches. Headaches have become a common problem of the modern times that stems out of a variety of causes. The worst of them being migraine! According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the most disabling conditions worldwide. It is characterized by a throbbing and excruciating pain which is more often than not related to one side of the head and gets worse and can last for up to 72 hours. However, the symptoms change from person to person.

The common migraine symptoms include pounding headache, nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. And it is generally treated with anti-nausea drugs and abortive or preventive medications that include pain relievers. And the worst thing is they are recurrent and in such conditions taking painkillers so often can be harmful and can have side effects on the body.

 

There comes the need of natural home remedies to cure the pain and to avoid the powerful and harmful medicines and antibiotics.  Here are 5 best home remedies that are natural and safe and that would take care of the nasty pain as well!

 

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar:

An apple a day does keep a doctor away! There’s nothing better than having an apple a day, it is the house of wonder and so is apple cider vinegar. You just need to mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar with half a cup of water and boil it in a covered pan. And then take the steam. This is known to provide instant relief. Else, have an apple with some salt sprinkled over it followed by warm water. Or add one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water with honey and lemon juice and drink it once or twice a day!

 

  1. Basil:

The wonder herb is also good for headaches as well! Its oil is a known muscle relaxant and is really helpful for headaches. Or you can simmer 3-4 fresh basil leaves in water and drink the tea by adding honey to it. They are really good if chewed or inhaled as steam after boiling it in water.

 

  1. Lavender Oil:

Lavender is not merely the sweetest smelling flower it has some beneficial properties hidden as well! Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically. Two to four drops for every two to three cups of boiling water are recommended for inhaling the steam. Unlike many medicinal oils, it can also be safely applied externally without diluting it.

 

  1. Ginger:

Ginger is like the brand ambassador of headache treatment. And many people are relieved by the ginger tea only! Or mix equal parts of ginger juice and lemon juice and drink it once or twice a day. You can also apply a paste of ginger powder and 2 tablespoons water on your forehead for a few minutes to provide quicker relief. Ginger helps quell the nausea that often accompanies migraines.

  1. Chamomile tea:

Chamomile tea with honey (optional) is the simplest remedy for headache or migraine headache. It helps ease pain and relax you.

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Do condoms prevent all sexually transmitted diseases?

Most of the learned population feel completely safe in their sexual relations when they use condoms. Most of the data available on internet and elsewhere claim that condoms are an effective protection against HIV/AIDS. However, the under-informed masses are unaware of the fact that condoms do not provide protection agains a number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) like herpes, HPV, syphilis, pubic lice, or scabies. They spread through skin to skin genital contact. Even if no fluid exchange occurs, these STIs may spread easily and can produce a life threatening condition, no where less threatening than the much hyped HIV, which make the immune system weak to the fatal extent.

HIV weakens the immune system by lowering the number of T-Lymphocytes. The normal range of T- Lymphocyte is 500 to 1500 which drops below 200 due to HIV infection. This makes the immune system weak enough for any other pathogen to attack the body and cause secondary infection. Usually, the patient dies of secondary infection caused by the weakened immune system which make the body vulnerable to secondary attacks. These are called opportunist infections, some of which are mentioned as under:

• Candidiasis of bronchi, trachea, esophagus, or lungs

• Invasive cervical cancer

• Coccidioidomycosis

• Cryptococcosis

• Cryptosporidiosis,

• Cytomegalovirus disease

• Encephalopathy, HIV-related

• Herpes simplex: chronic ulcer(s) (greater than 1 month’s duration); or bronchitis, pneumonitis, or esophagitis

• Histoplasmosis

• Isosporiasis, chronic intestinal (greater than 1 month’s duration)

• Kaposi’s sarcoma

• Lymphoma, multiple forms

• Mycobacterium avium complex

• Tuberculosis

• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

• Pneumonia, recurrent

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

• Salmonella septicemia, recurrent

• Toxoplasmosis of brain

• Wasting syndrome due to HIV

Being a viral infection, antibiotics are of no use to prevent the infection of HIV. HIV Vaccine, although confirmed at research stage is still not available in open market for masses.

Sexually transmitted infections like herpes, HPV, syphilis, pubic lice, or scabies are not prevented with the use of condoms. So, this is a big myth among the masses that condoms prevent all sexually transmitted disease. Moreover, these STIs may lie dormant in the body of the carrier person without any symptoms or physical manifestation. However, they may transmit the infection to someone who comes in sexual contact. So, its very difficult to find conclusively that a person is infected or not.

However, there are certain misconceptions too about sexually transmitted infections. They do not transmit through the use of same utensils, toilet or towels. However, the less severe infection like pubic lice or scabies may transmit by sharing clothes. However, they may be treated by the use of simple medicine or creams.

Monogamy is the safest way to prevent any sexually transmitted infection and condoms are not an alternative which could be chosen for life.

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

Childhood Infection

Childhood Infections

Introduction: Infection in child hood is very common due to undeveloped immunity or due to lack of immunity, when a child is in the womb of mother he or she gets immunity from his mother but after birth it is very tough to rid off form infectious diseases. There for vaccines are given to the child to protect from various communicable diseases.

Causing Agents: These childhood infections occur due to very small single cell prokaryotic organism e.g. bacteria or acellular (Virus) and some protozoa (eukaryotic unicellular organism).These are known as pathogen. This pathogen can be transmitted by carrier or by vector or may be directly from one infected person to another person.

Mode of transmission: These diseases are transmitted by many means first one is contaminated or unhygienic food and contaminated or not treated water e.g. Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Jaundice and cholera.  Last one is contaminated air, last one is the very potent mode of transmission in which pathogen can be transmitted by simply sneezing and coughing of the infected person and the healthy person can get infected by simply inhaling to those Pathogen.e.g. Tuberculosis,Chickenpox,Pneumonia etc.

There are so many child hood infectious diseases which are fatal for kids, here, a list of infectious diseases and there causing agents are given:

  1. Hepatitis B ————– Hepatitis B Virus,

  2. Whooping cough—— Bordetella pertussis

  3. Small pox—————- Variola virus

  4. Tetanus——————- Closteridium tetani,

  5. Polio———————– Polio virus

  6. Pneumonia ————– S. Pneumoniae

  7. Diptheria —————– Corynebacterium diphtheria,

  8. Measels——————- Paramyxovirus

  9. Mumps——————– Mumps virus

  10. Typhoid——————- S. typhi.

Prevention of diseases: To prevent these childhood diseases some precaution should be maintain for example personal hygine and sanatisation secondaly vaccination and third is immunization. Personal hygine and sanitization is not as much effective as vaccination and immunization as it does not provide immunity against pathogen only it prevents, while vaccination and immunization increase immunity and provides ability to fight against diseases, this type of immunization of a baby is called as active immunization. Active Immunization of a baby can be achieved by vaccinating them time to time of a time interval.

Some children also have allergic diseases which are non communicable occurs by immunogenic response of our body like respiratory diseases, red patches on skin and many more. The factors which are responsible for allergy is called as allergen e.g. dust, pollen, milk, egg, fish etc.

Apart from this common cold, cough, fever, cholera, dysentery and gastritis is also a common childhood infection which can be prevented by personal hygiene and sanitization of baby, also we should provide hygienic food to them to overcome from these problems, always cut their nails, wash their hands before and after meal, after use of washroom after sneezing and coughing and after playing with toy, normal shop solution or hand wash does not work on bacteria and other pathogen they only wash dirt and pollutant from our hand. To wash bacteria and other pathogen one should use hand wash which should contain at least 60% alcohol because it is a potent sanitizer works effectively.

 

 

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

Giving new life to tooth by root canal treatment

The oh-so-terrifying sound of the treatment has scared many and has been a nightmare. The root canal treatment is the one dental procedure dreaded by many and is associated with pain and the people are generally running away from it. While actually, it is done to relieve the pain and protect the teeth. How you ask? Well, read on to find out!

A root canal treatment is an endodontic treatment, endo means inside and donto means tooth. This actually explains a lot about the process. It is actually done to as a treatment to repair a badly damaged or infected tooth by removing that damaged area of the tooth. It literally means cleaning the root canal and providing the required treatment.

A tooth has a space inside it which is called the pulp which is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth’s nerve lies within the root canal which has sensory functions. The pulp also includes blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues, which create the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth. Now when the pulp gets affected or there is inflammation there can be unbearable pain, swelling, and the irreversible damage to pulp. Even after the pulp dies or is damaged completely there is a risk of an abscessed tooth which would invite infection which can spread. It could also become a chronic threatening dangerous infection. Now the pulp may be damaged by any cause like a cracked tooth, deep cavity, gum infection, gum disease, repeated dental treatment to the tooth, or trauma to face.

And root canal treatment is the process or rather the apt treatment to this problem. The procedure involves the removing of the nerve and damaged pulp, cleaning the tooth, disinfecting it, and then filling it and sealing it. Thus, it is done to relieve the pain, protect the tooth and you, from further damage and giving a new life to the tooth.

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

Vaccination

Vaccination is a process of introduction of vaccine in the body. Vaccine term was taken from the word vacca which means cow in latin and first vaccine was prepared by Edward Jenner. It helps in the development of immunity, immunity which is developed by vaccination is known as adaptive immunity or acquired immunity .e.g Vaccination against polio, Smallpox, Hep. B, Pneumonia, Typhoid etc. Vaccination can be done by one of the three methods by injection or by oral or by aerosol. Vaccine can be a drug because it fulfills all the criteria of drug. Vaccines are more helpful and cost effective public health measures that prevent many diseases, such as small pox, chicken pox, rabbis and many more diseases.

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Vaccines are not occurring naturally they are prepared in the laboratory. When vaccines are introduce in our body they produces antigenic response, and antibody starts work against antigen, known as primary immune response.  Antibodies are protein molecule produced in our body against antigen. There are many types of antibodies one of them is memory cell which is responsible for secondary immune response of immune system. Secondary immune response is the response of our immune system when the same antigen attacks again then our antibody produces rapidly antibody and kill them.  Antigens are foreign particles when enters in our body they produces immune response, these antigens can be a living thing like a protozoa, a virus, a bacteria or a non living thing like a dust particles or a pollen etc.

Vaccines prevents many diseases therefore children are vaccinated for many diseases, children are vaccinated because they have weak immune system at the time of birth or up to age of 2 years. At the time of birth and up to six months so vaccines are given to the baby e.g. HEp.B, Tetanus are given just after the birth of child. After that in the interval of some time period they are vaccinated. Some vaccinations are of one time while some are of 2, 3 and 4 times, which gradually increase immunity of the child. Any person of any age can be vaccinated.

Vaccination is also known as immunization, since it provides immunity against diseases.

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

Tips to prevent Heart Disease in Women

Heart Disease / Cardiovascular Disease are a class of diseases that affects the heart and blood vessels many of which are related to a process called Atherosclerosis. Heart Diseases is the number one killer of women, learn how to protect yourself or someone you love.

  1. Start Healthy Habit now –

Research indicates that women who lead a healthy lifestyle before the age of 50 have a better chance of avoiding heart disease and the conditions that increase the risk of it – such as diabetes and hypertension.

 

  1. Get your Checkup –

Some factors that increase your risk for heart disease – including high cholesterol – have no symptoms. Get regular checkups that include a blood cholesterol test. Everyone should have their cholesterol checked annually starting at age 20.

 

  1. Don’t Smoke –

Smoking can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease by two to four times.

 

  1. Drink responsibly –

Drinking alcohol in moderation – particularly wise – can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by 25%. For women, moderation means just one drink per day.

 

  1. Brush your Teeth –

The bacteria that grow in your mouth and cause gum disease may double the risk for a heart attack. Regular brushing and flossing can sweeten your breath and improve your health.

 

  1. Have Sex, but be safe –

Research suggests that people who have sex at least twice a week are less likely to develop heart disease. But proceed with caution and condom. A recent study found a tie between Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) – a sexually transmitted infection – and heart disease.

 

  1. Choose your Birth Control wisely –

Birth Control Pills can increase your risk of a heart attack and blood clots. Some types of the pill have been shown to increase the risk of blood clots by up to 65% over other formulas, especially in women who have a high BMI or those who smoke.

 

  1. Skip the Soda –

Studies have shown that women who drink two or more sugar – sweetened beverages such as soda per day have a higher risk of heart disease.

 

  1. Relax –

Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol can damage your arterial linings, making it harder for your heart to do its job.

 

  1. Stay Active –

Your heart needs regular workouts in order to keep it healthy, even if you have a healthy BMI. As little as 30 minutes of moderate activity per day can reduce your risk for heart disease.

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Medical

How Hepatitis C Affects Your Body?

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that primarily causes inflammation of the liver, but the effects can be felt throughout the body. It’s a blood borne disease, which means its spread when the blood of a person infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) enters the blood stream of someone else.

  1. Hepatitis C in the Liver –

Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver. Overtime, this leads to scaring and severe damage to the liver and its functions. Eventually, the liver loses its ability to work at all.

 

  1. Fluids in the Stomach –

If the liver doesn’t produce enough albumins, fluid can build up in the stomach, causing pain and discomfort.

 

  1. Gallbladder Grief –

The gallbladder stores bite and helps to break down fats from your food. An inflamed gallbladder can cause severe pain.

 

  1. Insufficient Intestines –

The intestines absorb vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the food you eat. That becomes more difficult when the liver can’t produce bile.

 

  1. Toxic Build – Up in the Brain –

A build – up of toxins in the brain can lead to mental confusion, moodiness, and slurred speech. Untreated, some patients may enter a comatose state.

 

  1. Musty Mouth –

A build – up of toxins in the central nervous system can cause the breath to have a sweet or musty odor.

 

  1. Bad Blood –

A poorly functioning liver fails to remove toxins from the bloodstream, which can lead to a wide range of complications.

 

  1. Skin and Eyes –

Hepatitis C can cause jaundice, which makes the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow.

 

  1. Thyroid –

An immune system trying to protect the body from Hepatitis C may mistakenly attack thyroid cells. Fatigue and general sluggishness are common symptoms of thyroid disorders.

 

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Medical

Hepatitis ABC

Hepatitis ABC

Hepatitis is a term that refers to inflammation of the liver. Among the three most common strains of viral hepatitis in the India – Hepatitis A, B & C – each virus has similar symptoms. However, strains differ by the mode of transmission and how the specific virus affects the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by – Genetic Diseases, Medications (including over the counter), Alcohol and Hepatitis Viruses.

 

Hepatitis A

Modes of Transmission –

Ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from :

  1. Close person – to – person contact with a Hepatitis A – infected person.
  2. Sexual contact with a Hepatitis – A infected person.
  3. Contaminated food or drinks.
  4. Contaminated drug paraphernalia (works).

Risk Activities –

  1. Travel to countries where Hepatitis – A is common.
  2. Sexual contact with a Hepatitis – A infected person.
  3. Use of illegal drugs (injection or non – injection).
  4. Living with a clotting factor disorder.

Prevention Methods –

  1. Hepatitis A vaccination.
  2. Immune globulin.
  3. Proper hand washing with soap after the use of toilets and changing diapers, and before preparing and eating food.

Treatment Option –

  1. Provides supportive treatments (for e.g. bed rest).
  2. No Hepatitis – A specific medications are available.

 

Hepatitis B

Modes of Transmission –

Contact with infectious blood, semen and other bodily fluids, primarily through :

  1. Birth from a Hepatitis – B infected mother.
  2. Sexual contact with a Hepatitis – B infected person.
  3. Sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works).
  4. Needle sticks or sharp instrument injuries.

Less commonly through :

  1. Tattooing / body piercing.

Risk Activities –

  1. Birth from a Hepatitis – B infected mother.
  2. Sexual contact with a Hepatitis – B infected person.
  3. Multiple sexual partners.
  4. Living with a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).
  5. Injection drug use.
  6. Living with a Hepatitis – B infected person.
  7. Occupational exposure to blood.
  8. Long term hemodialysis.
  9. Living or working in a setting that houses developmentally disabled individuals.

Prevention Methods –

  1. Hepatitis B vaccination.
  2. Immune globulin.
  3. Hepatitis B screening during each pregnancy.
  4. For infants born to Hepatitis – B infected mothers, immune globulin dosage and vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
  5. Use of condoms for sex.
  6. Not sharing personal care items (e.g. razors, toothbrushes).
  7. Not sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works).
  8. Ensure use of sterile equipment for any tattoo or body piercing.
  9. Proper infection control in health care settings and public safety work.

Treatment Options –

  1. For acute Hepatitis B, provide supportive treatment.
  2. For chronic Hepatitis B, provide regular monitoring for signs of liver disease progression and consider antiviral medication.

 

Hepatitis C

Modes of Transmission –

Contact with infectious blood, primarily through :

  1. Sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works).

Less commonly through :

  1. Sexual contact with a Hepatitis C infected person.
  2. Birth from a Hepatitis C infected mother.
  3. Needles stick or sharp instrument injuries.
  4. Tattooing / body piercing.

Risk Activities –

  1. Current or past injection drug use.
  2. Receipt of blood or organs prior to July 1992.
  3. Receipt of clotting factor concentrates before 1987.
  4. Long term hemodialysis.
  5. Occupational exposure to blood.
  6. Birth from a Hepatitis C infected mother.

Prevention Methods –

  1. Not sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works).
  2. Use of condom for sex.
  3. Not sharing personal care items (e.g. razors, toothbrushes) ensure use of sterile equipment for any tattoo or body piercing.
  4. Proper infection control in health care settings and public safety work.

Treatment Options –

  1. For acute Hepatitis C, provide supportive treatment and consider antiviral medication.
  2. For chronic Hepatitis C, provide regular monitoring for signs of liver disease progression and consider antiviral medication.
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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

Fungal infection: Causes, types, symptoms and treatment

Fungal skin infections are caused by different types of fungi, including dermatophytes and yeasts. Fungi invade and grow in dead keratin. Keratin is a protein that makes up your skin, hair and nails.

Common fungal skin infections are caused by yeasts (such as Candida—see Candidiasis) or dermatophytes, such as Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton (see Overview of Dermatophytoses (Ringworm, Tinea)). Many such fungi live only in the topmost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) and do not penetrate deeper.

How do you get foot fungus?

It causes peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and sores. Athlete’s foot is a very common infection. The fungus grows best in a warm, moist environment such as shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and the floors of public showers. It is most common in the summer and in warm, humid climates.

What increases the risk of Vaginal fungal infection?

Many things can raise your risk of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:

The imbalance that allows the overgrowth of yeast can happen due to:
  • antibiotics (they lower the amount of lactobacillus, or good bacteria, in vagina)
  • pregnancy.
  • uncontrolled diabetes.
  • weak immune system.
  • douching.
  • poor eating habits, including a lot of sugary foods.
  • hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle.
  • stress.
  • Lack of sleep.
  • Poor eating habits, including eating extreme amounts of sugary foods.
  • Taking certain medicines, including birth control pills, antibiotics, and steroids.

Symptoms:

Fungal infection Requires a medical diagnosis by a skin specialist.

Symptoms depend on the area affected, but can include skin rash or vaginal infection resulting in abnormal discharge.

People may also experience darkening of the skin, loss of color, peeling, rashes, or small bump. itching or vaginal discharge is also common.

Treatment of fungal infection:

Antifungal creams, liquids or sprays (topical antifungals) These are used to treat fungal infections of the skin, scalp and nails. They include clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, tioconazole, terbinafine, and amorolfine.

Diet during fungal infection:

Eat a healthy balanced diet – limit your intake of yeast and sugar and drink plenty of water to help clean your system of impurities. Eat yogurt – Yogurt contains active cultures that can help restore the good bacteria your body requires. Coconut oil, garlic, ginger, onion and lemon juice also helps body in fighting fungal infection.

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8 years ago FirstAidPlus , Health

Honey for sore throat

Honey for Sore Throat

Is honey really good for sore throat? Yes, it is as it is located with antibacterial properties. It helps in the fast healing of sore throat. Honey works best when treated with ginger, warm water, milk, pepper and lemon. Raw Honey gives you the best results for sore throat in a couple of days. Let’s have a look at the many benefits of honey for sore throat.

Honey with Ginger –

Take half inch ginger and wash it thoroughly to remove the dirt. Slice the ginger into small pieces after removing the rough skin of it. Boil water in a medium flame, and then add the ginger paste to it. Allow it to boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Add 2 tablespoon of honey to it. You can filter and drink the liquid if you don’t want the small strains of ginger in the liquid. Drink it warm.

Honey with Warm Water –

Boil water in a pan in normal flame. Add 2 to 3 tablespoon of honey to it and stir well. Drink it warm and it will decrease your sore throat symptoms.

Honey with Cinnamon Water –

Boil water in a pan in normal flame. Boil 1 glass of water in medium flame for 10 minutes. Now add cinnamon sticks to it and close the lid. Add honey to it at the end and drink the tea. It will help you to get rid of sore throat and the infections.

Honey with Milk –

Boil 1 glass of milk and make it warm. Add 2 tablespoon of honey to it. Drink it warm. It will give a soothing effect to your sore throat. Avoid giving honey to children under 1 year of age.

Honey with Lemon –

Boil 1 glass of milk and make it warm. Add 2 tablespoon of honey to it. Drink it warm. It will give a soothing effect to your sore throat.

Honey with Honeysuckle Flowers –

Take a handful of fresh honeysuckle flowers in a container. Add 1 quarter of water to the container. Boil them for 10 minutes. Strain and then add honey to it. Drink the concoction to get relief from sore throat.

Honey with Cayenne Pepper –

Take ½ tablespoon of cayenne pepper. Add the cayenne pepper to 1 glass of water and boil for some time. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it and stir it well until the cayenne pepper dissolves in the water completely. Use less amount of cayenne pepper      if you are very sensitive to spices. Drink this for sore throat.

Honey with Apple Cider Vinegar –

Make 1 cup of warm water. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to it. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the warm water. Now drink it to soothe your sore throat.

Consume Raw Honey for relief-

Take 1 to 2 tablespoon of raw honey at night before going to bed. Raw honey will ease out and cure your sore throat fast. Avoid over consumption of raw honey.

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