DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son-in-law passed away about 18 months ago. He had gone to various specialists to diagnose his condition, but none was able to do so. After he passed away, we had an autopsy done, and he had polyarteritis nodosa. If you could give us any input on this disease, it will be greatly appreciated. He was 52 and took good care of himself. – A.B.

ANSWER: Polyarteritis nodosa is an inflammation of arteries whose cause is presumed to be an autoimmune attack – the body turns on its own blood vessels. Artery inflammation causes their walls to degenerate, and that, in turn, leads to clot formation within arteries. Clots block the flow of blood to the tissues and organs served by the involved arteries. The inflamed arteries also develop tiny bulges on their surface – the “nodosa” of polyarteritis (“many arteries”) nodosa.

The spectrum of symptoms can be most confusing, because it can vary so much from patient to patient depending on which arteries are inflamed. Fever, weight loss, headaches and muscle pain are frequent. When kidney arteries are affected, blood pressure rises and kidney failure can occur. Inflamed nerve arteries lead to muscle weakness or outright pain. Affected digestive tract arteries bring on abdominal pain and vomiting. Skin artery involvement results in rashes. Involvement of heart arteries can produce heart failure, and brain arteries, stroke.

The most convincing evidence of polyarteritis is a biopsy of an artery that shows inflammation.

Untreated polyarteritis has a dim prognosis. Treatment with both the cortisone drug prednisone and the immune-regulating drug cyclophosphamide can often quiet the artery inflammation.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I went to the doctor because I thought I had a vaginal yeast infection. After the doctor did a swab, she said I had a trichomonas infection. Is there any way to get this other than sexual contact? – K.S.

ANSWER: Trichomonas (TRICK-oh-MOE-nus) is a common vaginal infection. To give you an idea of how common it is, there are more than 170 million such infections worldwide every year.

Transmission is usually person-to-person through sexual relations. However, the potential for nonsexual transmission exists, because the trichomonas organism can survive for hours in moist environments including damp towels and washcloths.

Trich infections produce a yellow-green or gray, frothy discharge that has a foul odor. Many women also experience vaginal burning or itching, and the involved skin and membranes turn red. Urination can be painful, as can sexual relations.

Infected men most often have no symptoms. Some might have a burning sensation upon urination, and in a few instances the trichomonas germ can infect the prostate gland and cause discomfort.

Metronidazole (Flagyl) can almost always effect a cure, and quite frequently it can do so in a single dose. Male partners should be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection of the woman after she has been treated.

A new trichomonas medicine, tinidazole (Tindamax), has just been released for trichomonas treatment. It is especially helpful if metronidazole fails to work.

Readers who would like more information on common vaginal infections can obtain the booklet on that topic by writing: Dr. Donohue – No. 1203, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.50 U.S./$6.50 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a blood donor. I have a notice sent to me from the blood bank saying that I am CMV negative. Could you please explain this to me? – R.S.

ANSWER: “CMV” is the abbreviation for “cytomegalovirus.” It’s a virus that can cause great trouble to people whose immune systems are not fully functional or to the developing fetus if the mother catches it during pregnancy.

Being negative means you are not infected with it, nor have you ever been infected with it.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.