Problem: Article: Putting yourself out there is tough, but it is much easier to build trusting relationships if you are willing to take the first step. Try something small, like sharing a personal story, confiding a small anxiety, or asking someone to go on a date. If the person is rude or distant, then you can move on to someone else. But if they offer something back or sympathize with you, telling a similar story or agreeing to go on a date, then you've both taken the first step towards a trusting relationship. Remember to always be honest when you're trying to build trust. Even little lies can lead to large amounts of distrust later on. Share, but don't overshare. This can be intimidating at the beginning of any relationship. Trust is not a switch that you can switch on or off. Rather, it's built up over time, growing alongside your relationship. Begin trusting people with little things getting to a meeting on time, helping with small errands before trusting someone with big secrets. There is no need to force a judgment on someone right when you meet them. Baring your secrets, fears, and insecurities requires a lot of trust. Sharing your emotions with someone often takes place later in a relationship, after you have already built up trust. Start confiding in someone slowly, seeing how they respond, before fully committing to trust them. Whenever you share stories with someone, ask yourself a few questions: Do they seem interested in what I have to say? Trust requires that both parties care about each other. Are they willing to share stories about themselves? Trust is a give and take, where both parties feel comfortable sharing. Are they dismissive, condescending, or oblivious to my worries and concerns? Trust requires respect. There is no set "level" of trust that you need with people. There are going to be some people who you trust a little, like coworkers or new acquaintances, and some people you would trust with your life. Instead of putting people into two categories, "trustworthy" and "untrustworthy," look at trust as a spectrum. It is easy to make a promise but hard to keep one. You should watch people's actions to see if they are trustworthy, not follow their words. If you ask them for a favor, reserve your judgment until the job ends. By observing actions and not words you can view someone's trust objectively, building trust based on facts. If you want to build trust with someone, you need to be trustworthy yourself. If you are constantly breaking promises, telling secrets, or showing up late, you will find that people do the same thing to you. Think about other people's needs. Offer your help and guidance, and listen to them when they talk to build a trusting relationship. Never share someone's secrets with other people unless they are in need of help. For example, a depressed friend may confide in you that they have suicidal thoughts, but you should share this with a counselor or professional even if they ask you not to tell. Keep your promises, and don't cancel plans once you've made them. That also means not making a promise unless you truly believe you will be able to keep it. If someone asks you for a promise that you know you can't keep, let them know that you take promises very seriously and you can't guarantee the outcome they are requesting but that you will still try your best to follow through on the action. Be honest, even in difficult situations. Unfortunately, people are always going to make mistakes skipping a meeting, letting a secret slip, or acting selfishly. If you expect every person to "earn your trust" they will all fall short from time to time. Trusting someone is about seeing through a person's occasional faults at the bigger picture. When people make the same mistake time after time, or refuse to apologize for problems, they become untrustworthy. If you believe someone is trustworthy, then go with your instincts. Likewise, if you have a gut feeling that they're untrustworthy, listen to that. Having faith in yourself not only makes it easier to build trust, it makes it easier to move on when someone breaks your trust. Know that you are emotionally stable and happy. This helps you feel comfortable taking a risk trusting other people.
Summary: Offer your trust first. Build trust over time. Confide in people slowly. Have different levels of trust for different people. Observe a person's actions and behaviors, not their words. Be a trustworthy person in return. Remember that no one is perfect. Trust yourself.

Problem: Article: Your cat will now need to care for her kittens. Nursing kittens will require that your cat has access to more food, sometimes as much as double, and continue wth a high protein/calcium diet. Continue to feed your cat a high protein kitten food and always provide access to clean water. The mother should use her body heat to keep the kittens warm. However, you'll also want to make sure her environment makes this as easy as possible. Keep warm blankets near her and the room temperature high. If the mother is being inattentive to the kittens, you can provide a heating pad on low to help keep the babies warm. Make sure the kittens and mom remain in a calm place where she will not feel threatened. This can cause a danger to the kittens and the mom. Your cat still may have problems after the birthing process is done. If you notice vaginal bleeding, or a prolapsed uterus (a uterus pushed out through the vagina), you should consult your vet. Also look for: Look out for atypical behavior, such as ignoring the kittens. She may reject the kittens, or if she feels in enough danger, she may even kill the litter. Keep an eye out for inflamed mammary glands. Infected glands will become enlarged, hot to the touch, and may even appear a different color. Watch for changes in appetite. If your cat is not getting enough nutrients this can endanger both her and the kittens. If an extended period goes by and your cat is unwilling to eat, take her to a vet.
Summary: Keep monitoring nutrition. Keep the mother cat and kitten warm. Look out for post-birth complications.

Problem: Article: If your meningitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor will start you on antibiotics. Often, you will stay in the hospital and antibiotics will be given by IV. Oral antibiotics may not be strong enough or fast-acting enough to treat bacterial meningitis appropriately. Your doctor may start you on "broad-spectrum" antibiotics immediately, even while waiting to see what bacteria grows from your spinal tap. These are antibiotics that fight a wide range of bacteria. Then once results return, your antibiotics may be changed to specifically target the appropriate bacteria causing your illness. You may also get treated with corticosteroids to minimize the chance of complications like seizures and brain swelling. Most cases of meningitis come from viruses, not bacteria. Viral meningitis is usually less severe than bacterial meningitis. It usually requires no treatment and should clear on its own. Stay home from work or school, get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and allow the illness to pass. Over-the-counter pain medication can help to temporarily relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Your doctor may want to give you a course of steroid treatment to prevent brain swelling, and maybe anticonvulsants to prevent seizures. If the herpes virus is causing your meningitis, you may be prescribed an antiviral medication. Chronic meningitis when symptoms develop over a course of 2 weeks or longer occurs when a slow-growing organism, like fungus, causes the infection. This requires hospitalization and treatment with antifungal medications. The symptoms are similar to bacterial meningitis, so seek care and diagnosis when you have any meningitis symptoms. If someone around you has meningitis, your doctor may recommend that you take antibiotics as a prophylactic, or preventative, measure. This can help keep you from getting the illness, especially if you live with someone who is sick or you have a weakened immune system. Discuss this option with your doctor.
Summary:
Get antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections. Take it easy if you have a viral infection. Seek immediate medical care for chronic or fungal meningitis. Ask your doctor about prophylactic medicine if you're around sick people.