Blog 12: Overview of pandemic diseases

Over the past few weeks I talked about pandemic diseases, gave information on how the diseases were spread and given symptoms of these diseases. Majority of these diseases that are deadly comes from some type of animal. If you look over the blogs you would see the link between animals, humans and diseases. For instance, bats carry a lot of diseases and are very harmful to humans. When bats eat or drop their feces onto the food we eat this is a major way of spreading their diseases. Scientist tries to catch and isolate when this happens. For another, when humans travel into the tropical forests and somehow get infected and carry this unknown infection to other humans. Now this last statement, scientist cannot catch and isolate this particular infection in time. With areas that are overpopulated it would be almost impossible to contain or eradicate a fast spreading disease. HIV/AIDS for example, over twenty years and there is still no cure. Now in our society that calls HIV/AIDS a chronic disease because it can be “managed”. Here is a thought, HIV/AIDS is known to mutate, what make them think it will not mutate to a super strain. With saying that, there has been breaking news on a man who had full blown AIDS and had a bone marrow transplant. The bone marrow donor happen to be in the one percentile; immune to AIDS.  At this moment around the world scientists are watching this particular man closely. (http://www.examiner.com/article/cured-of-aids-and-hiv-by-bone-marrow-transplant-with-specific-genes-for-immunity)

Just pulling this article up you will find two more men being cured from AIDS through a bone marrow transplant. (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/07/26/two-more-patients-hiv-free-after-bone-marrow-transplants)

http://www.examiner.com/article/cured-of-aids-and-hiv-by-bone-marrow-transplant-with-specific-genes-for-immunity

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/07/26/two-more-patients-hiv-free-after-bone-marrow-transplants

Blog 11: Hepatitis Viruses; A,B, C, D, and E

These articles talks about hepatitis. Hepatitis affects the liver and can cause permanent damage. There are several types of hepatitis they are A, B, C, D, and E. This article discusses how each type is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water. This is from improper or no hand washing; dirty hands. There is a vaccine for hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A virus is transmitted or passed on through contaminated food (www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hepatitis/index.asp).

Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through open wounds or contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. There is a vaccine, which is given in a series. This vaccine series is given mostly to people who work closely with the public and who are at risk.

Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through blood. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis D virus “only occurs in people already infected with hepatitis B virus (www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hepatitis/index.asp).” Hepatitis D virus is transmitted through an open wound or contact with contaminated blood.

Hepatitis E virus transmitted through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis E virus is worldwide; this virus is found in bad conditions within food and water. “Hepatitis E virus is a waterborne disease, and contaminated water or food supplies have been implicated in major outbreaks. The ingestion of raw or uncooked shellfish has also been identified as the source of sporadic cases in endemic areas (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs280/en/ ).” “Hepatitis E virus causes acute sporadic and epidemic viral hepatitis (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs280/en/ ).” One article states that there is currently no approved vaccine for hepatitis E virus in United States, and another article states “China’s State Food and Drug Administration in December 2011 approved a hepatitis E vaccine (http://www.nature.com/news/hepatitis-e-vaccine-debuts-1.11687 ).”

The symptoms that are public knowledge for hepatitis are jaundice, anorexia, affected liver, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

 

www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hepatitis/index.asp

 

www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs280/en/

 

www.nature.com/news/hepatitis-e-vaccine-debuts-1.11687

 

 

 

Blog 10: Influenza Virus

How well do you know influenza? We have some ideas and even have had the flu a few times or have known somebody who has had the flu. This article states that “the influenza virus is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. This virus can quickly turn into pneumonia, which affects the lungs, encephalitis (infection of the brain), and bronchitis (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html).” There are vaccines to help keep the flu virus from having such a devastating effect once you catch the flu.
There are two types of influenza A and B. “Influenza A usually arrives between early winter and early spring. Influenza B can appear at any time of the year (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html).”

This article also states that Influenza is usually airborne (droplets): sneezing, or coughing from someone who has the influenza virus. Even by using a telephone, can spread the influenza virus. We have all heard the saying, “wash your hands before and after any contact”. This saying is true. Hand washing is one of the best defenses against viruses and germs. By not washing your hands, you can by accident, transfer the influenza virus, or any virus, to others and yourself, through handshake or just by touching any of the mucus membranes, like your eyes, nose, and mouth (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html). It takes a few days for the flu symptoms to start showing. “The influenza virus symptoms are almost similar to a cold; fever, body aches, chills, light-headedness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and lack of energy. The flu can make asthma, breathing problems, and other long-term illnesses worse (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html).”

To prevent catching the influenza virus, “avoid sharing food, utensils, cups, or bottles. Cover your cough with a tissue and throw away after use. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Use it often during the day and always after touching your face. Cough into your sleeve if a tissue is not available (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html).”

 

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/the-flu/overview.html

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6036a2.html

 

 

Blog 9: "Snakes harboring Deadly Mosquito-Borne EEE Virus"

This article talked about mosquitoes feeding on infected snakes in the Tuskegee National Forest in Alabama. “These snakes are host for the deadly mosquito-borne Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Virus (EEEV). Scientists who did research on the infected snakes with Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Virus found that the virus is located in the snakes’ blood (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm).” “This study confirms that the snakes carry the live virus across seasons,” said study co-author Thomas R. Unnasch, Ph.D., of the University of South Florida’s Global Health Infectious Disease Research Program”.” After hibernation mosquitoes feast on the snakes and spread this virus to other animals and humans (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm).”

This article stated that “Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Virus is one of the most deadly viruses that’s endemic to the United States.” “Scientists are trying to come up with interventions to eliminate the virus transmission early in the season before it becomes a threat to humans beings (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm).”

“This virus has been found in Central, South and North America, along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. The article stated that human cases have occurred in several states and two people have died from this disease (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm).”

The article went on to say that “Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. This virus can be passed to a wide range of animals including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Horses and humans appear to suffer the most adverse effects.” The article stated that “for humans, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis Virus is rare, with approximately five to ten cases reported annually in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The article stated that about 35% of the people who contract the disease will die and the ones who survive, will have long term severe neurological damage (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm).” “Scientist are working diligently to find preventions and routes to cures and vaccines (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm).”


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001171217.htm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/16/12/10-0640_article.htm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/8/3/01-0199_article.htm

Blog 8:Current Meningitis Outbreak: Is it truly linked to steroid medications?

There are a few kinds of meningitis; bacterial, fungal, and viral. “There has been nineteen deaths nationally according to the USA Today report (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/17/meningitis-outbreak-deaths/1639925/) and (http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/14/us-usa-health-meningitis-idUSBRE8970TQ20121014).”

I feel this report is important for people to know, since we all have constant contact with others. Meningitis is a crippling killer disease. “Scientists are saying that the current meningitis outbreak here in the United States, is because of the tainted steroid medications. The report stated that Food and Drug Administration officials found fifty vials contaminated with the fungus. New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Massachusetts made these contaminated vials. These particular contaminated steroid medications were given intravenously for back pain (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/17/meningitis-outbreak-deaths/1639925/).” “This form of meningitis is rare, fungal. The symptoms are fever, severe and persistent headache, stiff painful neck, especially when trying to touch the chin to the chest, vomiting, confusion, decreased level of consciousness, and seizures. There are other symptoms like sluggishness, muscle aches, weakness, tingling, or weakness throughout the body, skin rash, and dizzy spell. Meningitis is inflammation of the coverings around the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is extremely contagious. The germs that cause it can be passed from one person to another through coughing and sneezing and through close contact (http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/tc/meningitis-topic-overview).”

Meningitis is a worldwide problem.
A report stated that “bacterial meningitis remains a serious threat to global health; one hundred seventy thousand has died worldwide. Scientist has meningitis categorized in groups, Group A is a major problem in certain countries and Group B is the cause of endemic meningitis in developed countries, like this the United States (http://www.who.int/nuvi/meningitis/en/index.html).”

There are vaccines, the key of surviving meningitis is detecting and implementing antibiotics as soon as possible.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/17/meningitis-outbreak-deaths/1639925/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/14/us-usa-health-meningitis-idUSBRE8970TQ20121014
http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/tc/meningitis-topic-overview

http://www.who.int/nuvi/meningitis/en/index.html


 

Blog 7: Virus that mimic Ebola

How familiar are we concerning viruses? We know that there is no cure for AIDS, herpes simplex I and II, HPV, at this present time. Let’s face it, the flu, there is no cure, however, there are vaccines that can be given to lessen the negative effects of the flu virus that may be present that particular winter. Do you know that some viruses mutate, making it hard for scientist to create a vaccine, like AIDS.

This particular article talked about a deadly virus located in Congo. This new virus mimics Ebola, and kills just as fast, this virus is called Bas-Congo virus. “The symptoms are chills, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, nausea, sore throat, vomiting. The late symptoms are bleeding from eyes, ears, nose, mouth, rectum, and rash over the entire body that often contains blood. As many as ninety percent of patients die from the disease. Patients usually die from low blood pressure (shock) rather than from blood loss (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ebola-hemorrhagic-fever/overview.html#Symptoms ).”

This article stated that this new virus kills within three days once it enters the host and latches onto the healthy cells, a “very rapid killer.” This article also mentioned that this new virus mimics rabies. Scientists are trying to figure out the origin concerning this new virus; they believe it may be coming from insects or bats, this article stated that research has gone on for three years. Bats seem to be the origin, carriers for other existing viruses. This article mentioned about the fear of insects spreading this new virus, which could become a pandemic with no cure insight.


http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/27/14127587-new-virus-in-africa-looks-like-rabies-acts-like-ebola?lite#__utma=238145375.1765783216.1349996258.1349996258.1349996258.1&__utmb=238145375.1.10.1349996258&__utmc=238145375&__utmx=-&__utmz=238145375.1349996258.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=world%20diseases&__utmv=238145375.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc%7Chealth%7Cinfectious%20diseases=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.msnbc.msn.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=256648904

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/07/world/63-deaths-in-congo-laid-to-virus-akin-to-ebola.html 

Blog 6: Diseases - Connection between Humans and Animals

This article, “The Ecology of Diseases”, talks about how global diseases emerged. We have heard about the ecosystem; forests filter the water we drink, trees filter the air we breathe, and some animals control bug population as well as become food for humans (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).

Humans that interfere with the forests, and wildlife causes and imbalance, “infectious disease that shows that most epidemics like AIDS, Ebola, West Nile, SARS, Lyme disease, hundreds more that have occurred over the last several decades are the result of things people do to nature (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0)”.

The article states that disease is mainly an environmental issue. Sixty percent of emerging infectious diseases that affect humans are zoonotic (a disease that can be transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans). Two-thirds of those originated in wildlife (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).

Many veterinarians, conservation biologists, medical doctors, and epidemiologists are working on a global effort to understand the “ecology of disease”. They are working diligently to head off the next pandemic. This article states, “This is not only a public health issue, but an economic one”. The article goes on to say, “the International Livestock Research Institute found that more than two million people a year are killed by diseases that spread to humans from wild and domestic animals”( http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).

The article talked about how fruit bats spread viruses like Nipah virus and Hendra virus. The fruit bats habitation has been disturb causing them to find other places to dwell, which happen to be close to livestock and pastures. Preventions are being implemented to slow down the spread of these viruses and other viruses that are occurring, like at international airports, there are securities placed to search for exotic pets because most of these pets house viruses that can or may transfer to humans.

The article states “just an estimated 1 percent of wildlife viruses are known” (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Blog 5: Pertussis Disease

Everyone seen the commercial where there is a lady holding her baby close to her and talking about whooping cough and how dangerous it is to an infant. “Whooping cough, pertussis, can cause pneumonia, which can slow or stop breathing, this disease is VERY dangerous to babies (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/).” This year, according to CDC, “most states have reported more cases of pertussis infection (whooping cough) compared to 2011. As of August 2012, more than 23,000 cases have been reported across the U.S., including 13 deaths (http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/).”

There are five vaccines, DTaP vaccine, that is offered for children before they enter public schools. This is very important to know for the ones who have children and plan to have children. This DTaP vaccine series protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. This vaccine is not just limited to children before school, it can be given to preteens, teens, pregnant women, and adults. We, UNCG students should be already vaccinated or had received a booster shot in order to attend college.

In this article, "Whooping Cough: A Stealthy Illness", it states that “neither the vaccine nor the actual illness confers lifelong immunity, every three to five years there is an epidemic in the United States (
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/whooping-cough-a-stealthy-illness/).” This article went on to say that this “whooping cough epidemic may be the largest reported in fifty years”.

To avoid the whooping cough your best bet is to get vaccinated. If you have children and are aware of someone having a cold or a cough, keep your children away from that person this disease is highly contagious and can be devastating. Spread the news about getting vaccinated to protect our children. This article states that doctors are working on a better vaccine.
 
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/whooping-cough-a-stealthy-illness/
 

Blog 4: India in the Lead of Childrens' Deaths

This article talked about the deaths of children declining over a two-decade period. India accounts for a considerable amount for the children under the age five. The estimation according to this article, across the world was 6.9 million last year; in 1990, the estimation was 12 million. This decline is accredited to effective interventions to fight diseases like measles, malaria, and polio. This article stated that 1.7 million under the age of five, in India alone accounts for nearly a quarter of those deaths worldwide (UNICEF). The decline of deaths over the years in India has been slow compared to the other countries according to this article. Mr. Mohan, in this article, stated, “India has had the highest number of under five deaths for years partly because of the sheer number of births in the country.” Mr. Mohan, goes on to say, “the deaths are caused by infections, low birth weights, diarrhea, and pneumonia. The decline in deaths of children under five is due to community based intervention, newborn care and treatment of diarrhea and pneumonia” (http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/india-has-worlds-worst-child-mortality-rate/ ).

This article mentioned that in 2011, eighty-two percent of under-five deaths occurred in these two regions, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/india-has-worlds-worst-child-mortality-rate/ ).

The above article did not mention about how a large amount of India’s children is living in poverty and many of them are dying from starvation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul4RF9sCPXI). The above article mentioned about how interventions are put in place to slow down the children deaths in India. The above article never mentioned about putting an intervention in place to stop their children from starving. I went a little further in my research on India nuclear is being produced (http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf53.html ). We all know producing nuclear cost. India’s priorities are obvious and heartbreaking.

 References:
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/india-has-worlds-worst-child-mortality-rate/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul4RF9sCPXI
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf53.html
 

Blog 3: The Dengue Virus and a Vaccine

This article talked about Dengue virus vaccine this virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. The Dengue virus is a risk to half the world’s population, this virus became a worldwide problem in the 1950s (www.cdc.gov/dengue). We, in North America are familiar with West Nile virus, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes. Both viruses are dangerous. There are four types of Dengue viruses and this virus is mostly found in Puerto Rico, and other countries like Latin America and Southeast Asia, rarely found here in North America. The CDC article stated that there is an endemic in certain areas (www.cdc.gov/dengue). “The Dengue virus main symptoms are severe headache, severe eye pain, joint pain, muscle pain, bone pain, rash, mild bleeding from nose or gums, and low white cell count. The warning signs are severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, drowsiness or irritability, pale or clammy skin, and difficulty breathing. This virus can lead to death (www.cdc.gov/dengue/Symptoms/index.html).”

The article states that “the vaccine that has been tested in a large clinical trial is only 30 percent effective. Keep in mind that there are four Dengue virus types. According to the article, there is no known prevention. This article also states that World Health Organization estimates that 50 million to 100 million infections occur each year, mainly in tropical and subtropical countries. This disease now affects more than 100 countries. There is other test being done (www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/health/a-dengue-vaccine-falls-short-of-expectations.html?_r=).”

Another article “A Step Forward in the Fight Against Dengue” dated 09/12/12, two days from the original article, stated that The Lancet released the first results; “giving a mixture of both promise and unresolved challenges. There is a much larger clinical trial taking place in several countries. By 2014, the scientists should have some ideas about the effectiveness of the vaccine (www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-orin-levine/dengue-fever-vaccine_b_1873953.html).”

References:

www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/health/a-dengue-vaccine-falls-short-of-expectations.html?_r=1

www.cdc.gov/dengue

.huffingtonpost.com/dr-orin-levine/dengue-fever-vaccine_b_1873953.html

　

Blog 2: TB: Strains that are Resistant and Costly

This article talked about how Tuberculosis the “drug-resistant” kind is spreading in several countries like Estonia, Latvia, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, China, and Thailand. I went beyond this article to give a clearer understanding about Tuberculosis, TB. There are two types of Tuberculosis; 1) Pulmonary Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection within the lungs. 2) Disseminated Tuberculosis is also a contagious bacterial infection within the lungs. Both bacteria’s are called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both can be spread to other organs in the body through blood and lymph system. The Disseminated Tuberculosis also known at Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis, is the one that is raising concern because in most cases it’s “drug resistant”. This disease can be air born (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/pulmonary-berculosis/overview.html and http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/disseminated-tuberculosis).

TB is on the rise in our country and abroad. Here in the U.S. in all medical fields you are required to take a TB test upon hire and in most medical facilities a TB test every year. This article states that within the countries, I mentioned in the first paragraph, “almost 44 percent showed resistance to at least one second-line drug. The World Health Organization showed an uniform study.” This article states that a third of the world has latent (dormant) TB and it can become active if an infected person’s immune system is low. This form concentrates within certain groups, people who does not take care of themselves because of drug abuse, lack of shelter, or no way to get medical attention for a simple illness.

The cure TB can be costly; “resistant strain can cost 200 times as much as the typical TB. The treatment can take years.”

There are organizations doing research to find a vaccine that can cure without interfering with other drugs.
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/science/drug-resistant-tuberculosis-strains-show-growth-worldwide.html?_r=1


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/12/health/drug-resistant-tuberculosis-on-the-rise-in-china.html
　

Blog 1: "Stigma of H.I.V. Is a Barrier to Prenatal Care"

This article written by Donald G. McNeil Jr., talked about the stigma that is attached to pregnant women who has Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Kenya and how pregnant women refuse treatment. The article stated that the pregnant women there in Kenya, are afraid to take the Human immunodeficiency virus test because of the unfair treatment they would receive from their families and peers if their test is positive. I noticed that this article never mentioned if some of these Kenya women were raped or sexually abused and became pregnant by their predator which is infected themselves. What about the possibilities of the husbands being affected and transferring the virus to their unsuspected wives? The study that was done could have been more specific, giving a better idea or analysis to the readers on how Kenya’s pregnant women with positive test result attained the virus that lead them to think or fear how they would be mistreated by others.

This article stated that there was a study done “1,777 women in rural Nyanza Province in Kenya; only 44 percent of mothers in the province delivered in clinics, and the study found that the women feared Human immunodeficiency virus tests.” The article goes on to say that “84 percent of the women of childbearing age” tested negative. At the end of this article it was stated how a Mexican woman was mistreated because of her Human immunodeficiency virus status. This stigma concerning pregnant women who has Human immunodeficiency virus is found in many countries. In the minds of many no matter how Human immunodeficiency virus is acquired is considered a “dirty” disease, a blemish.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/health/hiv-stigma-is-a-barrier-to-prenatal-care-study-finds.html