Apr
01
2006

Sexually Transmitted Disease Up In Middle Age

By | Health, Infectious Disease, Prevention

Physicians are warning that people in middle age should be vigilant about risky sexual behavior. So far it was assumed that sexually transmitted diseases are largely affecting teens and young adults, but Dr. Colm O’Mahony from Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust in the U.K. warned at a conference of the Women’s Health Education and Research Society that STD’s are not reserved for the young population. The rising divorce rate has resulted in a second wave of sexually transmitted diseases in the population over 40.

It is also a fallacy to believe that only men are affected. Women are part of the patient crowd. Often people are asymptomatic, and as a result long-term physical damage can be the result, if disease goes undetected. The most common STD remains chlamydia, but other STD’s like gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, herpes and HIV show relentless increases. It is also noteworthy that the newly single middle-age population finds it harder to handle STD’s. They are embarrassed to go to a sexual health clinic, and there is the false belief that they are not the ones at risk.

Targeted screening is the answer, especially if a person is in a new relationship. Preaching chastity has been shown not to work, reported doctors.

Sexually Transmitted Disease Up In Middle Age

Sexually Transmitted Disease Up In Middle Age

What is needed is education that empowers people to build good relationships and self-esteem and to make sensible decisions. Sex education and condoms are not just for teenagers.

More about STD’s: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/sexually-transmitted-disease/

Reference: The Medical Post, March 14, 2006, page 53

Last edited Oct. 31, 2014

Apr
01
2006

Protein Found To Fight Infections

By | Infectious Disease

A group of researchers from the Monash Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia under Dr. Jennifer Fenner have identified a protein that plays a role in the body’s defence system. Protein SOCS1 is an endogenous protein that can improve the body’s ability to fight viral infections. The study, which has been published in Nature Immunology reports that SOCS1 acts like a switch, that tells the body when to inhibit interferon, a protein produced as part of the body’s immune response. The discovery means that the relationship between SOCS1 and interferon can be manipulated and eventually specific diseases can be targeted. As a result resistance to infection can be improved, complications of inflammatory diseases can be reduced and vaccinations can be improved. Dr. Paul Hertzog of the institute’s center for Functional Genomics and Disease said that the discovery might have positive implications on a wide range of incurable diseases. Drugs available as a result from this research are still a decade away, but work on potential therapies and a vaccination is in progress.

Protein Found to Fight Infections

As most cells in the body produce SOCS1 it has the potential to become a generic treatment for a range of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Reference: The Medical Post, March 14, 2006, page 51

Last edited December 6, 2012

Feb
01
2006

Herpes Medication Successful In Mononucleosis

By | Infectious Disease

Infectious mononucleosis is a common infectious disease that affects teenagers and young adults. The nickname “Kissing Disease” sounds rather funny, but getting sick with mononucleosis- and the affected persons may not have been kissed at all! – is no fun. The virus can leave the patient unwell and lethargic for several weeks. Missing study hours or being unable to work can be a bad set back.

There is no vaccination against the Epstein-Barr virus, which is the culprit in mononucleosis, and as it is the case with viral illnesses, antibiotics are of no use. The approach so far has been the treatment of symptoms: take over-the counter medicine to bring down a high temperature, drink fluids, use an over-the counter remedy to help against a sore throat and rest. In time mononucleosis would resolve.

Dr. Henry Balfour, who is a herpes specialist at the University of Minnesota, investigated the antiviral drug acylovir (Valtrex) as an intervention for documented Epstein-Barr infections. Students who presented with symptoms of Mononucleosis within 7 days of onset were receiving 3g of valacylovir per day for 2 weeks. Samples of saliva showed a two-fold decrease of the virus load in 8 out of 10 patients. Only one student who had been untreated showed the same result. This effect points to the possibility of reducing or eliminating oral virus transmission by administering Valtrex. The other effect was a decrease in the severity of the illness. The group on medication got better faster. Dr. Balfour pointed out that the current study does have some limitations, due to the small number of participants.

Herpes Medication Successful In Mononucleosis

Herpes Medication Successful In Mononucleosis

He hopes to study the effect of another antiviral agent, valganciclovir (Valcyte) that has a longer intracellular half-life and for this reason should be even more effective.

More information on infectious mononucleosis: http://nethealthbook.com/ear-nose-and-throat-diseases-otolaryngology-ent/throat-problems/infectious-mononucleosis/

Reference: The Medical Post, page 1, 61, January 10, 2006

Last edited October 30, 2014

May
01
2005

Bird Flu Can Affect Humans

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease

Avian Influenza has received significant attention in the media: some articles label it as the new threat in influenza viruses, while others dismiss it as ” only a flu that will infect birds.” Outbreaks have been reported mainly from Asia, but the nasty virus has made it into poultry farms in North America. There is concern that avian influenza could be transmitted from uncooked birds or bird products onto humans. Avian influenza A has indeed been detected in imported frozen duck meat and infected poultry eggs.
Of particular concern is the virus strain H5N2, as it has the propensity to mutate rapidly. At this point the risk of human-to-human, and transmission remains low, but acquiring the infection from sick birds is a reality. The course tends to be more severe in people older than 12 years, while the disease in children tended to be milder and self-limiting. The symptoms in the adult age group presented as follows:
-Fever (100% of the affected patients)
-Upper respiratory tract infections (67%)
-Pneumonia (58%)
-Gastrointestinal symptoms (50%)
Abnormal laboratory test results were:
-Elevated serum aminotransferases (50%)
-Pancytopenia and bone marrow hemophagocytosis (16%)
Guidelines from the Center for Disease Control suggest that travelers to countries experiencing outbreaks of avian flu should avoid areas with live poultry (live animal markets or poultry farms).

Bird Flu Can Affect Humans

Bird Flu Can Affect Humans

Hand hygiene in the form of soap and water or alcohol-base hand sanitizers is important. All poultry products should be cooked, as heat is effective in killing viruses. It is also important to inform the health care provider about flu-like symptoms associated with recent travel; so avian influenza can be considered.
The current influenza vaccines have no protective value against the avian flu. Studies suggest that anti-viral prescription medication may work. As the viruses are becoming resistant to current medications, they are expected to have limitations in successful treatment.

More info about the Flu: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/respiratory-infections/flu/

Reference: The Canadian Journal of CME, April 2005, page 49

Look for more info about the bird flu at the CDC site of the US

Last edited October 28, 2014

Apr
01
2005

Rapid HIV Tests – Not At Home

By | Infectious Disease, Men's Health, Women’s Diseases

Consumers beware: a company from Montreal is advertising do-it-yourself home diagnostic tests, and the US regulatory body (FDA 2005 safety alerts) has issued a warning, after consumers complained about the accuracy of the tests. The tests are not approved for sale in Canada, and a company that specializes in marketing and web design is marketing them. Even though some people feel more comfortable doing an HIV home test anonymously in the privacy of their home, they do well checking first, which tests are reliable, by looking up approved test kits on sites like Health Canada’s web page.The test kits in question are as follows:
-Rapid HIV test kit
-Rapid syphilis test kit
-One step cassette-style cocaine test
-One step cassette-style marijuana (THC) test
-One step cassette-style amphetamine test
-Rapid Dengue fever test
-One step midstream style HCG urine test
-Home pregnancy test.

Rapid HIV Tests - Not At Home

Rapid HIV Tests – Not At Home

Globus Media website has been down since the FDA advisory, and no one from the company has been available for comment.

More information about AIDS and HIV: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/sexually-transmitted-disease/aids-introduction/

Reference: National Review of Medicine, Canada, March 15, 2005, page 5

Last edited October 28, 2014

Feb
01
2005

News About The Flu

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention

Every couple of years new influenza strains seem to develop in Asia and spread thru the rest of the world. When summer comes, the flu season is forgotten and the cycle repeats itself in fall and winter.

Recently there were local outbreaks of two avian influenza strains that according to the name should only affect birds (the “asian bird flu”). Based on research from these two bird flu experiences there seems to be a new way of looking at the development of human influenzas. It appears that new strains of human influenza are born in the bird population of Asia where the virus mutates into new strains. From there it spreads into human care takers (bird-to-human spread) and their contacts. Eventually the virus adapts to the human host and effective human-to-human transmission is incorporated into the DNA of the virus. Now the time is ready for a flu epidemic. It is not clear yet how long this human-to-human transmission switch takes (how many months or years). Here are more details regarding the recent two local outbreaks of asian bird flus:

1. Recently Dr. Arnold Bosman published a study in Holland. He was the health officer in charge of investigating an outbreak of influenza A, type H7N7, affecting a number of chicken farms in Holland between March and May 2003. This was the time of the SARS epidemic that caught all of the media attention at that time. About 86 poultry workers had been infected with flu like illness that caused a viral conjunctivitis of the eyes. However, one veterinarian who was in close contact with the infected birds died from respiratory distress syndrome. Using very sensitive PCR facilitated DNA test they were able to show that these infected people had all the same bird flu with the influenza strain A (type H7N7). When contacts of these people were tested a surprisingly large number, about 1000 with an estimated total of about 2000, people were also positive for antibodies to this particular more harmless strain of bird influenza.

2. The second development is regarding the recent infection of a bird flu in Vietnam that has caused many deaths. This is a much more aggressive influenza A (H5N1), which is the other bird flu that is of concern for the rest of the world. In Vietnam this bird flu type has a mortality of 76%, in other words with this new type of flu 3 out of 4 people die who get it. It all started in December of 2003 and here are the latest details about this flu type.

News About The Flu

News About The Flu

With the new study from Holland the concern among infection specialists is that there likely are a lot more healthy appearing people who become carriers of the disease (like the 2000 contacts in Holland). Experts feel that this type of flu presently might be in the stage of adapting to the human-to-human transmission mode (so far mostly bird-to-human transmission has taken place, which is still a barrier to mass transmission). When the virus has learnt to adapt to human-to-human transmission, there could be a flu pandemic with a new human strain of influenza A (type H5N1) that would rapidly sweep the world.

A Quebec/Canada company (ID Biomedical) is working on an influenza vaccine for the H5N1 virus, in preparation for a possible pandemic. The demand will be so great when a pandemic would happen, that the company is thinking of stockpiling this vaccine so that it would be available when bad news should strike.

In the meantime antiviral antibiotics such as Tamiflu (=oseltamivir) at a dose of 75 mg twice per day for 5 days started within the first two days of the flu aborts the flu effectively according to the experts. Unfortunately this antiviral antibiotic directed against the N1 component of the virus is expensive.

More background information about the flu (medically termed “influenza”): http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/respiratory-infections/flu/

Reference: The Medical Post, Jan. 18, 2005, P. 2 and 56

Last edited October 27, 2014

Dec
01
2004

New Drug Zaps the Avian Flu

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention

Introduction

Flu shots are considered the most useful precaution to control influenza, but a new drug zaps the avian flu, Tamiflu.  The avian influenza virus threatens commercial chicken flocks. This influenza type has the ability to infect humans as well; it has been a threat in Asian countries. Current influenza vaccinations do not provide immunity against the avian flu. The annual vaccination programs cannot possibly target all of the various types of influenza viruses.

Tamiflu effective against influenza A, B and avian flu viruses

British researchers have found that the neuraminidase inhibitor, which is effective against all subtypes of influenza A and B viruses, is also effective against avian influenza viruses. Senior scientist Shobana Balasingam from Queen Mary School of Medicine in London states that there is no current vaccine available should a pandemic influenza of the avian flu subtype H5N1 emerge.

New Drug Zaps Avian Flu

New Drug Zaps the Avian Flu

Tamiflu works best, if the patient takes it 24 to 48 hours after influenza symptoms start.  In two placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials 849 adult patients experienced a reduction of flu symptoms of 1.3 days. They started Tamiflu 40 hours after the beginning of flu symptoms. Patients took 75mg for 5 consecutive days. When another group started Tamiflu 24 hours after the onset of flu symptoms, the treatment outcome improved significantly. However, a higher dose of Tamiflu (150 mg twice per day) did not improve the treatment.

Prevention of influenza with Tamiflu

A clinical trial with 1559 non immunized adults showed an overall protection rate of 74% for all groups. There were some locations in Virginia where the infection rate was higher than in the rest of the US. Tamiflu achieved a protection rate of 82%. In cases where no vaccine is available against a new flu type, Tamiflu is a good alternative to protect the population against a new epidemic.

Reference

The Medical Post, November 23, 2004, page 14

Nov
01
2004

New Remedy Zaps Colds

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention

A new cold remedy has been developed in Alberta, and researchers from the University of Alberta in Calgary have concluded, that it is definitely doing the job.
Cold-FX is made of North American ginseng, and it cuts the chances of getting an upper respiratory tract infection (like coughs and sniffles) by 26 %. It cuts the chance of getting sick by 56 %. During a study, which has been released on October 5, 2004, 323 adults were tested. Researchers could also demonstrate that the disease fighting white blood cells and lymph cells increased in patients who took Cold-FX.

This study was a randomized study and was quite elaborate in its design. Symptoms of colds were assessed with a scoring system and quatitated. Here is a link to the results published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ October 25, 2005 vol. 173 no. 9 doi: 10.1503/cmaj.1041470).
This study comes in time for winter, which thanks to the new developments does not have to be the season to be sneezing…

Reference: National Review of Medicine, October 15, 2004, page 7

New Remedy Zaps Colds

New Remedy Zaps Colds

Last edited December 7, 2012

Oct
01
2004

Gum Disease Increases Stroke Risk

By | Health, Infectious Disease, Prevention

Gum disease is common, particularly in the Western civilization. It has been known for a number of years that heart attacks are associated with chronic gum infections, but whether or not strokes would also be more common in these patients was not known for certain. The purpose of a University of Helsinki study by Dr. Pussinen was to see whether patients with periodontal gum disease were objectively more at risk to develop a stroke over a period of time. Blood samples of 6950 people aged 45 to 64 were collected between 1973 to 1976. The patients were followed for 13 years and 173 developed a stroke. Blood samples for antibody studies had been taken at the beginning of the study. Two types of antibody tests were done in order to check out whether or not the body’s immune system had reacted to two of the typical pathogens that are associated with bad and chronic gum disease.

Other studies had shown earlier that the pathogens Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (in the illustration above called “type 1”) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (above called “type 2”) are associated with the initiation of hardening of arteries (atheromatous plaque formation).

Gum Disease Increases Stroke Risk

Flossing Decreases Stroke Risk

Dr. Pussinen and his group looked at indiviuals that were free of stroke or heart disease at the baseline. Among those individuals who were positive for the type 1 antibody and after adjusting for heart disease risk factors, there was a 1.7-fold risk of developing a stroke (shown as dark blue bar above). When type 2 antibody titers were tested among these stroke patients, the probability of finding a positive type 2 test was 2.6-fold higher than in appropriate controls. The authors concluded that aggressive forms of periodontitis (=bad gum disease) are an independent risk factor to develop a stroke.

Stroke risk in patients with gum disease compared to controls without gum disease (see text for details)

Gum Disease Increases Stroke Risk1

Gum Disease Increases Stroke Risk

Comments: It has been known, based on the original research from Switzerland several decades ago, that tooth decay can be prevented or slowed down by brushing our teeth following meals and in particular after sugar consumption.

Regular flossing once per day has been shown in more recent years to counteract gum disease (periodontitis). Only recently has it been shown that heart disease is directly related to infection of atheromatous plaques with Chlamydia pneumoniae and the other two pathogens mentioned above. It is here that we can make a big difference to our health. How do we prevent periodontal disease? By brushing and flossing our teeth daily. It is that simple. Well, not quite. There is one other thing: We need to cut down the amounts of sugar and starch we consume every day as this provides the micro-chemical climate in the mouth for these bacteria to multiply and this is what we want to change. This will tip the balance in our favor: healthy teeth, healthy gums, healthy blood vessels, hearts and intact brains.

To learn more about this topic, here are more links regarding gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Reference: Dr. Pussinen et al., September issue of Stroke (Stroke 2004;35:2020-2023)

Last edited Oct. 27, 2014

Oct
01
2004

Hamburger Disease – A Sizzling Problem

By | Infectious Disease, Nutrition, Prevention

One of the many strains of the bacterium E. coli (type 0157:H7) became famous after a 1982 outbreak of bloody diarrhea across the U.S. The infection could be traced back to contaminated hamburgers sold by a fast food chain. Canada also had some smaller food-related outbreaks, but a large disastrous outbreak occurred in Walkerton, Ontario. In this case the culprit was cow manure that was washed into surface water. The water was not optimally treated at the local water works and then consumed by the local community. It is important to know, that infection with E. coli bacteria can be spread in various ways as shown in this table.

Hamburger Disease – A Sizzling Problem

Hamburger Disease – A Sizzling Problem

The symptoms of infection usually present themselves after an incubation period of 3 to 8 days in the form of abdominal cramps, diarrhea that can also be bloody, and vomiting. Unfortunately, a more severe form can occur in 2 to 10% of patients due to the toxic substances of the bacterium. The dreaded form of “hamburger disease”, is medically known as hemolytic uremic syndrome, and children are at the highest risk, along with older adults or those with immune suppression (AIDS patients, cancer patients). The disease is life threatening, requires blood transfusions, dialysis and life-support therapy in an intensive-care unit setting.

Hamburger disease is caused by:
Contact with livestock (or feces)
Human-to-human contact
Consumption of non-chlorinated contaminated water
Consumption of insufficiently cooked ground beef, salami, unpasteurized milk, even vegetables like
lettuce or alfalfa sprouts that have not been washed.

Prevention is of utmost importance, and fortunately a lot of it is common sense about food safety and safe food-handling practices:

Hints to prevent Hamburger disease:
Wash your hands after handling animal and livestock after using the washroom and after changing diapers.
Wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food and handling raw meat.
Never put raw meat in contact with cooked meat and disinfect areas of meat preparation like
counters or cutting boards.
Make sure all the pink color is gone from cooked meats, and juices after cooking should never
be bloody!
Drink only pasteurized milk, fruit juices or ciders.
Never drink water from untreated sources (creeks, ponds).
Practice strict hand hygiene when dealing with persons who have diarrhea, especially when changing diapers of children with diarrhea.

Besides prevention, vigilance is important: if any case of E. coli infection has been found, the local health units have to be notified, so the source of infection can be found and further spread can be prevented.

More info on food safety: http://nethealthbook.com/health-nutrition-and-fitness/nutrition/food-safety/

Reference: The Canadian Journal of Continuing Medical Education, September 2004, Vol.16, Nr.9, pg.49.

Last edited January 4, 2015

Incoming search terms: