Posts Tagged ‘infection’

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of April 26 there are 20 documented cases of swine influenza in the US. Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs that can sometimes infect humans, who can then transmit it to other humans. The current strain of virus that is circulating among humans is the H1N1 strain. The latest laboratory testing shows that this strain is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. The CDC has released guidelines on the use of these drugs, as well as how to take care of someone who is sick with the flu, available here. Also, see an interactive map of the locations of the outbreak.

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According to a new US study bed bug infections are increasing. Bed bugs are nocturnal parasites that have lived off of human blood for thousands of years. They tend to hide a few feet from their prey in places like mattress seams, crevices in bed frames, behind the headboard and loose wallpaper. Since they only come out at night to feed, bed bug bite victims will often awake with itchy, irritated skin at the site of the bites. However, it appears that the evidence for any disease transmission by bed bugs is lacking. As well, the study authors emphasize that the development of effective repellents and public education about bed bugs are important goals.

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Michigan State University researchers are suggesting that improper dieting may result in a weakened immune system that can increase your chances of getting hit hard by the flu. When looking at mice receiving adequate nutrition versus a lower calorie diet, those on the diet were not able to produce the amount of immune cells needed to fight an infection, despite consuming adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals. Although this was a mouse study, we probably didn’t need it to tell us why the results make sense on a human scale. Our bodies need energy in order to fight infections, and although vitamins and minerals are necessary, they do not provide the majority of energy we need to fuel our bodies – that role is reserved for carbohydrates, fats and proteins. This is why I always tell my patients to eat well and sleep well during flu season. Therefore, don’t believe the old saying telling you to “starve a fever.” It simply is not true.

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Public health researchers have found that women who have bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal infection, may be more susceptible to contracting HIV. It is unclear what the nature of the relationship between the two sexually transmitted diseases is. One theory is that BV changes the environment of the vagina by depleting “healthy” bacteria that usually defend against infections. BV also decreases the acidity of the vaginal environment, which may allow the HIV virus to better survive and cause infection. Full Story.