- – AIDS
- – Common Colds
- – Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases
- – Diarrheal Diseases
- – Flu
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- – Hospital Infections
- – Infections
- – Lower Respiratory Infections
- – Maleria
- – Measels
- – Meningitis
- – Rubella
- – Salmonella
- – Tuberculosis TB)
- – West Nile
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Patients and Hospitals Shunning HIV Testing
Emergency room patients who are most at risk for HIV are opting out of HIV testing at a huge rate amid a hospital atmosphere cold to such testing. Hospital personnel view it as too time-consuming, and insurers are reluctant to reimburse hospitals for their test-related expenses.
In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that everyone visiting a hospital for a major disease condition be tested for the virus that causes AIDS, with the opportunity for them to opt out of the testing, if they so chose (Read more about Patients and Hospitals Shunning HIV Testing)
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Avoiding Colds and the Flu
While there's no sure-fire way of protecting yourself against colds or the flu, or of cutting them short, there are a number of herbs and supplements that could be of some use, according to Amanda Ursell, a nutritionist with The Times of London.
Washing your hands often, especially when near people with colds, and maintaining a strong immune system through good diet and exercise, may be the best ways of staving off infection, she says. Nonetheless, even the healthiest of people can be struck down. (Read more about Avoiding Colds and the Flu)
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The Benefits of Flu Shots During Pregnancy
Despite the long-standing recommendation for pregnant women to receive a flu shot, three-quarters of women responding to a national survey were unaware or unsure of these recommendations. Additionally, only 20 percent of women who are currently pregnant plan to get a flu shot this flu season.
The survey, conducted on behalf of the National Women's Health Resource Center, also revealed that some women even question whether the flu shot itself can pose a health risk to the baby. (Read more about The Benefits of Flu Shots During Pregnancy)
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The Truth About Colds and Flus
A cold or the flu is often a tiring, aggravating experience. But the next time you're suffering from one, remember this: allowing your body to rest while allowing the cold or flu to run its course is actually good for your long term health.
Conventional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry would like you to believe there is no "cure" for the common cold, that you should protect yourself from the flu with vaccines laden with toxic chemicals, and that it is favorable to ease symptoms with a variety of medications.
However, all three of these positions lack an understanding of what colds and flus really are, and what they mean for your body. (Read more about The Truth About Colds and Flus)
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Coughing May Be a Serious Sign
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), waking up coughing or having a prolonged cough that lasts for weeks should receive serious medical attention. Alan Goldsobel of AAAAI explains, "Coughing protects the body by removing mucus and irritating particles from the respiratory tract. Coughing is a useful function that does not always mean there is a problem. However, coughing at night, after going to sleep indicates the need for medical attention." (Read more about Coughing May Be a Serious Sign)
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The Challenges of Overseas Medical Evacuations
Dr. John Cahill explains that a number of tropical diseases, if left unrecognized or untreated, can have devastating outcomes. Unfortunately, he sees this on a daily basis. There are people who return from their travels with serious viral or parasitic infections. In good hands, it can be very easily treated, but without seeking the correct care or going to a physician who doesn't understand the implications of these diseases, they can be misdiagnosed or missed. (Read more about The Challenges of Overseas Medical Evacuations)
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The Dangers of Infections During Travel
Dr. John Cahill discusses about how traveling abroad has become very easy - it's relatively cheap, readily available, enjoyable, and a click away on the internet. But many people don't seem to realize there are health risks involved when traveling, particularly when traveling to the developing world or to the tropics. Travelers need to think about being vaccinated for diseases that might not occur in the United States. (Read more about The Dangers of Infections During Travel)
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The Challenge of Emerging Infectious Diseases
Dr. John Cahill discusses some of the challenges we face with infectious diseases that are constantly emerging and changing. SARS is an example of a virus that until several years ago, we had never heard about. So the possibility of new viruses emerging is a very real threat. Another challenge we face is bacteria evolving and growing resistant to antibiotics. It's becoming a huge problem in the developed world where we take antibiotics for granted. Doctors are constantly prescribing antibiotics and patients routinely expect to receive them for any number of minor infections. This gross distribution of antibiotics has contributed to the formation of "superbugs" that are resistant to the antibiotics we typically use. The reality is that we don't have the technology or the resources to continue developing the drugs needed to fight off all these mutations and resistance strains that keep developing. (Read more about The Challenge of Emerging Infectious Diseases)
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The Concept of Herd Immunization
Dr. John Cahill explains that though Infectious Disease specialists would like to vaccinate everyone, getting a large amount of people vaccinated can provide a barrier for most of the group. If enough of a population gets vaccinated then the potential for disease to travel across the globe, or even within U.S., is greatly diminished. In the event of a serious outbreak, we would start by vaccinating the health care providers. We would then vaccinate people serving sectors valuable to society infrastructure like police officers and firemen. (Read more about The Concept of Herd Immunization)
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How Real is the Threat of Pandemic?
Dr. John Cahill explains that our world is becoming increasingly small and easy access air travel and global urbanization has created the possibility for the very real threat of pandemic. The internet has made international travel quick and easy and soon a majority of the global population will live in close quarter urban environments. A good example is SARS, which started in China, made its way to Hong Kong, and spread throughout the world rapidly. More recently, though there have not been a large number of reported cases, Avian Influenza has the potential to be a serious threat to public health. If someone with the common Flu were to meet someone with Avian Influenza, there is a very real possibility that the two could mutate into something very virulent and spread rapidly. (Read more about How Real is the Threat of Pandemic?)
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