Finding New Ways To Disarm Deadly South American Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses

New World hemorrhagic fevers are emerging infectious diseases found in South America that can cause terrible, Ebola-like symptoms. Current treatments are expensive and only partially effective. Now, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have discovered exactly how one type of New World hemorrhagic fever virus latches onto and infects human cells, offering a much-needed lead toward new treatments. “New World hemorrhagic fevers are nasty, serious, and often fatal diseases,” says Stephen C…

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Typhoid Fever Bacteria Collect On Gallstones To Perpetuate Disease

A new study suggests that the bacteria that cause typhoid fever collect in tiny but persistent communities on gallstones, making the infection particularly hard to fight in so-called “carriers” – people who have the disease but show no symptoms. Humans who harbor these bacterial communities in their gallbladders, even without symptoms, are able to infect others with active typhoid fever, especially in developing areas of the world with poor sanitation. The disease is transmitted through fecal-oral contact, such as through poor hand-washing by people who prepare food…

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What Is Yellow Fever? What Causes Yellow Fever?

Yellow fever is an acute systemic illness – a hemorrhagic fever – caused by the Flavivirus. Acute means it comes on (onset) rapidly, while systemic means it affects the whole body. In severe cases yellow fever causes a high fever, bleeding into the skin and the death of cells in the liver and kidney. Liver damage results in severe jaundice – yellowing of the skin; hence the name “yellow fever”. The mosquito Aedes aegypti, and some other species transmit the virus to humans…

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What Are Cold Sores? What Causes Cold Sores?

Cold sores (a cold sore), also known as fever blisters, are small sores, or blister-like lesions on the face or inside the mouth. They usually cause pain, a burning sensation, or itching before they burst and crust over. Most commonly, cold sores appear on the lips, chin, cheeks, inside the nostrils, and less frequently on the gums or the palate (roof of the mouth).

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US sees rise in secondary infections after flu

U.S. health officials said on Wednesday they are seeing a worrying pattern of serious bacterial infections in swine flu patients, mostly among younger adults not normally vulnerable to them.

The pattern is typical of pandemics such as the current H1N1 pandemic but shows the need for patients and doctors to keep an eye out for the infections and treat them quickly, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters.

“We are seeing an increase of serious pneumococcal infections around the country,” Schuchat told a telephone briefing.

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A cup of Brazilian mint tea ‘can reduce pain as effectively as leading drugs’

WASHINGTON – A herb called Hyptis crenata – otherwise known as Brazilian mint, can reduce pain as effectively as leading drugs, a new study suggests.

It has been used as a traditional medicine in Brazil to treat a range of ailments from headaches and stomach pain to fever and flu.
Now researchers at Newcastle University say they …. Source  : A cup of Brazilian mint tea ‘can reduce pain as effectively as leading drugs’. Go to Source… Continue reading

Also In Global Health News: Vaccination Campaign In Liberia; Cell Phones For Family Planning Services; Global Fund In Myanmar

Liberia Aims To Reach 3M With Yellow Fever Vaccine Liberia’s Daily Observer reports on a yellow fever vaccination campaign to begin this week that will aim to inoculate 3 million Liberians.

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Caldolor(R) (Ibuprofen) Injection Demonstrates Significant Fever Reduction In Hospitalized Burn Patients

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Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. ( CPIX) announced positive new top-line results from a study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Caldolor (ibuprofen) Injection in treating fever in hospitalized burn patients.

Statistical significance was achieved for the primary endpoint of reducing fever in burn patients over the first 24 hours of treatment. The study evaluated 61 adult burn patients with second or third degree burns covering more than 10 percent total body surface area. Other participant criteria included an anticipated hospital stay of more than 72 hours and temperatures of 38.0 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) or greater… Continue reading

Mass vaccinations to fight yellow fever in Africa

Nearly 12 million Africans deemed at highest risk from yellow fever will be vaccinated next week against the virus, which can cause explosive epidemics in cities, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

The vaccination drive will span three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—starting on Monday and take about a week, the WHO said in a statement.

“Yellow fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever which can cause devastating epidemics, particularly in urban centres,” Rosamund Lewis, project leader in WHO’s yellow fever initiative, told a news briefing. Go to Source… Continue reading