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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Symptoms

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus that is transmitted from animals (most likely camels) to humans and is associated with severe acute respiratory illness, with potential multiorgan failure and death. This virus has stayed on the radar of public health authorities around the world not only due to recurrent hospital and community outbreaks, but also due to its high mortality rates.

27 Feb 2017

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Overview

In recent history, we have witnessed the emergence of several different life-threatening viruses. In addition to causing serious public health concerns around the globe, they have been responsible for significant human morbidity and mortality. Modern life that entails uncurtailed travel of humans and goods means that initially localized outbreaks may pose a risk of transmission anywhere in the world.

26 Feb 2017

Mumps Prognosis

Mumps, a notifiable disease in many countries, is a condition caused by a contagious paramyxovirus and occurs predominantly in the pediatric population. It is easily spread from one person to another via the respiratory route and has an incubation period between 12 – 25 days. Persons are not contagious early in the incubation period, but are infectious right before the classical symptoms appear, and remain communicable for at least a few more days after becoming symptomatic.

26 Feb 2017

Research on Allergies

Allergies are exaggerated immune responses to substances that would otherwise be seen as harmless. Allergies rank high on the list among the world’s most common health conditions. They begin when an allergen, the substance responsible for the reaction, causes the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which coat mast cells. On subsequent re-exposure to the allergen, IgE reacts and causes the release of histamine and other inflammatory products from mast cells. These released substances lead to several of the signs and symptoms associated with allergies.

26 Feb 2017

Pediatric Allergies

Allergies may be suspected in children who develop frequent rashes, or cough or sneeze often, or complain about upset tummies after consuming particular foods. Allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an exaggerated immune response to a substance that would otherwise not elicit an immune reaction.

26 Feb 2017

What Causes Babesiosis?

Babesiosis is a parasitic enzootic disease that is triggered by the infection of vertebrate erythrocytes with the protozoan Babesia species. Babesiosis is considered one of the most significant tick-borne infectious diseases in both domestic and wild mammals, and when it infects humans, it still poses substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This condition shares a plethora of clinical features with malaria (one of the most important parasitic diseases) and can be fatal – especially in the immunocompromised and the elderly.

26 Feb 2017

What is Babesiosis?

Notwithstanding notable progress in medicine and biomedical science, parasitic diseases still represent a burden and a threat to human health. Among a myriad of parasitic diseases, those transmitted by vectors (mainly arthropods) play a significant role. Furthermore, such diseases are very prevalent in the poorest countries of the world, affecting an extensive portion of the human population, as well as posing a health hazard in developed countries.

26 Feb 2017

Managing Symptoms of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, is a disorder believed to be caused by a deficiency in certain neuropeptides called orexins. It is often seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. Narcolepsy may be easily confused with other childhood disorders, such as depression and insomnia, because its symptoms are often nonspecific. Girls and boys are affected in equal numbers, and some studies show that up to 30% of patients are diagnosed before the age of 15 years.

23 Feb 2017

What is an Oomphalocele?

An omphalocele, which is also referred to as exomphalos, is a rare congenital defect of the abdominal wall.

23 Feb 2017

Mumps in Pregnancy

Seen mostly as a mild disease of childhood, mumps is caused by a paramyxovirus and is highly contagious. It spreads relatively quickly via the respiratory route (e.g. sneezing and coughing) and through skin-to-mucosal contact with contaminated material.

23 Feb 2017

Narcolepsy in Children

Narcolepsy is classified as a neurological disorder which is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. In children, narcolepsy with its recurring episodes of ‘sleep attacks’ can lead to social as well as academic dysfunction.

23 Feb 2017

Phyllodes Tumor Research

Phyllodes tumors are unusual tumors that begin their growth in the connective tissue of the breast. These tumors occur most often in females who are 30 to 40 years of age, although they might be found in women who are older or younger. This form of tumor accounts for less than 1% of all breast tumors.

22 Feb 2017

Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Phyllodes Tumors

Phyllodes tumors are unusual tumors of the breast that begin their growth in the connective tissue of the breast. These tumors occur most often in females who are 30 to 40 years of age, although they might be found in women who are either older or younger. They account for less than 1% of all breast tumors.

22 Feb 2017

Compressed Ulnar Nerve

Compression of the ulnar nerve causes ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome to occur. The ulnar nerve is one of the principal nerves of the upper limb. It has a long course from the neck down into the hand, passing through the elbow, and the wrist.

22 Feb 2017

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted cancer therapies, also sometimes referred to as molecularly targeted drugs or therapies, focus their action on molecular targets that are involved in the growth, progression, and spreading of cancerous cells.

22 Feb 2017

The Effects of Cancer on Family Life

A diagnosis of cancer affects not only the patient but also the family, friends, and community of the individual. Cancer and the treatments used to treat it can introduce a complex array of lifestyle changes and emotional responses, which can be difficult for family members to handle.

21 Feb 2017

What is 'Chemo Brain'?

Chemo brain is the term often used to describe the mental cloudiness or fog that cancer patients sometimes notice associated with treatment for cancer. This cognitive impairment can occur at any time before, during, or after treatment.

21 Feb 2017

Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is sometimes used in the treatment of breast cancer, usually in addition to other treatment techniques such as surgery or chemotherapy. It uses high-energy X-rays or particles to destroy cells in a localized area to reduce or eradicate cancerous growth.

21 Feb 2017

Surgery for Breast Cancer

Most women affected by breast cancer will have some form of surgery as part of their treatment plan, although the type of surgical procedure used will depend on the situation.

21 Feb 2017

Types of Breast Cancer

There are many different types of breast cancer, and each case is usually classified according to its type during the diagnostic process. This is because the type of breast cancer will affect the appropriate treatment for each patient. The most common types of breast cancer are covered in more detail below.

21 Feb 2017