Infectious Mononucleosis, or more commonly known as “Mono” for short, is a relatively common illness among young adults. The term "mononucleosis" is a reference to the increase in your body’s mononuclear white blood cells (or lymphocytes) in your bloodstream, which is due to the EBV infection. This illness can leave you feeling extremely tired, can spike a slight fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. A persons tonsils can have a whitish coating. This is common in at least one-third of reported Mono cases. About 5% of patients develop a splotchy red rash on multiple parts of the body. This rash can have a similar appearance to a rash that is caused by Measles. Early in the course of disease, which is the first few days, a temporary swelling of both upper eyelids could also appear. Mono can also cause an inflammation of the liver and an enlargement of the spleen has been found in about 50% of patients. These symptoms can last for a range of four to eight weeks after the diagnosis. Rigorous activity and contact sports should also be avoided while having Mono and during the recovery phase after the illness is gone to prevent issues with a person’s liver and spleen. Mono is also well-known as the “kissing disease” because the virus can be spread through saliva. Patients can continue to have virus particles present in their saliva for as long as 18 months after the initial infection. Other ways to spread Mono include, but are not limited to, coughing, sneezing, and sometimes can even be spread through an infected persons’ tears. If you have mono, you can avoid giving the virus to others by not kissing anyone and by not sharing drinks, eating utensils, or toothbrushes.
Since Mono is spread between people, avoiding close contact ...
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...e used to reduce the swelling in the throat, tonsils, and spleen. Over the counter antiviral drugs have no effect on the overall outcome of mono, but they could actually prolong the course of the illness. Sometimes the symptoms of Mono can last for a duration of up to six months. This condition is called "chronic" EBV infection. Lab tests can’t confirm the continuation of the active EBV infection in people with "chronic" EBV infection.
Fortunately, the most severe complications of the Mono virus are quite rare. Mono is rarely fatal in healthy people. The rare severe complications can include destruction of red blood cells, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, inflammation of the heart muscle, and an inflammation of the brain. Mono tends to be more aggressive in people with AIDS or those who take medications to suppress the functions of the immune system.
The symptoms of mono are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes, the spleen or liver swell, also. In rare cases, heart problems develop, or the disease affects the central nervous system. Although possible, it is extremely unlikely a person will die from mono. The symptoms usually go away within two months, and although dormant, the EBV stays in the person's throat and blood for the rest of their life.
Osteonecrosis has become a subject of interest amongst orthopaedic surgeons predominantly during the last four to five decades.
Tuberculosis or TB is an airborn infection caused by inhaled droplets that contain mycobacterium tuberculosis. When infected, the body will initiate a cell-mediated hypersensitivity response which leads to formation of lesion or cavity and positive reaction to tuberculin skin test (Kaufman, 2011). People who have been infected with mycobacteria will have a positive skin test, but only ones who have active TB will show signs and symtoms. Basic signs and symptoms include low grade fever, cough with hemoptysis, and tachypnea. They may also show pleuristic chest pain, dyspnea, progressive weight loss, fatigue and malaise (Porth, 2011).
...ation period is between thirty and forty days, but it can vary depending on when the diagnosis occurs. It is possible to have the disease for several weeks and not even be aware that you have it. You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control pain and fatigue, but avoid Aspirin, as it has been proven responsible for Rye’s Syndrome in children. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is one way to prevent many diseases and infections, but Mono can occur in anyone who has come in contact with the virus.
Mumps is primarily a childhood disease, occurring most frequently between the ages of 5 to 9, although it was also known as a problem for soldiers during war because of the sanitary conditions and close proximity. For instance, in World War I only influenza and gonorrhea were more prevalent among the armies. It replicates inside the nose, throat, and regional lymph nodes. The virus incubates for about 14-18 days, and then a viremia occurs for about 3-5 days. During the viremia it can spread to the meninges, salivary glands, testes, ovaries and pancreas. Out of the infected population, 30 to 40% get swollen parotid salivary glands, with most of the rest being asymptomatic or having only respiratory problems. Around 60% of patients have asymptomatic meningitis, with up to 15% progressing to symptomatic. Encephalitis is also possible, occurring in around 5/100,000 cases. The encephalitis almost always results in some permanent hearing loss, and was historically the leading cause of hearing loss in children. Orchitis (testicular swelling) happens in up to 50% of post-pubertal males, with oophritis (ovarian swelling) happening in only 5% of women. Orchitis often results in testicular atrophy but very rarely in sterility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is when the joints are chronically inflamed, which happens because it is an autoimmune disease which means that the immune system attacks the body tissues. Although Rheumatoid Arthritis mainly affects the joints, it can also affect other organs.
...or children. The specific way of transmission is difficult to identify. Most common assumptions have been that transmission has occurred through skin lesions or by sharing blood contaminated objects. Infected saliva is another source of infection especially as a non-parental infection. The virus has the ability to enter a healthy body as an airborne disease by coughing and sneezing, from mouth-to-mouth kissing, biting or by sharing chewed toys and candies [2, airborn]
“The word 'leukemia' is a very frightening word. In many instances, it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it” - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Many people, including tons of children, fight leukemia every day trying to beat this vicious cancer. Without knowing how leukemia is exactly caused, it puts a damper on how to avoid it.
Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It begins in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside the bones. Within the bone marrow is where white blood cells are created, that help fight off bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms within the body that cause infections. The disease develops to when the white blood cells are being produced out of control. The cells that are being produced do not work properly as they should, they grow faster than a normal cell would and don’t know when to stop growing. Overtime, if not treated properly, the white blood cells will over crowd blood cells, creating a serious problem such as anemia, bleeding and infection. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs in the body causing swelling and pain.
The term neutropenia describes the situation where the numbers of neutrophils in the blood are decreased to an abnormally low level. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes or (PMNs). Neutropenia reduces the body's capability to fight off bacterial infections and fungi (such as yeast) that invade the body. Neutropenia can occur for different reasons. Some degree of neutropenia occurs in about half of all cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy, and it’s one of the most common side effects in people with leukemia. Patients who have cancer may become neutropenic because of the chemotherapy they have received, sometimes neutropenia occurs after a viral infection. People may also be born with neutropenia, and in some cases the reasons are just not known. People with neutropenia may lower the likelihood of developing an infection by paying close attention to ones hygiene, such as hand washing can help.
In conclusion meningitis is not something to take lightly. Stay vaccinated and take preventative actions because this disease is wide spread and can be fatal.
One of the most common mysteries in the world is the development of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease is when the immune system, which usually keeps your body healthy thinks that your healthy cells are antigens and attacks them. This is irony right? It is against properties of evolution for an immune system to attack itself causing sickness and possibly death if untreated. There are about 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, which usually have periods of little to no symptoms and worsening symptoms. What particularly creates confusion in the world is the autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, which affects almost about five million people worldwide.
The lymphatic system is a link of tissues and organs that help clear the poisonous toxins, waste and further unwanted elements that are inside the human body. The key function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph which is a watery fluid substance holding infection that are fighting white blood cells, all over the human body.
The Phase I trial will be discussed here as it pertains to the topic at hand. The typical treatment for cervical cancer if surgery is not a viable option – like if the cancer has spread, then called locally advanced cervical cancer – is chemotherapy and radiation treatment at the same time. This phase I clinical trial is simply looking to add ipilimumab to this regimen, but once the chemo/radiation has been completed (LACC article). Chemo and radiation destroy tumor cells, which causes tumor-associated antigens to be released. Once released, these antigens are exogenous (outside the cell) and will be presented to helper T cells to initiate an immune response.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, membranes that encase the brain and spinal cord. Although meningitis can result from protozoal or fungal infections, bacteria and viruses typically cause the often fatal disease. Known for its sudden onset of flu-like symptoms, the infection rapidly progresses into an agonizing cascade of high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, purpura (dark discolorations of the skin caused by bleeding beneath the skin), and possibly seizures. In severe cases of meningitis, limbs or extremities must be amputated due to the appearance of purpura.