Swine flu cases in the United States are limited in severity, but the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still making sure that the public is informed with the latest information.
The CDC's Swine Flu Web site is updated frequently throughout the day, including information on:
* Key facts on swine flu
* Symptoms of swine flu
* Antiviral drugs and swine flu
* Number of swine flu cases in the U.S. currently known
* What you can do to stay healthy
* Travel notices related to swine flu
* Guidelines for health professional, reports and publications on swine flu, and press briefings
The CDC notes that the swine virus, influenza A (H1N1), is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu) and zanamivir (brand name: Relenza).
The CDC is using social media to get the word out, and has an account on Twitter (@CDCemergency) that you can follow to get the latest information, including links to the latest bulletins.
The American public radio show The Takeaway has a handy swine flu Q&A, which also answers questions such as the difference between a pandemic vs. an epidemic, etc.
As of Monday, April 27th the U.S. Government is suggesting that Americans avoid travel to Mexico, where the swine flu has infected more people and has caused a number of deaths.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Cholera Still Killing People in the 21st Century
In the developed world the deadly disease cholera is all but extinct, but it's still killing thousands of people in less developed areas. Cholera is an acute infectious disease of the intestine that at its worst can cause watery diarrhea and vomiting, and can result in death within hours of onset. Fortunately, only one in 20 people who contract cholera will have symptoms this severe, according to the CDC.
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, and is usually contracted by consuming contaminated drinking water (or food), which unfortunately is widespread in the developing world where clean drinking water is in short supply.
More than 4,000 people have died of cholera in Zimbabwe since August 2008, but newly drilled wells are helping to reduce the death toll there. Health officials are also trying to stop cholera outbreaks in war-torn Somalia, where civilians fleeing the turmoil has led to a humanitarian emergency, and in Kenya, where cholera has killed 47 people, believed to be caused by a drought has led people to drink contaminated water.
Cholera can be treated effectively with oral hydration therapy, which gives the sufferer fluids and electrolytes to replace that lots through diarrhea. In severe cases, intravenous fluid replacement may be needed.
Learn about about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cholera in these articles from the MedLine Plus Encyclopedia, the Mayo Clinic, and MedicineNet.
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, and is usually contracted by consuming contaminated drinking water (or food), which unfortunately is widespread in the developing world where clean drinking water is in short supply.
More than 4,000 people have died of cholera in Zimbabwe since August 2008, but newly drilled wells are helping to reduce the death toll there. Health officials are also trying to stop cholera outbreaks in war-torn Somalia, where civilians fleeing the turmoil has led to a humanitarian emergency, and in Kenya, where cholera has killed 47 people, believed to be caused by a drought has led people to drink contaminated water.
Cholera can be treated effectively with oral hydration therapy, which gives the sufferer fluids and electrolytes to replace that lots through diarrhea. In severe cases, intravenous fluid replacement may be needed.
Learn about about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of cholera in these articles from the MedLine Plus Encyclopedia, the Mayo Clinic, and MedicineNet.
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