Month: April 2011

Indian chickweed

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Botanical Name :Stellaria media
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus:   Stellaria
Species:   S. media
Kingdom:   Plantae
Order:Caryophyllales

Other Names: Addre’s mouth, Chickweed, Indian chickweed, tongue grass, satin flower, star chickweed, starwort, starweed, stitchwort, winterweed, tongue-grass

Parts Used:dried herb

Habitat : Chickweed grows in many areas across the globe, especially in fields, at the side of the road, in waste areas and so on. The scape has the average length of 7 inches and is covered with round-shaped leaves. The plant is characterized by white flowers of compact size.In both Europe and North America this plant is common in gardens, fields, and disturbed grounds. Control is difficult due to the heavy seed sets. Common Chickweed is very competitive with small grains, and can produce up to 80% yield losses among barley

Description:
Chickweed is an annual or biennial weed found in abundance all over the world in gardens, fields, lawns, waste places, and along roadsides. The usually creeping, brittle stems grow from 4 to 12 inches long and bear opposite, entire, ovate leaves. The small white flowers can be found blooming all year long in terminal, leafy cymes or solitary in the leaf axils.Chickweed is a plant with a lifespan of 1-2 years.

click to see the pictures.>...(01)......(1)...(2)...(3).

Chemical Constituents:
The active constituents are largely unknown. Chickweed contains relatively high amounts of vitamins and flavonoids, which may explain some of its effect. Although some older information suggests a possible benefit for chickweed in rheumatic conditions, this has not been validated in clinical practice.

Edible Uses:
There is some data on the fact that chickweed was used as a food supplement.Chickweed is still used today as a salad herb or may be cooked as a vegetable. It is one of the ingredients of the symbolic dish consumed in the Japanese spring-time festival, Nanakusa-no-sekku.

Medicinal Uses:
Chickweed is reputed to treat a wide spectrum of conditions in folk medicine, ranging from asthma and indigestion to skin disorders. Traditional Chinese herbalists use chickweed internally as a tea to treat nosebleeds.

Being a widely-used medication in herbal medicine, this herb is known for its ability to have a positive impact on the digestive system, respiratory system and even skin. In China this plant was applied in form of a hot drink to cure nose bleeding. The plant was extensively used to treat stomachaches, digestion problems, coughs, bronchitis, various inflammations and so on. Until recently it has been considered a universal remedy for almost every disease.

It’s applications have traditionally included: bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, colds, hoarseness, rheumatism, inflammation, or weakness of the bowels and stomach, lungs, bronchial tubes.

Chickweed had been used for externallly for: skin diseases, boils, scalds, burns, inflamed or sore eyes, erysipelas, tumors, piles, cancer, swollen testes, ulcerated throat and mouth, and all kinds of wounds.

External application of chickweed is known to produce healing effect on skin sores of different types, as well as reduce inflammations locally (especially those related to throat diseases). Chickweed was even used to treat cancer.

Chickweed is used for boosting metabolism, healing inflammations, producing an expectorative effect and giving a relief from cough and respiratory diseases.

Severe skin problems like eczema and minor sores like insect bites are also regarded as cases of chickweed application. Stomach and bowel dysfunction, swollen testes, sore-throat, and various types of wounds are effectively treated by applying chickweed.

Chickweed may be useful for:
Used externally for:
Cuts, Wounds, itching and skin irritation; Skin diseases, boils, scalds, burns, inflamed or sore eyes.

Internally:
Rheumatism

Other indications include:
* Eczema
*Insect stings and bites
*Traditionally used for all cases of bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, colds, hoarseness, rheumatism, inflammation, weakness of the bowels and stomach, lungs, bronchial tubes, and any other forms of internal inflammation.

*Crushed, fresh leaves many be used as a poultice for inflammation and indolent ulcers with most beneficial results. A poultice of Chickweed enclosed in muslin is a sure remedy for a carbuncle or an external abscess. The water in which the Chickweed is boiled should also be used to bathe the affected part.

Also said to regulate the thyroid gland.

Dosage:
Although formerly used as a tea, chickweed’s main use today is as a cream applied liberally several times each day to rashes and inflammatory skin conditions (e.g., eczema) to ease itching and inflammation. As a tincture, 1-5 ml per day can be taken.

Known Hazards: S. media contains plant chemicals known as saponins, which can be toxic when consumed in large quantities. Chickweed has been known to cause saponin poisoning in cattle. However, as the animal must consume several kilos of chickweed in order to reach a toxic level, such deaths are rare.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.wildcrafted.com.au/Botanicals/Chickweed.html
http://www.holisticonline.com/herbal-med/_Herbs/h45.htm
http://www.oshims.com/herb-directory/c/chickweed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media

Edible of the Week: Chickweed (growingpeople.wordpress.com)
Urban Forager | A Green Queen in Winter (cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com)
Herb of the Day for 3/26 is Mountain Flax (witchesofthecraft.wordpress.com)
It ain’t a yard, it’s weeds. (ask.metafilter.com)
A Movement as British as Roast Beef (online.wsj.com)
Pictured: The irritating grains of pollen that look like beautiful works of art under the microscope (dailymail.co.uk)
Wild Weeds Workshop! (motherlodeholistic.wordpress.com)
Flower power: Herbalist Christopher Robbins gathers together an essential flora medicine chest (independent.co.uk)
BARBARA MCMICHAEL | Lessons in farming and foraging (kitsapsun.com)
CW Spring Wellness Series (motherlodeholistic.wordpress.com)

Tags Allergy, Alternative, Asthma, Breathing, Bronchus, Chickweed, Cough, Eczema, Health, Herb, Herbalism, Immune system, Native Americans in the United States, Oregano, Stellaria media, Taraxacum, Thyme, Traditional Chinese medicine

Ailmemts & Remedies Pediatric

Edward’s syndrome

Alternative Names:Trisomy 18 (T18), Trisomy E or Edwards syndrome

Definition:
Edward’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. It is named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960. It is the second most common autosomal trisomy, after Down Syndrome, that carries to term.

click & see the pictures

A rare genetic chromosomal syndrome where the child has an extra third copy of chromosome 18.
Trisomy 18 is caused by the presence of three – as opposed to two – copies of chromosome 18 in a fetus or infant‘s cells. The incidence of the syndrome is estimated as one in 3,000 live births. The incidence increases as the mother’s age increases. Edwards syndrome is more severe than the more common Down syndrome. Edwards syndrome causes mental retardation and numerous physical defects that often cause an early infant death.The syndrome has a very low rate of survival, resulting from heart abnormalities, kidney malformations, and other internal organ disorders. Most fetuses are aborted before term, but a live birth with this condition occurs with a frequency around 1-in-3000.

Edwards’ syndrome occurs in around one in 6,000 live births and around 80 per cent of those affected are female. However, the majority of babies with the syndrome die before birth.

It affects people from all cultural backgrounds and becomes more likely with increasing maternal age.

Symptoms:
The features and problems that develop in children with Edwards’ syndrome vary from child to child.

Typically, a child will have a small head with characteristic facial features including a small jaw and mouth, upturned nose, widely spaced small eyes with narrow eyelid folds and drooping of the upper eyelids, and low-set, malformed ears.

The hands may be clenched, with the second and fifth fingers overlapping the other fingers, and the thumbs may be underdeveloped or absent. Webbing of the second and third toes may also occur.

In addition to these features, all systems of the body may be affected. Structural malformations of the heart, kidneys, brain, digestive tract and genitals may be present and cause the child difficulties. For example, children with the syndrome often have trouble feeding and breathing, and experience delay in growth and development. Infections of the lungs and urinary system are also common.

Diagnosis:
At birth, if physical characteristics suggest the possibility of Edwards’ syndrome, this can be confirmed with genetic testing.

An ultrasound during pregnancy can often identify foetal abnormalities, providing the opportunity for genetic testing by amniocentesis.

Treatment:
There’s no cure for Edwards’ syndrome, but medical treatment of symptoms is provided as required.

Treatment focuses on providing good nutrition, tackling infections – which arise frequently – and helping the heart to function better.

Many babies with Edwards’ syndrome have difficulties with feeding, so food may be given via a nasogastric tube or directly into the stomach through a gastrostomy. Where limb abnormalities affect movement, physiotherapy and occupational therapy can help.

Emotional support for parents and other members of the family is vital, as babies with Edwards’ syndrome have a shortened life expectancy. Few survive beyond their first year.

Prognosis:
In England and Wales, there were 495 diagnoses of Edwards’ syndrome (trisomy 18) in 2008/2009, of which 92% were made prenatally. There were 339 terminations, 49 stillbirths/miscarriages/fetal deaths, 72 unknown outcomes, and 35 live births. Because approximately 3% of cases of Edwards’ syndrome with unknown outcomes are likely to result in a live birth, the total number of live births is estimated to be 37 (2008/09 data are provisional). Only 50% of liveborn infants live to 2 months, and only 5–10% survive their first year of life. Major causes of death include apnea and heart abnormalities. It is impossible to predict the exact prognosis of a child with Edwards syndrome during pregnancy or the neonatal period. The median lifespan is 5–15 days. One percent of children born with this syndrome live to age 10, typically in less severe cases of the mosaic Edwards syndrome. The small percentage of babies with the full Edwards syndrome who survive birth and early infancy may live to adulthood, and children with mosaic or partial forms of this trisomy may have a completely different and much more hopeful prognosis.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose.

Resources:
http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_third_world_medicine/volume_4_number_1_53/article/edwards_syndrome_in_a_neonate_from_a_developing_country_reasons_for_concern_a_case_report.html
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/pregnancyandchildbirth/205249.html
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/e/edwards_syndrome/intro.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_syndrome
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/edwardssyndrome2.shtml

Miscarriage, Birth Defects Linked with Cell Division Problem (livescience.com)
Severe Chromosomal Disorders: Trisomy 13 and 18 (brighthub.com)
A New Safe Blood Test to Diagnose Down Syndrome (laikaspoetnik.wordpress.com)
Prenatal Down Syndrome Now Detectable with a Simple, Accurate Blood Test (singularityhub.com)
Let Us In! #downsyndrome (osocio.org)
Down’s syndrome (atreasurechestofresources.wordpress.com)
Down syndrome families worry about new prenatal tests (ctv.ca)
Rett Syndrome in Boys (brighthub.com)
World Down syndrome Day! 21 March!!! What can You Do? (downsyndromenwfl.wordpress.com)

Tags Aneuploidy, Chromosome, downsyndrome, Edwards syndrome, Genetic disorder, Health, John H. Edwards, Pregnancy

Ailmemts & Remedies

Blepharochalasis

Definition:
Blepharochalasis is an inflammation of the eyelid that is characterized by exacerbations and remissions of eyelid edema, which results in a stretching and subsequent atrophy of the eyelid tissue resulting in redundant folds over the lid margins. It typically affects only the upper eyelids, and may be unilateral as well as bilateral.

click to see the pictures

Subjective: Lax, wrinkled, and baggy eyelid skin

Blepharochalasis results from recurrent bouts of painless eyelid swelling, each lasting for several days. This is thought to be a form of localized angioedema, or rapid accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Recurrent episodes lead to thin and atrophic skin. Damage to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle causes ptosis, or drooping of the eyelid, when the muscle can no longer hold the eyelid up.

These episodes often result in eyelid skin redundancy. In 1817, Beer initially described the condition; however, in 1896, Fuchs first assigned the term blepharochalasis to this entity. The word blepharochalasis originates from the Greek blepharon (eyelid) and chalasis (a relaxing).

Various disease stages have been observed. In 1926, Benedict described a swelling stage and a subsequent stage characterized by thinning skin. Others have suggested an active, intumescent phase that precedes a quiescent, atrophic phase.

It is encountered more commonly in younger rather than older individuals.

Symptoms:
•Droopy eyelid
•Eyelid swelling
•Stretched eyelid
•Degeneration of the eyelid
•Thin eyelids

Causes:
Blepharochalasis is idiopathic in most cases, i.e., the cause is unknown. Systemic conditions linked to blepharochalasis are renal agenesis, vertebral abnormalities, and congenital heart disease.

Complications:
Complications of blepharochalasis may include conjunctival hyperemia (excessive blood flow through the moist tissues of the orbit), chemosis, entropion, ectropion, and ptosis.

Diagnosis:
Blepharochalasis is often confused with dermatochalasis, which refers to the lax and redundant skin most commonly observed in the upper eyelids with aging. However, dermatochalasis is usually not associated with recurrent attacks of edema, “cigarette-paper” skin, and subcutaneous telangiectasia, as observed in blepharochalasis.

Treatment:-
Surgery:…

A surgeon trained to do eyelid surgery, such as a plastic surgeon or ophthalmologist, is required to decide and perform the appropriate surgical procedure. Following procedures have been described for blepharochalasis:

*External levator aponeurosis tuck
*Blepharoplasty
*Lateral canthoplasty
*Dermis fat grafts

These are used to correct atrophic blepharochalasis after the syndrome has run its course.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blepharochalasis
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1214014-overview
http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v18/n4/fig_tab/6700668f2.html

http://elementsofmorphology.nih.gov/index.cgi?tid=995a2398db7eefe2

Muscle Case Study (freecasestudy.wordpress.com)
Ectropion and Entropion (findmeacure.com)
What causes eyelid drooping? (zocdoc.com)
What’s causing my skin reaction and how to treat it? (zocdoc.com)
What causes eyelids to constantly droop? (zocdoc.com)
Bacterial Conjunctivitis (professionaleyeassociates.wordpress.com)
Allergy-Related Causes of Eyelid Rash (brighthub.com)

Tags Conditions and Diseases, Conjunctivitis, Eye Disorders, Eyelid, Health, Levator palpebrae superioris muscle, Skin, Surgery

Ailmemts & Remedies

Ectropion and Entropion

Definitions:

Ectropion:If the lower eyelid turns outwards, it starts to hang away from the eyeball and forms a small bucket or pocket.

This may not cause any problems. But as tears collect, the bucket overflows and the lower eyes may water constantly.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
In contrast, the middle part of the eyeball becomes exposed, dry and irritated, which may allow recurrent infections to occur.

When ectropion is due to ageing, usually both eyes are affected. If only one is affected, this may be the result of scarring on the eyelid or upper cheek. As this scar heals and tightens it tugs at the lower eyelid, pulling it down.

Ectropion can also occur when the nerve supplying the lower eyelid muscle has been damaged, causing the muscle to be paralysed.
Ectropion is also found in dogs as a genetic disorder in certain breeds.

Causes:
*Congenital
*Aging
*Scarring
*Mechanical
*Allergic
*Facial nerve palsy
*Anti-cancer treatments such as erlotinib, cetuximab, and panitumumab, which block the function of EGFR (the epidermal growth factor receptor).

Ectropion in dogs:…. CLICK & SEE
Ectropion in dogs usually involves the lower eyelid. Often the condition has no symptoms, but tearing and conjunctivitis may be seen. Breeds associated with ectropion include the Cocker Spaniel, the Saint Bernard, the Bloodhound, and the Basset Hound. It can also result from trauma or nerve damage. Treatment (surgery) is only recommended if there is chronic conjunctivitis or if there is corneal damage. A small part of the affected lid is removed and then the lid is sewn back together.

Entropion :When the upper, lower or both eyelids turn inwards, the eyelashes can rub against the eyeball. This irritates the eye, which can feel painful and watery. Damage to the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, may cause an ulcer to develop that can lead to loss of vision if not treated.
CLICK & SEE
Entropion usually occurs as a consequence of the ageing process. In developing countries, however, infection affecting the inner surface of the eyelid is a relatively common cause. When this heals, it can leave scar tissue that pulls the outer border of the eyelid inwards.

In a condition called trichiasis, the eyelashes grow inwards, causing identical problems to entropion.

Symptoms:
*Redness and pain around the eye
*Sensitivity to light and wind
*Sagging skin around the eye
*Excessive tearing
*Decreased vision, especially if the cornea is damaged

Causes:
*Congenital
*Aging
*Scarring
*Spasm

Entropion in dogs……..CLICK & SEE
Entropion has been documented in most dog breeds, although there are some breeds (particularly purebreds) that are more commonly affected than others. These include the Akita, Pug, Chow Chow, Shar Pei, St. Bernard, Cocker Spaniel, Boxer, Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Neapolitan Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Shiba Inu , Rottweiler, Poodle and particularly Bloodhound. The condition is usually present by six months of age. Entropion can also occur secondary to pain in the eye, scarring of the eyelid, or nerve damage. The upper or lower eyelid can be involved, and one or both eyes may be affected. When entropion occurs in both eyes, this is known as “bilateral entropion.”

Upper lid entropion involves the eyelashes rubbing on the eye, but the lower lid usually has no eyelashes, so little or no hair rubs on the eye. Surgical correction is used in more severe cases. A strip of skin and orbicularis oculi muscle are removed parallel to the affected portion of the lid and then the skin is sutured. Shar Peis, who often are affected as young as two or three weeks old, respond well to temporary eyelid tacking. The entropion is often corrected after three to four weeks, and the sutures are removed.

Treatment:
Daily eye cleansing with boiled water that’s been allowed to cool, or with an eye wash solution from the pharmacist, can help to keep the eye clean and soothe any symptoms of irritation and soreness. Any infection can be easily treated with antibiotic drops or ointment.

It’s possible to have a minor operation on the eyelid to tighten the skin and muscles. The sooner this is done the better, to avoid further damage to the eye. You may be advised to tape the eye closed to protect it until surgery is performed.

The operation is usually done as a day case under local anaesthetic.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectropion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/entropion1.shtml
http://www.cosmeticeyelids.com/wea-gallery_ectropion.htm
http://www.eyeplasticsurgery.net/patientinfo/entropion.html

retinal detachment laser surgery, visual evoked potential, phaco eye surgery (nethradhama.org)
I have a bump inside my eyelid that is itchy and has lasted a few weeks, what could it be? (zocdoc.com)
Can you tell me why my eyes have begun to water? (zocdoc.com)
English Springer Spaniel Problems (mydogscooter.wordpress.com)
What is the best treatment for an eyelid rash? (zocdoc.com)
Can blackheads form on the underside of eyelids? (zocdoc.com)
Secret to Liz Taylor’s lush lashes: a genetic mutation (bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com)
Can dust mites live in your eyelids or eyelashes (wiki.answers.com)
Woman who cannot close her eyes to blink or sleep sues plastic surgeon for negligence (dailymail.co.uk)
Hayley Williams eye makeup (orange and yellow) how-to-do. (dreamstaste.wordpress.com)

Tags Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Ectropion, Entropion, Eye, Eyelid, Neapolitan Mastiff, Shar Pei

Ailmemts & Remedies

Ebola and Other Tropical Viruses

Post author By Mukul
Post date April 14, 2011
No Comments on Ebola and Other Tropical Viruses

Definition:
Ebola and other tropical viruses are related viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers — illnesses marked by severe bleeding (hemorrhage), organ failure and, in many cases, death.

There are five types of Ebola and while infection with some (such as Ebola Reston, found in the Western Pacific) are so mild that people rarely get symptoms, other types such as Ebola Zaire (found in Africa) may be rapidly deadly.

Ebola was identified for the first time in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Southern Sudan. It is one of about 30 new diseases to affect humans over the past few decades.

Both Ebola virus and Marburg virus are native to Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred for decades. No human cases of Ebola virus have been reported in the United States.

Ebola and Marburg viruses live in one or more animal hosts, and humans can contract the viruses from infected animals. After the initial transmission, the viruses can spread from person-to-person through contact with body fluids or contaminated needles.

CLICK & SEE

Ebola was identified for the first time in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Southern Sudan. It is one of about 30 new diseases to affect humans over the past few decades.

Theories on the origins of these diseases are widespread but many of the most frightening appear to have emerged from sub-Saharan Africa. HIV, which leads to Aids, has been linked to a similar virus common in West African monkeys, and the first ever recorded HIV sample was taken from a man in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1959.

Ebola and a few other haemorrhagic fevers have been responsible for a tiny number of deaths compared to Aids, and the number of symptomatic cases reported outside Africa has been miniscule. But the devastating speed at which they strike and the far higher possibility of transmission from human to human have made the thought of a major outbreak a terrifying prospect.

However, Ebola is not the only viral haemorrhagic fever which claims lives in Africa, and beyond. Marburg fever gets its name from the town in Germany in which it broke out in 1967 and shares its symptoms with Ebola. It claimed seven lives from the 25 people infected in Marburg and Frankfurt. Those initially infected were laboratory workers exposed to African green monkeys which had been imported for research. But the majority of cases occur in Africa.

Other well-known haemorrhagic fevers are:

*Lassa fever – first noticed in the 1960s after an outbreak in Nigeria
*Rift Valley fever – mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa
*Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever – found in many parts of Africa, the Middle East and even warmer parts of the former Soviet Union, in which an outbreak is ongoing.

No effective therapy exists for the hemorrhagic fevers caused by Ebola virus and Marburg virus. People diagnosed with Ebola virus or Marburg virus receive supportive care and treatment for complications.

Symptoms;
Signs and symptoms of hemorrhagic fevers caused by Ebola virus and Marburg virus start abruptly within a few days to a week or more after infection. Early signs and symptoms include:

*Fever
*Severe headache
*Joint and muscle aches
*Chills
*Sore throat
*Weakness

Over time, symptoms become increasingly severe and may include:

*Nausea and vomiting
*Diarrhea (may be bloody)
*Red eyes
*Raised rash
*Chest pain and cough
*Stomach pain
*Severe weight loss
*Confusion, irritability or aggression
*Massive hemorrhaging from many sites, including nose, mouth, rectum, eyes and ears

Causes:
Scientists first became aware of the potential of Ebola to destroy whole communities in the mid 1970s, when severe outbreaks in Sudan and the former Zaire killed a total of approximately 440 people. The Zaire strain of the virus is the most deadly to date, proving fatal in just under 90 per cent of those who contract it.

The virus is passed on through contact with blood, secretion or bodily fluids of an infected person – those with the disease start to haemorrhage and cough up or vomit blood, so in outbreaks the disease often spreads from patients to the health care workers looking after them.

Symptoms start to appear anytime from two to 21 days later.

However, how and why each outbreak starts is completely unknown. One theory is that there is a reservoir of the virus in bats, which are unaffected by it, and the virus passes from here to non-human primates such as chimpanzees who in turn pass it on to humans who come into contact with them.

By the time symptoms appear, the virus will have reproduced itself many times and spread through the blood to many organs. The major organs it affects are the liver, kidneys, spleen and reproductive organs.

Of the other haemorrhagic fevers, Lassa fever is spread from rodents which are the natural host. Rift Valley fever is spread by mosquitoes, whilst Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever is spread by ticks

Risk factors:-

For most people — including international travelers — the risk of getting Ebola or Marburg hemorrhagic fever is low. The risk increases if you:

*Travel to or work in areas where Ebola virus or Marburg virus outbreaks have occurred, such as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire and Angola

*Conduct animal research, especially in tropical African forests, or handle primates infected with Ebola virus or Marburg virus

*Provide medical or personal care for people with Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Marburg hemorrhagic fever

*Prepare people who have died of Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Marburg hemorrhagic fever for burial

Complections:
Ebola and other tropical viruses are hemorrhagic fevers lead to death for a high percentage of people who are affected. As the illness progresses, it can cause:

*Multiple organ failure
*Severe bleeding
*Jaundice
*Delirium
*Seizures
*Coma
*Shock

Death often occurs less than 10 days from the start of signs and symptoms.

One reason the viruses are so deadly is that they interfere with the immune system’s ability to mount a defense. But scientists don’t understand why some people recover from Ebola and Marburg and others don’t.

For people who survive, recovery is slow. It may take months to regain weight and strength, and the viruses remain in the body for many weeks. People may experience:

*Hair loss
*Sensory changes
*Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
*Weakness
*Fatigue
*Headaches
*Eye inflammation
*Testicular inflammation
Diagnosis:
Ebola and other tropical viruses fevers are difficult to diagnose because many of the early signs and symptoms resemble those of other infectious diseases, such as typhoid and malaria. But if doctors suspect that you have been exposed to Ebola virus or Marburg virus, they use laboratory tests that can identify the viruses within a few days.

Most people with Ebola or Marburg hemorrhagic fever have high concentrations of the virus in their blood. Blood tests known as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can detect specific genes or the virus or antibodies to them.
Treatment
There is still no specific treatment for Ebola – no standard anti-viral therapies such as interferon have any effect. A vaccine has been produced that was 100 per cent effective in protecting a group of monkeys from the disease, but attempts to replicate the success in humans have so far proved unsuccessful. At present if someone beats Ebola, they do it by themselves, albeit with intensive medical support with intravenous fluids, and/or blood transfusions, or oral rehydration with electrolyte solutions. Survivors can be expected to make a full recovery, although occasionally reversible personality changes have been noted in such lucky patients.

Careful barrier nursing and avoidance of contamination with infected body fluids is still the best way to limit an outbreak.

Treatments in development
Scientists have developed vaccinations against both Ebola and Marburg which work on laboratory animals, and there are promising signs of some therapies that can be used on people affected. Some experiments use antibodies from the marrow of Ebola survivors. Much of the scientific work underway is focused on finding the original source of the disease – the reservoir. One project examined thousands of animals in the rainforests of West Africa in a bid to isolate those hosting the virus.

Some scientists say that the growing numbers of so-called emerging diseases are due to increasing forays by humans into the tropical forests. This brings them into contact with new creatures – and new infections – making it possible there could be even more powerful viruses waiting to play havoc in the human body.

Resources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/ebola_tropical_diseases.shtml
http://www.viviennebalonwu.com/health-notes/656/ebola-and-other-tropical-viruses-2/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ebola-virus/DS00996

http://microvet.arizona.edu/Courses/JC-MIC205/S08/MIC205%20NEWS/ebola.html

http://www.thelancetstudent.com/2010/11/30/the-lancet-seminar-ebola-haemorrhagic-fever/

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FDA Permits Marketing of First Test to Help Diagnose Dengue Fever (nlm.nih.gov)
Entering a Wild Frontier: Testing Vaccines in Apes for Apes (news.sciencemag.org)
Tekmira and AVI Win Ebola Deals, Mirador’s Idea to Prevent Hospital Errors, Tom Ranken’s New Mission, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News (xconomy.com)

Tags Conditions and Diseases, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ebola, Health, Marburg virus, Rift Valley fever, Southern Sudan, Viral hemorrhagic fever

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