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Showing posts from December, 2023

Symptoms of RSV, strep, flu, COVID: How to tell them apart - The Hill

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Skip to content (WGN Radio) – Feeling a little gross after the holidays? You may have one (or two, or three) of the overlapping symptoms of RSV, flu, COVID and strep. We asked Dr. Sindhu Aderson at Northwestern Medicine to run through some of the most common symptoms and treatments for each virus and bacteria, to break down the differences. With strep, the most common signs are sore throat and fevers, but not often a cough, Aderson said. When it comes to flu, you're more likely to see body aches. With COVID, one distinguishing symptom Aderson sees is fatigue, and occasionally loss of taste and/or smell. With RSV, you'll often hear wheezing and coughing as the main symptom. However, coughing is reported with all three of the viral illnesses (COVID, RSV and flu). It's less com

Cellulitis: How long does it take to heal on legs? - Harvard Health

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Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin. It develops when bacteria enter through a cut, bite, or wound — including tiny breaks in cracked, dry skin. Common skin-dwelling bacteria, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, are the usual culprits. Although cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, the most common location is the lower leg. Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, weighs in on new research that explores important questions about how long it takes to fully heal. What are the symptoms of cellulitis? The body's natural immune response to this bacterial invasion triggers a painful rash that appears red on lighter skin and dark purple on darker skin. The affected area also may be swollen and feel warm. How is cellulitis treated? The typical treatment is five to 10 days of antibiotic pil

Absence of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis in a tertiary intensive care unit in the Netherlands | Scientific Reports - Nature.com

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Abstract Mucormycosis is a severe complication in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Throughout the pandemic, a notable prevalence of mucormycosis has been observed in the Indian population, whereas lower occurrences have been reported in Europe. However, limited data exist regarding its prevalence in Europe, which is potentially underestimated due to the low sensitivity of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cultures. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of mucormycosis in a high-risk critically ill COVID-19 population in the Netherlands, and to evaluate the potential benefit of adding Mucor PCR to BAL as part of routine follow-up. In this study, we included 1035 critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to either one of the two ICUs at AmsterdamUMC between March 2020 and May 2022; of these, 374 had undergone at least one bronchoscopy. Following the AmsterdamUMC protocols, bronchoscopies were conducted weekly until clinical improvement was achieved. We cultured BAL fluid for fungi and used PCR

Typhoid - World Health Organization

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Overview Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium  Salmonella  Typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. Once  Salmonella  Typhi bacteria are ingested, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream. Urbanization and climate change have the potential to increase the global burden of typhoid. In addition, increasing resistance to antibiotic treatment is making it easier for typhoid to spread in communities that lack access to safe drinking water or adequate sanitation. Symptoms Salmonella  Typhi lives only in humans. Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. Symptoms include prolonged high fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhoea. Some patients may have a rash. Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death. Typhoid fever can be confirmed through blood testing. Epidemiology, risk factors and dis

Foodborne illness outbreak in Utah linked to raw milk - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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The Lancet  and the Coalition for Preventing Pandemics at the Source yesterday announced that they have convened the new Commission on Prevention of Viral Spillover. This commission strives to mobilize decision makers to act to limit viral spillovers through research, policy, law, and practice, reducing the risk of future pandemics. The commission said viral spillovers between animals and humans have been the source of five viral pandemics in the last century (1918 influenza, 1957–58 influenza, 1968 influenza, 2009 influenza, and HIV), and more recently, COVID-19. Commission to produce report within 3 years "Spillovers are a reminder that humans are inherently part of nature and that human wellbeing is intertwined with that of animals and the environment. As such, adopting a One Health approach when addressing viral pandemic threats is imperative," authors wrote in The Lancet. Spillovers are a reminder that humans are inherently part of nature. Th

Multistate salmonella outbreak linked to recalled diced onion products - CNN

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CNN  —  A multistate salmonella outbreak has caused at least 73 illnesses across 22 states, including 15 hospitalizations, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Close up macro of small sand fly gnat on green leaf EzumeImages/iStockphoto/Getty Images A tropical parasite, passed through the bite of a sand fly, is causing skin infections in the US The CDC has issued a food safety alert for certain diced onion products from Gills Onions that have been linked to the outbreak, and the company has issued a voluntarily recall. People should not eat or serve the recalled onions or foods made with the onions. Products include some lots of diced yellow onions (3-pound bags and 8-ounce cups),

Introduction of a New Protocol to Limit the Number of Cancelled Elective Orthopaedic Operations Due to Asymptomatic ... - Cureus

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Normal Tongue vs. Oral Thrush and Other Conditions - Verywell Health

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A normal tongue will look pink and be covered with tiny bumps called papillae (also known as "taste buds"). When your tongue is coated with creamy white patches or lesions, this is most likely due to a common fungal infection called oral candidiasis (oral thrush). However, there are other possible explanations for a white tongue, some of which may be potentially more serious, like oral lichen planus and oral leukoplakia. Other things can also cause a whitish coating on the tongue, including geographic tongue, canker sores, and benign conditions called coated tongue and "milk tongue." This article will describe a normal tongue versus one with oral thrush. It also lists other conditions that may be mistaken for thrush, including their symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. Verywell / Jessica Olah Signs of Oral Thrush Oral thrush occurs when a fungus naturally found in the body—called Candida albicans —suddenly over