Infectious Diseases Medical Library Stories & Articles

A revolutionary spray aimed at controlling hospital infections by antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" first kills the microbes and then creates an impregnable film that keeps hospital operating rooms and wards germ-free for up to 12 months. Known... ( Read more about "Miracle Mist" Lays Down Antimicrobial Shield in Hospitals)

Concern about the case of the highly resistant aids strain has not abated. In fact, there are growing numbers of reports around the country that this might not be the only case. Still, there are many questions and unresolved issues. The first... ( Read more about AIDS Strain Concern)

What is the Aids Vaccine?

The first experimental vaccine against the aids virus has been approved for test among humans. However, it combats the A strain of the virus which predominates only... ( Read more about Aids Vaccine)

There is late breaking research out that shows a new way to perform tonsillectomies in children is much less painful. There are 400,000 tonsillectomies performed each year in the u.s. It is the second most common pediatric surgery performed... ( Read more about Better Tonsillectomy)

Binge drinking can weaken the immune system and undermine the body's ability to fight infection for at least 24 hours afterwards by inhibiting certain signaling molecules that launch pro-inflammatory responses, according to research published in... ( Read more about Binge Drinking Can Temporarily Weaken Immune System)

The reports of potential human to human transmission of the bird flu in one Indonesian family have the world on edge. From health officials to financial markets, the trickle down effect has been significant. This bird flu virus has potential to... ( Read more about Bird Flu Overblown)

Last week Japan suspended all French poultry imports and threatened a similar ban on the Netherlands. Tests confirmed the deadly h5n1 strain of avian flu had hit a farm in eastern France, the first case of the virus in domestic farm birds in... ( Read more about Bird Migration)

With all the information on breast cancer now, many women are being more vigilant about being screened and followed for breast cancer. But now, a new government panel says doing high tech genetic testing should be reserved for only a small... ( Read more about Breast Cancer Gene Testing)

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. These tubes bring air from the windpipe to the tiny air sacs where the transfer of oxygen... ( Read more about Bronchitis: Causes and Treatments)

Chickenpox vaccines can protect kids from the inconvenient, uncomfortable and occasionally dangerous disease. Chickenpox is commonly thought of as an annoying childhood disease, but not one that necessarily kills. Usually this is an itchy... ( Read more about Chicken Pox Vaccine)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the battle towards prevention of sexually transmitted diseases needs to move front and center. Sexually transmitted disease prevention is a crucial issue, particularly since the rates... ( Read more about Condom Concerns)

It is perhaps the simplest, but most important part of the doctor patient visit: time when the physician or other caregiver washes his or her hands. But new research shows doctors frequently don’t clean themselves before touching the patient

This is a dirty problem we have on our hands. According to the center for science in the public interest, in the U.S. alone, there are 76 million--that’s right, million-- illnesses due to food borne pathogens each year, and five thousands... ( Read more about E. Coli Prevention | Nutrition)

A new medical study raises an important question: should anyone who is seen in an emergency room be automatically screened and treated for other essential problems and conditions that in the end affect society as a whole—such as sexually... ( Read more about Emergency Rooms and STDs)

It's that time of year when everyone gets sick, including the youngest ones. High fever in kids is quite common, with temperatures often running as high as 104. There's no question that high fever in kids can be scary for a parent. But the fear... ( Read more about Fevers in Kids)

"So I think we're looking at a shortage that's not going to be made up during this season." states Dr. Steven Baum, a flu expert at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. It is the harsh reality of this year's flu season-vaccines will be hard... ( Read more about Flu Shot Alternatives)

Flu vaccine is a little like liquid gold. at least, this year, with the huge flu vaccine shortage that’s affected the U.S., even those who should get the flu vaccine aren’t getting it. But now there’s new research to show that the limited... ( Read more about Flu Shot Scrimping)

There are two new studies which raise significant concern regarding the flu. One says that the flu shot is really not that effective in the older population which is the prime target population for vaccination. The other says the drugs we have... ( Read more about Flu Studies)

With Flu season underway, it's time to look at what these viruses are and what makes them tick. The flu virus is a nasty, yet simple organism composed of 11 genes compared to the 20,000 found in humans. What makes the flu so potentially dangerous... ( Read more about Flu Tips for This Winter)

The nation suddenly finds itself faced with an acute flu vaccine shortage, with the flu vaccine supply suddenly being cut in half. Yesterday, British regulatory officials unexpectedly froze all shipments from a major flu vaccine maker,... ( Read more about Flu Vaccine Shortage)

In recent years the scientific community has made big strides in the treatment of AIDS, meeting with considerable success in holding off progression of the disease. Now some researchers are focusing their fight on HIV prevention. As the fight... ( Read more about HIV Gel Special Report)

There is a debate on about whether it would be worthwhile to carry out early HIV testing on large sections of the population. Should our entire population get routine AIDS testing, rather than targeting those groups at high risk? There is new... ( Read more about HIV Testing)

As the effects of the flu vaccine shortage sweep the nation, the Centers for Disease Control is warning that health care workers need to make every effort to get vaccinated. Healthcare workers are a liability in terms of the spread of the flu... ( Read more about Health Care Workers & Flu Risk)

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver that has received much recent publicity. This is mostly because otherwise healthy baby-boomers who have lead prosperous and clean... ( Read more about Hepatitis - C)

A new study shows viral hepatitis C--a deadly liver infection--is becoming more prevalent in those over 40--among the baby boomers who are aging. And that means, many people in this age group are at risk now for the complications that come with... ( Read more about Hepatitis C Update)

How effective is the Hepatitis B vaccine? New research is helping scientists determine whether it lasts as long as they think it does, and whether booster shots are necessary. Since the early 1980s, the Hepatitis B vaccine has been available to... ( Read more about Hepatitits B Vaccine Study)

While anecdotes abound concerning the wound-healing power of simple honey, a researcher is conducting the first formal study designed to rigorously examine the value of the sweet liquid in healing stubborn diabetic ulcers.Honey May Heal Diabetic Ulcers)

Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a worthy goal in and of itself. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease - and can help you keep your teeth as you get older.

Dr. John Cahill explains that our world is becoming increasingly small and easy access air travel and global urbanization has created the possibility for the very real threat of pandemic. The internet has made international travel quick and... ( Read more about How Real is the Threat of Pandemic?)

The Body's Immune System:

The Immune system is a set of biological processes which work to prevent illness and disease by attacking foreign elements within.... ( Read more about Immunity - How the body defends itself)

It’s that time of year when the kids’ flu shots are flowing. But should your child get the flu vaccine? And is there enough to go around? The fact is, most of us can handle the flu pretty well. We can get sick, but we recover without serious... ( Read more about Kids and flu shots)

It is Lyme disease season again. The disease has become one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. Cases have been reported in all 50 states with the greatest number being reported in New England. Lyme disease was... ( Read more about Lyme Landscaping)

Have you every wondered or worried if you should be getting an HIV test? This coming Monday is National HIV Testing Day. It's a day when everyone should stop and consider getting an HIV test. This is an annual event put on by the National... ( Read more about National HIV Testing Day)

The human body has an array of defenses to protect itself. Our skin is a natural barrier protecting us from bacteria and viruses. The body has a natural internal thermostat that regulates body temperature despite the vagaries of the weather. ( Read more about Natural Killer Cells to the Rescue)

The cold and flu season is here, and that means more doctor visits and requests for prescription antibiotics. But new research shows going to the over the counter drug aisle in the pharmacy could provide more relief for you and save billions of... ( Read more about OTC Cold and Flu RX)

There are concerns tonight surrounding a widely used HIV test’s accuracy. There are reports it incorrectly diagnoses many as having HIV, when they in fact don’t. “With something like 40,000 new infections in the United States every year, and... ( Read more about Oral HIV Test Failure)

Emergency room patients who are most at risk for HIV are opting out of HIV testing at a huge rate amid a hospital atmosphere cold to such testing. Hospital personnel view it as too time-consuming, and insurers are reluctant to reimburse... ( Read more about Patients and Hospitals Shunning HIV Testing)

If you are a healthy individual and you get pneumonia, should you be admitted to the hospital for safety's sake? Or is it ok to be sent home with antibiotics? 4 million Americans get a routine pneumonia each year, so it's a pertinent question.... ( Read more about Pneumonia Treatment)

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia today is still the sixth largest killer in the United States. Pneumonia is the general inflammation of the lungs. This results in mucus and liquids... ( Read more about Pneumonia: Causes and Treatments)

A US outbreak of Avian Flu may kill as many as 1.9 million Americans and hospitalize 9.9 million. But is President Bush's plan on target to protect the country if a pandemic did occur here? Some health officials believe this outbreak could be... ( Read more about Prez Plan Questioned)

In the cold days of winter, seasonal cold infections continue to make their rounds, causing general distress and discomfort. However, there are ways to be proactive about your health - making exercise a daily part of your life can reduce the... ( Read more about Protect Yourself From a Cold With Exercise)

Health officials remain concerned tonight over the case reported in New York City of a man who has a rapidly progressive case of AIDS that is also resistant to multiple medications. Is this cause for alarm?

It’s a common sickness among babies especially—rotavirus causes severe diarrheal illness, enough to put children in the hospital. But now, there’s good news for parents and kids—there are two new experimental vaccines that are proving effective... ( Read more about Rotavirus Vaccines)

Your children have been vaccinated against it. But now, at least in America, German measles, or rubella is a thing of the past. Rubella was a huge problem when baby boomers were kids. Remember the old rubella vaccine umbrella campaign, urging... ( Read more about Rubella Eradicated)

A new STD home test kit attempts to make it easier for women to guard their privacy, but at the same time allow efficient testing to check the spread of STDs like gonorrhea and Chlamydia. "I think STDs are somewhat hush-hush because people... ( Read more about STD Home Test Kit)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the threat alert of the swine flu infection that is sweeping the world from 5 to 6, its highest level, officially declaring it a pandemic but making it clear that the outbreak is not exceptionally... ( Read more about Swine Flu Now an Official, but 'Moderate,' Pandemic)

Dr. John Cahill discusses some of the challenges we face with infectious diseases that are constantly emerging and changing. SARS is an example of a virus that until several years ago, we had never heard about. So the possibility of new viruses... ( Read more about The Challenge of Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Dr. John Cahill explains that though Infectious Disease specialists would like to vaccinate everyone, getting a large amount of people vaccinated can provide a barrier for most of the group. If enough of a population gets vaccinated then the... ( Read more about The Concept of Herd Immunization)

What is the Tonsillect?

The word "tonsils" ususally refer to the palatine tonsils which are a strategically placed pair of lymph nodes placed at the back of the mouth. They are a... ( Read more about Tonsillect)

What is the Rubella?

Rubella or German Measles is an infectious disease and is caused by a highly contagious virus. If a... ( Read more about Understading Rubella | Symptoms, Causes, Treatments)

What is the HIV?

The virus that causes aids is called HIV. Once it end on a person's blood stream, the aids HIV virus attaches itself to the surface of the active T-cells, then inserts its... ( Read more about Understanding HIV)

What are Measles?

Measles is a disease found around the world. The virus that causes the disease is spread by airborne infection and is one of the most contagious diseases.

What is Reyes Disease?

Reyes disease is a early childhood disease which can strike without warning. All internal organs can be affected, especially the... ( Read more about Understanding Reyes Disease | Symptoms, Causes, Dangers)

61 year old Jamie Ellis loved to start her day with a morning walk. But 2 years ago, suddenly, Jamie could barely get out of bed. "I began to ache, I had fever and I began to throw up, and I guess sometime about 8 o'clock that night I was in... ( Read more about West Nile Virus)

Once thought to be a disease that only afflicted children, whooping cough cases are now increasingly common among adolescents and adults. With two vaccines developed to protect adults against the disease, whooping cough has once more become an... ( Read more about Whooping Cough Booster Study)

How the Body Ages:

The nucleus of every cell has 23 pairs of... ( Read more about Why and How Does the Body Age?)

By Tauseef Ahmed, MD, FACP Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Oncology / Hematology at New York Medical College Your tests have come back. The news is not good and your doctor refers you to a specialist. Oncologist, Orthopedist,... ( Read more about Your First Visit)