Articles written by Judy Arbique
Showing 84 Articles
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Oral Herpes Treatment & Prevention
Recurrent Herpes labialis (oral herpes) infections, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, are common worldwide among adolescents and adults.
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Oral Herpes Infections
About 60% of adults and adolescents have suffered primary oral herpes infection, and to 40% of those have recurrent infections.
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Herpes simplex Virus Infection
The herpes simplex viruses cause sores on the skin and mucous membranes around the mouth, nose, eye, genital tract and rectum.
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Herpes Infection and Reactivation
The herpes family of viruses enter a latent (silent) phase of infection following initial infection, but can be reactivated resulting in recurrent infection.
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Infections Caused by Herpes Virus
Herpes viruses are second only to influenza and cold viruses in causing human disease. Fifty to eighty percent of adolescents and adults have herpes infections.
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Chlamydia trachomatis Infection
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in North America. More than 2,000,000 people in the U.S. have Chlamydia infection.
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Chlamydiae Bacteria
The Chlamydia genus of bacteria consists of four unique species that cause a variety of disease including genital tract infections and respiratory tract infections.
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Pet-Related Infections
Infections that occur in animals and can be passed to humans are known as zoonotic diseases. Contact between humans and their pets results in millions of zoonotic infecti
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Malassezia globosa and Sebum
Dandruff is caused by the rapid release of skin cells observed as skin flakes on the scalp and on the shoulder areas where flakes of skin have fallen to.
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Measures to Reduce MRSA in Sports
Weight lifters and competitive sports teams, including basketball, fencing, football, rugby, soccer, volleyball and wrestling have an increased risk of MRSA infection.
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MRSA Transmission in Schools
MRSA infection is a matter of concern for parents and facilities like schools where crowding, lack of cleanliness and contact with contaminated items are more common.
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MRSA and School Transmission
There is considerable public concern that borders on hysteria on the increased risk of MRSA transmission at school, in the locker room, or on the sports field.
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World Wars and Biological Agents
Biological agents were used as weapons as early as the 6th century B.C. and research into use of infectious agents and toxins continue even today.
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MRSA and the Community
MRSA, coined a superbug by the media, was until recently considered a hospital infection control concern but has now made its way into the community.
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Biowarfare
The first recorded accounts of biological agents being used as weapons were from the 6th century B.C.
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Slaughterhouse Sanitation
A review of slaughterhouses in Newfoundland has identified numerous health concerns causing four to be shut down and a number of others to be given conditional licences.
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Spread of Syphilis
The origin of syphilis in Europe has been debated for years. A few theories exist to explain the introduction of syphilis to Europe (and the Americas).
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Syphilis Symptoms
Syphilis untreated most often progresses from primary through secondary and latent stages to tertiary stage syphilis which involves life-threatening complications.
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Syphilis Infection
Syphilis infection has a rich history but is still a common sexually transmitted disease that has increased in prevalence in the past decade.
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Syphilis Diagnosis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. A number of laboratory test methods are used to aid in syphilis diagnosis.
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HIV Infection and Response
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) battles with cells of the host immune system to spread infection.
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Antibody Response
Antibodies circulating in the bloodstream bind to antigens that they recognize and attack them.
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T-cell Function
T-cells are activated when antigen fragments from foreign proteins bind to T-cell receptors.
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Immune Cells and Function
Lymphocytes and macrophages display a complex pattern of surface proteins (antigens) on their cell surface - these antigens are known as cluster of differentiation (CD) a
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Complement
The complement system involves specialized proteins that supplment or complement antibody action through either the classical or alternative pathways.
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HIV Escape Mutations
Escape mutations can protect HIV-1 against detection by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL); however, some of these alterations in virus structure also provide a host advantage
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Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand foot and mouth disease in humans is often confused with foot and mouth in animals. Although different viruses are responsible, both belong to the same family.
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Foot and Mouth Disease
Foot and mouth (hoof and mouth) disease should not be confused with hand, foot and mouth disease, although both viruses belong to the same family (Picornaviridae).
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The Game of War
Scientists continue to study the human immunodeficiency virus and the host cell's response to infection in an attempt to prevent, slow and/or effectively treat infection.
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H. pylori
Helicobacter pylori: how do you get it and how do you know you have it? Have you ever even heard of Helicobacter pylori?
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Peptic Ulcer Disease
Gastric and duodenal ulcers were long thought to be the cause of stress and spicy foods until Helicobacter pylori was discovered.
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Helicobacter Pylori
Helicobacter pylori causes peptic ulcer disease: gastric and duodenal ulcers.
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Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea infects mucosal membranes outside the genital tract. Serious gonococcal infections and complications can occur.
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Uncomplicated Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection (STI/STD).
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Chikungunya
Chikungunya is viral fever caused by an alphavirus. Chikungunya is spread by the bite of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes.
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Contact Care
Keeping contact lenses free of microbial contamination takes work. Compliance with lens care instructions is essential to prevent infection and eye injury.
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Cervicitis
Endocervicitis (cervicitis) is the term used to describe inflammation of the mucosal lining of the cervix.
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Sexually transmitted infection
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be caused by bacteria, viruses or parsite acquired through sexual contact.
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PID
Risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease include sexual activities, especially those involving a partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.
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STI and STD
Most sexually transmitted infections are relatively easy to cure. Untreated infection can lead to more serious complications and the risk of infecting others.
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E. coli and E. coli 0157
Most E. coli are non-pathogenic (non-disease-producing) and are referred to as commensal - the dictionary definition of commensal is "one who eats at the same table".
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the upper genital tract that can lead to infertility and other serious complications.
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Shingles Basics
In about 10%-20% of cases, chickenpox is followed later in life by shingles, characterized by a painful rash.
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Chickenpox Basics
Chickenpox (Varicella) is a highly contagious acute viral infection that is worldwide in distribution, and is preventable by vaccination.
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Mumps
Mumps is mainly a mild childhood infection of 5 to 9-year-olds, but can affect adults as well. Infection in adults is associated with more severe complications than kids.
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Trichomonas vaginalis Parasite
T. vaginalis is a cause of urethritis in men and both urethritis and vaginitis in women. The parasite is most commonly transmitted during sexual intercourse.
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Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition in which the normal flora of the vagina has been disrupted shifting from the predominance of Lactobacillus species to an overgrowth of
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Vaginitis
Vaginal infections are most commonly caused by yeast, bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis, a urethral parasite.
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Fire the Grid
The success of the "Fire the Grid" project relies on an individual committment to one hour of positive peaceful healing intention.
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Stealth-adapted viruses
A PubMed search for "stealth-adapted virus" returned 6 hits all authored by WJ Martin, four of which appeared in one edition of the same journal.
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Travel Related Illness Basics
Knowledge of risk and prevention measures can make the difference between a wonderful and a horrid travel experience.
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Traveler's Diarrhea
As many as 50,000 travelers a day suffer from traveler's diarrhea in high-risk countries. Risk is associated with destination, length of stay, and level of accommodations
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Rift Valley Fever
Illness and deaths associated with Rift Valley fever have been reported in Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania.
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Travel Associated Dengue
Travel to dengue-endemic areas is a risk for contracting dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
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Dengue
Dengue is the most important mosquito-borne viral disease affecting humans.
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Yellow Fever Vaccine
Unless you are traveling to Africa or South America, yellow fever is not an infectious travel risk that need concern you.
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Yellow Fever Infection
The yellow fever virus is believed to have originated in Africa 3000 years ago.
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Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of a mosquito during a blood meal. The disease may be mild or severe resulting in death in 5-70% of those infect
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Morgellons Syndrome
Morgellons syndrome is a condition that some people believe is caused by an as yet unidentified infectious agent. Others believe that it is delusional.
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HPV Protection
On June 8, 2006 the Food and Drug Administration approved use of the world's first vaccine against cervical and other anogenital cancers caused by HPV.
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Human Papillomavirus Infection
Human papillomavirus infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide, and causes nearly 100% of all cervical cancers in women.
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Human Papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of 100 types of viruses that account for nearly 100% of all cases of cervical cancer, and are a major cause of anal cancers.
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Alcohol Based Hand-cleansers
The effectiveness of alcohol-based hand-cleansers is dependant on the concentration of alcohol, the time of exposure, and the volume used.
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Resistance to Anti-viral Agents
Most currently available anti-viral agents inhibit viral reproduction rather than killing the virus already present.
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Anti-viral Agents
Anti-viral agents inhibit viral replication rather than eliminating viral particles already present.
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Antiviral Therapy
In order to be effective, antiviral agents must be capable of reaching the infected organ(s) and preventing viral replication without affecting host cell function.
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Noroviruses
Noroviruses are a group of single-stranded RNA, non-enveloped viruses that cause gastroenteritis in human.
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Bioremediation
Bioremediation involves the use of living organisms to clean up the environment.
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Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field that involves the use of biological systems or living organisms to manufacture products or processes that ultimately benefit humans.
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Fingernail Length and Microbes
Infections in neonatal intensive care units prompt studies to determine the relationship between the length of fingernails and potential pathogens carried on them.
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HIV Protection
A mutation in the CCR5 chemokine receptor gene has been discovered that provides protection against infection by HIV-1, the most common strain in North America.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
No doubt you are familiar with the term blood-borne pathogens, but do you understand what they are and the risks associated with becoming infected?
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C. difficile Associated Disease
Since July, nine people have died resulting from complications of C. difficile infection.
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Reducing Patient Infections
An article in our local paper last Saturday reported that one in nine patients in Canadian hospitals gets an infection before leaving hospital.
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Avian Flu Pandemic
Avian influenza A virus has the potential to evolve into a strain that can effectively be spread person-to-person.
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Hepatitis A Virus Infection
The Hepatitis A virus occurs through ingestion of fecally contaminated materials from an HAV positive source - another person, contaminated food, or contaminated water.
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Drug Resistant Bacteria
MRSA acquired by persons who have not been recently hospitalized or had a medical procedure are known as community-acquired (CA-MRSA).
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Staph and Methicillin Resistance
The emergence of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is
similar to that of penicillin resistance seen in the 1960s.
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Methicillin Resistant Staph
Superbugs have become a topic of discussion in the media. MRSA is one of the most common talked about superbugs that is now spreading from the hospital to the community.
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Foodborne Illness
A number of factors contribute to the risks of illness following consumption of contaminated foods.
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Poultry Slaughter
Not only are current methods of poultry slaughter inhumane, but they also risk contaminating poultry with organisms that cause human disease.
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Canine Parvovirus Infection
Parvovirus is a highly infectious, potentially life-threatening disease that affects puppies and dogs, and is transmitted readily through contact with feces and vomit.
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Anthrax in Cattle
Humans acquire anthrax through contact with infected animals or animal products - in areas where livestock infection is uncommon, human infection is rare.
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Anthrax and Cattle
The latest threat to Canada's beef industry, following mad-cow disease is potential hysteria over the recent outbreak of anthrax infection.
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