In the early 1900s, rabies killed over 100 people each year. Now, the CDC states that only one to three deaths occur annually here in the United States.

Today, it’s mandatory that all dogs in the U.S., including household pets and strays, receive the rabies vaccine. Animal Control may not administer the vaccine, but the shelters that accept the strays are required to give the shot upon intake. Many expect that step to virtually eradicate rabies across the country.

In January 2017, a woman from Virginia attended a Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh, India, as noted by the CDC. Unbeknownst to her, she contracted rabies when a stray puppy bit her. Instead of seeking medical attention for the bite, she rinsed the wound with water. The report didn’t say when the woman was bitten, but when she returned home a few months later, she began experiencing some symptoms. These included flu-like symptoms, pain, and tingling in her right arm, and other signs mimicking a panic attack.

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Outbreaks around the world have made it clear that meningitis is a higher risk for college students. Now, a new study shows that this is particularly true for the meningitis B strain.

The new study points out a variety of reason for the increased risk in this one group. The difference between the main meningitis vaccine and immunizations for the B strain appears to be a major cause.

The standard meningitis vaccine that nearly all college students receive protects against four serogroups: A, C, W and Y. The vaccine to protect against serogroup B was only made available in recent years. Without a chance to get the vaccine as a child, many college-age students never received the meningitis B vaccine.

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Hepatitis B, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, can range from a mild illness (acute HBV) to a more serious, lifelong illness (chronic HBV). There has been an available vaccine for hepatitis B since 1982.

Despite this, the number of deaths from viral hepatitis rose to 1.4 million worldwide in 2016. That number surpasses the deaths from tuberculosis, HIV or malaria respectively. The HBV infection can be prevented by vaccination in early childhood. Once infected, it can even be treated with the same antiretroviral drugs used against HIV.

Although, there is still a stigma surrounding the disease that leaves millions around the globe unvaccinated, untreated, or suffering in silence.

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There are a lot of new trends in the tourism world, but arguably, one of the most interesting is volcano tourism.

There’s no trick in the name, volcano tourism is what it sounds like. Tourists are now taking trips specifically to see a live volcano erupt. People are fascinated by the power of volcanic eruptions and want to experience them first-hand.

While volcano tourism may sound exciting, it has become so popular that it is nearing the point of becoming dangerous. If you’re considering taking a trip that centers around a volcano erupting, or even if you only want to visit a volcano for a day, please practice safety at all times.

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A new saliva test can now help screen and prepare necessary preventions against malaria.

Scientists published a study in the Science of Translational Medicine Journal giving clinics a new way to help test individuals for malaria.

Currently, the only way that clinicians can check for malaria is through a blood test. While long-used, the method poses many issues.

Blood tests are invasive and harder to carry out in more rural areas. The tests are also not 100 percent effective as sometimes, individuals can test negative for malaria, only to have a subclinical infection that the blood test can’t pick up on. There are also mutations that have developed that blood tests no longer register. This has become a huge issue as individuals are deemed free of the disease. Unfortunately, they leave to unknowingly spread the parasite.

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Why is there so much sickness in the wintertime?

One explanation is that we’re all cooped up inside. People are more susceptible to germs because they aren’t spending time outdoors like they do in warm weather.

Another reason is that some viruses thrive in cold temperatures. Winter air is crisp and dry which dries out your nasal passages and sinuses. Some doctors believe that these imposters recirculate in your heating system. When you inhale them through your dry nose, they enter your body.

Typically, your body secretes mucus to line your nasal passages and sinuses. This mucus traps germs and prevents you from getting sick.

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Thailand’s slowly growing 2018 chikungunya outbreak took a dramatic leap in December. In that span, the number of reported cases jumped from almost 540 to approximately 2,140.

Just over 1,600 new patients contracted chikungunya from November to mid-December. Potential further chikungunya cases are waiting to be confirmed.

Phuket Public Health Office Chief Tanit Sermkaew discussed the rising danger with The Phuket News. “Chikungunya virus infections are increasing in areas where people live close together, especially in densely populated areas in Rassada, Wichit and Talad Yai (in Phuket Town), as well as in Rawai.”

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With the wider implementation of drones being used in a variety of different industries, it’s opened up the door for possibilities in the health sector. Drone technology may be getting us closer to helping with health issues worldwide—particularly when it comes to vaccinations.

While vaccines are available for many diseases, a lot of regions can’t gain access to those vaccines. Parts of the country may not have the ability to store these immunizations are have accessible roads. Due to this, thousands of people die each year from preventable diseases.

Recently, drone technology has successfully delivered vaccinations to a one-month-old baby in Vanuatu. The vaccines were for tuberculosis and hepatitis. The child was the first person to ever be delivered vaccinations via drone.

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During flu season, we usually know what the problem is after getting a high fever. The same goes for a bout of nausea, fatigue or body aches. From late fall through early spring, with a peak of activity occurring sometime between December and February, those symptoms tip us off to the virus. The flu comes with a set of very noticeable symptoms that often stop us in our tracks.

But, even with those troublesome signs, for most people the virus remains mild.

That’s not the case for everyone though. For older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with a compromised immune system, the flu can be very severe and in some cases lead to death.

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What goals and New Year’s Resolutions do you have as we wrap up 2018?

Maybe you haven’t thought about them yet. How about traveling more in 2019?

This post gives you the top six travel destinations for the New Year according to Lonely Planet. These great countries include nations like Sri Lanka, Germany, Zimbabwe, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, and Jordan. We’ve also added some useful travel tips with the list of each country.

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