Some of the world’s most useful vaccines protect against more than one disease. The MMR vaccine is mostly associated with measles, but prevents mumps and rubella too. The Tdap vaccine also covers three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

Now, in trying to find a vaccine for Zika, we may also have a vaccine for dengue.

A new study from January by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) offers the details. While testing an experimental vaccine, the group found that along Zika, it also helps prevent dengue.

[Read more…]

Flu cases reached nearly 19 million last week across the United States, with flu related deaths spiking.

After an early start to the season in places like Louisiana and Puerto Rico, the virus is nationwide. According to the CDC, as of early February the number of infections of flu B and flu A are about equal. The hospitalization rate for flu infections is 35.5 per 100,000, which is normal at this stage of the season. The percentage of influenza and pneumonia deaths is at 7.1%, falling just below the epidemic threshold of 7.2%.

The group suffering the most from this flu season is children. An increase of pediatric deaths in recent weeks brought the total to 78 this season.

[Read more…]

Do you remember your first bout with the flu? Probably not, since it happened decades ago.

But, your body remembers very well, at least according to a new study from the University of Arizona. The study showed the first flu virus your body encounters as a young child indicates how well your body will protect itself against the flu in the future.

This research is important, because recent flu seasons have been more dangerous than previous seasons.

[Read more…]

The human papillomavirus (HPV) remains the most common sexually transmitted infection. According to the CDC, about 79 million Americans are currently infected and around 14 million become infected with HPV each year.

Although, unlike with many other common illnesses, we have a way to prevent HPV. The widely-available HPV vaccine is nearly 100% effective against nine strains.

Upon infection, the virus can cause a wide range of health problems.

For most, it won’t show any symptoms, one of the reasons the STI is so commonly spread. But, HPV can also lead to symptoms like genital warts or something much more severe, such as cervical cancer.

[Read more…]

The rest of the world has taken strides in cholera prevention, but last week Haiti reached a milestone in their battle with cholera. The Caribbean nation has now been cholera-free for an entire year after a nine-year outbreak. Lasting most of the last decade, the outbreak caused around 820,000 cases and nearly 10,000 deaths.

According to the United Nations News, the last confirmed case occurred in January 2019. Since that boy under the age of five was infected, there have been no confirmed cholera cases.

The outbreak, which began in October 2010, was the country’s worst medical emergency since the 2010 earthquake that struck in January. For nine years, the outbreak would continue to be the worst medical emergency in Haiti.

[Read more…]

On January 30, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. With a health emergency as large as this, there were immediate calls for a vaccine. And yet, we not only lack a vaccine for coronavirus, but treatment as well.

There are over 8,000 confirmed cases globally, with six of those cases in the United States. The CDC has also confirmed the first human-to-human transmission in the U.S.

“This is nothing to be either surprised or concerned about,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, president of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC. Freiden mentioned a need to focus on how the virus is spreading in China. By looking at the virus where it started, they can better understand it and slow the outbreak.

[Read more…]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that 2020 is the start of the decade for disease elimination.

That’s not to take away from the many medical and health accomplishments in the past 10 years. But, as we enter a new decade, the WHO hopes to achieve even more in the coming years.

The organization attributes the previous successes to new commitments to health worldwide. And with those improvements, millions of lives have been saved.

But, there remains many ongoing health risks throughout the world, some of which are only getting worse. So, we enter the decade with challenges, including, “the 2020 and 2030 global elimination targets for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”

[Read more…]

After only a few decades with the vaccine, chickenpox cases have plummeted in the United States. But, that doesn’t mean the virus is completely gone. And with the virus still active, there’s a chance your child could come down with chickenpox.

Chickenpox is highly uncomfortable and when your child has it, you want to make sure that they’re as comfortable as possible.

Although, you need to be careful when treating chickenpox symptoms. Despite trying to help, you may make the situation worse and even life-threatening.

[Read more…]

Cholera outbreaks were unfortunately common in the previous decade.

The situation in Haiti lasted for nearly 10 years, with rising temperatures causing more cases in many other countries. An epidemic in Yemen even set the mark as the world’s worst cholera epidemic in history.

But, as we enter a new decade, the world’s cholera problem looks to be improving. Cholera cases dropped by 60% globally in 2018, according to the World Health Organization. The drop in cases not only shows an end to many of those previous outbreaks, but further progress in fighting the disease.

[Read more…]

Norovirus, more commonly known as the stomach flu, has caused many recent outbreaks across the United States.

The “stomach flu”, where individuals experience vomiting and diarrhea, is usually associated with influenza. Although, according to the CDC, the symptoms of influenza are not the same and are mainly respiratory. The “stomach flu” can be caused by other various viruses and bacteria.

The stomach flu can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach pain and projectile vomiting. Anyone who’s had a bout with both norovirus and the flu will note the much-worse stomach symptoms with the former.

And if you’re worried about catching the stomach flu this year, your blood type could make a big difference in infection. That’s because a new study has shown that your blood type may increase your chances of getting sick.

[Read more…]