Sunday, January 28, 2018

Influenza or Adenovirus? What Should We Really Be Scared Of This Winter?

There is no question that this year's flu season is shaping up to be "the worst one yet" (just like every other year that we have maybe ever experienced). However, there is a possibility that some of the infected patients being admitted to hospitals and exhibiting "flu-like symptoms" don't actually have the flu. Rather, specialists are speculating that adenovirus may be causing some of these cases. This virus can cause symptoms similar to the flu like a fever, headache, and body aches. It also may cause a cough, breathing issues, or eye infections in rare cases. It is not uncommon for Adenovirus to cause infections during a flu season (even though it is most commonly found in late winter and spring). For example, in the 2014-2015 flu season, researchers tested 168 college students who were seeking treatment against the flu and found that 13 of them were actually infected with Adenovirus.

Only a few people in the United States receive a vaccine against adenovirus (mainly those in the military), so there would be no reason for people to have immunity against this virus. Some scientists are even recommending that the general public start to receive this vaccine if it is spreading through the population.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/virus-looks-flu-acts-flu-it-s-not-influenza-n840651

-Alexandra

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Viruses in Space!!

For years now, scientists have been trying to discover forms of life in space. Traces of water and seemingly unnaturally created structures lead many people to believe there may be another life form sharing the galaxy with us. However, recently Congress gave NASA a new task: search for viruses in space. Indeed, they are supposed to look for "life's origins, evolution, distribution, and future in the universe." And to many people, viruses are a great way to begin to tackle this expedition.

Viruses (as we know them) need a host to be able to replicate and transmit, to survive essentially. So, if NASA can detect some form of viruses on, for example, Mars, then there can be a strong argument made that there is some other form of life that is keeping these viruses alive. Or, maybe the viruses on Mars are self-sustaining in which case they could be argued to be a form of life. While these are all very exciting theories and goals, there is obviously a lot of work that needs to be done before we even have the technology to begin to test this hypothesis. However, the prospect of having a clear goal moving forward has many scientists reinvigorated to continue the search! 

Source: https://slate.com/technology/2018/01/nasas-been-ordered-to-search-for-life-in-space-they-should-start-with-viruses.html

-Alexandra

Two Cases of Measles in Chicago Airport

Over the past week, two separate cases of measles have traveled into the International Terminal at Chicago O'Hare airport. Just two days apart, the two travelers appear to not be related or coming from similar locations. Measles is an incredibly contagious virus, especially on planes as it is transmitted through respiratory routes. Furthermore, the virus has the potential to live in the air for up to two hours, making it incredibly contagious on long, international plane flights where hundreds of people are sitting in close proximity. 

Public health officials are currently in the process of contacting everyone on the flights to inform them of the incident. There are highly efficacious vaccines that can help prevent the onset of the virus. As Dr. Jennifer Layden of the health department stated, "It is important for everyone who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated, if they aren't already." Because the incubation period is about 10-14 days it will likely be another week before anyone who is potentially infected will start to show symptoms. Stay tuned to see how much damage this contagious virus caused. 

Source: http://time.com/5107935/measels-o-hare-airport-chicago/

-Alexandra

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Joint Task Force to Those with Egg Allergies. 'Get Your Flu Shot!'

     In the midst of what might turn out to be a particularly destructive flu season there seems to be at least a small glimmer of hope. It comes from the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters in Allergy and Immunology (JTF), a group founded in 1989 by members of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. After extensive review, the JTF has revised its flu vaccination standards for those with egg allergies, declaring that there is no longer a "need to take any special precautions. The overwhelming evidence since 2011 has shown that a flu shot poses no greater risk to those with egg allergy than those without."
     This ruling comes after decades of concerns that the flu vaccine, which is manufactured using chicken eggs, would be unsafe for people with allergies to egg proteins, as those proteins are found in small quantities in the vaccine. However, now that multiple studies have failed to show any higher risk of negative reaction to the flu vaccine in people with even severe egg allergies, it appears that the vaccine is completely safe for use in this population.
     These new guidelines will likely slightly increase the overall rate of flu vaccination, as those with egg allergies will no longer face any restrictions when receiving their flu shots. In addition young children, most likely to have egg allergies, are also the population most at risk from the flu, so this change to the guidelines seems poised to extend the protection for this vulnerable section of the population.
   - J. Cole Holderman
    News Article
    Paper

Quick, Cheap, and Effective Test Can Tell if a Patient Has a Viral Respiratory Infection

      Researchers at Yale University have discovered a method of broadly detecting viral infections quickly, easily, and for low cost. A paper in the Journal of Infectious Disease published last month details their efforts to design and evaluate the test, which is 97% effective at detecting the presence of a viral respiratory infection.
     The test works by evaluating a patient's nasal swab for levels of 3 RNAs and 2 proteins, selected because they are produced in high concentrations only by patients experiencing a viral respiratory infection. Author Ellen Foxman MD put it succinctly in an interview with Science Daily.  "Instead of looking for individual viruses, our test asks the question: 'Is the body fighting a virus?'"
          In the future this test may allow doctors to better discern between viral and bacterial infections, limiting the overuse of antibiotics and narrowing down the possible causes of illness in a patient. Researchers believe they can bring the technique to market in 1-5 years, which is remarkably fast for this type of diagnostic. Hopefully progress is swift in its ongoing development.
       -J. Cole Holderman
News Article
Paper

Thursday, January 11, 2018

‘Moderately Severe,’ Flu Season in U.S.

The flu season in the U.S. is being labeled 'moderately severe'. This is an designation of increased urgency compared to a lull of "mild" flu seasons following the 2008-2009 H1N1 pandemic flu season.

This season's flu is particularly concerning because the circulating strain, H3N2, has been shown to be more deadly to the elderly and very young from the recent flu season in Australia. This is particularly concerning because the vaccine was shown to have only a 10% efficacy in Australia, and it is the same vaccine we are currently using against the same predominating strain.

This low efficacy is not primarily due to any significant shift or drift event in the circulating virus. It is actually due to drift in the vaccine virus that has accrued mutations not relevant to the human virus. This development has elicited new cries for a universal flu vaccine.

'Moderately Severe,' Flu Season in the U.S.

~Scarlett


Measles Deaths Fall to a Record Low Worldwide

The World Health Organization just released the figures on measles mortality, and it's good news. 2016 was the first year that mortality due to measles fell under 100,000. The official figures count 89,780 measles-related deaths in 2016.

We can attribute this fall in measles deaths to the efforts of many NGOs like Gavi: the vaccine alliance and its many donors. Through the last decade, efforts have been made to establish the measles vaccine in many countries that previously did not routinely administer the vaccine. Now, many of the countries are supplying the vaccine to their citizens on their own dime rather than on the money of donors.

The recent news is a step in the right direction for the measles-eradication cause. However, low immunization rates among both developed and developing nations are threatening this vision. Wealthy pockets of the U.S. and many western European nations have experienced resurgences of measles outbreaks in recent years due to low immunization rates. The recent news is good news, but the real question is whether or not we will be able to keep up the progress.

Measles Deaths Fall to a Record Low Worldwide

~Scarlett

Trump Ends Terms of Remaining Members of H.I.V. and AIDS Council

The HIV & AIDS Council was established in 1995 under the Clinton presidency to advise on matters concerning the viral illness which, at the time, was not yet as manageable with drugs as it is now. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of Americans living with HIV, and thousands who have yet to discover their HIV positive status. Efforts by the council in recent years have been focusing on a plan to make HIV testing universal in the U.S. as well as increasing access to anti-retroviral drugs for those who need them.

On Dec 30, 2017 current President Trump dismissed the remaining 6 members of the HIV and AIDS council. Prior to this dismissal, a number of council members had resigned in protest. They cited inaction, lack of an action plan, and withdrawal of funding for existing programs as reasons for their departure.

Removal and replacement of council members are typical after the change of a presidency. In the beginning of the 2008 Obama term, Obama ended the terms of Bush's previous council and replaced them with his own appointments. The white house has made it clear that members are welcome to reapply in 2018.

Trump Ends Terms of Remaining Members of H.I.V. and AIDS Council

~Scarlett