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.

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]