DANGER VIRUSES

Overview of the Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B

2009-11-03T01:26:00.000-08:00

n the advance online edition of the Journal of Hepatology, Fattovich Giovanna and colleagues presented an overview of the natural history of chronic hepatitis B, with an emphasis on the rate of disease progression and factors influencing the course of the liver disease.

Among the major points of the review were the following:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is complex and its course is highly variable.
Chronic hepatitis B is characterized by an early replicative phase, or HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis.
This is followed by a late low or non-replication phase with HBeAg seroconversion and liver disease remission, known as the inactive carrier state.
Most infected adults become inactive carriers after spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, with good long-term prognosis.
However, progression to HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis -- due to infection with mutant HBV variants that do not express the “e” antigen --occurs at a rate of 1-3 per 100 person-years following HBeAg seroconversion.
The incidence of liver cirrhosis appears to be about twice as high in HBeAg negative compared with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients.
In patients with cirrhosis, the 5-year cumulative risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma is 17% in East Asia (where HBV is endemic) and 10% in Western Europe and the U.S.
The 5-year rate of liver-related death is 14% in East Asia and 15% in Europe.

In conclusion, the authors wrote, “There is a growing understanding of viral, host, and environmental factors influencing disease progression, which ultimately could improve the management of chronic hepatitis B.”

Hepatitis B doesn’t raise pancreatic cancer risk

2009-11-03T01:22:00.000-08:00

Contrary to popular opinion, hepatitis B doesn’t appear to increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, say researchers.

However, the overall analysis has revealed that only age is significant predictor for pancreatic cancer.

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection.

“We looked at the incidence of pancreatic cancer among hepatitis B-infected patients over a 13-year period and found that we could not confirm a higher risk for those with a previous exposure to hepatitis B, as a prior study suggested,” said Dr Jeffrey Tang, gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital and lead author of the study.

“When other factors are considered - such as age, race, sex, HIV status, and the presence of diabetes - only older age and presence of diabetes proved significant, whereas prior exposure to hepatitis B was no longer an important variable,” Tang added.

The study was presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases’ Annual Meeting in Boston. (ANI)

Prevent Swine Flue by this precautions

2009-11-03T00:56:00.000-08:00

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to cleannasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know20who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.

vaccination

2009-10-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

How the flu vaccine works

2009-10-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

swine flu propagation animation

2009-10-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Antigenic Shift - the Spread of a New, Mutated Virus

2009-10-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

Printable H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Exemption Forms Online

2009-10-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SWINE FLU ATTACK?!

2009-10-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Single-dose swine flu vaccine in the works

2009-09-05T01:03:00.000-07:00

A single-dose H1N1 swine flu vaccine may soon happen. Contrary to what was earlier expected, the vaccine against H1N1 may not be multi-dose, as results from a pilot study of Novartis H1N1 candidate vaccine revealed a strong immune response after just one shot. The vaccine might be used in trials in India as well.

Scientists from the University of Leicester, who tested the vaccine on 100 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50, found that more than 80% of the volunteers showed a strong, potentially protective immune response after one dose, with more than 90% showing the same response after two doses.

Trial leader Dr Iain Stephenson said, "The clinical trial of Novartis MF59-adjuvanted cell-based H1N1 vaccine indicates that the swine flu vaccine elicits a strong immune response and is well-tolerated. The results showed that the serum antibody responses were highest among subjects who received two doses of vaccine. However, a single vaccine may be sufficient to protect against H1N1."

The trails have a significance for India as it is one of the vaccines being eyed by India to be given to healthcare and emergency workers around February next year.

Novartis, which is presently carrying out global trials of this vaccine in more than 6,000 adults and children, has written to director general of Indian Council of Medical Research

Dr V M Katoch agreeing to carry out a separate trial in India to prove the vaccine's safety and efficacy on the Indian population.

India has been categorical that any vaccine it imports would have to undergo safety and efficacy trials on the Indian population before being introduced in the country.

The fear is that the vaccine may behave differently in Indians in comparison to people of other nationalities and may cause serious side effects like paralysis, urticaria and toxic reactions.

Dr Katoch told TOI, "Novartis has agreed to supply us this vaccine and has asked us to conduct our own trials with it. It won't really be a largescale trial but a two-month bridge study on hundreds of healthy volunteers. We will not accept data from the trials conducted in foreign countries."

According to scientists from the University of Leicester, the trial findings showed that it is possible to induce protective antibody against H1N1 infection within two weeks of administration of a single low-dose adjuvanted vaccine. This trial evaluated the tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine, and tested different schedules of vaccination, in terms of time between vaccinations.

Dr Stephenson said, "The aim of the trial was to find out how many doses and what type of vaccine is needed to give protection. These initial results should help to plan vaccination campaigns in the future. The research found the vaccine is well tolerated, with pain at the injection site the most frequent adverse event."

India plans to vaccinate 20 lakh healthcare and emergency services personnel against the deadly H1N1 virus by the end of January to start with, using an imported swine flu vaccine.

The health ministry has set aside Rs 100 crore as an interim budget to purchase these vaccines from any one the four international manufacturers -- Novartis, GSK, Sanofi Pasteur and Baxter -- whose candidates are presently undergoing human trials.

India expected the vaccine to be a double-dose vaccine and expected it to cost around Rs 500 per dose.

Interestingly, Dr Stephenson, before starting the trial had said it is almost certain two doses of vaccine will be needed. Unlike seasonal flu, where peoples bodies are partly primed to fight the virus as swine flu is a new infection none of us has met before. That’s why our body would need a priming dose and then a boosting dose. The vaccinations during the trails are being given between one-three weeks apart.

Swine flu victims came from Karnataka: Goa

2009-09-05T00:54:00.000-07:00

A 31-year-old man from Ankola in Karnataka died of swine flu Friday at a hospital in Goa. This was the second death from the H1N1 virus in this state.

"This second case is also an imported death. The patient contracted the virus in Karnataka but expired in Goa where he was admitted for treatment," state swine flu officer Jose de Sa said.

He said four H1N1 positive cases were reported in Goa on Friday.

The first swine flu death was reported in Goa on Aug 1. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in a letter to the union health ministry had said the death was wrongly attributed to Goa. The patient who died in a Goa hospital was originally from Karnataka.
The letter addressed to the Emergency Medical Relief Control room in the union heath ministry has been signed by DHS chief Rajnanda Desai.

"As per epidemiological classification, the death has to be attributed to Karwar in Karnataka because of the transmission of the virus took place there. Technically it becomes an imported case," de Sa said.

Preventing the spread of Swine Flu

2009-09-05T00:50:00.000-07:00

With the number of new cases of swine flu in the past week reaching an estimated 100,000 (Ref: BBC News) we have all become acutely aware of the importance of hygiene. TV advertising reminds us constantly that we all have a part to play in helping to control the spread of this flu pandemic.

Regular cleaning and hand cleansing with Silver Shield Gel and Liquid (with Aqua Sol Technology) is an effective way of preventing the transfer of unwanted invaders, and has become a popular alternative to other products on the market.

Scientific research is demonstrating that this form of silver has remarkable effects on a wide range of surface organisms:

• Potent cleanser and disinfectant.
• Proprietary technology is highly concentrated but non-toxic.
• Can be used topically and to purify water.
• Is completely non-toxic; no heavy metal contamination.
• Acts as an EPA-approved surface disinfectant.
• Available as a Gel, and Liquid formulation

In addition, Silver Shield Gel is the most potent silver product currently manufactured. It is completely non-toxic, safe and effective without the risk of heavy metal contamination.

How it Works
Silver Shield disables the specific enzyme that many unwanted microorganisms need to metabolize oxygen (breathe). When this enzyme becomes disabled, the microorganisms cannot thrive. Silver Shield with Aqua Sol Technology has been effective against unwanted micro-organisms when tested in vitro.

Silver Shield Gel is manufactured with a patented process called Aqua Sol Technology and uses only the finest particle size colloids to ensure maximum efficiency, providing 24ppm of silver in a clear moisturising gel. Nature’s Sunshine uses the very latest technology and cutting edge methods that provide you with only the very best quality silver products. Made with food-grade ingredients Silver Shield Gel contains no alcohol, and is safe for children.

Remember the Government Guidelines for preventing the spread of Swine Flu

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue and
• Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remotse controls) frequently

Silver Shield Gel is ideal to carry in your pocket or handbag. It can be used frequently to protect your hands when hot water and soap are not available. Because Silver Shield Gel is so safe it can also be applied around the nose and mouth, or anywhere else on the body, and is completely safe to use on children, the frail and the elderly.

To place your order and start to receive the benefits of this wonder products call Nature’s Sunshine – Quote reference 255558 and order your protection now Phone Today On 01952671600

Prevention of pig to human transmission

2009-08-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

Swine flu - treatment and prevention

2009-08-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

If you are in England, you can get antivirals to treat swine flu from a local collection point without seeing your GP. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, contact your GP or specific helpline. Reduce your risk of catching swine flu by following good hand hygiene – CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT. Antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza

Swine flu is being treated with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza. Antiviral drugs work by preventing the flu virus from reproducing - to be effective you need to take them within 48 hours of the symptoms beginning. This can reduce the risk of complications and possibly shorten the illness by a day.

If the National Pandemic Flu Service or your GP confirm you have swine flu, you will be told where your nearest antiviral collection point is so your 'flu friend' - a friend or relative who does not have swine flu - can pick up antiviral drugs for you.

Adverse reactions to Tamiflu

In some cases, antiviral medicine can cause side effects, such as:

nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
stomach ache
headache

Even if you do feel these symptoms it is important that those prescribed antiviral medicine complete the course, even if symptoms of swine flu clear and you start to feel better quickly.

Should young children be treated with Tamiflu?

The review that said children should not be treated with Tamiflu was based on seasonal flu and not swine flu.

The authors admitted that it is uncertain how much the findings of that review apply to swine flu. After all, swine flu behaves differently to seasonal flu, and past pandemics have hit younger people hardest.

All people suffering from swine flu, including young children, will continue to be offered antivirals.

The secret opened behind the AIDS

2009-08-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

AIDS originated in...

The strain of the HIV virus which predominates in the United States and Europe has been traced back to Haiti by an international team of scientists.

The strain passed from Haiti to the US in about 1969 before spreading further, says the team in the Proceedings of the US National Academy of Sciences.

They hope knowing this could help find a cure for HIV, which can lead to Aids.

"HIV-1 group M subtype B" predominates in the US, Europe, large parts of South America, Australia and Japan.

Now scientists say they know where it came from.

'Single carrier'

The team examined archived blood samples from five early Aids patients - all of them Haitian immigrants to the United States - and analysed genetic sequences from another 117 Aids patients from around the world.

With this data, they recreated a family tree for the virus, which they believe shows conclusively that the strain came to the US via Haiti - probably via a single person - in around 1969.

Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona in Tucson is one of the study's authors. He says the new research suggests HIV first arrived in Haiti in the mid-1960s - probably from Africa where HIV is thought to have originated - before making its crossing into the US.

"By 1966 the virus first starts spreading in Haiti," he told the BBC.

"A few years later one variant from Haiti gives rise to what would then light the fuse and explode around the world as the Aids pandemic that we first became aware of."

Prof Worobey and his colleagues now want to trace the strain back further. His suspicion is that it probably arrived in Haiti from the Congo via Haitians who were working in Africa during those years.

He says understanding the origins of this and other strains of HIV will better enable scientists to predict how the virus may mutate in the future.

Swine influenza also called H1N1 flu, swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu

2009-08-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

Swine influenza (also called H1N1 flu, swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus.

Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs.

As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.

Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood.

If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.

During the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became possible, allowing accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, only 50 such transmissions have been confirmed. These strains of swine flu rarely pass from human to human. Symptoms of zoonotic swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

History of Swine Flu

2009-08-19T16:50:00.001-07:00

Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs became sick at the same time as humans. The first identification of an influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs occurred about ten years later, in 1930.For the following 60 years, swine influenza strains were almost exclusively H1N1. Then, between 1997 and 2002, new strains of three different subtypes and five different genotypes emerged as causes of influenza among pigs in North America. In 1997-1998, H3N2 strains emerged. These strains, which include genes derived by reassortment from human, swine and avian viruses, have become a major cause of swine influenza in North America. Reassortment between H1N1 and H3N2 produced H1N2. In 1999 in Canada, a strain of H4N6 crossed the species barrier from birds to pigs, but was contained on a single farm.

The H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic. As well as persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also circulated in humans through the 20th century, contributing to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza. However, direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare, with only 12 cases in the U.S. since 2005. Nevertheless, the retention of influenza strains in pigs after these strains have disappeared from the human population might make pigs a reservoir where influenza viruses could persist, later emerging to reinfect humans once human immunity to these strains has waned.

Swine flu has been reported numerous times as a zoonosis in humans, usually with limited distribution, rarely with a widespread distribution. Outbreaks in swine are common and cause significant economic losses in industry, primarily by causing stunting and extended time to market. For example, this disease costs the British meat industry about £65 million every year.

Swine Flu – Facts

2009-07-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Swine influenza - Swine influenza or swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by the type A H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV). Humans in close proximity to swine could contract swine influenza if the swine are carrying the rare strain of the SIV that is capable of affecting humans.

Symptoms - Swine flu symptoms in humans are generally similar to regular flu (influenza) symptoms and include muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, lack of appetite, fever, chills, and general weakness and discomfort. Other reported symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Transmission - H1N1 flu spreads from pigs to humans when humans are close to infected pigs. People working in barns or visiting livestock exhibits housing infected pigs are likely to get affected. Transmission from humans to humans can occur when the infected individual coughs or sneezes when others are close by. Putting one's hands to the nose or mouth after touching anything with the flu viruses on it could also spread the infection. Consuming well-cooked pork and pork products won't cause infection as cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F kills bacteria and viruses, including the swine flu virus.

Treatment and medication - While swine flu can generally be cured by the four antiviral drugs approved for curing flu in the US, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir, the recent 2009 swine flu outbreak viruses have been found to be resistant to the first two drugs. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are now recommended for treatment and prevention of swine influenza.

Prevention - Swine flu can be prevented by taking certain precautionary measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap or an alcohol-based hand wash. Staying away from infected individuals is important as their coughing or sneezing could spread the infection. If instances of infection are reported in your locality, stay indoors as far as possible. Swine flue vaccine could be out by June 2009.

Symptoms of AIDS - Alarming Facts!

2009-06-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

Exposure to the HIV virus cannot be determined accurately by individuals; because as people do so many things, meet a lot of people, and live a fast-paced life, the brain gets loaded with too much information that small details, such as having a one-night stand over a couple of beers, might be forgotten. Moreover, there are no symptoms of AIDS that are evident at the onset of the infection.

There is no way for a person to know whether one has AIDS or not than to go to the nearest hospital or testing center and get tested for AIDS. This is due to the fact that one characteristic of the AIDS virus which is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has a latency period. This means that the virus stays dormant for weeks. This is also the reason why it takes at least 12 weeks for the AIDS test to show whether it is negative or positive. As such, symptoms of AIDS are not clearly manifested until such time that HIV has fully taken over the immune system.

If HIV infection produces no signs and symptoms this is referred to as asymptomatic infection. But most number of people experience symptoms similar to that of a flu accompanied by fever and rashes, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat two weeks after exposure. All these have been considered as symptoms of AIDS in its early stage. Apparently, all of these symptoms are the results of the weakening of the immune system as the human immunodeficiency virus continues to ravage a person's protective system. After these series of symptoms which is collectively known as the acute retroviral syndrome, latency period begins; this is the second stage. The virus lays dormant for a period of time. No symptom or illness is seen and the person may even appear healthy even if tests show positive for HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines the person as having an AIDS T-cell count of less than 200, wherein the normal count is between 600-1,500 T-cells; and manifesting at least 1 of the 21 AIDS defining infections characterized as opportunistic.

Symptoms of AIDS appear in 5 ways: as pulmonary infections, gastrointestinal infections, neurological and psychiatric episodes, tumors and malignancies and other opportunistic infections. Symptoms of AIDS become apparent and more pronounced during the late stages of the disease.

Prevention is clearly better than cure as the old maxim goes. True, there is still no cure for AIDS but people can always help those inflicted with the disease make their condition bearable; and for those who are free of the virus, it is better to take precautions especially in the area of sexual practices. Sexual promiscuity should be avoided. Drug dependents should stay away from drugs and start getting clean; and people in need of blood products should only go to accredited and licensed blood banks and similar establishments.

If you are not certain whether you have AIDS or not you may gather information through reading various materials, talking to friends and family or doctors who are experts in the study of venereal disease; but the best way to make sure if you have symptoms of AIDS is to have an AIDS test.

Are you not sure if you have contracted the Symptoms of AIDS? We are here to help you identify if you have contracted this virus as well as what you need to do next. Come get your FREE REPORT on checking for and fixing any potential STD problem at http://www.STDChecker.com

The Origin of HIV and the Start of AIDS

2009-06-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today all of us are aware of the terms HIV and AIDS. The disease has killed millions of people worldwide and it is estimated that 40 million people are HIV infected. We were unaware of the HIV and AIDS till early 1980. Nobody knows from where the virus came. It is all assumptions that scientists and researchers can make. Researchers have their view on the origin of HIV and start of AIDS. But how exactly one can state cannot be said. There are many theories about the origin of the HIV virus but none of them have been proved.

No record of HIV virus exists in history and it has been said that it started in central Africa and from there it started spreading slowly and slowly.

HIV was identified in 1983.Earlier the researchers found that chimps acquired the disease from eating one of their favorite preys: monkeys.

"Chimps are 98 percent genetically the same as humans, and they do not get sick from HIV. This is an especially important clue for developing an HIV vaccine", the researchers said. "Understanding what prevents chimps from getting sick would help scientists duplicate resistance to AIDS symptoms in humans."

Researchers say, "Chimps likely picked up viruses from both types of monkeys, and eventually a hybrid formed". The researchers said, "That probably happened tens of thousands of years ago, which may have given chimps an opportunity to evolve resistance to an AIDS-like disease."

Some researchers say that virus related to HIV is found in monkeys in Africa. Many scientists believe that the first humans got the HIV virus from monkeys by eating them as food or being scratched or bitten by them. It is possible that during preparation of the food or butchering the meat the infected blood could have entered the human body through a cut.

A Canadian flight attendant, nicknamed "patient zero" dies of AIDS as he had sexual connection with several of the first victims of AIDS. It is believed that he is responsible for introducing the virus into the general population. By 1984 there are almost 8000 confirmed cases in the US, with 3700 confirmed deaths.

It is also said that the AIDS virus was first discovered by Robert at the National Cancer Institute in April 1984.
The two 'co-discoverers' of HIV continue to disagree about the origin of HIV and the birthplace of AIDS till date.

In the middle 1980s the Human Virus (HIV) was identified by French and American scientists as virus that leads to AIDS.

During Mid - late 1990s there was significant increase in HIV in drug users due to injection of drug, Aboriginal peoples, women, and street-involved youth.

Today, after so much of research and studies about the origin of HIV and start of AIDS the main goal of the scientists is to reduce and eradicate the HIV virus that causes the incurable AIDS.

A Brief Description of AIDS

2009-06-06T12:24:00.001-07:00

The waltz of death hovers above the ten million of the over one billion youth in the age group of fifteen and twenty four and an average of six thousand are getting infected every day with the deadly virus. To the dismay of all, forty million deaths in this millennium are predicted. AIDS - the most dreadful and deadliest scourge that has afflicted mankind in the twentieth century. The very name sends a chill down the spine.

Shock, panic, shame, anguish, disgust and vulnerability have captured man, the most brilliant of all creatures. Nothing could shatter the edifice so much so that the whole world now is stark raving mad. With dime-a-dozen misconceptions enfolding, the disease and no cure in the vicinity, it is really difficult to cope with this problem. Before going deep into the how and where, let's see what this thorn in the flesh called AIDS primarily is.

AIDS is the acronym for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is a disease which weakens the bodies immune system thereby making the body vulnerable to other infections. Infections known as "opportunistic infections" and other illnesses capitalize on this condition of the body and thrive on it.

HIV, acronym for Human Immune-Deficiency Virus is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV, hailing from a group of viruses called retroviruses, infects human cells. It grows and multiplies using the energy and nutrients provided by those cells. The virus enters the body of a person and multiplies in the white blood cells that guard the entire immune system from infectious diseases.

HIV destroys a specific type of immune cell called the T-helper or CD4. The HIV virus aims at the T-cells as it recognizes the CD4 protein on its surface. These viruses, considerably smaller than the host T-cells grow using it's host's cellular resources! The body desperately tries to replace the infected ones by producing billions of T cells, but right from the word go it fights a losing battle.

By reverse transcriptase RNA, the genetic material of the virus is converted into complementary DNA. This DNA is integrated into the host genome. This is the preliminary stage of infection. This latent phase of the infection can continue without showing any symptoms. The infected person if tested at this stage shows the signs of being HIV positive but AIDS negative. As the virus multiplies in the body it damages these cells and paves the way for other fatal diseases like pneumonia and cancer. The HIV virus lives in the lymph nodes, which are an integral part of the immune system. These lymph nodes, with their net like structures that act as a protective shield or filter, catch the infected T-cells and virus. Thus the healthy T-cells also get polluted as they pass through infected lymph nodes.

There are two major categories of HIV, namely HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1, with 10 subtypes, is the most common. This form is prevalent in the US. HIV-2 is not that active and is restricted to West Africa, where it is fast spreading. Now how and where did this scary disease first make its drastic presence? Debates and arguments are in full swing where in a licentious flight attendant to an ill-planned vaccine programme are held responsible.

Notes on AIDS and HIV

2009-06-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

In 1981, scientists in the United States and France first recognized the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which was later discovered to be caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV breaks down the body's immunity to infections leading to AIDS. The virus can lie hidden in the body for up to 10 years without producing any obvious symptoms or before developing into the AIDS disease, and in the meantime the person can unknowingly infect others. Currently, an estimated 40 million people worldwide are HIV carriers, and three million a year are dying of AIDS.

HIV lives in white blood cells and is present in the sexual fluids of humans. It's difficult to catch and is spread mostly through sexual intercourse, by needle or syringe sharing among intravenous drug users, in blood transfusions, and during pregnancy and birth (if the mother is infected). Using another person's razor blade or having your body pierced or tattooed are also risky, but the HIV virus cannot be transmitted by shaking hands, kissing, cuddling, fondling, sneezing, cooking food, or sharing eating or drinking utensils. One cannot be infected by saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces; toilet seats, telephones, swimming pools, or mosquito bites do not cause AIDS. Ostracizing a known AIDS victim is not only immoral but also absurd.

Most blood banks now screen their products for HIV, and you can protect yourself against dirty needles by only allowing an injection if you see the syringe taken out of a fresh unopened pack. The simplest safeguard during sex is the proper use of a latex condom. Unroll the condom onto the erect penis; while withdrawing after ejaculation, hold onto the condom as you come out. Never try to recycle a condom, and pack a supply with you, as it can be a nuisance trying to buy them on short notice.

HIV is spread more often through anal than vaginal sex, because the lining of the rectum is much weaker than that of the vagina, and ordinary condoms sometimes tear when used in anal sex. If you have anal sex, only use extra-strong condoms and special water-based lubricants, since oil, Vaseline, and cream weaken the rubber. During oral sex you must make sure you don't get any semen or menstrual blood in your mouth. A woman runs 10 times the risk of contracting AIDS from a man than the other way around, and the threat is always greater when another sexually transmitted disease (STD) is present.

The very existence of AIDS calls for a basic change in human behavior. No vaccine or drug exists that can prevent or cure AIDS, and because the virus mutates frequently, no remedy may ever be totally effective. Other STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and herpes are far more common than AIDS and can lead to serious complications such as infertility, but at least they can usually be cured.

You should always practice safe sex to prevent AIDS and other STDs. You never know who is infected or even if you yourself have become infected. It's important to bring the subject up before you start to make love. Make a joke out of it by pulling out a condom and asking your new partner, "Say, do you know what this is?" Or perhaps, "Your condom or mine?" Far from being unromantic or embarrassing, you'll both feel more relaxed with the subject off your minds, and it's much better than worrying afterwards if you might have been infected. The golden rule is safe sex or no sex.

An HIV infection can be detected through a blood test, because the antibodies created by the body to fight off the virus can be seen under a microscope. It takes at least three weeks for the antibodies to be produced and in some cases as long as six months before they can be picked up during a screening test. If you think you may have run a risk, you should discuss the appropriateness of a test with your doctor. It's always better to know if you are infected so as to be able to avoid infecting others, to obtain early treatment of symptoms, and to make realistic plans. If you know someone with AIDS, you should give them all the support you can (there's no danger in such contact unless blood is present).

David Stanley is the original author of Lonely Planet guidebooks to Eastern Europe, Cuba, and Canada's Maritime Provinces. His personal collection of Cuba travel photos is on Cuba Pictures.

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There is a Great Chance of Contacting HIV Or Aids Virus When Nursing an Infected Person

2009-06-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

It is very important to distinguish nursing in a clinical setting from nursing or caring for a person in a home setting. It would be a grave mistake to discourage family or loved ones from providing love and care for an HIV/AIDS infected person due to fear of contracting HIV/AIDS. Bathing, Feeding, Hugging,Holding hands, Cleaning house or dishes, Sharing bathroom and sleeping together - all this are zero risk and proved not infectious on contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. As the care provided more medical and clinical in nature. Examples would be if you are doing dressing changes for an open wounds. Obviously utilising universal precautions like {glove} would be very necessary if not the possibilities of the infection is high.

Occupational exposure i.e: Needlestick injuries are a means of contacting HIV/AIDS. However, even the risk is very small. A skin break with a needle contaminated with blood from an HIV/AIDS infected person presents a 0.06% risk of infection to the health care worker. This percentage varies with several factors, depth of puncture, type of instrument {Hollow bore, wire, scalpel, etc} viral load of patient, etc. occupational health should be contacted immediately after exposure to body fluids and counselling should be providing to allow a rational decision to be made regarding taking HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral prophylaxis.

Condoms are 100% safe from contacting HIV/AIDS, if you use it correctly and store it in a suitable environment: If you use a good reputable brand of condoms and used it correctly is very safe and protective guarantee. This is of particularly reference during the practice of ''dry sex''. Even a condom of reputable brand and seemingly intact on visual inspection, can have a micro-perforation. Proper use of a latex condom = 'safe sex', but is not guaranteed to be 100% safe. Use correct condoms of good reputable brand.

You can not be infected with HIV/AIDS from the blood of animal or eating meat: If is about eating meat, there is no possibilities of contacting HIV/AIDS through animals. However, there are many animal pathogens that can be acquired through ingestion of uncooked meats. In cultures where eating uncooked or raw meats is the norm, several known infections are sure to occur, for example: ingestion of monkey brain, uncooked pork, drinking of blood, etc. Remember that HIV/AIDS is a distance relative of SIV {simian immunodeficiency virus} so infections of pathogens once believed to be confined to animals, and can be pass to human being too.

HIV/AIDS can not be cured by traditional healers or even native doctors and herbalist: Though traditional healers and herbalists can be very strong and successful in dealing with the symptoms of HIV/AIDS and this is where this myth has come from. They have an important role to play in the treating the symptoms and in boosting the immune system but they cannot cure HIV/AIDS. Till today, there's not been any record solutions to curing HIV/AIDS permanently, but there is anti-retroviral solution for maintaining and restoring the infected person's immune system.

How swine flu spreads in humans

2009-05-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about how swine flu spreads in humans:

* Swine flu viruses typically cause illness in pigs, not humans. Most cases occur when people come into contact with infected pigs or contaminated objects moving between people and pigs.

* Pigs can catch human and avian or bird flu. When flu viruses from different species infect pigs, they can mix inside the pig and new, mixed viruses can emerge.

* Pigs can pass mutated viruses back to humans, and these can be passed from human to human. Transmission among humans is thought to occur in the same way as with seasonal flu -- by touching something contaminated with flu viruses and then touching one's mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing. One of the most effective prevention measures is regular hand washing.

* Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of seasonal influenza -- sudden fever, coughing, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. This new strain also appears to cause more diarrhea and vomiting than normal flu.

* Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu, although the CDC is formulating one. The seasonal influenza vaccine may help to provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not against swine H1N1 viruses like the one circulating now.

* People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) kills the swine flu virus along with other bacteria and viruses.

History of Swine Flu virus

2009-05-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Swine influenzas epidemics are actually caused by several strains, spreading across swines populations with more or less visible symptoms. The Swine influenzas are likely to have existed for thousands of years, probably millions, coevolving together with swine immune system as a traditional arms race opposing them too.

In human farms, swine influenzas are likely to have caused difficulties since the beginning of swine taming, in terms of productivity, as well as in term of rare interspecies virus transmissions. That's only in recent centuries, and especially in recent decades, that humans got the knowledge need to record, study, understand and soon create vaccines and look at the genetic code of swine flus.

The first isolation occurring in 1930. The swine flus have been mainly an economic concern, especially within intensive pig farms (pork industry) which increasingly looked for ways to keep their herds alive, healthy, and growing faster

What about Swine Flu virus ?

2009-05-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) refers to influenza caused by those strains of influenza virus that usually infect pigs and are called swine influenza virus (SIV). Swine influenza is common in pigs in the mid western United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.