Parasitic Diseases

Group A streptococci, also known as "strep A", has been on the rise around the world with a new strain reported in the United Kingdom and Europe. This variant has been linked with surges of scarlet fever and a marked increase in life-threatening invasive strep A infections. Now genomic research by our team of scientists has identified this new strain in the Australian community for the first time. In parallel, we have seen an increase in invasive strep A cases across New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria. Strep A is a common bacteria carried by people primarily in their throat. It can cause mild illness including sore throat, scarlet fever (named for the red rash it causes) and impetigo ("school sores"). But it can also cause "invasive" disease, such as sepsis. Repeated strep A infections can lead to other serious conditions including acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. We investigated the genetic compositio...

Share on Pinterest Courtesy of Vanessa Lachey Vanessa Lachey — actor, television host, and former Miss Teen USA — remembers her first experience with hives. "I was eight years old, almost nine. I woke my dad up, and we didn't know what was going on. He put me in an ice bath. I think back in the day, they thought, 'Oh, this will help relieve her skin.' But let me tell you, I was screaming," Lachey tells Healthline. As soon as Lachey was out of the ice and back in bed, the itching was back. When most of us think of hives (also called urticaria), we think about occasional allergic reactions — itchy bumps that vanish shortly after popping up. For some, they arrive after exposure to known triggers or as a reaction to an allergen. But for others, like Lachey, hives can come without reason. "The thing is, I don't know when they're gonna come," Lachey says. "I've been allergy tested, and I have an intolerance to things that I try to avoid, but i...

This may be a huge shock even for non-vegans, but a great deal of sugar produced in the United States is not considered vegetarian. Sugar can be found in almost any processed food these days, so if you're vegan, pay attention and listen up. Sugar is not always vegan or vegetarian, even if labeled "plant-based," because certain production processes use animal products. Some companies purify their sugar with bone char to give it that bright white color. This char is made from cattle bones and, of course, can not be considered a humane ingredient. Look for organic sugars, sugars that are not purified, imported sugars, and for sugars that are vegan-certified. Stay on the lookout for sugar purified with "natural carbon," which is just another fancy way to say bone char without sounding so, well, gross and blunt.  Keep this in mind when you're buying processed foods with "sugar" listed as an ingredient, and remember that not all sugars are...

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Whether struggling with acne, an increase in wrinkles with aging, or getting a skin wound to heal, there are a variety of skin health issues many of us can relate to. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and new skin cells are constantly being made. Of course nutrition can impact skin health, but It's important to keep in mind many factors—like genetics and your environment—also have a big impact on skin health. Certain vitamins are helpful for skin health, as they provide the building blocks needed for skin and help the skin repair when damaged. They can often be found in topical skin care products. Vitamins A, C, D, and E especially can play a role in skin health. You can get most of these from food–or with vitamin D, from the sun. However if you do not eat enough foods with these nutrients, then supplements may be helpful to boost your intake of skin health nutrients.  Other nutrients like CoQ10, collagen, zinc, and omega 3s can also play a role in s...

What is biotin? Biotin is also known as vitamin B-7. It forms fatty acids and glucose. It also helps metabolize carbohydrates and amino acids, and it aids in breaking down fat in your body. These functions make biotin an important part of creating the energy your body needs. Biotin is found in many foods and beverages, including milk, carrots, salmon, and nuts. It can also be taken as a supplement if needed. The recommended daily amount is 30 micrograms. However, taking biotin supplements is not recommended unless suggested by your doctor. Positive side effects Biotin provides an important source for creating energy as well as maintaining the function of your body as a whole. Like all vitamins, your body needs biotin to stay healthy. There are several systems that biotin helps keep healthy. Some of these include your liver, nervous system, hair, eyes, and more. Biotin may be effective in treating certain medical conditions. Some of these conditions include: hypoglycemia hyperlipidem...

The kit comes with two cans cabinet paint, a roller arm, two roller covers, and an angled paint brush; it requires no stripping, priming, or top coat or sealer, and there's no need to remove your cabinet doors. Promising review: "Amazing! Amazing! Amazing. Did take more than one coat though. My cabinets were bare wood and I still needed a couple of coats. (Five to be exact, but that was just me being extra.) My kitchen is medium-sized, not too big, and it only took up one can. But I still went over a couple more times just to get a nice coating. I also let it sit for some days and saw the wood was sucking up the paint in some areas so I went over it again. The project ideally does take one day like the promotion video says, but one day as in 24 hours. This took my kitchen from looking like a cheap rental apartment kitchen to a high-quality kitchen with just this paint and new knobs. The paint is perfect for cabinets — it's not too thick, so you still see the wood grains. ...

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I first heard about Giardia in dogs when I was living in the Caribbean. Giardia was very common on the island where we were staying, and as I was researching what I needed to do to protect myself against the dangerous parasite I discovered that my dogs were also at risk. After speaking with my vet, I realized that Giardia was not limited to foreign countries. The parasite is found all over the world, including in the U.S., but my vet told me not to panic. Luckily, there are many things dog owners can do to prevent their dogs from becoming infected with this unpleasant parasite. Here are the facts about Giardia in dogs you need to know to keep your dogs safe. What Is Giardia? Giardia is a single-celled parasite that inhabits the intestines of mammals, birds, and amphibians. There are several different "assemblages" of Giardia, which is the scientific term used to describe the many subspecies of Giardia. Each assemblage targets a specific group of animals, but...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Scabies: What It Is, Symptoms, Treatment & More    U.S. News & World Report

[unable to retrieve full-text content] The Top 13 BCAA Supplements on the Market Today    Sports Illustrated

Deworming is the process of killing parasitic or intestinal germs that grow inside the human body over time. While worms can also occur in an adult with poor hygiene, children under 18 years are more susceptible to it because they play in an unclean environment.  A child is most likely to acquire these worms if and once it consumes a roundworm or whipworm eggs that have matured in the soil contaminated by dirt and faeces.  If not treated on time, it can affect one's bowel movements as well as the overall body's metabolism. While in mild cases body worms can be treated easily with prescribed tablets, in the case of serious infection proper diagnosis by a doctor might be required. Unsplash/Representational Image Common worms found in the body 1. Tapeworms 2. Flukes 3. Pinworms 4. Hookworms 5. Ascariasis Unsplash/Representational Ima...