Parasitic Diseases

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Some avian influenza viruses that primarily circulate in animals have infected people on rare occasion. When influenza viruses that normally circulate in animals cause an infection in people, this is called a "novel" virus infection. Not all influenza viruses found in birds are known to cause human infections. How it spreads: Flu viruses are highly contagious. People can get infected through contact with saliva, nasal secretions, and droppings (poop) from infected animals. People also can get infected through contact with virus-contaminated surfaces, poultry coops, pig pens, and supplies. Less often, people can get infected by touching an infected animal and then touching their own eyes, nose, or mouth. Who is at risk: It is rare for avian flu to spread to people. Anyone can get the flu, but children younger than 5 years old, pregnant people, adults 65 and older, and people with...

Biotin (vitamin B7) is a micronutrient vital to energy production, nervous system health, and other bodily functions. Found in a plethora of foods and available as a supplement, biotin is most well-known for strengthening hair and nails and combatting alopecia . More research is needed, but there is also some evidence that biotin may improve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, and help people with diabetes gain control of their blood sugar. While the use of biotin is generally safe, the vitamin may interfere with some lab tests and medications, so you should tell your healthcare provider if you plan to use it. This article covers biotin's benefits for your health and hair, its safety, and how to select the right biotin product for you. Verywell / JR Bee What Is Biotin? Biotin is an essential nutrient. An essential nutrient is one that your body can't produce or can't produce enough of and needs to function correctly. ...

Onchocerciasis – or "river blindness" – is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus transmitted by repeated bites of infected blackflies ( Simulium spp.). These blackflies breed along fast-flowing rivers and streams, close to remote villages located near fertile land where people rely on agriculture. In the human body, the adult worms produce embryonic larvae (microfilariae) that migrate to the skin, eyes and other organs. When a female blackfly bites an infected person during a blood meal, it also ingests microfilariae which develop further in the blackfly and are then transmitted to the next human host during subsequent bites. Clinical signs and symptoms Onchocerciasis is an eye and skin disease. Symptoms are caused by the microfilariae, which move around the human body in the subcutaneous tissue and induce intense inflammatory responses when they die. Infected people may show symptoms such as severe itching and various skin changes. Infecte...

There's still a lot of research that needs to be done on giving probiotics to infants, says Carrie Kaufmann, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Stanford Children's Health in Palo Alto, California, adding that she doesn't see it as a necessary supplement for every baby. There are some cases where a probiotic supplement may be beneficial, though, including: If Your Baby Has Colic "Colic is defined as three or more hours of crying per day on three or more days of the week for a period of three weeks in an otherwise healthy, well-fed infant," says Kaufmann, adding that some research has found that probiotics may decrease crying duration in colicky babies. If you're looking to prevent colic in the first place, she adds, there's no reason to give your baby a probiotic supplement—there is currently no evidence to support probiotic use as a helpful tool. If You Want To Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea If your baby is on an antibiotic for any reaso...

Taking high amounts of the nutrient via supplements can cause a vitamin B overdose skin rash. Image Credit: Tirachard/iStock/GettyImages B vitamins are an essential nutrient that help your body function at its best. But in certain cases, you may experience side effects from taking a supplement, like a vitamin B rash, hives or other skin-related symptoms. This group of nutrients helps your body process energy and form red blood cells, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). These are the different varieties of the vitamin: Video of the Day B1 (thiamine) B2 (riboflavin) B3 (niacin) B5 (pantothenic acid) B6 B7 (biotin) B12 Folic acid Food is the best way to get the nutrient. Per the NLM, good sources of vitamin B include: Fish like salmon Poultry like chicken and turkey Meat like beef or lean pork chops Leafy greens like spinach Legumes like beans, peas and lentils Still, many people bols...

Babesiosis: A tick-borne illness on the rise - Harvard Health A new study from the National Institutes of Health has performed more diverse and extensive biological measurements of people experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome than any previous research. Here's what they found and what it means. \n ","content":" \n \n \n Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) –– or myalgic encephalomyelitis\/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME\/CFS), to be specific ––  is an illness defined by a group of symptoms . Yet medical science always seeks objective measures tha...