Parasitic Diseases

Mumbai is currently witnessing an outbreak of measles . Between September and October, a total of 84 cases of measles have been reported in the city. Most of them are from the M-East ward that covers Govandi. Last month, three children — Hasnain (5), Noorain (3.5) and Fazal khan (13 months), residents of Rafi Nagar, Govandi, lost their lives in a span of 48 hours. Now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is conducting door-to-door surveillance to identify suspected cases of the disease among children. Here's all you need to know about measles. link="https://indianexpres.scom/section/explained/” hlabel="Best of Explained" hlink="https://indianexpress.com/section/explained/" pid="6372640″ mlabel="Click here for more" mlink="https://indianexpress.com/about/express-explained/"%5D What is measles? Measles or as it is called 'khasra', is a highly contagious viral disease which affects mostly children...

It's always ideal to get your recommended intake of daily fiber through diet. This can be done rather easily by focusing on adding foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and dried peas to your plate. A fiber supplement may be warranted, though, to fill nutritional gaps. "The majority of Americans are deficient in fiber; many eat half or less than the recommended daily amounts," says Dr. Jampolis. "So while I always take a food first approach—as the fiber in food comes with a host of other benefits, especially disease-fighting phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals—I do often recommend fiber supplements, especially for weight loss, cholesterol reduction and blood sugar control, in addition to [bowel] regularity." When opting for a fiber supplement, be sure to check with your doctor, as fiber supplements can sometimes interfere with how other medications are absorbed by the body. As a result, you should aim to take your fiber supplemen...

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for health. It keeps your bones strong, can improve your mental health and helps you sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, almost 1 in 4 U.S. adults are considered low in vitamin D. Symptoms depend on how severe the deficiency is and the person.  Primary care doctor Mindy Lacey, MD, screens for this condition in patients struggling with fatigue, depressive symptoms and bone issues. "Vitamin D deficiency has become more common over the past several years," explains Dr. Lacey. Here Dr. Lacey shares what vitamin D deficiency looks like – and three ways to overcome it.  Symptoms when vitamin D is low "Most patients with vitamin D deficiency are asymptomatic, however if you're exhausted, your bones hurt, you have muscle weakness or mood changes, that's an indication that something may be abnormal with your body," says Dr. Lacey.  Symptoms of vitamin D defi...

Vitamin B12 shores up numerous processes in the body, such as making red blood cells and aiding a healthy nervous system. When the body does not get enough B12, these same processes start to malfunction, which can have destructive consequences. A case study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine charts the rapid descent of a 75-year-old woman. A 75-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypothyroidism presented with weakness and the "sensation of large folds of skin" on the bottom of her feet. The sensation on her feet is telling because B12 deficiency peripheral neuropathy, also known as nerve damage to the extremities. This can result in tingling or other sensory abnormalities. Her past medical history is relevant here because patients with both hypothyroidism and vitamin B12 deficiency have similar symptoms. READ MORE: 'Take your vitamins!' Man, 70, battles onslaught of B12 deficiency symptoms over 3 months "When patients present with se...

What Is Sustiva? Sustiva (efavirenz) is a prescription drug used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It may be used alone or with other HIV medications. It is approved for use in adults and children at least 3 months old who weigh 3.5 kilograms, about 7.7 pounds, or more. Efavirenz belongs to a drug class called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. This stops the HIV-infected cells from making new viruses and reduces the viral load count. Sustiva is available in capsule and tablet forms to be taken by mouth. Drug Facts Generic Name :   Efavirenz Brand Name(s) : Sustiva Drug Availability : Prescription Administration Route :   Oral Therapeutic Classification :   Antiretroviral agent Available Generically :   Yes Controlled Substance :   N/A Active Ingredient :   Efavirenz Dosage Form(s) : Tablet, capsule ...

Pineapple allergies are rare. In the most severe cases, they may cause an anaphylactic reaction that requires immediate medical treatment. A person with a pineapple allergy may also be allergic to other fruits. Symptoms of pineapple allergies include skin rashes, itching of a person's mouth or lips, and tongue swelling. This article will explain the symptoms of pineapple allergies, the cross-reactivity of a pineapple allergy, its diagnosis, and its treatment. A pineapple allergy is an allergic reaction. A person may experience it after eating pineapple or drinking pineapple juice. People may also have an allergic reaction after touching the fruit. Pineapple allergies are much less common than other food allergies. They can be serious and, in certain cases, can cause anaphylaxis, a life threatening condition. The symptoms of a pineapple allergy can range from mild to severe, depending on the reaction type. A person usually experiences symptoms immediately after contact with pineappl...

Abstract In Egypt, Blastocystis sp. is not yet on the diagnostic list of parasitology reports, and information about its subtypes (STs) is scarce. This study investigated its prevalence and its STs/alleles, performed phylogenetic analysis, and considered the distribution of risk factors associated with Blastocystis sp. infections in West Ismailia, Ismailia governorate. Sociodemographic data, exposure factors, and previous parasitic infection status were recorded for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis for Blastocystis sp. isolated from fecal samples were performed. Eighty Blastocystis sp.-infected individuals (15.3%) were examined. The age of the individuals ranged between 0.60 and 85.0 (mean 17.10 ± 15.70), the male/female ratio was 33/47, and the asymptomatic/symptomatic ratio was 55/25. The findings demonstrate clear evidence of direct contact with animals, poor water quality, and previous parasit...