Infectious Diseases - July 2013 Archives

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says mysterious stomach infections have been reported in at least 14 states: Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey and Ohio. It's thought to be a Cyclospora infection, linked to package lettuce.  Cyclospora infection causes watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea. The one-celled parasite that causes cyclospora infection can enter the body through ingesting contaminated food or water. Fresh produce is the culprit in many cases of Cyclospora infection. Because diarrhea can be caused by many things, it can be difficult to diagnose Cyclospora infection. A specialized test is required to identify the Cyclospora parasite in stool samples. Treatment for Cyclospora infection is antibiotics. Food safety precautions may help to prevent the disease. Read more: Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention  

Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn., reports seeing an increase in patients being treated, and even hospitalized, for tick-borne illnesses. The clear message from Mother Nature - tick season is in full swing. In fact, 40 percent of tick bites in the upper Midwest occur in July. However, even avid fans of the great outdoors can fully enjoy all their favorite activities without fear if they take the proper steps to protect themselves. Tick Tips: Use a suitable insect repellent. Check yourself, your children and your pets after spending time outdoors. To reduce risk on hikes, stay on trails. If you leave the path, wear long pants tucked into your socks. If you find ticks, remove them right away. Use force and pinch the tick near its mouth parts, pulling the tick out slowly in a continuous motion. Don’t twist it, which may leave mouth parts embedded in the skin. Keep grass short in yards and avoid ungroomed areas. Mayo Clinic infectious disease expert  Abinash Virk, M.D., says among the top tick-borne diseases of concern right now are Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYPBRnxyTjc Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Abinash (AH-bih- nosh) Virk (Verk), tick b-roll video in a Mayo Clinic laboratory and Mayo-produced still photos of ticks are available in the downloads.