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Showing posts from November, 2022

Artificial Intelligence Offers Advancements and Challenges in the IPC Sphere - Infection Control Today

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Artificial intelligence increases infection prevention and control measures in health care facilities and beyond. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) (ie, machine learning) has been a growing mainstay in infection prevention and control (IPC). The advantages are many, including consistency, speed, and the ability to handle massive amounts of data. However, although the positive attributes of AI handling IPC continue to be measured, there are a significant number of challenges involved. Representative datasets should be of high quality, and biases within preexisting databases must be considered. AI offers tremendous potential for infection control. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that AI can potentially locate transmission events during outbreaks. Predicting patients at high risk of infection is another advantage of AI and would hone IPC intervention. Studies have explored laboratory infection diagnosis and epidemiology. Further exploration may reveal as-yet

Itchy Rash on Arms and Legs: Causes and Treatment - Verywell Health

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An itchy rash on the arms and legs is common and can be caused by numerous conditions. It can cause a serious disruption in normal day-to-day activities and make sleeping near impossible. Pruritis is the medical term for itching. When an itchy rash develops on the arms or legs, the first step to treatment is identifying the cause. Once the cause is determined, then targeted treatment can begin. Here we will cover many of the common causes of an itchy rash on the arms and legs, how to diagnose the rash and treatment options. HeikeKampe / E+ / Getty Images Possible Causes There are many possible causes for an itchy rash on the arms and legs. Here is information on each type of rash and what distinguishes it from other rashes. Allergic Contact Dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis is an allergic response that happens after skin has come into contact with an allergen. There are numerous allergens that can cause an allergic reaction to th

Dr. Fauci reflects on the perpetual challenge of infectious diseases - National Institutes of Health (.gov)

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Media Advisory Monday, November 28, 2022 What Once considered a potentially static field of medicine, the discipline of studying infectious diseases has proven to be dynamic as emerging and reemerging infectious diseases present continuous challenges, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., writes in a perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine . In the piece, Dr. Fauci, who since 1984 has directed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, reflects on his career responding to infectious disease threats. Dr. Fauci will step down from his positions as NIAID director, chief of NIAID's Laboratory of Immunoregulation and chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden in December 2022. In the perspective, Dr. Fauci notes that the emergence of HIV/AIDS in 1981 led to a sharp increase in interest in infectious diseases among people entering the field of medicine. Since then, infectious disease specialists have fa

Scabies Means Misery. This Pill Can End It. - The New York Times

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Burrowing skin mites drive victims mad with itching, but distribution of a few pills can drive the infestation from entire communities. Scabies can be controlled with a pill or two, and the protective effect lasts for years, scientists reported on Wednesday. At present, the standard remedy is a skin cream with an insecticide that does not provide long-term protection. In poor countries, pills can be distributed throughout a village, ridding whole communities of the parasite. While not fatal, scabies causes profound misery; many people find even the thought of it repulsive. Two years ago, it was added to the World Health Organization's list of neglected tropical diseases. Scabies is an infestation of tiny mites that burrow under the skin. Victims suffer from relentless itching and develop an angry rash, which is an allergic reaction to the eggs and feces the females deposit as they tunnel. Scratching the rash may lead to impetigo, a bacterial skin infection with oozing sores. Scabie

Neck Rash: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention - Verywell Health

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A neck rash is an inflammatory reaction that can occur on the back, front, and sides of the neck. How the rash looks and feels depends on what's causing it. Depending on your skin tone, the color of the rash may appear red, brown, or purple and be accompanied by itching, warmth, pain, and spots or blisters.  Many things can cause a neck rash to develop, such as allergies or skin conditions. This article discusses the possible causes of a neck rash and what you can do if you develop one. Science Photo Library / Getty Images Causes A neck rash can develop for many reasons. Some of the most notable causes of a neck rash include: Infections Types of infections that cause neck rashes include: Viral: Viral infections can sometimes lead to neck rashes. For example, a neck rash caused by COVID-19 may involve swelling, redness, and being warm to the touch. Other viral infections that may cause a rash on the neck include shingl

Rash on Wrist: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Verywell Health

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Rashes can occur anywhere on the body, but when they develop on the wrists, a couple of common culprits can usually explain why. This article will discuss the symptoms associated with wrist rash, its causes, and how you can manage these rashes, so they don't become a nuisance that impacts your quality of life.  MikeSaran / Getty Images Symptoms of Rash on Wrist A rash on your wrist can appear alone and disappear in a matter of days, or it can present with a host of other symptoms. The symptoms you experience are determined by the underlying condition at the root of your rash. The following symptoms may be associated with a rash on your wrist: Itchy wrist ( pruritus ) Pain Bumps Fluid-filled blisters that may ooze pus Warmth in the area of the rash Scaly skin changes Discoloration and scarring Skin cracking and dryness  Causes of Rash on Wrist The following conditions may cause a rash to develop on your wrist:

6 of the Most Common Belly Button Infections—and What to Do About Them - Parade Magazine

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Ah, the belly button: It's cute to get pierced (and cute in general!) but you may want to be aware that the area is also a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to belly button infections. "Belly buttons are basically some very convoluted and deep skin folds. They can certainly carry staph and strep and in the right setting these can become infections," explains Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Amy Kassouf, MD .   Just like other areas on your body, your belly button naturally contains bacteria and fungi, and if you don't clean it regularly or even dry it properly, you could get an infection. Here are six infections you can get in your belly button and how to treat them. 6 Belly Button Infections to Know About 1. Yeast Infection The vagina isn't the only place you can get a yeast infection. Your body is susceptible to getting one anywhere, including your mouth, esophagus, under the breasts, throat and even your belly button. The medical term for th

Itchy Neck: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Verywell Health

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You may not want to ignore that annoying neck itch ( pruritus ). Most of the time, the cause of your itch is not serious. But sometimes, it can be a sign of an underlying health condition, so you don't want to dismiss this subtle sign entirely. If your itch lasts for two or more weeks or goes from a local neck itch to affecting multiple parts of your body, the likelihood of an underlying condition being the cause becomes more likely. You'll probably want to know what's causing it so you can take care of it.  You treat your itch by applying an anti-itch lotion and avoiding scratching it. While this may work most of the time, it sometimes isn't enough. Chronic pruritus can be frustrating to live with, but, fortunately, there are many ways to improve your symptoms. This article will discuss the symptoms associated with an itchy neck, its causes, potential complications, and ways to treat it.  AndreyPopov / Getty Images