Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mary Fisher, an American political activist, addresses a worldwide illness at the 1992 Republican National Convention Address in Houston, Texas. At the time, AIDS was a new epidemic; responsible for affecting millions of people and being the death cause of much more. As a result, stereotypes about AIDS had risen, bringing nothing but fear to society. Fisher notices America’s great lack of knowledge towards this disease and the difficulties that come along when it is time to talk about it. She…

Africa has been a hub for many of the world’s deadliest diseases and epidemics. Diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/Aids are responsible for millions of deaths in Africa each and every year. A major contributing factor to this issue is the current healthcare system set in place. The lack of easy access, coupled with the high cost of medication and treatment makes it very difficult for African citizens to receive the medical help that they need. Africa’s extreme poverty and lack of…

Dream of Ding Village, by Yan Lianke Stacey Civello CHN-101, Summer 2017 The Sage Colleges  The novel Dream of Ding Village by Yan Lianke tells the grim story of China’s blood-selling frenzy and the ensuing AIDs epidemic which wiped out entire villages in rural Henan province. Beginning in the early 1990s, the booming biotech industry in China raised demand for plasma donations, to which the provincial Henan government responded by heading a campaign for blood plasma donations in exchange…

Anthrax isolated case Anthrax is caused by the bacterial spore Bacillus anthracis. Bacillus anthracis’s characteristic spore allows it to live dormant for many years without desiccation before becoming active when exposed to water. It occurs naturally and can be found on vegetation and in many products made form animals. One method of contracting anthrax is inhalation. This has been known as a prevalent pathology of the disease among infected wool workers and hide tanners. It has also been…

Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus and mainly affects animals. This virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family -- it's a “bullet shaped virus”. The virus is transmitted through a bite for humans which affects the central nervous system. It travels within the nerves and brain and may multiply rapidly. In the beginning symptoms may not show until maybe weeks and months go by. Rabies may cause pain, fatigue, headaches, fever and irritability often followed by hallucinations,seizures and…

Philadelphia is a place of prosper and growth. A figurehead for American expansion and home of the famous Liberty Bell. However, in 1793 it was an incredibly different story, the city was wrought with sickness. Molly Caldwell’s book An American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Disease that Shaped Our History highlights that devastating time in which Yellow Fever reigned over women, men, and children alike. A truly morbid and dark time in American history. The majority of the…

Bacterial meningitis is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting neonates (7). It is characterized by the inflammation of the meninges caused by the presence of bacteria or bacterial products within the subarachnoid space of the brain, the spinal cord and the ventricular system (16, 22). This inflammatory response can eventually lead to various forms of brain damage (16, 26). Untreated neonatal bacterial meningitis (NBM) almost always results in death (22), and despite the…

One of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis is Neisseria meningitidis, which can be acquired globally. N. meningitidis is normal flora in the human nasopharynx, but if an individual becomes susceptible, it can lead to bacterial meningitis. Incidence of N. meningitidis is strongly influenced by age. Infants have the highest risk for meningococcal disease. Low serum bactericidal antibody levels play a large role in those that are at risk for infection. Those with compromised immune…

1. Forest Grove in Saskatoon is an area that has not had much focus on their community’s personal and local health. I have been living here since September and I get the impression that people keep to themselves more than necessary since we do not have any substantial community centers or local community events to bring people together. This atmosphere may affect a person’s personal health because of the potential for people to be isolated in their own homes, not feeling welcomed by their…

Introduction The past seven weeks I have experienced at UCT have played a role towards my becoming an integrated health professional. I have learnt how the three dimensions of the IHP diagram, identified by Olckers, Gibbs and Duncan (2007: 1) as Empathy, Knowledge and Reflection, all contribute to this journey. In this essay I will draw on two impactful events that have aided me in the three dimensions mentioned above through my thoughts and feelings prior, during and after the respective…