Childhood Vaccinations

The "trend" some parents are following to not vaccinate their children in the United States is a scary thought. Some may be doing this for religious reasons or may be recent immigrants, while others think it is healthier and believe vaccines can cause harm. There has been a spreading belief that vaccines can cause autism in children. There have even been suspicions that the CDC has hidden data that proved a link between autism and certain components of vaccines (Source).  Supporters of not vaccinating believe that as childhood vaccination schedules increased, rates of autism also increased. This was disproved when the suspected component that caused autism was removed from vaccines and rates did not decrease.

There is no evidence that links vaccines to autism. 

On a side note, people think of autism as such an awful thing that they would risk their children’s lives in other ways to "prevent autism".  I can’t help but mention Temple Grandin is autistic and amazing (I’m a huge fan). But still, vaccinations don't cause this. 

Recently researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered direct evidence that autism results from disrupted cortical layers during pregnancy (Source). This is a video of the overview of their findings. 

There are many diseases that are easily prevented by vaccines. Measles was previously eliminated from the United States and now outbreaks have been occurring. Not only are you putting your child at risk but you are also putting others at risk of preventable diseases. Polio is another well known disease that 100 years ago was still very prevalent in the U.S. as a former president, FDR, was crippled from. It has been irradiated in the U.S. but could return if children are not vaccinated. 

It would be a huge step backwards in terms of health for individuals to continue to jump on the anti-vaccination bandwagon.

KR

Brucellosis

This week I wasn’t sure what to write about so it is a little random. With that aside, yesterday I was watching the news and a story about a ranch owner in Nevada came up. The Bundy Ranch has been grazing its cattle on federal land for over years. Bundy claims that the land had been used in his family for gazing for decades. The government recently round up hundreds of his cattle and “impounded” them. Protesters and supports for the Bundy Ranch gathered and many were held back with tazers by police officers. Bundy is using to his defense stating, why is it now that the Bureau of Land Management is stepping in and taking away his cattle when he has been grazing there for 20 years. 

Source

This news story reminded me of a disease I learned about last spring. Brucellosis is a disease caused by a type of bacteria. It can be transmitted by eating undercooked meat or drinking unpasteurized dairy products. (Drinking unpasteurized milk is typically more of an issue in developing countries but some choose unpasteurized methods because they think it is more natural. Well bacteria are natural and can be very harmful when ingested.) Cows are one type of carrier for this disease and their milk can be contaminated as well. 

This bacteria can also be inhaled or transmitted through wounds and mucous membranes. People who work in slaughterhouses, with animals, and meat-packaging factories are at highest risk. I have weirdly remembered this disease because my teacher had noted it could be also be found in barn dust. We have owned horses and cattle so it instantly stuck. Realistically it is more often than not found in countries that do not have effective domestic animal health programs. It is not a huge health topic that is talked about but if untreated it can lead to serious health problems. 

KR  

Allergy Season

Every year around this time, many start suffering from the dreaded allergy symptoms. With the warmer weather comes those yellow clumps of doom, also known as pollen. Studies tend to find that different regions of the United States have different sensitivities to certain allergens. One study found that in the western parts of the US the sensitivities are higher for grass and ragweed while the east have higher sensitivities to molds (Source). Whether an individual lives in a rural or urban area also makes a difference for types of allergies. I found this website that shows different maps for different types of pollen allergies. This is currently the level of sensitivity to tree pollen in the US. 

Source

Around 40 million Americans suffer form allergies. An allergy is the body’s oversensitivity to something that is harmless. Sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and a runny nose are some of the ways the body tries to get the allergen out. Seasonal allergies are hard to avoid for most because no one wants to stay inside all day. 

There are many factors that go into the pollen allergies within a city including: wind, rainfall, humidity, temperature, pollution, and the type of trees (Source). One example is a town in the mountain area where pollen does not tend to be as bad. There is usually a high population of evergreen trees that have heavy pollen. The heavy pollen falls to the ground faster and does not get inhaled as easily. Cities near the ocean tend to have low pollen counts because of the wind.  In places near lakes on the other hand, the humidity levels may be high which can result in more pollen (Source). 

There has even been a list made of the top 10 worst cities for seasonal allergies (Source). This is determined by the pollen count in the area, the number of prescriptions prescribed, and other factors. 

10. Baton Rouge, Louisianan 

9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

8. Memphis, Tennessee

7. Dayton, Ohio

6. Wichita, Kansas 

5. Louisville, Kentucky 

4. McAllen, Texas

3. Chattanooga, Tennessee

2. Knoxville, Tennessee

1. Jackson, Mississippi 

KR

Caffeine

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, and chocolate are some of the ways that people intake caffeine every day. Personally I enjoy coffee and tea in large amounts. I started drinking coffee in high school and have not been able to/ don’t want to stop drinking it. I’m definitely addicted and would not think of tackling a Monday morning without it.  

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug and has a high rate of dependence. Regular caffeine drinkers know that it is needed to feel normal for the day. There is no evidence that moderately consuming caffeine can be seriously harmful. For some it can cause jitters or headaches, while others it may prevent jitters or headaches.  

There are some studies that show that caffeine can cause reproductive effects such as miscarriage. It also may increase the risk of heart issues if consumed in high amounts. Caffeine consumption may lead to other issues due to the way it is consumed. Soft drinks and energy drinks tend to have large amounts of sugar and other not so great ingredients in them. When consumed on a regular basis, it can be a factor in weight gain and other health problems. 

One article talks about the increase intake of caffeine for kids. Today kids are consuming more soda, coffee, and energy drinks than ever before. It is estimated that around 73% of children are consuming caffeine every day (Source). If kids are addicted to caffeine at a young age, they are most likely only going to increase their intake of it as they get older. 

KR

It's not brain surgery...

Over Christmas break, I was helping my grandfather transfer pictures from his camera to his new computer and make new folders for them. Then he wanted to know how to email those pictures to the family. He is 80 something years old and one of the smartest people I know. He remembers everything he reads, can speak many languages, yet computer technology is like another universe for him. He would ask me the same questions over and over. After we were done he told me he was having problems with short term memory. Then I thought... uh oh!

Well it turns out he is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The big mystery is what causes the disease. As it is ranked in the top 10 leading causes of death which makes the search for the cause a major concern. There is a number of factors that are suggested to play a role in it form genetics to lifestyle choices. 

The disease involves the part of the brain dealing with memory, language, and thought. It is a form of dementia where the disease starts out mild and symptoms worsen with time. Although it is hard to tell what causes the disease, scientists have an overall understanding of what is going on to cause the memory loss. With the disease, the normal communication between nerve cells in the brain is impaired. Nerve cells started to die which results in the brain shrinking overtime. The brain of those with Alzheimer’s disease also has an abnormal number of plaques, or clusters of protein fragments that group together, blocking nerve cell communication. Tangles, which are collapsed and twisted proteins inside a cell, are also found to lead to death of nerve cells. (Source)

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It seems as if everyone knows someone who has been affected by Alzheimer's disease these days. While it may seem like rates of this disease are increasing in the population, it may also be due to better diagnosis of the disease. The disease most often begins in individuals over the age of 60 and the rate of risk increases with age. (Source)  

KR

Chromosome 15

Over spring break I ventured to Charleston, SC for the first time with a friend. Just as I had been told a million times, it was absolutely gorgeous. One morning we went to a restaurant that was known for its day long brunch along with its endless mimosas. I’m not sure how we got on the subject but somehow we started talking to our waitress about where she was from. She was a recent grandmother of two children and one was just diagnosed with Angelman syndrome. None of us were familiar with the term so of course I had to look it up when I got back. 

Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder that was named after Dr. Harry Angelman who was the first to describe several children as having similar characteristics in 1965. The children were all described as having jerky movements, were speechless, suffered from seizures, and had excessive laughter. He originally named the children as “puppet children” after seeing a piece of art titled “A Boy with a Puppet” that reminded him of the children. The Angelman name was attributed to the symptoms in the 80s after it was compared to Prader-Willi syndrome. A problem in the maternally derived chromosome 15 results in Angelman syndrome while a problem in the paternally derived chromosome 15 results in the similar Prader-Willi syndrome. 

Source

Genetic epidemiology has grown since the human genome project. It is now a little easier to determine the number of individuals who have genetic disorders that may have been improperly diagnosed in the past. In North America, most known Angelman syndrome cases are of those of Caucasian descent but the exact incidence rate is not known. There is an estimated prevalence of children and young adults with Angelman syndrome between 1/10,000 and 1/20,000. The unknown may be due to the fact that children are not diagnosed until development issues appear or misdiagnosed with autism or other syndromes. (Source) 

KR 

"Dallas Buyers Club"

On Sunday, Matthew McConaughey walked away with an Oscar for “Best Actor in a Motion Picture” for his role in Dallas Buyers Club. 

For anyone who has not seen this movie, it is based on a “true story” of Ron Woodroof’s  diagnosis of AIDS in 1986 and the events following. In the film he is a "homophobic" Texan who contracts HIV/AIDS from unprotected sex with a female drug user. His friends shun him, because at the time HIV/AIDS was largely associated with the gay community. His doctors give him 30 days to live, but he lives for 6 years after finding a drug in Mexico. He starts smuggling in non-FDA-approved drugs from Mexico and other countries to treat others. The Dallas buyers club was a club you could pay money to join to get these drugs. 

Whether you like or dislike Matthew McConaughey or the film in general, it does a good job of showing the Hollywood version of stigma that was attributed to HIV/AIDS in the 80s. Even though the movie may misrepresent the LGBT community during the time, the film still portrays issues that HIV/AIDS patients may have suffered. 

HIV is most commonly transmitted through sex or sharing of needles in drug use. It can also be transmitted from mother to child or any contact with infected blood or certain fluids. So why was there such a stigma with HIV/AIDS in the United States to begin with? Many of the first cases in the US were found in men who contracted it from having sex with other men. This started the belief that this was the only way it could be spread. In the early 80s it was even termed GRID or gay related immune deficiency.

I am a loyal fan of Grey’s Anatomy despite the fact that not all the medical references are correct. But there was an episode that touched on the topic of HIV/AIDS in the 80s. 

In the United States today, the records are set straight for how HIV/AIDS is obtained but too many believe it could never happen to them. Some individuals can have and spread the virus for years without knowing they have it due to its incubation period or ability to notice signs of a decreased immune system. Due to advances in medical technology there are antiviral drugs that one can take to prolong the HIV period and prevent AIDS. There are even some cases of individuals being "cured" or HIV free for several years without medication. These cases were only in adults and one infant who had early detection and treatment. (Source)


KR

A Healthy Tan

A healthy tan does not actually exist. 

Yesterday I completed a survey that asked me about my indoor tanning habits throughout my lifetime. One question asked if I had used a tanning bed while knowing the risks associated with using a tanning bed. I answered “yes” as many other people probably also did.

When did having a tan become such a desired look? How is something that is so unhealthy be considered the way that “healthy people” look? 

A pale complexion was a sign of wealth in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Lower classes were tan because they worked outside. That certainly changed with time. Eventually the lower classes were working in factories all day while the wealthier had leisure time to spend outdoors. Coco Chanel is often given credit for making the tanned look fashionable and appealing. Is this a fad that will eventually fade? Dermatologists sure hope so. 

The rates of tanning are highest among non-Hispanic white girls. (Source) I hate to use this reference, but if anyone has watched the Jersey Shore TV show, they would know it has even become an issue even for men. The indoor tanning industry has grown rapidly in recent years due to the demand to be tan year long. 

Some places in Australia have actually banned tanning beds. This is a 30 second Australian commercial about the dangers of tanning. It gives a better idea of how melanoma actually starts. 

Healthy People 2020 even includes reducing indoor tanning as one of their goals for reducing melanoma:

•  “Reduce the proportion of adolescents in grades 9 through 12 who report using artificial sources of ultraviolet light for tanning to 14.0%.”

• “Reduce the proportion of adults aged 18 years and older who report using artificial sources of ultraviolet light for tanning to 13.7%.” (Source) 

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer that has been linked to tanning. Many believe that indoor tanning is just as bad as sunbathing outside. Realistically they are both unhealthy behaviors. The problem with the tanning beds is that individuals use them consistently throughout the entire year. This is way more exposure than a week’s vacation to the beach. 

I know I have heard individuals say “ I am so pale I look sickly.” Ironically looking tan, is what people believe looks healthy.

KR

O157:H7

What is O157:H7 ?

This is the strain of Escherichia coli that causes the most problems when consumed. It is also one of the strains that has been continuously found in bagged spinach leaves. 

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In 2012, there was an outbreak of E. coli across five states, including Virginia. The outbreak investigation indicated a Wegmans brand of spinach, produced in Massachusetts, was one possible source of the outbreak (Source). This is not the first time a type of spinach has been recalled due to an E. coli outbreak. 

In 2007 the FDA finalized a report on a spinach outbreak from the previous year. By using DNA tracing they were able to determine that the source of the E. coli was from wild pigs that may have been near where the farming. There were also traces of cattle or human fecal contamination in surface waterways. There was no conclusion as to how the spinach actually became contaminated but the investigation was able to narrow it down to a few possibilities (Source).  

Why is this a continuous problem with spinach ?

Last week in microbiology, our class did several experimental tests to find out the best way to clean spinach leaves. The samples were from one bag of spinach labeled “pre-washed.” Our control group was an unwashed leaf from this bag. What we found was actually shocking to me. No wonder there have been several recalls on bagged spinach. The leaves all had E. coli bacteria on them, despite the fact that these had already been "washed". I have always been told to make sure I wash everything from the grocery store before using, but now I understand why.

Just in case you were wondering, the “Fit Spray” was the most effective way to clean spinach. I have used this spray before on apples and think it leaves a gross citrus taste, so I personally would not want to use it. It just makes me a little curious as to what is considered "washing"and when does this happen throughout the growing to packaging process.


KR

Carrier Man

Last semester the JMU newspaper wrote a story on the man that always sits by Carrier library. I had walked past him many times throughout my JMU years but never really knew anything about him. Often times students were talking to him and I was just curious as I’m sure many others were.

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Anyways, the article was titled, “Homeless man at JMU hopes to empower women, inspire students” which tells of Mike Klein’s life. It discusses how he came to Harrisonburg and what he hopes to do in the future. I remember reading the article and just thinking, his story was so interesting.

Last weekend I left work on my lunch break to grab food. While I was walking out of the food co-op, a homeless man stopped me and asked for a meal. He was with another man that also had a similar grungy appearance. I don’t know if they were actually homeless but it was my first impression at that moment. I have been confronted by homeless individuals before, but this time it really took me off guard. I had given them a friendly smile while as I walked out, and I guess he made his own assumption of me and thought to ask. “Ma’am would you mind helping us with a meal, we don’t want money,” he said. I still don’t know why, I just didn’t know what to do in that moment. I was trying to get back to work on time so I offered him money. The entire time I was walking back to work I couldn’t stop thinking of him.

Last year it was estimated by the CDC that over 600,000 individuals in the United States are homeless. One third of these people live without shelter and a fourth are estimated to be under the age of 18. While homelessness has declined in recent years it is still a problem in our country.

KR

Furry Friends

Last class we discussed how the virus in Contagion was transmitted from a bat, to a pig, and then to a human. The virus then began spreading from human to human resulting in a pandemic. In the movie, scientists and epidemiologists were trying to find the source of the virus. While the field of epidemiology is often used to improve the lives of humans, it also can be used to improve animal lives.

Zoonotic diseases are diseases spread from an animal source. Many animals including bats, dogs, horses, cattle, and sheep can all spread rabies to humans. Rocky mountain spotted fever and lyme disease are also common zoonotic diseases transmitted from ticks carried by dogs. Anthrax is another widely known disease that can be carried by a variety of animals. There are a wide variety of diseases like these that can be dangerous to both animals and humans. 

“The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta have said that most emerging diseases around the world are zoonotic” - (Source)

Research can help to prevent population declines of specific species. In 2003, tigers were wandering into a town in Russia showing abnormal neurological signs. Pathologists found these tigers were suffering from distemper. This disease is found world-wide in dogs. More research was done to discover if it would be a major source of deaths for tigers. This was necessary because tiger population numbers are extremely low in Russia.  (Source)

Zoologists and veterinarians both do research to protect the lives of animals. Wildlife conservations often do disease investigations in order to protect both wildlife and human populations. Because so many viruses and pathogens can infect both, animal and human epidemiology go hand in hand.

KR  

Its Name Was Enza

After watching the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, I was surprised that I had never known how extreme the pandemic was. Why was such a huge event in history, not mentioned in any previous course? We learned about World War I in almost every history class growing up. The 1918 pandemic killed over 50 million people, so how did it get left out?

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The video explained a lot about the influenza pandemic, and there were a few things that stuck out to me. When people think about the flu, usually it is the old, the young, or the immunocompromised who suffer from fatal cases. The fact that so many strong individuals, like the soldiers, were dying from the flu was so strange even in 1918. Another surprising part was when the children in the video were jump roping to a song about influenza:

I had a little bird, 

Its name was Enza

I opened the window, 

And in-flew-enza.

If they were singing about a bird during the time of the pandemic, did they already know it was from a bird virus? The video portrayed it as if they only knew it was spreading from person to person. 

In microbiology we were shown the top 10 leading causes of deaths in 1900. Influenza and pneumonia topped this chart and were followed by several other diseases caused by microorganisms. Then we were presented with the top 10 causes of death in 2010. Surprisingly, a little less than a century later, influenza is still in the top 10 for leading causes of death in the United States. Why is influenza still causing so many deaths? One cause is that the strains are continuously changing and it is not possible to vaccinate someone for their life. Also, some viruses are only transmitted from animals to humans while others can be communicable from person to person. 

In 2008, MIT researchers explained why the H1N1 flu was able to spread the way it did in 1918. The avian flu viruses can only bind to human receptors if they match. The avian viruses mutated to be able to bind to the human receptors. They found the two specific mutations in the virus that made it easy to bind to receptors in the upper respiratory tract, which resulted in the pandemic. 

In more recent news, two days ago, 6 new cases of the the avian influenza A(H7N9) were reported to the WHO including one death. This strain was first found in 2013 and has not spread widely throughout China. There is currently no evidence that the virus can be transmitted person to person.

KR

Spring Breakers

Every year, thousands of college spring breakers choose Cancun, Mexico as their travel destination. It has a reputation of being the typical college place to go. Many of my friends are currently counting down the days until they can ditch their winter jackets for string bikinis. While we all are very familiar with the warning “don’t drink the water in Mexico,” what other risks are there for college students? 

For starters, spring break is already associated with a number of health related risks from injuries to sexually transmitted diseases. Regardless of the location, excessive drinking is “the norm” which often leads to carless behaviors. The health risks only increase more when traveling to a different country. 

The first thing everyone is told is to stay on the resort. Hotels and resorts provide full accommodations so you only have to leave when traveling to and from the airport. Of course, not everyone listens and some often venture into town. I can only imagine how easy it is for locals to spot tourists. 

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Also, the CDC has a whole section dedicated to health advisements for Mexico travelers. They suggest seeing a doctor to ensure you are properly vaccinated before visiting. Many get travel vaccines including hepatitis A and typhoid in case they consume contaminated food or water. Malaria is also a concern in Mexcio. Antimalarial medications and bug spray are the easiest way to prevent mosquito bites that could infect you. It is strongly advised to see a doctor when you return if you are not feeling well. It is possible that you were infected in Mexico and are just showing symptoms now. 

Traveling to Mexico for spring break is worth it for the warmer weather, but you have to remember you’re in a different country with different health risks. 

KR

Epidemiology (n.)

When I registered for this course I honestly did not think much about it. It was on my list of required classes to graduate so I made sure it fit into my schedule. I really did not know if I would find the class interesting and had no clue what a whole semester of epidemiology would entail. After I attended the first class, my questions were basically answered. I guess I just never thought about how important epidemiology is to every day health. Also, I never thought about how many cultures and different populations can be studied in this field. I have loved the two anthropology courses I have taken at JMU and see how it can be related to epidemiology.

I had learned about epidemiology briefly in my community health and disease courses. I remember learning a little about the history and how Hippoocrates may have been the first epidemiologist. It was practiced throughout history including during ancient egyptian times. John Snow is another name I remember. He is considered the father of epidemiology for mapping out a cholera outbreak to find the source. I also remember calculating population rates and incidence rates of diseases.

Thinking about it now, the whole perspective of health changes because of epidemiology. It is key to prevention and establishing effective treatments. It also gives insight into which populations are at higher risk for certain diseases. So really, the field of epidemiology shapes modern health practices. Also, when I googled images of epidemiology, I found this comic that I thought was applicable to this post.

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I am looking forward to hearing about the work Dr. Wallis has done and believe that her experiences will help make this class relatable. This course is one that I think will be interesting and very applicable to myself as a future health care professional. 

KR