Treatment for the ancient disease, tuberculosis

In 1921 A vaccine for Tuberculosis was developed and given in some countries.  It’s not used in the US because according to the CDC, “it does not completely prevent people from getting TB”.  Antibiotics have been American treatment for TB since 1946 when streptomycin was developed.  Over the years, the Mycobacterium has evolved and become resistant to antibiotics used in the past.  Currently treatment involves 6-12 month-long treatment with multiple antibiotics but promising research may change that.  In March 2012 a new two-drug combo treatment was reported at the American Chemical Society meeting.  This drug combo involves the antibiotic meropenem plus clavulanate (a Beta-lactam inhibitor drug which is a component of the antibiotic combo-drug Augmentin).  This information can be found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326160528.htm A second announcement involves a three-in-one combo drug called PaMZ which shows promise for treating TB.  This drug combo is a combination of the TB drug pyrazinamide, the antibiotic moxifloxacin and PA-824. 

Both of these drug combos are currently in scientific trials and show promise for future treatments.  This information can be found at http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22095-threeinone-drug-wipes-the-floor-with-tb.html?full=true&print=true

Tuberculosis poses a serious threat to people whose immune systems are weakened (those taking immunosuppressant drugs, and those suffering with HIV/AIDS.) TB thrives in poor living conditions where people lack good nutrition, and live in crowded areas.  More information about tuberculosis can be found at CDC, Tuberculosis, http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general/tb.htm

Moore, Peter, The Little Book of Pandemics, (New York City:  Fall River Press, 2009), 57-59. 

An ancient disease that won't die off--tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB)---A few years ago (maybe 25) the medical community thought they had defeated  tuberculosis.  That didn’t happen; the tuberculosis bacteria has become resistant to antibiotics that formerly killed the germs.

Tuberculosis has a long history.  As far back as 4000 B.C., skeletal remains show evidence of TB.  A German doctor, Robert Koch, is credited for identifying the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.  Dr Koch received the Nobel Prize of Physiology and Medicine in 1905 for this discovery.  What is TB?  It’s a disease caused by a bacteria (mycobacterium tuberculosis).  In the past TB was called “consumption or wasting disease”.  TB presents itself as a “bad cough that lasts three weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the chest), weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever, sweating at night” 

 CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/Features/TBsymptoms/     TB is spread from one person who has TB through his coughing (sneezing, singing, speaking) to another person who doesn’t have TB.  The healthy person breathes in the germs left in the air by the ill person’s coughing, sneezing, etc.) The healthy person may not become ill if his immune system is strong and healthy.  The healthy person may become ill with the tuberculosis bacteria.  Next time I will discuss treatment for tuberculosis. 

Treatment for the ancient disease--Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection caused by any of three bacteria from the family of Bordetella. Children are especially susceptible to whooping cough.  When anyone has whooping cough infection, the bacteria stick to the outer lung cells and release a toxin which keeps the person’s lungs from clearing mucus.  The person deals with severe coughing as the body tries to rid itself of excess mucus.  As the person (child) finally coughs up the mucus and clears the throat, he draws in a big breath of air which creates the “whoop” sound. 

Antibiotics are only partially effective as treatment for whooping cough because the bacteria live on the outer lining of the lungs and cause this illness.  Until the recent questions by the experts, the pertussis vaccine was considered the answer.  The pertussis vaccine is included in the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) More information can be found at http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/health/feds-find-whooping-coughs-increase-alarming-645472/?print=1 Moore, Peter, The Little Book of Pandemics, (New York City:  Fall River Press, 2009), 48.    

Old diseases that won't die off--Whooping cough

Old diseases that won’t die off---Whooping cough (pertussis)

A July 20, 2012 news headline reads, “Feds find whooping cough’s increase alarming”  The experts fear that a rising number of whooping cough cases means we face an epidemic. So far this year’s number of cases (18,000 cases) has doubled last year.   

Whooping cough is another very old disease.  It was first recorded over 2 million years ago.  In the past, whooping cough epidemics seem to cycle and occur every four to five years.  Vaccination for whooping cough was developed during the 1940s and the number of cases dropped to less than 5000 U.S cases each year.  During the 1990s the vaccine was changed in an effort to decrease side effects.  The experts at Centers for Disease Control (CDC) question whether the changes in the vaccine decreased its effectiveness or length of its effectiveness.   More information about this news story can be found at http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/health/feds-find-whooping-coughs-increase-alarming-645472/?print=1 More information about whooping cough next time. 

Old diseases that won't die off

In an effort to discuss news stories in a timely manner, I am finding I may need to add a blog post which is off my topic.  For example, yesterday I discussed that Olympic athletes are ice bathing.  I hope this doesn’t cause any confusion among my readers. 

On Thursday and Saturday I talked about bubonic plague (a very old disease).   We hear about old diseases which continue to make us ill.  Despite our modern technology and all our medical knowledge, these diseases cause problems.  The next few blog posts I will discuss a few old diseases that continue to cause us illness.  Next time I will talk about whooping cough.

In the News--Olympic athletes use ice bath

I am interrupting my usual blogging schedule to discuss an “in the news” phenomenon.  Some of the Olympic athletes are ice bathing (cryotherapy).  Some of them are sharing pictures on Twitter showing them immersed in icy water.  What’s this all about? 

According to Runner’s World.com, “ice baths are one of the most effective ways to offset the damage done on a run.”  The theory behind ice immersion is that cold “constricts blood vessels and decreases metabolic activity, which reduces swelling and tissue breakdown.  Once the skin is no longer in contact with the cold source, the underlying tissues warm up, causing a return of faster blood flow, which helps return the byproducts of cellular breakdown to the lymph system for efficient recycling by the body.”  http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12810-0,00.html

Cold therapy has been a part of physical therapy practices for many years.  Adding an ice pack to an injury is basic first aid.  However, one source I read, Medicine Net warned that immersing oneself in icy water can shock the body, causing stress to the heart, blood vessels and respiratory system and is “not for everyone.” MedicineNet, http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=154841  I personally think immersing my body into icy water sounds unpleasant. But that’s what some elite athletes are doing to help heal their sore, possibly damaged muscles.  More about this news story can be found at http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/ice-bathing-olympic-tebowing-sure-looks-182939098--oly.html

Treatment for the ancient bubonic plague

Bubonic plague is an ancient disease spread by fleas infected with the Yersinia pestis bacteria.  Modern treatment for bubonic plague involves supportive treatment and antibiotics (treatment not developed until 1928 when Sir Alexander Fleming recognized that germs could not grow around the mold Penicillium.  From this observation and scientific work, our first antibiotic Penicillin was developed). 

The Oregon welder (in our news story) faces the possibility of losing fingers and toes and needing much rehabilitation to regain his health.  My heart goes out to this man and his family as they deal with this health crisis.  After reading this story, I’m thinking fleas (and rodents that carry them) are a situation to be avoided.  More information about this story can be found at http://news.yahoo.com/oregon-man-recovering-rare-case-bubonic-plague-220749129.html  For more suggestions about how to protect ourselves from this very old disease, check out the CDC website, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/resources/plaguebrochure.pdf