Meningitis

 A

Strain of

Meningitis has Taken the Lives of Gay Men

 

The meningitis strain is similar to meningococcal, but this strain has affected 22 gay men in New York City since 2010, with 7 deaths. A recent man from Hollywood, California has fallen victim to the illness and died Friday, after being on life support from this strain of meningitis. He was gay and did attend a party in Palm Springs on March 30, which is known to attract people from all over the country. The 33-year-old was healthy prior to Wednesday when he entered the emergency room and by Thursday he was in a coma. Officials are warning sexually active gay men and are giving out free vaccines in Hollywood, California.

The free vaccines are available starting today and are being given out at:  AIDS Healthcare Foundation's pharmacies in West Hollywood and Hollywood and its Men's Wellness Center in East Hollywood.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/04/13/california-man-diagnosed-with-meningitis-is-brain-dead/ 

http://hollywood.patch.com/articles/free-meningitis-shots-available-this-week-in-hollywood 

Bird Flu

A New Strain of the Bird Flu has Killed Seven

China has reported 24 people sickened with a new strain of the bird flu and seven have died. A 64-year old man from Shanghai complaint of chills and was treated for pneumonia and several days later on Sunday he died. The virus is referred to H7N9 and wasn't known to affect humans until recent illnesses. The virus has been discovered in food markets with live poultry and human contact.  Cities that had cases of H7N9 have stopped poultry trade and slaughtering of fowls in their markets. A vaccine is being sought and pneumonia cases are being watched closely. Investigations are on there way and the prevention of a global pandemic is a great concern.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/china-reports-cases-bird-flu-virus-18899867#.UWLq3hnwaJI

Are Tattoos Putting You at Risk for Diseases?

Tattoos have become quite popular within the last decade and with popularity comes risk. Tattoos are not  regulated and that can cause potential problems that could lead to disease. The ink that is used has changed throughout the years. Many of the inks contain organic azo dyes with plastic-based pigments that are found in car paint, industrial printing and textiles. Allergic reactions are one of the most common hazards from tattooing, but exposure to other problems include: infections, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, due to the lack of sterilization practices. Skin cancer may not be detected and moles that have changed may be masked within the tattoo. 

Ways to Lessen Your Risk for Potential Problems

1. Tattoo parlor should be clean and licensed

2. If a reaction occurs see a Dermatologist

3. Do not cover a mole with a tattoo

http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/article/43813.htm?c=NL20130306

Tuberculosis is on the Rise

Tuberculosis (TB) is an respiratory infection that causes deterioration of the lungs. This disease has been around since the 18 century and was associated with the poor. The spreading of the disease has decreased throughout the years, but there were 10,000 reported cases in 2010 and 2009, 529 people died from TB. There are 700 cases reported yearly in Los Angeles, California alone. 

Currently there are 300 missing cases in Los Angeles these high risk patients have had long exposure to TB and now they have vanished. These individuals were in homeless shelters in downtown Los Angeles. The hunt is on, finding these people will be a task being there are no records of them. The police are searching for them and are asked to wear facemasks and gloves when they suspect a person may have the disease.

Treating the patient with TB takes 6 to 9 months with a cocktail of antibiotics. Patients need to get treatment before their lungs become too compromised and once that happens the medication may not work and death could occur.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/01/l-a-hunts-for-300-missing-tuberculosis-cases.html

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Cancer Patients

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Stage 4 Lung Cancer

To patients that have been diagnosed 

with stage 4 lung cancer there is hope. 

I did a lot of research on this topic,

 due to my brother recently was 

diagnosed with 4th stage lung cancer.

The drug that seems to show promise is called Tarceva.

 The drug is taken orally. It has shrunk 

tumors and prolonged quality of life.

 I have attached the link to the forum where patients have shared their own experiences with the drug.

http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,51170,1.htm

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