Poliomyelitis

SciCheck Digest Polio, a paralytic disease caused by a virus, has been eliminated in the U.S. — and nearly wiped out globally — thanks to vaccines. But social media posts are reviving old, false claims that polio is instead caused by pesticides and outbreaks of the disease ended when people stopped using DDT. Full Story In the 1940s and 1950s, Americans were terrorized by the threat of polio. Every summer, the highly contagious viral disease caused outbreaks that killed or paralyzed people, most of them children. At polio's peak in 1952, there were nearly 58,000 cases in the U.S., including more than 3,000 deaths and 21,000 instances of mild or disabling paralysis. Relief came with the development of polio vaccines: first, with Jonas Salk's vaccine, made from inactivated, or killed, polioviruses, in 1955, followed by Albert Sabin's oral vaccine, made from weakened polioviruses, in the...

Gastroenteritis and colitis are two conditions that involve inflammation of the digestive tract. Although both can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, they often have different causes and may require different treatment approaches. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines that typically occurs due to a viral or bacterial infection. Diarrhea ranging from mild to severe is the most common symptom. Other symptoms people typically experience are nausea and vomiting. People can usually recover without treatment, although hydration is important in the healing process. Most cases of colitis are chronic, and risk factors can include genetics and medications. However, some cases can be acute and occur due to infections, such as Clostridioides difficile ( C. difficile) . Keep reading to learn more about the link between gastroenteritis and colitis, including how the symptoms and treatment for both conditions compare. Colitis and gastroenteritis share some similarities. For e...

A new study published in Nature found major gaps in the treatments of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori , bacteria that can lead to stomach ulcers and is persistently found to be a risk factor for gastric cancer — the fourth-deadliest cancer worldwide.  It is something that nearly 36 percent of U.S. adults are infected with at some point. Normally, H. pylori can be treated with antibiotics early on, but when left untreated can lead to detrimental health outcomes. However, this treatment, sometimes referred to as "HP eradication," has seen rising rates of failure in the U.S. because of antibiotic resistance.  Specifically, these gaps were found in the selection of both first- and second-line therapy for infected patients. One major reason behind the gaps, is a lack of information. "In the U.S., there are no large-scale HP registries to track local HP antibiotic resistance rates and regimen-specific success rates, nor are HP antibiotic susce...

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Packing ampoules of the BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine for tuberculosis in 1931. Credit: FPG/Getty Images Advertisement Sign up for Scientific American ’s free newsletters. " data-newsletterpromo_article-image="https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/4641809D-B8F1-41A3-9E5A87C21ADB2FD8_source.png" data-newsletterpromo_article-button-text="Sign Up" data-newsletterpromo_article-button-link="https://www.scientificamerican.com/page/newsletter-sign-up/?origincode=2018_sciam_ArticlePromo_NewsletterSignUp" name="articleBody" itemprop="articleBody"> The bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine against tuberculosis—or simply BCG—is the oldest vaccine in the world that is still currently in use. Millions of infants in Africa and Asia receive the inoculation each year. The vaccine provides effective protection against tuberculosis (TB), a leading cause of infectious disease deaths ...

The combination of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is putting severe strain on hospitals in many countries. Although many people who are infected with these viruses will recover without any unexpected trouble, a minority will develop pneumonia and require hospital treatment. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. The lungs are made up of tiny sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when we breathe, and move oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the bloodstream. Pneumonia causes these air sacs to fill up with pus and fluid, which makes it harder to breathe, and for our organs to get enough oxygen. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, develop a bluish colour in your lips or fingertips, have chest pain, a high fever, or a cough with mucus that is severe or getting worse. People of all ages can develop pneumonia, and their symptoms can vary ...

There is a connection between bladder infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs), and the terms are sometimes used synonymously. A bladder infection is a type of UTI, but not all UTIs involve the bladder. You can also develop a UTI in the urethra, ureters, or kidneys. Learn more about the differences between bladder infections and UTIs. Karl Tapales / Getty Images Symptoms Distinguishing a bladder infection from another UTI based on symptoms alone can pose challenges. Bladder infections, like other types of UTIs, usually involve a frequent urge to urinate and pain or burning sensations when you do. Additional symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and fever, may indicate a UTI that has reached the kidneys. Bladder Infection Pain or burning when you urinate Frequent urge to urinate, even when you only have a few drops Strong-smelling urine Cloudy or bloody urine Pressure, cramping, or pain in the groin or lower abdomen UT...