Category: Infection

Parents are being warned to be on the lookout for fever and rash symptoms in young children as strep a infections sweep across Queensland. Key points: Doctors have warned of a “significant” increase in invasive strep A cases in Queensland New strain of group A streptococcal from the UK is believed to be a contributing factor to the rise in cases Common conditions like scarlet fever and impetigo caused by strep A can develop into the more serious invasive illness Townsville University Hospital clinical physician Nishila Moodley said group A streptococcus was a common bacteria that causes a range of conditions, such as scarlet fever and impetigo, also known as school sores. “Scarlet fever is where you have a group A strep throat, but it causes another reaction, there’s a toxin released and it causes … patches on the skin,” Dr Moodley said. “They describe it as being like sandpaper, and it may peel like a sunburn.” But group A strep can develop into a more serious illness — invasive group A streptococcus infection — which can require hospitalisation and become life-threatening. “When group A strep becomes worse, it starts to develop a toxin and it makes your body produce a reaction to itself – it basically attacks its own body,” Dr Moodley said. “That’s when you can develop long-term complications, including things like rheumatic heart disease, and post-strep glomerulonephritis, which is an infection of your kidneys.” Data from Queensland Health shows more than 350 invasive strep A cases have been recorded across the state in the year to date. The figure is up almost 150 cases on the same time last year. “It’s almost twice as high as the five-year average,” Dr Moodley said. Strep A cases are on the rise in Queensland this year.(Supplied: Telethon Kids Institute) Those most at risk are people over 65 or under five, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indicators of invasive infections can include fever, a fast heart rate, cold hands and feet or a mottled look to the skin, and difficulty waking. Symptoms to look out for in young children that may indicate severe illness include difficulty breathing, high-pitched crying, and refusal to eat or feed. “Often with kids, they stop eating, and they stopp behaving like they normally would — that’s when you’d be concerned and take them off to a GP to be examined,” Dr Moodley said. New strain, national database A new strain of the strep A bacteria that originated in the UK was detected in Australia earlier this year. Professor Michael Good from Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics said the M1UK strain was likely partly responsible for the uptick in cases. “That organism produces what are called more virulence factors or toxins than the normal streps do,” he said. “What we’re seeing globally, and in Australia, is new strains of streptococcus and particularly M1UK.” Professor Good said an immunity deficit built up during the pandemic was thought to be another contributing factor to the increase in cases. “We’ve seen more cases of viral diseases now that people have come out of lockdowns and restrictions,” he said. “The population as a whole seems to be more prone to viruses.” Professor Michael Good says research is underway to develop a vaccine against the disease.(Supplied: Griffith University ) The Doherty Institute of Melbourne is working toward a national framework to collate the number of invasive cases, the documenting of which only began in Australia in 2021. “We’re setting up a national genomic framework to actually investigate [the various strains of streptococcal disease] nationally,” the institute’s Mark Davies said. “If we can understand what strains are causing which proportion of infections, then we can start setting up these surveillance systems to understand and define earlier where it’s coming from,” Dr Davies said. Vaccine trial underway Dr Moodley said early detection and prevention were the best methods to combat the illness as there was currently no vaccine available. “We try and catch the scarlet fevers and the strep throats quite early if we can, so we can treat them and prevent those long-term complications,” she said. “If you’ve been exposed, wash your hands. If you have a sick child, keep your child at home so that you protect others in the community.” Professor Good said the first phase of a vaccine trial was underway, in a collaboration between researchers in Queensland and overseas. “It’s hard to know how long that strain will persist for … as strains do come and go [and] people … eventually develop some sort of immunity to different strains, and that will suppress them,” he said. “The trial is looking very promising — we’re hopeful that if all goes well, we could have a vaccine by 2030.” Find more local news Browse for your location and find more local ABC News and information

COVID infections are on the rise, but how concerned should we be? Is it just a blip on the radar screen or a sign of things to come? We talk to local doctors, including former White House COVID Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha, about the present and future of COVID-19. This segment aired on August 16, 2023.

MARANA, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Marana Parks and Recreation Department said the pool is now open in Marana, but last week it was closed for part of Saturday and all of Sunday because some lifeguards could have had MRSA infections. Kevin Goodrich, the recreation supervisor said on Saturday some of their lifeguards had sores on the back of their thighs, but never got into the pool. The CDC says MRSA can cause a bump or infected area on your skin that can be red, swollen, and painful, and you can have a fever with it. They say athletes are more susceptible to get it but anyone can get it. Goodrich said those lifeguards got checked out by a doctor and got treatments. He said they have been cleared to go back to work. In order to make sure everyone stays healthy, he said they disinfected surfaces and facilities with 10-90 bleach. Goodrich said he hasn’t seen a case of MRSA in his sixteen years with the town, and they always encourage a healthy lifestyle. “We do promote that nobody enter the water with any open sores or cuts or anything like that. The staff who did have the sores, they were not in the water,” Goodrich said. He said nobody else came forward with any symptoms and they are continuing to disinfect the facilities and surfaces at the pool.

Introduction Human skin serves as an effective barrier to infection, protecting the underlying tissues, bones, and organs.1–3 Wounds are defined as a breach in the skin or tissues’ structural integrity that affects the skin’s ability to defend itself.4,5 As one the most common causes of death and morbidity in surgical patients, wound infection accounts for 70% to 80% of deaths after burn injuries.6–8 Out of all surgical deaths, around 70–80% deaths are caused by wound infection.9–11 Bacteria that cause pus production or wound infection include S. aureus, Clostridium spp., Actinomyces spp., E. coli, Proteus spp., Neisseria spp., Vibrio vulnificus and Candida spp.12 S. aureus is a versatile pathogen capable of infecting humans with a broad spectrum of illnesses causing both infection and soft tissue infection.13–16 Skin and soft tissue infections caused by S. aureus, as life-threatening systemic illnesses, are a significant hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections.17–20 Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) represent a global public health hazard because of their risk and spread.21 A lack of adequate containment and treatment options for MRSA and VRSA has the potential to cause significant global mortality.22–24 VRSA is also known to be resistant to a wide range of commonly used antimicrobial treatments. As the final line of defense against MRSA and other drug-resistant, Gram-positive pathogens, glycopeptide vancomycin has long been considered a lifesaver.25–27 Antimicrobial abuse and overuse may contribute to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, which is a major cause of illness and death around the world.28–30 The most prevalent place for MRSA and VRSA to co-infect and co-colonize is in a wound, making it the most typical place where VRSA is isolated. Treatment for a VRSA infection often includes prompt attention to the wound. The eradication of VRSA is aided by wound treatment, which also eliminates a conducive environment for co-colonization, thereby preventing the spread of plasmids.30 Since the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, treating infectious diseases has become more difficult.28 In order to be classified as multidrug resistant (MDR), an organism must be resistant to three or more categories of antimicrobial agents; extremely (extensive) drug resistant (XDR) means that an organism is resistant to all antimicrobial agents except for two or fewer categories, and pan drug resistant (PDR) means that an organism is resistant to all antimicrobial agents.31–33 MRSA refers to any S. aureus strain that has evolved or acquired a multiple drug-resistance to beta-lactam drugs. Treatment of serious MRSA infections with glycopeptide vancomycin is still the preferred option. Vancomycin suppresses cell wall manufacturing. VRSA is a phrase used to describe S. aureus isolates that are completely resistant to vancomycin (MIC≥16 µg/mL).22,25 There has been a significant rise in the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in hospital and community infections during the last decade. MRSA and VRSA have been brought to the attention of the medical profession and the general public, along with their full effect on health and economic consequences.34 Therefore, both the development of MRSA and VRSA as well as their prospective cost-effectiveness estimations are influenced by their clinical and economic consequences.28 Surgical wound infections are classified as followed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Superficial incisional infection that only involves the skin and subcutaneous tissues. One of the following criteria has to be met: purulent discharge from the wound, isolated organism, at least one symptom of infection, and diagnosis by the surgeon. These infections account for more than 50% of all surgical infections. Deep incisional infections involve deeper tissues, including muscles and fascial planes. One of the following criteria has to be met: purulent discharge from the wound, dehiscence, or deliberate re-opening of deep incision by the surgeon after suspecting an infection, evidence of abscess formation, or other deep infection diagnoses by the surgeon. Organ/space infection may involve any organ apart from the incision site but must be related to the surgical procedure. One of the following criteria has to be met: purulent discharge from the drain placed in the organ, isolated organism from the organ, abscess, or other infection involving the organ. This study sheds light on the current prevalence of MRSA and VRSA in wound swabs, the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolated S. aureus, and the presence of multidrug resistant strains among the isolates. Therefore, the study aims to assess the pattern of S. aureus isolated from pus/wound samples in Saudi Arabian tertiary hospitals. Materials and Methods Study Design This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out during the period from February 2022 to September 2022. Fisher’s formula was used to estimate the proper sample size which is 500 samples in our research. Data and specimens were collected from patients of all sexes and ages who visited the hospital throughout the research period. A total of 188 different S. aureus were isolated from 542 wound specimens in the Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital (339) and Swair General Hospital in Sakaka, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia (203). Table 1 exhibits the distribution of wound specimens by gender, age, and location. Specimens that indicated any evidence of contamination were discarded from the examination. It is important to note that patients were only included in the study if they had a sample labeled with a combination of the following keywords: a wound swab, abscess, wound, drain, culture, or discharge. Table 1 Distribution of Wound Specimens of Patients by Gender, Age and Locations Collection of Specimens and Bacterial Categorization Aseptic dry swab samples were taken from the pus and wounds. The samples were properly labeled before being transferred to the lab, where they were quickly processed. Specimens were subsequently cultured on Blood Agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Staphylococcal isolates were identified using biochemical and morphological approaches.35 Multiple biochemical tests for the confirmation of S. aureus were performed on the Gram-positive cocci in cluster detected under the microscope. Identification of S. aureus based on the presence of catalase and oxidase as well as coagulase activity and DNase activity in the S. aureus colonies on mannitol salt agar. Presumptive MRSA was confirmed by Vitek 2

Authorities are investigating the death of a New Yorker in connection to the flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus linked to saltwater and raw shellfish exposures. The case of vibriosis, a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause skin breakdown and ulcers, was uncovered in a recently deceased Suffolk County resident, officials said. Two other fatal cases of vibriosis have also been identified in Connecticut recently in connection to exposure to salt or brackish water along Long Island Sound. Health officials also reminded medical providers to consider vibriosis when diagnosing wound infections or sepsis of unknown origins. What is flesh-eating bacterial infection vibriosis? Vibriosis is caused by several species of bacteria, including the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which occurs naturally in saltwater coastal environments, officials said. The bacteria can be found in higher concentrations from May to October when the weather is warmer. Infection with vibriosis can cause a range of symptoms when ingested, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and chills. Exposure to the bacteria can also result in ear infections and cause sepsis and life-threatening wound infections. The death in Suffolk County is still being investigated to determine if the bacteria was encountered in New York waters or elsewhere, officials said. Is COVID back?COVID summer surge hits NY. How bad is it? How can you avoid flesh-eating bacteria in NY? Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald recommended New Yorkers with any type of wounds — such as a cut or scrape, a recent piercing or tattoo — to avoid swimming in warm seawater to reduce risks of exposure to the deadly bacteria. While anyone can get vibriosis, those with liver disease, cancer or a weakened immune system or people taking medicine to decrease stomach acid levels may be more likely to get an infection or develop complications when infected, health officials noted. Those with compromised immune systems should avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish, such as oysters, which can carry the bacteria, officials added. Connecticut health officials noted this bacterial infection “is an extremely rare illness.” Five cases were reported in 2020 in Connecticut, and none in 2021 and 2022. About one in five people with this type of infection die, they added. For further details about the bacteria, visit the health department website, health.ny.gov.

Image by Miguel Muñoz Hierro A timely and prompt diagnosis in horses of a Clostridioides difficile infection leading to treatment with the antibiotic metronidazole improves outcomes, researchers report. The spore-forming bacterium is one of the causes of colitis (colon inflammation) in humans, especially during antimicrobial treatment and hospitalisation. C. difficile has also been isolated from animals, which are often symptom-free. However, the bacterium is known to cause disease in certain animals, including horses and pigs. In horses, it is one of the most important causes of colitis. Cases in horses have been reported worldwide, Eri Uchida-Fujii, Hidekazu Niwa and their fellow researchers noted in the journal Scientific Reports. Disease in horses ranges from mild to severe, and can be fatal. Around 6 to 8% of healthy horses are also thought to harbour C. difficile. Researchers set out to perform a molecular study of C. difficile samples taken from C. difficile cases among Japanese Thoroughbreds. They also sought to evaluate the disease-causing ability of each genotype by linking their genetic analysis to case outcomes. Their work centered on 34 cases from 2010 to 2021, from which 38 C. difficile strains were isolated. All of the horses developed severe colitis. Twenty-two of the horses (64.7%) were hospitalised at the onset of colitis. Outcomes were balanced for hospitalisation rates at the onset of colitis. The study team found that the death rates of cases treated with metronidazole (65.0%) were significantly lower than untreated cases, in which all died. Overall, nearly 80% of the horses died or were euthanised. The study team noted that in 2013 veterinarians started to use metronidazole for C. difficile cases at the two equine hospitals at the center of the study. An earlier study that reviewed the same cases suggested that metronidazole treatment reduced the mortality rate, even though the number of cases was too low to obtain adequate statistical power. The effect of metronidazole treatment was clearly significant, they said. Treatment with metronidazole would be a major factor for recovery from C. difficile in these cases, the study team said, even though the accumulation of experience by the veterinarians, early diagnosis, and improvements in supportive care might also have contributed to better outcomes. “Our study suggests that metronidazole treatment is needed for horses with adequately diagnosed C. difficile infections,” they concluded. In addition, monitoring the number of cases and their prognosis in horses should be continued to establish better approaches for the treatment and prevention of such infections. Finally, to understand the transmission route of C. difficile and to prevent healthcare-associated infections in horses, strain-based surveillance of the bacterium should be continued, they said. Genotyping for C. difficile of animal origin is important for understanding the presence and transmission of the pathogen among humans, animals, and the environment. “Further investigations of C. difficile infections in horses might contribute to understanding its potential role as a zoonotic pathogen in terms of One Health.” The study team comprised Uchida-Fujii, Niwa, Yuta Kinoshita and Takanori Ueno, all with the Microbiology Division, part of the Equine Research Institute of the Japan Racing Association; Mitsutoshi Senoh and Haru Kato, with Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases; and Hiroshi Mita, with the Clinical Veterinary Medicine Division, part of the Equine Research Institute at the Japan Racing Association. Uchida-Fujii, E., Niwa, H., Senoh, M. et al. Clostridioides difficile infection in thoroughbred horses in Japan from 2010 to 2021. Sci Rep 13, 13099 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40157-x The study, published under a Creative Commons License, can be read here. • Receive a notification when a new article is posted:

ACROSS AMERICA — Health officials are warning of a rare flesh-eating bacterium known as Vibrio vulnificus, found naturally in warm coastal waters, that has killed multiple people along the East Coast this summer. Two people died in Connecticut and another on Long Island after becoming infected, health officials in both states said this week. In the warmer coastal waters off Florida, where surface water temperatures have soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit this summer, 25 people have been infected with Vibrio vulnificus and five people have died, according to the Florida Vibrio infections are commonly associated with eating raw or undercooked oysters and other seafood, but also occur when people with open wounds or cuts come in contact with seawater or brackish water where the bacteria are present, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three people in all were hospitalized in Connecticut after becoming infected, according to state health officials Two of the three Vibrio vulnificus infections reported in that state were wound infections not associated with seafood. The third infection was a Connecticut resident who consumed raw oysters at an out-of-state establishment. The bacteria is “extraordinarily dangerous,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said after a Long Island resident died as a result of the infection. People infected by the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria often require intensive care or limb amputations, and about 1 in 5 die, often within a day or two of becoming ill, according to the CDC. People at greatest risk for illness from the infection are those with weakened immune systems and the elderly. Some Vibrio vulnificus infections lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies, inspiring the “flesh-eating bacteria” moniker. The necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by more than one type of bacteria, according to the CDC. Signs and symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection can include: Watery diarrhea, often accompanied by stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. For bloodstream infection: fever, chills, dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering skin lesions. For wound infection, which may spread to the rest of the body: fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge (leaking fluids). The CDC suggests following these precautions: Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. If you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible. This includes wading at the beach. Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with salt water, brackish water, marine life, or raw or undercooked seafood and its juices. This contact can happen during everyday activities, such as swimming, fishing, or walking on the beach. Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water after they have contact with salt water, brackish water, marine life, raw seafood, or its juices. Besides occurring naturally in warm coastal waters, Vibrio vulnificus infections have also been associated with hurricanes, storm surges and coastal flooding.

New York health officials issued guidance after a rare but potentially deadly bacterial infection was discovered in a recently deceased person on Long Island. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday that vibrosis, which can cause skin breakdown and ulcers, was found in an individual in Suffolk County who had recently died. The state added that fatal cases have also been identified in Connecticut recently. “While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous,” Hochul said. “As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.” The governor and State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said that the best ways to avoid potential vibriosis infections is to protect open wounds from seawater, particularly warm seawater, as well as for those with compromised immune systems to avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, which could carry the bacteria. While we continue to investigate the source of this rare infection, it is important for residents to remain aware and vigilant on precautions that can be taken. As always, if any residents have health concerns we encourage them to contact their health care provider,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. What is vibriosis? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vibrio bacteria naturally live in coastal waters, and are more common during warm weather months between May and October. The most common way people contract the bacteria is by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Some species of vibrio can cause a rash or skin infection when exposed to salt water or brackish water (mixture of fresh and salt water). The CDC said that those with chronic liver disease are most at risk to contract the bacteria infection. About 80,000 cases are found each year in the U.S., the CDC says, with more than half a result of consuming contaminated food. Vibrosis is responsible for about 100 deaths each year, according to the CDC. Symptoms and treatment While most who contract vibrosis will recover in about three or so days with no long-term effects, a small percentage of those who get it require intensive care or even amputation, the CDC states. The New York Department of Health said that the bacteria can cause skin breakdown and ulcers, and said that health care providers should consider vibrosis when diagnosing wound infections or sepsis of unknown origins. For those who get vibrosis from consuming contaminated food, symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and chills, according to the state health department. Exposure can also lead to ear infections.

ByParmita Uniyal, New Delhi Aug 16, 2023 03:43 PM IST Share Via Copy Link Your chances of getting viral infections could go up manifold in monsoon owing to humid weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. Monsoon season can add to your health woes as the season is known to weaken immunity and raise risk of illnesses and infections. As per studies, one’s chances of getting microbial infections goes up manifold in monsoon owing to humid weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. This year, many parts of the country received excess rainfall due to which diseases caused by virus, bacteria, fungus are seeing an exponential rise. Viral infections from dengue, malaria to influenza and common cold, gastro-intestinal diseases, hepatitis, conjunctivitis are fast spreading in the recent months. (Also read: Want better immunity? Check out this recommended diet for monsoon) Increased viral activity during the monsoon season often leads to the prevalence of viral fevers. “Increased viral activity during the monsoon season often leads to the prevalence of viral fevers. Some of the viral infections that are prevalent in monsoon seasons and can be easily prevented by taking precautions,” says Dr. Ramniwas Gupta, Senior Consultant, Dept of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad. 1. Dengue fever Transmitted by mosquitoes, dengue can cause high fever, severe body pain, and even life-threatening complications. “Spread by the Aedes mosquito, dengue fever manifests with an abrupt onset of high fever, intense joint and muscle discomfort, headache, and a rash. In severe cases, it can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, causing bleeding, organ damage, and even death,” says Dr Gupta. 2. Malaria Malaria is another mosquito-borne disease that can lead to fever, chills, and body aches. Proper mosquito protection is crucial. It is important to wear long sleeved clothes that cover the body completely and take measures to control mosquito breeding, says Dr. Saibal Chakravorty, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida Sector-11, UP shares common viral infections that are rampant in monsoon. 2. Chikungunya Also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, chikungunya causes fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and rash. While fatalities are rare, the joint pain can be quite debilitating and persist for months, affecting the quality of life, says Dr Gupta. 4. Influenza (Flu) Flu viruses thrive in damp weather. Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches. Vaccination is a key preventive measure, says Dr Chakravorty. It can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory complications, particularly in vulnerable populations, says Dr Gupta. 5. Common Cold “Caused by various viruses, colds lead to a runny nose, cough, sneezing, and mild fever. Hygiene and avoiding close contact can help prevent it,” adds Dr Chakravorty. 6. Viral Gastroenteritis “Also known as stomach flu, it causes vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Staying hydrated is important,” says Dr Chakravorty. “Several different viruses, including rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus, account for most cases of acute viral gastroenteritis (loose motions and vomiting). The majority are spread through the faecal-oral route, which includes contaminated food and water,” says Dr Gupta. 7. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Mostly affecting children, this viral infection causes sores in the mouth, hands, and feet. It spreads easily in crowded places, says Dr Chakravorty. 8. Hepatitis A & E These viral infections primarily spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms encompass jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), tiredness, abdominal discomfort, queasiness, and retching. Hepatitis A & E are usually self-limiting but can cause severe illness in some cases, says Dr Gupta. 9. Viral Conjunctivitis (Eye Flu) Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is usually caused by adenovirus. Symptoms include eye irritation, photophobia, and watery discharge. Practice good eye hygiene and avoid using contact lenses. Viral conjunctivitis is self-limiting, lasting 1 week in mild cases to up to 3 weeks in severe cases. For symptomatic relief, apply cool compresses, says Dr Gupta. 10. Chickenpox “The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox, a highly contagious illness. Other symptoms include an itchy, blister-like rash. The rash begins on the chest, back, and face before spreading across the entire body,” says Dr Gupta. Viral infections: Prevention and treatment Dr Gupta shares some prevention and treatment suggestions for the viral infections that tend to spread during the monsoon season in India: Stay hydrated: Staying well-hydrated is crucial for most viral infections to aid in recovery and manage symptoms. Rest: Get plenty of rest to help your body recover and build up its immune response. Pain and fever relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers (such as acetaminophen or paracetamol) can help manage symptoms. Always follow the recommended dosage. Medical attention: Seek medical help if symptoms worsen or if you experience severe symptoms. This is especially important for conditions like dengue, where early intervention can prevent complications. Hygiene: Isolate yourself to prevent the spread of infections to others. Practice good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Vaccination: If available, consider getting vaccinated against diseases like hepatitis A, chickenpox, and influenza to prevent infection. Remember that self-medication is not recommended. Consult a medical professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially for severe or persistent symptoms. Topics Monsoon Dengue Malaria

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Dogs can detect Covid-19 faster and more accurately than a PCR test, a new study shows. Researchers looked at the ability of canines to recognise the virus and its variants, even when they are obscured by other viruses, like those from common colds and flu. More than 400 scientists from over 30 countries contributed to the study as well as 147 scent dogs, according to the findings published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. After analysing many studies covering both field and clinical experiments, Professor Dickey and Junqueira found that dogs who are trained to sniff out scents are “as effective and often more effective” than antigen tests. A total of 53 dogs were trained to sniff out Covid scents, while 37 were not and scientists found that the dogs that were not trained were in some cases “slightly superior” to those that were pre-trained. “The previously untrained dogs have the advantage that they are not as prone to indicating on scents other than the Covid–19 associated scent,” the paper said. The results indicated that not only can dogs detect Covid faster, but they can also do so in a non-intrusive manner. This means you won’t need to put a swab in your throat or nose. How can dogs detect the virus? This essentially comes down to the dog’s highly evolved nose with its ability to sense out smells quicker. Dogs possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans. And the part of a dog’s brain that is devoted to analysing smells is about “40 times greater” than humans. Canines also have ‘neophilia’, which means they are attracted to new and interesting odours And so, with all these enhancements, dogs can detect very low concentrations of odours associated with Covid infections. “They can detect the equivalent of one drop of an odorous substance in 10.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” Professor Dickey said. “For perspective, this is about three orders of magnitude better than with scientific instrumentation.” Scientists also found that in some cases, the animals were also able to detect the virus in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, “whose viral load was too low for conventional tests to work.” Professor Dickey has said that dogs can also differentiate Covid and its different variants in the presence of other respiratory viruses. This included the common cold or flu. “They’re much more effective. In fact, one of the authors that we quote in the paper commented that the RT-PCR test is not the gold standard anymore. It’s the dog. And they’re so quick,” he added. “They can give you the yes or no within seconds if they’re directly smelling you.” How was the study conducted to see if dogs can really detect Covid-19? In some studies, the dogs gave a person a quick sniff, sitting down to see if the person has Covid. In another study, the dog was given a sweat sample to smell for a few minutes. The press release has said that scent dogs, such as beagles, basset hounds and coonhounds are the ideal candidates for sniffing out the virus, given their “natural tendencies to rely on odours to relate to the world.” But the studies which the researchers analysed showed a variety of dogs were up for the challenge and were able to sniff out the Covid odour. With a few weeks of training, puppies, older dogs, purebred and mixed breeds, both male and female were able to sniff such odours out and “all performed admirably,” the Eureka Alert press release said. Although there has been success with dogs detecting such viruses, researchers believe there are still many challenges with using dogs for medical diagnoses. “There’s quite a bit of research, but it’s still considered by many as a kind of a curiosity,” said Professor Dickey. In conclusion, Professor Dickey and Junqueira said after reviewing the studies, believe that scent dogs deserve “their place as a serious diagnostic methodology that could be particularly useful during future pandemics, potentially as part of rapid routine health screenings in public spaces.” “Perhaps, most importantly, we argue that the impressive international quality and quantity of COVID scent dog research described in our paper for the first time, demonstrates that medical scent dogs are finally ready for a host of mainstream medical applications,” they added.