Showing posts with label skin and soft tissue infections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin and soft tissue infections. Show all posts

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ebola virus and marburg virus disease spread from person to person by contact


INSECT AND - ANIMAL BORNE VIRAL INFECTIONS 


EBOLA AND MARBURG VIRUS INFECTIONS 


CAUSES 
Marburg and Ebola virus has risen to tropical rainforests in Africa, in mid-20th century. Live virus animal host or reservoir's .People were probably infected when they invaded their habitats, and found a virus for the first time. Researchers Have identified a type of African fruit bat as a source of virus. Even if infected with Ebola and Marburg in contact with monkeys, chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates, these animals are not subject to natural virus. Instead, they are a ring of infection.

Once a person has been infected with Ebola or Marburg virus, the virus can spread to others through contact with bodily fluids that his person or through the use of contaminated needles or syringes. Investigators do not believe that humans produce enough Ebola or Marburg virus in droplets to cause infection through casual contact.


SIGN AND SYMPTOMS 
After the incubation period of 5-10 days, fever, muscle aches and headaches often occur abdominal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea), and upper respiratory symptoms (cough, chest pain, pharyngitis). Photophobia, conjunctival injection, jaundice and lymphadenopathy occur. Delirium, stupor and coma may occur, suggesting the involvement of the CNS. hemorrhagic symptoms begin within the first days and include petechiae, bruising, bleeding and Frank puncture sites and mucous membranes. Maculopapular rash, mainly in wood, from about 5 days.

During the second week of symptoms, or fever clearance occurs and patients begin to recover, or multiple organ failure patients develop fatal. The recovery is long and may be complicated by recurrent hepatitis, uveitis, transverse myelitis, and orchitis. Mortality ranges from 25-90% (higher Ebola).


DIAGNOSIS 
Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever is difficult to diagnose because many of the early signs and symptoms resemble other infectious diseases such as typhoid and malaria. But if doctors suspect that you have been exposed to Ebola or Marburg virus, using laboratory tests to identify the virus in a few days. Most people with Ebola or Marburg haemorrhagic fever have high concentrations of virus in their blood. Blood tests known as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase chain reaction (PCR) can detect specific genes or viruses or antibodies against them.


TREATMENT 
No antiviral drug has proven effective in the treatment of infection with Ebola or Marburg virus. Consequently, treatment consists of medical support. This includes the provision of fluids to maintain adequate blood pressure to replace blood loss and treat all infections that develop. Some people receive transfusions of plasma to restore blood proteins to enhance coagulation. Public health officials urge hospitals to keep people with Ebola or Marburg haemorrhagic fever isolated from others in negative pressure rooms, which maintain the flow of air rather than enclosed spaces. Health workers should follow strict precautions for infection control.

COMPLICATIONS 
Both Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever lead to death for a large percentage of people who suffer. As the disease progresses, it can cause multiple organ failure, severe bleeding, jaundice, delirium, convulsions, coma and shock. Death often occurs within 10 days after the onset of signs and symptoms. One reason why viruses are so deadly is that they interfere with the immune system's ability to defend itself. But scientists do not understand why some people recover from Ebola and Marburg and others not. For those who survive, recovery is slow. It can take months to regain weight and strength, and the virus remains in the body for several weeks. People may experience hair loss, sensory changes, hepatitis, weakness, fatigue, headache,  inflammation of eye , inflammation of the testicles........ read more






Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Skin and soft tissue infection


 
SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTION .
 
Skin infections are common and can be caused by a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, bacteria, mycoplasma and rickettsia. They range from acute to chronic and mild to life threatening. Because the skin has a limited repertoire of responding to insults, clinical manifestations of a skin infection similar to those caused by other substances or mechanisms, for example, allergic reactions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis toxic epidermal , or autoimmune skin diseases such as pemphigus.
 
Skin infections can cause superficial skin structures (for example hair follicles), the external intruder (eg, bites or chips) or hematogenously (foe example , an infection spread by gonococci). Therefore, the approach to identify a specific cause of skin infection mandates attention to detail, and the history, physical examination, laboratory tests and other diagnostic methods. The good news is that you can see signs of infection and also visually assess response to treatment. Thus, if empirical therapy fails, a more powerful diagnostic approach can arise.

Normal skin is heavily colonized by bacterial flora. The most common are the different pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase negative). Skin infections and soft tissue are usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus pyogenes. This article discusses the common and some not so common bacterial skin infections, including the impetigo, folliculitis, furncles and jewelry, cellulitis and erysipelas, gangrenous cellulitis, staphylococcal skin syndrome and burned scarlet. Impetigo and ecthyma are bacterial infections of the skin often caused by S. aureus and / or a group of Streptococcus.



 
Mild impetigo topical antibiotics and local, while widespread or severe one and in ecthyma systemic antibiotics like, cloxacillin, erythromycin, cephalexin, or azithromycin should be used. Folliculitis, furunculosis and anthrax infections by S. folliculocentric aureus varies with the depth and extent of ovarian follicles (t) and the surrounding tissue. These conditions can be treated by local or systemic antibiotics like cloxacillin, cephalexin, erythromycin, amoxicillin / clavulanic acid or vancomycin. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a toxin mediated exfoliative skin disease caused by S. Phase II aureus group. Intravenous antibiotics such as penicillinase-resistant anti-staphylococcal methicillin, cloxacillin, cephalosporins or erythromycin are necessary.
 
Erysipelas and cellulitis are acute infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused most frequently group beta-hemolytic streptococci (erysipelas) or S. aureus requiring systemic antibiotics like oral or intravenous penicillin, erythromycin, cephalexin, cloxacillin, vacomycin, minocycline, or ciprofloxacin, depending on the severity of the case suspect organism and culture / sensitivity results. Cellulite is characterized by necrosis, gangrene, infection of the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue due to various pathogens occur in a different position. Ampicillin, gentamicin, and either metronidazole or clindamycin intravenously with standard doses recommended for treatment.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections infection is a rare but very serious bacterial infection that can destroy the muscles, skin and underlying tissues. Necrotizing refers to something that causes tissue death. Many types of bacteria can cause this type of infection. A severe form and often fatal necrotizing infections of soft tissues caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which is sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria." Necrotizing soft tissue infections infection develops when bacteria enter the body, usually through small cut or scratch. Bacteria begins to grow and release harmful substances (toxins) which kills bacteria, interfering with blood flow to the tissues, breaking material in tissues, which rapidly spread the bacteria, leading to widespread effects, such as shocks .
 
The first sign of infection may be a small red, painful spot or bump on the skin. This quickly turned into a bronze medal, very painful or purple patch that grows rapidly. The centre may become black and die. The skin can break open and oozing fluid. The wound may quickly grow in less than an hour. Symptoms may include malaise, fever, sweats, chills, nausea, dizziness, profound weakness, and, finally, shock. Without treatment, death comes quickly.