Smileband Health issues

Police reforms to progress equality for women and ethnic minorities are being blocked by the Freemasons, it has been claimed. Steve White, the Police Federation chairman for England and Wales, said a number of people within his organisation 'suspected' members of the secretive group have been an 'obstacle' to changes.

But the Masons completely deny the claims, saying they uphold 'values in keeping with public service and high morals'. Mr White, who is stepping down from his role, told the guardian: 'What people do in their private lives is a matter for them. When it becomes an issue is when it affects their work.

'There have been occasions when colleagues of mine have suspected that Freemasons have been an obstacle to reform.

'We need to make sure that people are making decisions for the right reasons and there is a need for future continuing cultural reform in the Fed, which should be reflective of the makeup of policing.'

The Masons are shrouded in mystery and many people believe that they serve the interests of its members over the general public. 

According to The Sun, Mike Baker, spokesman for the United Grand Lodge, the governing body for most freemasons in England, said: 'Why would there be a clash?

'It's the same as saying there would be a clash between anyone in a membership organisation and in a public service.

'We are parallel organisations, we fit into these organisations and have high moral principles and values. 

Smileband Health issues

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus gattii or Cryptococcus neoformans. The fungus is found in the environment in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world. Symptoms will depend on where the infection occurs. An infection of the lungs will cause a pneumonia-like illness and can include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. Cryptococcal meningitis can occur if the fungus spreads from the lungs to the brain. Symptoms include headache, fever, neck pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and confusion or behavior changes.

Individuals at higher risk include individuals who are immunocompromised, have lung conditions, are 50 years or older, or smoke tobacco.

Transmission

Transmission occurs when individuals breath in the fungus.       Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture (this is needed to tell the difference in C. neoformans and C. gattii)	CSF, Sputum, Lung Tissue
Immunoassay	CSF, Sputum, Lung Tissue

 Isolation Precautions

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
There are no formal recommendations for preventing cryptococcosis because you can breath in the spores from the environment.

Smileband Health issues

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be caused by over 40 different species of fungi from the Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton families. The fungus can cause an itchy, red, circular rash on the body. Ringworm can affect different parts of the body including feet, groin, scalp, beard, hands, toenails or fingernails, and arms or legs.

Ringworm is a very common infection but those who have weakened immune systems may be at high risk for the infection and may have a harder time fighting off the infection. The fungi can live on skin and in the environmnet.

Transmission

Transmission can occur from coming into to contact with a person or animal that has the fungi. Transmission can also occur if you come in contact with the fungi in the environment.

The incubation period is 1 to 3 weeks.                                      Isolation Precautions

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients

• Keep your skin clean and dry
• Wear shoes that allow air to circulate freely around your feet
• Don't walk barefoot in locker rooms or public showers
• Don't share clothing, towels, sheets or other personal items
• Wash your hands after touching pets

Smileband Health issues

AFM is one of a number of conditions that can result in neurologic illness with limb weakness. Such illnesses can result from a variety of causes, including viral infections, environmental toxins, genetic disorders and others. Despite extensive laboratory testing, a cause for AFM is unable to be identified.

AFM is characterized by:

• Acute onset of focal limb weakness
• An MRI showing a spinal cord lesion largely restricted to gray matter and spanning one or more spinal segments
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with pleocytosis (WBC >5 cells/mm3)

In 2015, 16 people from 12 states had confirmed AFM. In 2014, a total of 115 people from 34 states were reported to have confirmed AFM.

Transmission
AFM has numerous suspect etiologies, but a cause for AFM is unable to be identified. Suspected viruses identified in AFM patients include:

• Enteroviruses (polio and non-polio)
• West Nile virus (WNV) and viruses in the same family as WNV, specifically Japanese encephalitis virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus
• Herpesviruses, such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus
• Adenoviruses

Lab Tests & Specimen Info   Isolation Procedures

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
Persons can help protect themselves from known causes of AFM by:

• Being up to date on all recommended vaccinations, including poliovirus
• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Avoiding close contact with sick people
• Cleaning surfaces with a disinfectant, especially those that a sick person has touched
• Protecting from mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus

Public Health Actions
Public health can provide targeted guidance for the workup and therapies of a suspect AFM case.

Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case.

Smileband General news

President Donald Trump began his first morning of the New Year engaging in one of his preferred activities of the just-passed 2017: firing off online shots about whatever was on his mind.   On Monday, the president sent out morning messages about two global trouble spots.

Trump sent out a tweet about Pakistan just after 7 am Monday morning, after attending a New Years' bash at Mar-a-Lago, where he has been staying over the holidays. 

'The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!' Trump wrote.   Then about 30 minutes later, the president tweeted about protests in Iran. 

Trump said it was 'time for change' in Iran and that the country's people were 'hungry' for freedom, after days of deadly protests against the government in Tehran.  'Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration,' Trump wrote, referring to the nuclear pact sealed under his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama.

'The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!' Trump added.

Iran's foreign minister, Khawaja Asif, tweeted in response: 'We will respond to President Trump's tweet shortly inshallah...Will let the world know the truth..difference between facts & fiction.'

Inshallah means 'god willing' in Arabic.

Later Monday morning, Trump went to the Trump International Golf Club, arriving at 8:51 am. It was his 91st day on a golf course as president, according to NBC. 

The White House said Trump was playing with PGA Champions Tour Player Fred Funk and his son Taylor Funk.

Later Trump tweeted that he will 'be leaving Florida for Washington (D.C.) today at 4:00 P.M. Much work to be done, but it will be a great New Year!' But Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hit back, saying the US leader -- whose 'whole being is against the nation of Iran -- had 'no right' to sympathize with protesters.

Ten people were killed overnight in Iran, local media reported, bringing the death toll after four days of protests to 12.

Iranian state TV reported the figure Monday, saying security forces repelled 'armed protesters' who tried to take over police stations and military bases.

Two people were shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh while another two died in Dorud after being run over by a stolen fire truck, local news agencies reported.

Smileband Health issues

Ancyclostoma infection is a parasitic disease caused by Ancyclostoma species (also known as hookworm). The larvae and adult worms live in the small intestine and can cause intestinal disease. These infections generally occur in regions where human feces are used a fertilizer or defecation into the soil occurs.

The most common serious symptoms that occur are anemia and protein deficiency. This generally affects children more than adults and can lead to lack of growth and issues with mental development.  
 Transmission

Transmission can occur when Ascaris eggs are ingested, generally from contaminated soil.     Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Microscopic  examination	Stool

Isolation Precautions
Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
Avoid walking barefoot in areas where hookworm is common or where human feces might be present in the soil. Using effective sewage disposal systems.

Smileband Health issues

Chlamydia infection is caused by the bacteriumChlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported notifiable disease in Arizona and the United States. More cases of chlamydia have been reported to the CDC since 1994 than any other STD. In 2014, there were just over 1.4 million chlamydial infections reported nationwide; however, the CDC estimates that 2.86 million chlamydial infections occur annually.

Transmission

Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for chlamydia to be transmitted or acquired. A partner does not need to be symptomatic in order to transmit chlamydia. Chlamydia can also be spread perinatally from an untreated mother to baby during childbirth.                             Isolation Precautions

Infected individuals should be advised to refrain from sexual activity for at least 7 days after being fully treated. 

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) may be offered to patient's partners. 

There are several ways to prevent sexually transmitted infection:

• Condoms
• Monogamous relationships
• Abstinence

Pregnant females should be screened during prenatal care. 

Smileband Health issues

Botulism is an intoxication caused by ingestion or other exposure to a neurotoxin produced by the anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

Botulism is characterized by neurologic symptoms that may cause dysphagia, dry mouth, diplopia and dysarthria. Ptosis and descending, symmetrical paralysis are characteristic. The patient is usually mentally alert. Neurologic symptoms may be preceded or accompanied by mild GI disturbance such as constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea. Respiratory distress may occur if respiratory muscles become compromised.

Arizona usually sees 1-5 cases of botulism a year. Risk factors for cases in Arizona include IV drug use, consumption of canned food or consumption of prison wine, also known as "pruno."

Arizona 5 year median: 1 case

Transmission

Because C. botulinum forms spores, it can survive indefinitely under essentially any environmental condition.

Foodborne Botulism - Caused by ingestion of preformed toxin. Commonly implicated foods have been low acid, home-canned foods.

Wound Botulism - The toxin is produced in situ and disseminated in the blood from devitalized tissue where semi-anaerobic conditions are obtained. Often reported in drug users, especially injectors of “black-tar” heroin.

Inhalational Botulism - To date, the only human cases have been the result of inadvertent inhalation of toxin by laboratory workers. Toxin can be absorbed through the lung and it is believed that if botulinum toxin were to be used as a bioweapon, it would be by this route.

Smileband Health issues

Bacillus anthracis and anthrax

Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium, and is the causative agent of anthrax, an acute, rapidly progressing infectious disease that affects both animals and humans. B. anthracisforms spores after the death of infected hosts. The spores can remain dormant for many years in soil and begin to grow again and secrete toxins after gaining entry into susceptible hosts. The B. anthracis spore, the infectious form of the pathogen, has long been considered as a potential warfare agent and has been a top bioterrorism concern since the 2001 anthrax attacks in the USA   

A Lethal Combination

Anthrax is caused by an unusually large bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. Once its spores lodge in the skin or in the lungs, it rapidly begins growth and produces a deadly three-part toxin. These toxins are designed for maximum lethality, and are frighteningly effective. Part of the toxin is a delivery mechanism that seeks out cells; another part is a toxic enzyme that rapidly kills the cell. In anthrax toxin, there is one delivery molecule, termed "protective antigen" because of its use in anthrax vaccines.   

Keeping Deadly Company

These types of multiple-part toxins are quite common in the bacterial world because they are exquisitely effective. Many other examples, such as toxins from the bacteria that cause cholera and whooping cough, may be found in the PDB. The delivery component specifically seeks out cell surfaces and inserts the toxic component where it can do the most damage. The toxic component is far more effective than poisons like cyanide and arsenic. Those poisons attack one-on-one, with a single cyanide molecule poisoning a single protein molecule. But toxic enzymes are compact cell-killing machines. Once inside the cell, they hop from molecule to molecule, destroying each in turn. These molecules are so effective that in some cases a single molecule can kill an entire cell.

Smileband Health issues

NHS England has written to all GPs warning that the vaccine has ‘showed no significant effectiveness in this group over recent seasons’.

From next autumn, family doctors should instead adopt an injection used by other European countries for the last 20 years, but which will not be available in Britain until the 2018-19 flu season.

Until then the elderly will have to make do with the current vaccine – and experts last night stressed that they should carry on receiving it as it is the best defence available. Some 70 per cent of pensioners, who are eligible for the jab on the NHS, have already had the current vaccine so far this winter. The new jab, called Fluad, is particularly effective against a strain which is especially dangerous to the elderly called H3N2, also known as Aussie flu. 

Trials have shown the £9.79 vaccine triggers a 61 per cent bigger immune response to this strain in over-65s than other vaccines.

It is also more effective against the other common strain, H1N1, with a 40 per cent bigger immune response.

Fluad has been available in Europe since August 1997, but only received a UK licence in August after British regulators retested its safety.

In October the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the Government, recommended it replace the existing vaccine for the elderly. The minutes of its meeting said of Fluad: ‘In a study undertaken in an elderly population ... [it] showed a highly significant effectiveness and relative effectiveness compared with [the current vaccine] which showed no effectiveness.’