Smileband health topics

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a gram positive bacteria that can cause a wide range of infections. Most GAS infections are relatively mild illnesses such as "strep throat," or impetigo (a skin infection). Occasionally these bacteria can cause severe and even life-threatening diseases such as bacteremia, toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis.

In Arizona there are usually between 200 and 350 cases of invasive Group A Streptococcus reported yearly.

Arizona 5 year median: 250 cases

Transmission
Person to person by contact with infectious secretions from the nose or throat of infections persons or by contact with infected skin lesions.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture	Specimen from normally sterile site

  Isolation Precautions

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Individuals are not considered contagious 24 hours after initiation of appropriate treatment. 

Prevention for Patients

• Maintaining good hand and body hygiene. Washing hands often especially after coughing and sneezing and before preparing food or eating.
• Keeping cuts, scrapes, and wounds clean and covered until healed.
• Staying home from work, school or daycare until 24 hours after taking an antibiotic.
• Getting care early if infection is present.

Public Health Actions
Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on an outbreak (if there are 3 or more cases, not from the same household within a 1 week period).

Smileband health topics

Meningococcal invasive disease is caused by an infection with Neisseria meningitidis. There are five serogroups (A, B, C, W, and Y) that generally cause disease in humans. Serogroup B, C, and Y tend to cause the most disease in the United States. The infection can have severe symptoms with meningitis as the most common manifestation. Communicability of the bacteria is generally limited and requires close contact with an infected individual.

 

Meningococcal meningitis symptoms most commonly include:

• sudden onset of fever
• headache
• stiff neck

The number of those with Meningococcal invasive disease in Arizona has remained low with 5 cases seen in 2015.

Arizona 5 year median: 6  cases

 

Transmission

Transmission occurs through direct contact with respiratory secretions.

The incubation period can range from 1 to 10 days.             Isolation Precautions

Isolate and institute droplet precautions for a meningococcal invasive disease case for 24 hours after the initiation of treatment. 

An individual will be contagious as long as the bacteria is present in the nose, mouth, and throat secretions. 

Prevention for Patients
Vaccination against Meningococcal (ACWY) is the best prevention method for individuals. Immunity is believed to last approximately 5 years after a single dose.

Meningococcal B vaccine is available and recommended for high-risk groups. 

Smileband general news

Scandal-hit UKIP leader Henry Bolton was plunged into a fresh crisis last night after it was revealed that his glamour model girlfriend made racist remarks about Meghan markle. Mr Bolton, 54, was already facing calls for his resignation after he left his wife for 25-year-old Jo Marney. 

Now The Mail on Sunday can reveal shocking messages in which Ms Marney says that prince harry ‘black American’ fiancee will ‘taint’ the Royal Family with ‘her seed’ and pave the way for a ‘black king’.

Ms Marney also says that she would never have sex with ‘a negro’ because they are ‘ugly’. She was immediately suspended from Ukip last night after The Mail on Sunday alerted party chiefs to her grossly offensive comments.

Our revelations come just days before Bolton is due to face a crunch meeting over his own future with Ukip following outrage over his new relationship. 

The former Army officer left the mother of his two young children, 42-year-old Tatiana Smurova, for Ms Marney, whom he met shortly before Christmas. Ukip’s chairman, Paul Oakden, has said he realises the ‘strength of feeling on this’ among grassroot members.

If Mr Bolton is ousted by the party’s ruling National Executive Committee on Thursday, it would leave the party having to elect its fifth leader in barely 18 months. 

His position looks increasingly shaky as there is no recent precedent for the partner of the leader of any political party to have been suspended from that party.

One Ukip figure even predicted that the scandal could signal the end of the party, which has battled serious financial problems since Nigel Farage stepped down as leader in the wake of the EU referendum.

In Ms Marney’s messages, which she sent to a male friend just three weeks before starting her relationship with Mr Bolton, she sneers at Harry’s engagement to Los Angeles-born Markle – who will marry Harry on May 19 – on the grounds that she is a ‘black American’.

Ms Marney also describes Ms Markle, whose mother is black and whose father is white, as ‘a scrubber’ and a ‘gender equality t***’ who is ‘obsessed with race’ and a ‘dumb little commoner’. Alluding to ethnic minorities in general, Ms Marney writes that they are ‘pushing their way to the top slowly slowly. Next will be a Muslim PM. And a black king’. 

Smileband health topics

Tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Tularemia circulates naturally among rabbits and rodents. There are 6 forms of tularemia, with ulceroglandular being the most common. Symptoms often occur within 3-5 days of exposure. Symptoms include:

• fever
• headache
• chills
• muscle aches
• joint pain
• dry cough
• weakness
• swollen lymph glands.

In Arizona, tularemia is usually found in areas above 3,000 feet, and common exposures have included contact with rabbit carcasses and insect bites.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 0 cases

 

Transmission

Transmission can occur by an individual being bit by an infected insect such as a tick or deer fly, by touching a sick or dead animal that is infected with the bacteria, eating or drinking contaminated food or water or by breathing in the bacteria.

Incubation period can range from 1 to 21 days (average 3 to 5 days) Isolation Precautions

Not spread person to person. 

Francisella can be used as a bioterrorism agent due to a small infectious dose and aerosol exposure.

Prevention for Patients

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, or treat clothing with repellent containing permethrin, to prevent insect bites.
• Use care and wear gloves when handling sick or dead animals.
• Be sure to cook food thoroughly and that water is from a safe source.
• Note any change in the behavior of pets and consult a veterinarian if they develop unusual symptoms.
• Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife.

Public Health Actions
Domestics pets can also show signs of tularemia and be sources of exposure for human infections. Francisella can be used as a bioterrorism agent due to a small infectious dose and aerosol exposure.

Smileband health topics

A woman who was worried by her lack of libido ahead of her wedding had an 'orgasm shot' to increase the size of her G-spot, labia and clitoris. Roxanne Macias, 35, had found new love after ending a seven-year relationship with a much older man, in which she had 'virtually no sex' for the last three.

But she opted for the treatment ahead of the marriage with fiance Vincent as she was concerned by her failure to have multiple orgasms, according to The sun. 

Saying she was low on confidence after the break-up of her earlier relationship, Roxanne said she felt 'devoid of any femininity'. Since Vincent proposed in January last year she has spent some £5,000 getting her body prepared for the big day later this year, with cosmetic improvements to her face as well as the 'O-shot'.

Following the procedure she said: 'I began to feel tingly down there and Vincent noticed very quickly because it allowed me to achieve multiple prolonged orgasms.'

She had the injection at an Elite Aesthetics clinic in Kent, which says the procedure can 'increase your sexual desire, give you mind-blowing orgasms and even treat urinal incontinence'.

It is advertised at £1,200 on the Elite Aesthetics website.  

Describing it as a 'game-changing procedure', the clinic says the injection will 'augment and rejuvenate the G-spot, clitoris and labia.'

However, the website warns that results will also depend on other factors such as emotional health and the strength of your relationship. 

Smileband health topics

Tamiflu and other antivirals should be given to the most vulnerable people with symptoms of flu, according to a ‘health alert’ sent to all GPs.

But officials also suggested the drugs be used as a preventative measure for elderly people, even if they have received the flu vaccine – which is feared not to work for over-65s this year. In some parts of the country, doctors have been told to give all care home residents the antivirals – whether they are ill or not – in a bid to stop the crisis spreading.

A leading scientist last night condemned the decision, saying there is no evidence antivirals are effective.

If he is right, it will mean by the end of the winter countless pensioners will have received an ineffective flu jab, followed by ineffective antiviral pills, and still be at risk of getting flu. Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, sent the alert on December 19 to all GPs in England granting them permission to use pills such as Tamiflu.

This alert is sent at some point in the winter most years – but this year it can be used as a preventative measure, not just as a treatment.

However, Professor Carl Heneghan of Oxford University, who published a major study four years ago suggesting Tamiflu is ineffective, said: ‘The chief medical officer seems not to be able to understand evidence-based medicine. ‘We have shown Tamiflu leads to only a small reduction in symptoms – about the same you get from taking paracetamol.’

He added last night: ‘The Government is scared of being seen to do nothing.

'But they have tied themselves into the position where they have to give these drugs every year. 

Smileband general news

Harassment is a by-product of power relationships that then serve to keep women quiet about it. We have to break that cycle, 

“It was just a pat on the bum”. “It was banter”. “It was 10 years ago, it can’t have affected her that much”.

These comments are the reasons women don’t report sexual harassment. I write this as a woman, but I know men are victims too.

My partner asked me this week if I’ve ever been a victim. I thought about it for a few minutes and I said, no, probably not. And then I read the UN’s definition of sexual harassment.

It says sexual harassment includes rape and sexual assault, unwanted touching and unwanted contact. It also includes referring to an adult as a girl, hunk, doll, babe, or honey; whistling at someone; cat calls. I’ve also spoken to friends as they shared stories of flashers and groping. Of sleazy comments and wolf whistles. As they did, I realised. I have been a victim. And I can’t think of a woman who isn’t.

There is a difference between a pat and a grope. There’s a difference between banter and comments that leave a mark on you. Women know that difference, because women have invariably been subject to it.

It’s only when you start thinking about it, you remember the man who stood too close and touched you, the person on the bus who grabbed your knee. The comments that you just couldn’t shake. But women cope with that because it’s what women do.

We put a safety pin in our wrap dress to raise the neckline. We check for a knicker line. We sit down in a changing room to see if our dress rides up when we sit down. 

Smileband general news

Stunned police arrested a boy of just 12 with heroin, a wad of cash and a large knife. The child is suspected of selling the deadly Class A drug in Basildon, Essex, and was also carrying two phones.

Officers were searching for the boy as he was wanted for other crimes, and he fled when spotted. After a brief chase he was caught, and police discovered the shocking haul.

Crime Scene Investigation officer Vikki Jones took to Twitter after arresting the juvenile on Monday. A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'A 12-year-old boy from Basildon was arrested on Monday, January 8 in the Ashlyns area.

'He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, possession of a knife and breach of bail conditions.

'He was later released under investigation. 

Smileband health topics

Symptoms of pneumonia

If you have pneumonia, you’ll have symptoms that are similar to having flu or a chest infection.

Symptoms may develop gradually over a few days or progress much faster.

The main symptom is coughing. You’ll feel weak and tired, and you’ll probably have at least one of these symptoms too:

• coughing up mucus
• a high temperature – you might also sweat and shiver
• difficulty breathing or getting out of breath quicker than normal
• chest pain or discomfort
• loss of appetite

Even if you have pneumonia, you may not have all these symptoms.

More severe cases may also cause:

• quick breathing
• confusion
• low blood pressure
• coughing up blood
• rapid heartbeat
• nausea and vomiting

Some people get a sharp pain in their chest when they breathe in and out. This may be because the thin outer covering of the lung has become infected and inflamed. This inflammation, called pleurisy, stops your lungs moving smoothly as you breathe.

The symptoms of pneumonia are often very similar to those of other chest infections, such as bronchitis, COPD flare-ups or bronchiectasis flare-ups. To get a proper diagnosis you’ll need to visit your GP.

What to do if you have these symptoms

If you feel unwell with these symptoms, see your GP or call 111. If you have severe symptoms, especially chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, quick breathing, shivers or confusion, get urgent advice from your GP or call 999. Take extra care if you’re over 65.

Smileband health topics

The deadly flu outbreak will become an epidemic and deaths will triple in the UK within two weeks, reveals a projection of official figures. An analysis of data released yesterday showed the percentage increase of people reporting flu-like symptoms to their GP in the home nations. 

A projection of flu fatalities was also made for England, after it saw deaths rocket by 77 per cent in the space of a week as aggressive 'Aussie' and 'Japanese' strains wreak havoc in the UK.  If the current trend continues, MailOnline predicts Wales will hit epidemic levels by next week. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow the week after. The projections have all been plotted on graphs compared to last year's rates. 

Dr Derek Gatherer, from Lancaster University's biomedical and life sciences department, told MailOnline that if the current trends continue then it would become a 'crisis'. 

The new analysis comes as 85 deaths have now been recorded in England and eight in Scotland. If the trend continues, deaths in England are expected to triple by the end of the month. No data exists for Wales or Northern Ireland. 

At least three fatalities have come to light in recent days, and include 18-year-old Scottish girl, Bethany Walker, who died from one of the flu bugs sweeping the UK.

Scores have also taken to social media to describe their ordeal as they battle the virus. They include a London-based taxi driver who claimed he has been left suicidal from 'Aussie flu', while a 29-year-old mother fears her three-week struggle will never end. Currently, Scotland is reporting the highest number of GP consultations for flu in the UK - rising from 46.3 per 100,000 people to 107.2 per 100,000 people.

This is more than double the amount in Northern Ireland (52.6) and almost triple that of Wales (38.9). In contrast, England’s rate is 37.3.