Vaccine Study Shows Higher Rates of Chest Infections

A study published in the January 2010 edition of the journal Pediatrics shows that childhood pneumococcal vaccination may be linked to an increase in serious pneumonia complications. Of course, reportage claims that the benefits of the vaccine, introduced in 2000, far outweigh the risk. Findings from the study's researchers, based in the University of California, Davis, show only that the vaccine is not lowering rates of empyema-associated hospitalization, which have actually increased during the vaccine's use. Pneumococcal disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a virus and the bacteria, pneumococcus, is actually naturally occurring in most people's bodies. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends vaccinations (called the PCV7 series) in infants and children at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months as well as increased dosage and series for several "at risk" categories. The study looked at the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) to estimate the number of children (18 years or younger) who were associated with empyema in 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. This was correlated with Census data to get annual incidence rates per 100,000 children. These were then compared to see the rate of growth in empyema hospitalizations amongst children. The result, with a 95% confidence interval, showed that rates of hospitalization for empyema went from 2.2 per 100,000 in 1997 (pre-vaccination) to 3.7 per 100,000 in 2006. That 70% increase was also accompanied by a 44% increase in pneumonia complications requiring intubation (chest tube insertion). All of this was followed by a 13% decrease in pneumonia infections. So the study found some interesting correlations. Not only did pneumonia decrease (the intended use of the vaccine) by 13%, but it also gained strength, raising the number of people who had serious complications in their pneumonia infection by 70% and the number of people requiring severe medical intervention (intubation) to treat their infection by 44%. Note that these numbers are not by number infected, but are by population as a whole. So despite the vaccine being credited with lowering pneumonia infections by a few percentage points, the study shows that by population, serious complications of pneumonia are on a dramatic rise.

Rising diabetes rates spare no race, age, gender, or state

Although it may come as no surprise to those who have been keeping tabs on the health of the nation, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. has risen steadily and universally from 1995 to 2010. In the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for November 16th, the CDC announced that no demographic (or geographic) category of people has been safe from the sharp increase in diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. With the alarming statistics in hand, the CDC has encouraged states, healthcare providers, and individuals to intensify their commitment to diabetes prevention, screening, diagnosis, and surveillance. Nearly 19 million Americans are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and an estimated seven million more are living with it undiagnosed. Every single state - including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico - has seen a sharp increase in diabetes rates since 1995. In many areas, the prevalence of diabetes has surpassed 10 percent. With rising rates of obesity and physical inactivity, these numbers are expected to continue to climb. Furthermore, every single age group, race and ethnicity, and both genders have seen a sharp increase in diabetes prevalence. It seems no group has escaped the wrath of diabetes. Personal responsibility for health and a society that places value on physical activity, wholesome food, and a balanced lifestyle can help change the direction of the diabetes trend. Awareness and activism can help make inroads; the CDC's call to action will not fall on deaf ears. Let's get started!

Burn Wound Infections

Approximately 500,000 persons seek medical treatment for burns every year in the United States. Of these, approximately 40,000 are hospitalized for burn injuries, including 25,000 admissions to the approximately 125 medical centers that specialize in burn care. Typically, 4,000 people die from fire and burns every year; of these, approximately 3,500 deaths are due to residential fires, and 500 are due to motor vehicle and aircraft accidents, electrical injuries, chemical exposures, or hotliquid and substance spills. Among fatalities, nearly 75% die at the scene of the incident or during initial transport. Of those who reach medical care, infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The skin, one of the largest organs in the body, performs numerous vital functions, including fluid homeostasis, thermoregulation, immunologic functions, neurosensory functions, and metabolic functions (eg, vitamin D). The skin also provides primary protection against infection by acting as a physical barrier. When this barrier is damaged, pathogens have a direct route to infiltrate the body, possibly resulting in infection. In addition to the nature and extent of the thermal injury influencing infections, the type and quantity of microorganisms that colonize the burn wound appear to influence the future risk of invasive wound infection. The pathogens that infect the wound are primarily gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and gramnegative bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella species. These latter pathogens are notable for their increasing resistance to a broad array of different antimicrobial agents. In addition, burn wounds are commonly infected with fungal pathogens. Factors that are associated with improved outcome and prevention of infection likely include early burn-eschar excision, topical and prophylactic antibiotics, and aggressive infection-control measures.

Early Repeat C-Sections Linked to Health Complications in Newborns

The said study was sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. It was led by Alan TN Tita from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Statistical data from the institute, which collects information on pregnancies from 19 medical centers across the country, was used. The study team had looked at 24,077 women who underwent a repeat C-section from 1999 to 2002. Of those ladies, 13,258 were found by the study team to have undergone "elective" C-sections, which means that there was no indication that mother or child was in distress, or that there was any other medical reason that the women could not have undertaken normal labor. Of this group, almost 36% had delivered their babies before the 39-week mark of pregnancy. The study found that, as compared to those delivered at the recommended 39-week mark, newborns delivered using elective repeat C-sections at the 37-week mark had almost twice the risk of breathing problems, bloodstream infections as well as other health complications. Those delivered at the 38-week mark had a corresponding 50% elevated risk, while those who were delivered a few days before the 39-week mark had heightened risk of about 20%. Generally speaking, most of the babies who develop these complications recover quite quickly. Even then, they may be required to stay in the hospital for a few extra days to undergo additional testing and treatment. And, in some cases, the complications could be serious. Regardless of how dangerous the complications could be, they do still cause emotional stress as well as financial burden. In addition, they affect family bonding and make breast-feeding more difficult. The findings of the study have provided a quantifiable assessment of the importance of the 39-week milestone with regard to elective repeat C-sections. "Having a baby at term, you might expect the baby would do well and come to your room with you and then go right home with you. This shows there are significant risks," said Catherine Y Spong from the sponsoring institute. "I think that as a patient or a physician, you might be convinced that being close to 39 weeks is probably good enough and there's probably no difference if you are going to turn 39 weeks on a Sunday to have a Caesarean on, say, a Friday. Before this, we didn't have the data to say that there would be more risk," she added. Some experts have pointed to the other side of the story, such as the possibility that delaying one or two weeks in an attempt to reach the 39-week mark could result in more stillbirths. Michael F Green from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston stated in an accompanying editorial: "This paper, although it provides important information about risk, does not give us the whole story. It doesn't provide an accounting of how many babies may have died waiting to get to 39 weeks. You have to balance both sides of the ledger." However, Spong has pointed out that while the extent of stillbirth risk resulting from waiting is not clear, this study has already revealed that early delivery is tied to significant risks of health complications. She summed up this point well when she said: "It's hard to advocate doing a Caesarean at 37 weeks to try to prevent a stillbirth when we don't really know the true risk."

#1 After reading this article, I came to realize that indeed in every action that we do, be it for a good purpose or not, there will always be its corresponding effect that would make people dig deeper as to why its happening either way. Pneumococcal vaccination was studied, planned and administered to make sure that empyema related hospitalizations be avoided. But according to researchers study, said vaccine is not lowering in rates but rather having an increase while in its use. This made me wonder how much effort and thorough study will people need in order to perfect something which has been intended for a good cause and will benefit our children. All we have to do is to be aware on what may happen especially if it concerns the health of our little ones. #2 Type 2 diabetes makes a trend! And this is scary. This article is a wake-up call not just to the Americans but to us, Filipinos as well as the whole population of the world. It was stated that type 2 diabetes has universally increased and a million more undiagnosed are living with it. Can we just imagine if we belong to the said undiagnosed people living with type 2 diabetes? Its the worst we could ever imagine. So what do we need to do? Its plain and simple. Start at home and plan your meals. Prioritizing and being cautious of our food intake will give us a strong lead against any illness. Include a healthy diet and the much needed exercise to our routine. Lets be physically active not just in our homes and school. We can also participate in our community activities which will drive us moving. Lets keep in mind that a healthy lifestyle will not just keep us away from diabetes but will also give us the good feeling inside and out. #3 The article gives us information about the morbidity and mortality rate of the burn infection. The fact that residential fires constitute the greatest factor in the fatalities, I may say that much precaution is needed. While its true that the skin is one of the largest organs of our body, many people are still not taking skin care into consideration. Our skin is a barrier against infection. It is our armour. If case of burns and wound infections, the medical field has ready answers for what may likely to happen to a burn patient. Given this guarantee that there are treatments to said burn wounds, would it be a lot better if we will not be treated at all because we took much care and precaution? On the other hand, lets be thankful for the improved outcome for the prevention of wound infection which may include excision, antibiotics and aggressive infection-control measures. These are by-products of the modern world. #4 For an expectant mother, seeing her baby come out of this world is the greatest joy she could ever feel. The happiness that seeing a newborn come to a family is unexplainable. This article teaches us the value of waiting things to happen at its proper time. Like the delivery of babies via the C section. Whether be it done on a 37 or a 39 week term, what doctors and pregnant women, and their family members have to consider is the safety of the newborn baby. Stillbirths may be one of the nightmares of a pregnant woman but with proper valuation of the week term plus a good history of regular check-ups, the risk of stillbirth will be offhand. The modern technologies we have today have gone through a lot of breakthroughs. This does not justify the risk that may arise in cases of early deliveries. If the health and condition of a mother calls for a C section, so be it. If delivery could be done the normal way, then its much better. It will not only spare the family from spending much on the hospital bills but a speedy recovery and the immediate mother and child bonding via breastfeeding will take place right away.