 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / March 2005OT: Good News on the Health Front
A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has been eradicated in the US. Immunization programs have created a general immunity in the population. This doesn't mean, however, immunization should be stopped; it is testimony that it works. > A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality > Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has been eradicated > in the US. Immunization programs have created a general immunity in the > population. This doesn't mean, however, immunization should be stopped; it > is testimony that it works. Neat! I think I had this as a kid in Germany; does it involve sequestering the patient well away from the light to keep the eyes from being damaged?  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca That's what they did with me when I had the *real* measles @ age 6. >> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >> Mortality [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > I think I had this as a kid in Germany; does it involve sequestering the > patient well away from the light to keep the eyes from being damaged? >> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >> Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) >> has been eradicated in the US. Immunization programs have created a >> general immunity in the population. This doesn't mean, however, >> immunization should be stopped; it is testimony that it works. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > the patient well away from the light to keep the eyes from being > damaged? I remember having measels as a kid in Germany at age 8 and was wearing sunglasses for a few weeks. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality >> Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has been eradicated [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >I think I had this as a kid in Germany; does it involve sequestering the >patient well away from the light to keep the eyes from being damaged? They used to keep children with measles in the dark. I think it is more of a comfort thing. Rubella makes you much less sick than measles. Unfortunately even a sub-clinical case can cause birth defects. The only feline angle I can add is that when I was sick with measles I was sick enough to see cats that weren't there. I wouldn't wish measles on anyone. Parents, have your children immunized. > >> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > >> Mortality [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > measles I was sick enough to see cats that weren't there. I wouldn't > wish measles on anyone. Parents, have your children immunized. It's interesting -- in a horrifying way -- to know of the effect of (regular) measles in a population that does not have a significant immunity (the technical term is herd immunity). In the 19th century, missionaries to Pacific islands inadvertently introduced measles. In a patient with no immunity, it's as explosive as pneumonic plague -- it can cause death in less than 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. This sort of thing keeps epidemiologists up at night -- what if a previously unknown disease gets into industrialized society, with its speed of transportation? We've been lucky so far with diseases such as the viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola -- they don't seem to be highly contagious; human-to-human spread is generally to people nursing a patient. > It's interesting -- in a horrifying way -- to know of the effect of > (regular) measles in a population that does not have a significant > immunity (the technical term is herd immunity). <snip> And even in a population with immunity, it wasn't harmless. I am sometimes a bit bemused by the realization that I have *already* lived to see several diseases - most notably, measles - go from the 'better get it when they're young' attitude of my youth to 'eliminated, or nearly so, by vaccination'. I don't suppose I knew as a child that even in the modern west people could and did die from measles, but my parents must have known, and had no protection for their children other than, well, hope (or make sure) they get it young instead of as adults. And I knew as a child what German measles could do to fetuses, since I grew up with a child disabled by German measles while she was still in the womb. SignatureCheryl > And even in a population with immunity, it wasn't harmless. I am sometimes > a bit bemused by the realization that I have *already* lived to see > several diseases - most notably, measles - go from the 'better get it when > they're young' attitude of my youth to 'eliminated, or nearly so, by > vaccination'. Polio. The vaccine was developed by Jonas Salk in 1955, my birth year. Rob's grandmother had it and survived, but wore leg braces for most of her life. Later she was in a wheel chair. I read a biography of a polio survivor once that describes the panic, hysteria, and total incomprehension of the pre vaccine times. People thought that being in heated crowded conditions caused polio, so kids were evacuated out of cities during the summer. It was also thought that people over a certain age (40, I think) were immune. There were a lot of misconceptions about polio, as well as about cholera, scarlet fever, small pox, diphtheria, measles, and mumps. Pam S. who remembers hearing about the cripplings and deaths caused by polio > In the 19th century, missionaries to Pacific islands inadvertently > introduced measles. In a patient with no immunity, it's as explosive as > pneumonic plague -- it can cause death in less than 24 hours after the > onset of symptoms. Rob's great+ Grandfather died at Point Lookout, Maryland, Civil War POW Camp from measles. Or at least that was the official cause of death. So many died from diseases, abuse, poor sanitation, and exposure to the elements in POW camps. My Uncle Ernest, mom's brother, died in a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines from dysentery. Again the official cause of death. From what I understand the captors had a real hate for him as he was organizing native resistance groups when caught. Pam S. > In the 19th century, missionaries to Pacific islands inadvertently > introduced measles. In a patient with no immunity, it's as explosive as [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > seem to be highly contagious; human-to-human spread is generally to > people nursing a patient. One of the causes of the Whitman massacre in Washington State was that the settlers moving into the Pacific North West brought Measles in with them. Marcus Whitman, a doctor and a missionary, was able to successfully treat the whites who had it, but the natives died like flies. Rumors started that Whitman was poisoning the natives. And a neighboring tribe sent in warriors who killed most of the people living at the mission. A bunch were ransomed back to their families and friends. Of course, the natives (Flathead Indians) were, in turn, hunted down and massacred in turn. Rob's great+ Grandfather died at Point Lookout, Maryland, Civil War POW Camp from measles. Or at least that was the official cause of death. So many died from diseases, abuse, poor sanitation, and exposure to the elements in POW camps. My Uncle Ernest, mom's brother, died in a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines from dysentery. Again the official cause of death. From what I understand the captors had a real hate for him as he was organizing native resistance groups when caught. Pam S. >>> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >>> Mortality [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > measles I was sick enough to see cats that weren't there. I wouldn't > wish measles on anyone. Parents, have your children immunized. I never had measles, but both my brothers did as toddlers and they were quite sick. They had been immunised otherwise it would have been worse. I had rubella at 9ish and again at 14. I missed the immunisation as I was off school ill at the time. I was ill a lot as a child. I got almost everything, you name it, I got it. Tweed >>> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >>> Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > enough to see cats that weren't there. I wouldn't wish measles on anyone. > Parents, have your children immunized. My brother and I (also my son) had all the childhood diseases. We were kept in a darkened room with measles "to protect the eyes". When my brother had mumps, my Mother kept me home from school so I could catch mumps and "get it over with" I did not get them at that time. Over a year later I work up one morning with a fat face on one side -- I remember a man from the Board of Health came to the house to put up a quarantine sign. When I was about ten, we had many cases of Infantile Paralysis (Polio) and Spinal Meningitis in the school. Several children died. >> A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >> Mortality [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > I think I had this as a kid in Germany; does it involve sequestering the > patient well away from the light to keep the eyes from being damaged? No, that's measles. Not the German one.. Tweed >> Neat! >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Tweed Ah, well. I just remember having to stay at my mom's cousin's house because our house didn't have any really dim rooms. I also remember I got to wear a black cowboy hat! Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has > been eradicated in the US. Immunization programs have created a general > immunity in the population. This doesn't mean, however, immunization > should be stopped; it is testimony that it works. Now if we can see to it that this extends to the rest of the world... It really is fantastic news. Jo > >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Jo Right now, the only disease considered globally eradicated is smallpox -- although there is concern about bioterrorism with it. Offhand, the next thing that is fairly close -- although there have been several premature declarations of victory -- is eradicating polio in the Western Hemisphere. In general, eradication is only possible when there is an effective vaccine. Howard Berkowitz <hcb@gettcomm.com> Mar 22, 2005 at 08:25 AM In article <3a9mopF64mk1lU2@individual.net>, "Jo Firey" <JAfirey@NETZERO.NET> wrote: > >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Jo **Right now, the only disease considered globally eradicated is smallpox -- although there is concern about bioterrorism with it. Offhand, the next thing that is fairly close -- although there have been several premature declarations of victory -- is eradicating polio in the Western Hemisphere. In general, eradication is only possible when there is an effective vaccine. =========================================== Howard: Did you see the TV movie about the Terriorist who infected himself with Smallpox and walked around Manhattan and in the NYC subway. The disease spread rapidly throughout the world, via airtravel. Scary movie. Suz&Spicey In article <6a8b04919dab0da85d40f6634a288363@localhost.talkaboutpets.com>, "SuzQ" <suqkrt@aolneener.com> wrote: > =========================================== > Howard: Did you see the TV movie about the Terriorist who infected himself > with Smallpox and walked around Manhattan and in the NYC subway. The > disease spread rapidly throughout the world, via airtravel. Scary movie. Yes. I did see it. Based on what we know of patterns of smallpox transmission, I think it stretched credibility somewhat for it to have spread that explosively from skin contact. Also, New York hospitals tend to have a high level of suspicion for obscure diseases. Smallpox is reasonably distinctive, although, of course, most physicians have never seen a case. Relatively early in that movie, I suspect someone would have called in the Epidemiological Intelligence Service of the Centers for Disease Control -- and a much more aggressive quarantine and treatment effort would have gone into place. There is a vaccine stockpile, although not enough for mass immunizations. There's at least one drug, cidofovir, normally used against HIV, that should be active against smallpox. [[A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has been eradicated in the US. Immunization programs have created a general immunity in the population. This doesn't mean, however, immunization should be stopped; it is testimony that it works. ]] Excellent news! Agreed on the subject of immunization being important. I volunteer with the American Association of the Deaf-Blind as an interpreter/guide at their conventions; one of the most common reasons why attendees are deaf-blind is due to the fact that their mothers had rubella while pregnant with them. There was a pandemic of the disease, which lasted for several years, about 40 years ago, and many pregnant women contracted rubella at that time. It most definitely can affect the developing fetus, as many AADB delegates can attest. Goodbye and good riddance to rubella, and I hope we do whatever is necessary to make sure it STAYS gone. Donna >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has > been eradicated in the US. Immunization programs have created a general > immunity in the population. This doesn't mean, however, immunization > should be stopped; it is testimony that it works. Just as this is announced there is also an outbreak / mini-epidemic of chicken pox going on. My granddaughter has it and my son called to ask if he had ever had it - I told him no, but he'd been vaccinated against it when he was a child. Does anyone know if that vaccination is still good, or will he come down with it too? Hugs, CatNipped > >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > will > he come down with it too? If there's any question about immunity -- it probably makes sense for him to take protective drugs: acyclovir or vancyclovir. These can reduce the period of the illness in the child, but usually are not needed. They are exceptionally safe drugs. >> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > period of the illness in the child, but usually are not needed. They are > exceptionally safe drugs. Those who had chickenpox as children could be "blessed" with Shingles when they get past their prime. Have any of you been so "blessed?" I have. MLB >>> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and >>> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > they get past their prime. Have any of you been so "blessed?" I have. > MLB Yes, I had an extremely bad case of chicken pox when I was a kid (I still have scars from it) and I had shingles at around 26 or so *AND* severe cold sores - the herpes virus *NEVER* goes away! Hugs, CatNipped > >>> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > >>> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > cold > sores - the herpes virus *NEVER* goes away! If you have recurrences, it's a good idea to have a prescription of one of the anti-herpes drugs on hand, and take it instantly on the first tingling. > If you have recurrences, it's a good idea to have a prescription of one > of the anti-herpes drugs on hand, and take it instantly on the first > tingling. I do, both Acyclovir tablets and Zovorax cream. (GROSS WARNING) I get cold sores really bad because I was so stupid when I was younger... I always had problems with acne and the first time a cold sore showed up (as a tiny white blister on the right side of my bottom lip) I thought it was a zit, so I squeezed it and smeared acne medicine all over my chin - which spread the virus-filled fluid from the cold sore all over my chin. This spread the cold sore from my lip to the bottom of my chin and covered half my chin from left to right. Since the herpes virus lives in the nerve endings and stays there forever, whenever it comes back it comes back in the same spot, the same size, etc. So now when I get a cold sore half of my chin is all blistered and raw - yuck!!! Ergo, as *SOON* as I feel tingling (or even if I don't but I've been under a lot of stress - like lately with Bandit) I start taking the Acyclovir. Hugs, CatNipped > >> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > >> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > when > they get past their prime. Have any of you been so "blessed?" I have. Same here -- indeed, I have had shingles twice, which isn't supposed to happen. Most shingles cases are self-limiting, but the current thinking is to treat very aggressively. A small fraction of shingles (technically herpes zoster) patients, if not managed appropriately, will develop post-herpetic neuralgia, one of the worst chronic pain syndromes. It seems preventable if the anti-herpes drug (e.g., vancyclovir) and corticosteroids are given during the acute phase. Actually, there are now several things that can help post-herpetic neuralgia. One of the simplest and most effective is capsaicin cream along the path of the inflamed nerve. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in hot peppers. Applied to a painful area frequently enough, it can deplete the internal chemical that transmits pain. Incidentally, capsaicin is also quite good for arthritic pain. Some people have skin that's too sensitive to stand the initial burning sensation, which goes away after repeated applications. > > >> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > >> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > people have skin that's too sensitive to stand the initial burning > sensation, which goes away after repeated applications. A few years ago my mother had shingles, followed by post-herpetic neuralgia. None of the prescribed treatments helped, and she was in agony. She visited me in California (She lives in a small town in Alaska) and I took her to a neurologist, who recommended another neurologist who was working with bee venom injections for both arthritis and post-herpetic neuralgia. She had a reaction (an attack of the pain) after each injection, but for the first few times, it was fairly brief. The last two times, the reaction was terrible and lasted over half an hour. However, either the injections did the trick, or it was ready to stop. She had a few twinges after that, each of which sent her into a panic, thinking she was going to have a full-fledged attack, but those stopped and she hasn't had the pain at all since then.. I have a question about the capsaicin. Does it have a strong odor? Most of the creams prescribed for pain have a strong odor, which tends to make one think twice about applying it before going out in public. Joy > > In article <pan.2005.03.23.06.15.34.478061@nospam.com>, mlbriggs <snip> < I have a question about the capsaicin. Does it have a strong odor? Most of the creams prescribed for pain have a strong odor, which tends to make one think twice about applying it before going out in public. Joy > Hi Joy, The capsaicin cream (Capsaicin HP) I use does not have much of an odor, more like Aspercream (sort of a lanolin scent, to my nose at least.) It does help with the pain! I use it both for muscle pain and migraines. It has made it easier to get through the day. Patti (who is going to go and put some on her neck right now!) > > > In article <pan.2005.03.23.06.15.34.478061@nospam.com>, mlbriggs > <snip> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Patti (who is going to go and put some on her neck right now!) Thanks, Patti. I'll look for it. Joy > > > >> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > > >> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) [quoted text clipped - 65 lines] > > Joy Wow, makes me wonder if the chicken pox and shingles has anything to do with my fibromyalgia. Also, curiously, I am deathly allergic to bee stings (I have to carry and epipen just to give me enough time to get to a hospital). Weird! Hugs, CatNipped > > > > >> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > > > >> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German [quoted text clipped - 86 lines] > > CatNipped Yes, it is weird. Chicken pox is caused by a virus, but I don't know what, other than having the virus in your system, causes shingles. I've heard that you are more likely to get shingles if you're under a lot of stress. As far as I know, they haven't yet figured out what causes fibromyalgia, but from what I've heard about it, it sounds like something anybody would rather not have. I'm sorry you have it. Joy > Yes, it is weird. Chicken pox is caused by a virus, but I don't know what, > other than having the virus in your system, causes shingles. I've heard [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Joy Well, chicken pox, shingles, and cold sores are all forms of the herpes virus, so if you get the first in childhood you are more likely to get the others when you are an adult. I have a feeling it's somehow tied into the immune system since you get recurrences when you are under stress. I also think fibromyalgia is tied into the immune systems just because it also gets worse when I'm under stress. I also have severe allergies (including the one to bee stings) and I know *allergies* are tied into the immune system also. I'm just wondering how they may or may not be linked together. Hugs, CatNipped >> Yes, it is weird. Chicken pox is caused by a virus, but I don't know > what, [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > CatNipped Also, I had a very severe case of Infectious Mononucleosis when I was 12 (after the chicken pox, but before the shingles). Mono is calso aused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family. Hugs, CatNipped > > > >> >A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > > >> > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German [quoted text clipped - 79 lines] > attack, > but those stopped and she hasn't had the pain at all since then.. I can believe that. Neurologists aren't completely sure of the role of bee venom. Botulinus toxin also is used. > I have a question about the capsaicin. Does it have a strong odor? Most > of > the creams prescribed for pain have a strong odor, which tends to make > one > think twice about applying it before going out in public. No odor at all. Incidentally, it's nonprescription (can you picture prescription jalapenos or habaneros?), and comes in two strengths, 0.25% and 0.75%. I use the stronger one, but my skin is used to it, even if I only use it occasionally. I strongly suggest starting with the milder one. Now, most Thai people think I'm crazy with my tolerance for hot food, but my pepper tolerance didn't apply to my skin. Fool that I was, I first applied 0.75% just before getting on a long flight -- can't remember if it was transoceanic or just transcontinental. > A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has > been eradicated in the US. Immunization programs have created a general > immunity in the population. This doesn't mean, however, immunization > should be stopped; it is testimony that it works. That's great. I may have had measles. Is that possible with vaccination? I remember something about being in a dark room and spots but that could just be my imagination. Wait. Not real measles but chicken pox or something? I am concerned about the quality of the immunizations. Like cats and adjuvant free vaccines? Some folks, perhaps like the mercury scare and tooth fillings, are saying the astronomical rise in autism has to be related to something. No one knows why. Do you have any ideas? Some are always saying it's the immunizations. Probably not that but maybe it's possible to use better vaccines? Any research yet why the rise in autism? About the felines. The drawback to adjuvant-free is it's only certified for one year instead of the usual three year rabies shot and costs another $20? The good side is that there are not any of those rare cases, 1 in 10,000??, of sarcoma cancer at the vaccination site. This is quite bad if the neck is used instead of a leg but it's easier for the vet to grab the neck area. I've been a good boy and not asked you any questions in over a month! Treeline > I am concerned about the quality of the immunizations. Like cats and adjuvant free vaccines? Some > folks, perhaps like the mercury scare and tooth fillings, are saying the astronomical rise in > autism has to be related to something. To the best of my knowledge, there is no evidence of a connection between immunizations and autism except that some forms of autism are usually diagnosed at roughly the same time that immunizations are usually given. Coincidence in time, then, not a causal link. However, a relative who has an autistic child is convinced there is a link between autism and immunizations, and that diet and heredity may also be implicated. I'm still not convinced. Oh, there might be some genetic influences in some of the autistic spectrum disorders, and genes also affect food metabolism...but I'm still not convinced about the immunizations, and I suspect a lot of the increase in cases is due to better diagnosis and a broader understanding of what is included in the 'spectrum'. My relative and I don't discuss this topic much any more. SignatureCheryl > However, a relative who has an autistic child is convinced there is a link > between autism and immunizations, and that diet and heredity may also be [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > suspect a lot of the increase in cases is due to better diagnosis and a > broader understanding of what is included in the 'spectrum'. I don't know about the immunizations, but DH's coworker has an autistic son who improved in leaps and bounds when they eliminated certain foods -- was it glutens? -- from his diet. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > A special issue of the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and > > Mortality Weekly Report has declared that rubella (German measles) has [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Wait. Not real measles but > chicken pox or something? It was certainly possible before the vaccinations. > I am concerned about the quality of the immunizations. Like cats and > adjuvant free vaccines? Some > folks, perhaps like the mercury scare and tooth fillings, are saying the > astronomical rise in > autism has to be related to something. I expect there to be an enormous change coming in immunization. As you know, most vaccines are made from killed or weakened bacteria or viruses. With improving knowledge of molecular biology, it should be possible to create vaccines that have a tamed version of one, or a very small number, of proteins associated with the disease-causing organism. That much more specific approach should greatly reduce side effects. The currently approved anthrax vaccine isn't perfect, but it's what we have -- and, especially in biowarfare scenarios, antibiotics are of less value than it might seem. Yes, the anthrax bacillus is killed by quite a few antibiotis, and it makes perfectly good sense to give them as preventives to people possibly exposed. They are limited, however, in dealing with unsuspected cases of the worst (pulmonary) form of anthrax. That disease starts with cold-like symptoms that don't raise much suspicion. This is the point where antibiotics can stop the infection. Anthrax then goes dormant for a few days, and then explodes in a fulminant phase that can cause death in under 24 hours. The good news is that fairly recently, three proteins have been isolated as the mechanism by which anthrax damages victim cells. If any of the three can be blocked by a specific immunization, the disease is aborted. > No one knows why. Do you have any ideas? Some are always saying it's the > immunizations. Probably > not that but maybe it's possible to use better vaccines? Any research yet > why the rise in autism? Lots of theories, but no real conclusions. > About the felines. The drawback to adjuvant-free is it's only certified > for one year instead of the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Treeline
|
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.