Medical science, drawn into focus.

Pertussis

Author Megan Miner Armando Faigl Overview Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough”, is a contagious, acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In babies, the infection can sometimes lead to pneumonia and occasionally brain damage and can even be life threatening. Older children and adults can get whooping cough and can spread it…

Sexual Transmitted Infection

Overview Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a significant public health worldwide. STI can result in chronic disease, pregnancy complications, infertility, and even death. Globally, congenital syphilis is still a leading cause of stillbirth and neonatal death. Antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae continues to be a significant public health concern.  Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most frequently reported…

Selective IgA Deficiency 

Overview Selective IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency, defined by very low or absent serum IgA levels with normal levels of other immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM). Many patients are asymptomatic, but some develop recurrent mucosal infections, allergic disease, or autoimmune disorders. Prevalence is estimated at 1:300 to 1:700 in Caucasian populations. Diagnosis is often…

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Overview Coronary artery obstruction or rupture can result in a variety of ischaemic condition which fall under the term of acute coronary syndrome. This does not include stable angina. Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of death world wide. The mortality of myocardial infarction is believed to be 45% with 70% of these deaths…

Urinary Incontinence

Overview Urinary incontinence is an important condition because it causes significant distress. Approximately 15% of the general female adult population have a significant problem with urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence: Defined as the condition in which there is invontary loss of urine, which can be objectively demonstrated and which is a social or hygienic problem. Stress…

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Overview Atopic dermatitis is a chronic highly pruritic (itchy) inflammatory skin disease. Atopic dermatitis and eczema are often used synonymously. Atopic dermatitis primarily affect young children and is often associated with other atopic disorders, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has doubled or tripled in industrialised countries during the past three decades.…

Adult onset Still's Disease

Overview Adult Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) is a complex multisystemic autoinflammatory disease characterised by recurrent episodes of spiking fever (> 39–40°C), pink–salmon transient skin rash, and the presence of arthralgia or polyarthritis. First described by Eric Bywaters in 1971 it closely resembles systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Still’s disease). retrospective observational study in Japan found…

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