The Epstein-Barr Virus causes infectious mononucleosis, also commonly known as “mono”. Mono is a contagious disease that is most often found in children and young adults, and it is common to be spread by intimate oral contact, which gives it its name the “kissing disease”. The B cells are the primary host cells for this virus, which are infected by the multiplication of the EBV in lymphatic tissues that then moves into the blood. The B cells appearance changes to the point that they resemble a monocyte. If one was to look at the infected B cells, they would notice that they have become enlarged and abnormal. The virus increases the white blood cell count by a high percentage of lymphocytes. There are many signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, sore throat, enlarged and tender lymph nodes, and fever. No cure has been found to cure mono, but there has been research done on young killer cells that protect against the infectious disease.

            According to an article I read about young killer cells protection against mono, it is common for people to be carriers of the Epstein-Barr Virus. However, some people are not carriers, and the age one becomes infected with this virus can determine one’s illness. For instance, the article mentions that, as an adult, getting infected will more likely cause them to become ill, whereas, a child who is infected is less likely to become ill because of his innate immune system. This is because, according to immunologists from the University of Zurich, young natural killer cells fight off the infectious disease, and children’s innate immune system has an abundance of these young natural killer cells. This means that adolescents and adults who do not have these young natural killer cells are more likely to get infected and become ill. However, this group from the University of Zurich is working on finding a vaccination that could protect people from getting infected by this disease.

If they find a vaccination that keeps more people from getting EBV who can’t fight it off because they don’t have the young natural killer cells, it will reduce healthcare costs and work loss for the one at risk of getting ill. If one gets infected, not only do they have to pay for the care given to them by their doctor or whoever they see, but also they lose time at work. This will cause a problem with them being able to not only pay for personal necessities but also their Healthcare. As a whole society, Healthcare costs increases everybody’s insurance costs, and work loss costs everyone involved in productivity and sick time, whether it is short term disability, long term disability, or elderly care if they do become disabled. Therefore, if a vaccination is found, it can tremendously help with the costs of Healthcare and work loss for individuals or society as a whole.

Tortora, Gerard J and Derrickson, Bryan. Princciples of Anatomy and Physiology 13^th     Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2011. 30 Jan. 2014.

University of Zurich. “Young killer cells protect against infectious mononucleosis.”         ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 December 2013.           <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131219130145.htm>.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

We have all seen the commercials with the infants that are coughing hysterically due to RSV. But, do we actually even know what RSV is. Newborn babies have immature immune systems which can cause infections of the lungs and breathing passages. RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. RSV is highly contagious and usually spread through coughing and sneezing. RSV if severe, can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. RSV has estimated to cause over 14,000 deaths yearly in the United States.

Barney Graham and his colleagues at US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are researching the early immune system in order to develop effective vaccines for newborns to infants. Graham and colleagues studied the behavior of these lung dendritic cells in newborn mice and compared it with that in older animals. They learned that the younger the child is the more likely the RSV infection will make intense changes. Also dendritic cells from newborns take up, digest, and present parts of an intruding virus to other immune cells, which is different than it is among adults. This is why adults do not usually get RSV.

Preventing and treating RSV, can be fairly easy. Using hand sanitizer before handling a small child can reduce the chance of the child contracting RSV. Parents should allow time for recovery if the child has contacted RSV. Also, give the child plenty of fluids. If the infant is at risk for RSV, they can be given a monthly injection of medication consisting of RSV antibodies during peak RSV season, which is November through April. You should call the doctor if your child has had thick nasal discharge, high fever, worsening cough, signs of dehydration, or trouble breathing.

Heather Mundlin

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5908a4.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140213184812.htm

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition that nearly 60 million adults in the United States alone suffer from. It is a very common condition that attacks generally without warning. Some of its varied causes include, but are not limited to: pregnancy, large meals, eating habits, bending forward, peptic ulcers, and many other causes (Lifespan). Drinking and smoking also cause the sphincters of the esophagus to relax and worsen the problem (Tortora). It has been discovered in the past that only a small percentage of those patients who suffer from heartburn will develop Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that is caused by the cells of the lower esophagus becoming damaged. These cells are damaged by repeated exposure to gastric juices and stomach acid (Lifespan).

These few percentiles of patients who suffer from heartburn that are later diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus have now been found to have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer. Although this is bad news, surprisingly good news has also been found. This link between esophagus cancer and heartburn can be blocked by total suppression of stomach acid, a job that can be done with a proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole (Lifespan). Omeprazole’s job in the body is to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach, that way less acid travels into the esophagus. Omeprazole is not only used as a daily medication to decrease acid produced, it also promotes healing of the esophageal damage caused by stomach acid (What).

This is good news for people who suffer from heartburn and those who have had a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. These over-the-counter and prescription-given proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, could greatly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer. This gives hope to patients who suffer from Barrett’s esophagus, because the proton pump inhibitors could bring healing to the esophagus. This is good news for families everywhere, and a discovery that could lower the risk of esophageal cancer for the patients that are most at risk.

Lifespan. “Pathway uncovered linking heartburn, esophageal cancer.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 October 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131007151833.htm>.

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13^th ed., John Wiley and Sons

“What is omeprazole?.” Drugs.Com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2014. <http://www.drugs.com/omeprazole.html>.

I’ve always heard of the word “GERD”, but I never knew what it was. GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as heart burn. Acid reflux occurs when the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus. The reason it is called heart burn is because when stomach acid, hydrochloric acid, comes back up, it causes a burning sensation near the heart. Drinking alcohol and smoking increase the problem making the symptoms a lot worse. If you have acid reflux, you should avoid foods that stimulate stomach acid like tomatoes, onions, orange juice, chocolate, coffee, and fatty foods. There are medications you can take that cut down on the severity of the burning sensation. You can take Pepcid or Pepto-Bismol an hour before eating to block the acid coming back up. You are less likely to have severe acid reflux if you eat foods in smaller amounts and if you don’t lie down after eating.  This could also have something to do with cancer of the esophagus (Totora).

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux, especially people over forty years of age. You may notice heartburn, sore throat, chest pains, or coughing; these are all symptoms of GERD. In this study, surgeons use a device to cut down the acid reflux a person has. They take a small, circular beaded ring and apply it directly above the stomach, relaxing the sphincters allowing the food to pass through, but then closing when food it gone. After the procedure, patients can return back to normal eating and daily routines in about a week. With the procedure, it cuts down on medication taken and can be more beneficial than other surgeries. Surgeons only recommend this procedure be done if you have chronic acid reflux.  The LINX device has been approved by FDA and has been tested on over 400 people. Ninety percent of the people who have had this procedure have had the amount of reflux decrease (Science Daily).

I feel that this is a good procedure that could be beneficial to a lot of people, especially with severe heartburn. I chose this topic and article because my mother has really bad acid reflux and the doctors have put her on several medications, like Omeprazole, and none of them help. Seeing all of the positive outcomes of this procedure, I would definitely recommend it. I don’t think people realize that heartburn is a serious matter that needs medical attention. If you go so long without attention, it could lead to way worse.

Stony Brook University. “Implantable magnetic ‘bracelet’ brings relief to GERD sufferers.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 February 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140227163835.htm>.

Totora, Gerard J., And Derrickson, Bryan. Principals of Anatomy & Physiology. 13^th ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2014. Print.