Neglected Tropical Diseases

(WTTW News) Nearly 1.6 million Illinois residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest Illinois Department of Public Health vaccine data. Thanks to our sponsors: But myths and misconceptions about the vaccine are still circulating, including the presence of "breakthrough" infections — defined by IDPH as a COVID-19 infection that occurs 14 days after someone received their final vaccine dose. So far this year, 169 of the 6,930 COVID-19 deaths in the state — 2.4% — occurred among Illinoisans who were fully vaccinated, and fewer than 650 people who were fully vaccinated were hospitalized due to their coronavirus infection, according to an analysis of state health data. To put that into perspective: Since the start of the pandemic, Illinois has reported 23,420 virus-related deaths and more than 1.4 million cases, according to state health officials. To better understand breakthrough cases and address some vaccine myths...

Certain Reddit posts have become the stuff of legend. Chronicling these legends is r/MuseumOfReddit, where you'll find entries like "the parent who gave birth to an evil baby" and "the woman who buried her boyfriend's baked bean tins after an argument". While these might sound like the cover lines on That's Life! magazine, it's the visceral realism of the storytelling that makes them truly remarkable. Some of these posts are popular for their mundanity (there's one about a guy that ate an entire party sub), others their horror (the guy that sought advice for divorcing his wife, who later murdered their children). I asked four Reddit-certified "legends" to revisit their most famous posts. THE SWAMPS OF DAGOBAH It was around 2AM when a woman arrived at Kelly's hospital, writhing in pain and muttering Hail Marys. Kelly, a veteran operating room nurse, got to work. She'd seen a lot of shit – violent neo-Nazis, old men pulling cathe...

Remember the "Apparently Kid," who went viral for repeatedly dropping the word "apparently" during an interview at the Wayne County Fair? That inimitable 2014 exchange now has its own soundtrack, and it's pitch-perfect.  Pianist and songwriter Brandon Ethridge scored the interview and posted a split-screen YouTube video called "The Apparently Kid -- the Mini Musical." It shows the musician playing ragtime-style piano alongside little Noah Ritter as the kindergartner offers hilarious commentary on his experience at the fair. A smiling Ethridge paces his playing to Ritter's enthusiastic intonations, and it's all a lot of joy.  In case you missed "Apparently Kid" the first time around, Ritter captured hearts with his liberal use of a word that's apparently typically thought of as grown-up parlance.  When a local reporter asks what Ritter thought of a ride at the fair, he looks straight into the c...

DUBLIN--( BUSINESS WIRE )--The "North America Oxygen Concentrator Market Outlook, 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Apart from the already prevailing respiratory ailments, the COVID 19 pandemic had its part in the rapid increase in the demand for oxygen concentrators in the region. Invacare Corporations, which is one of the global leading companies, achieved a 72.2% increase in terms of sales in the last quarter of 2020, owing to the COVID outburst. COVID patients who do not require ventilator support can be treated with an oxygen concentrator. Moreover, patients can take oxygen therapy in the safety and comfort of their homes. The application of oxygen concentrators in the treatment of COVID-19 is a major reason for the sudden increase in demand in 2020. Through the forecasted period, the regional market is expected to show a growth of over 5.5%, retaining its market dominance with a decline in market share. Other major key p...

By Morgan Krakow Updated: December 22, 2019 Published: December 21, 2019 Lake Otis Medical Supply advertises its supply of S.A.D. lights with a sign on the store on December 19, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN) Treatments for seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, are a lot like treatments for other types of depression, according to Lisa Lindquist, chair of psychiatry at Providence Alaska Medical Center, with one notable exception: light therapy. Using a light box every morning can help with SAD symptoms. Light therapy has even been shown to prevent the onset of SAD for some people who have experienced it in the past, Lindquist said. The internet is replete with options to buy lights marketing themselves as treatment for SAD. But Lindquist cautioned that there are a few things buyers should look for when purchasing a light. First, the light's lux —meaning the intensity of the light — must measure at 10,000 lux when it is 14 to 30 inches from a user's eyes. Also, the light should filt...

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause an allergic skin reaction. These poisonous plants contain an oil that can trigger the body's immune system and produce a rash. Becoming familiar with the appearance of these plants can help a person identify and prevent an allergic rash from exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that while the expression "leaves of three, let it be" can be helpful for identifying poison ivy and poison oak, this is not true for poison sumac, as this plant usually has clusters of 7–13 leaves. Additionally, some species of poison ivy and oak may also have more than 3 leaves. If a person suspects contact with one of these plants, the CDC recommends they wash the exposed skin and scrub their nails. When a rash appears, applying wet compresses or hydrocortisone cream can help reduce itching and blistering. However, if the rash is severe or if someone is having trouble breathing, they should get im...

A hair transplant is a hair restoration technique where a surgeon removes follicles from one part of your scalp and inserts them into balding areas. Hair transplants are most effective for treating genetic hair loss called male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. Hair transplants are considered relatively safe procedures, but every procedure comes with some risk. Infections are one possible complication. However, they're relatively rare and affect less than 1 percent of people who receive hair transplants. Let's look at how you can recognize an infection after a hair transplant surgery. We also examine other potential complications. An infection can occur when microbes enter open wounds at the site of the donor hair follicles or at the reception site. Your scalp has a large network of blood vessels that allows your immune system to quickly target pathogens. A small 2014 study with male participants showed that infections of the scalp are rare, and when they do develo...