Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Blog Summary
With the help of the five themes of "pathography", I was successful in my attempt to find diseases in every continent of the world. Through my research, I found that a majority of the world's diseases are found in Third world countries. These diseases are generally insect-borne and highly contagious. Third world countries lack the health care needed to keep these diseases under control. Take malaria for example, back in the 80s there was an epidemic affecting most of the Australian continent, today there are maybe 70 to 80 cases per year. Most of Australia is considered to be First world, they have the medical treatment available if needed. Northern Africa on the other hand does not. They alone have a third of the world's malaria cases. Human environment interaction also plays a role in new diseases surfacing every couple of years or so.
Chogas is a Latin American disease that came about soon after people began the process of deforestation in order to start the development process. A prime example of how human environment interaction brings about new disease. With globalization on the rise, infection carrying insects and diseases native to particular regions of the world are showing up everywhere. Through my research, I found that Lyme disease is not only found in the U.S. it is also found in Europe. What's more interesting, scientist now believe that the disease originated over there.
Though many diseases are insect-borne, we can also find it in our blood and in the food we eat. Disease is everywhere and has always been. All we can do is use the technology and medication available to use to combat these ever changing menace to society.
Chogas is a Latin American disease that came about soon after people began the process of deforestation in order to start the development process. A prime example of how human environment interaction brings about new disease. With globalization on the rise, infection carrying insects and diseases native to particular regions of the world are showing up everywhere. Through my research, I found that Lyme disease is not only found in the U.S. it is also found in Europe. What's more interesting, scientist now believe that the disease originated over there.
Though many diseases are insect-borne, we can also find it in our blood and in the food we eat. Disease is everywhere and has always been. All we can do is use the technology and medication available to use to combat these ever changing menace to society.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Aids in The United States
"Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. (HIV)." (avert.org) It is believed that since the start of the Aids epidemic, the U.S. alone has experienced well over half a million deaths from the disease. The disease can be transmitted through sexual contact and or blood. The way the virus works is, over time the HIV virus gradually attacks the immune system cells. This causes one to become vulnerable to infections, leaving the infected open to illness during the duration of the disease. Some symptoms include, fever, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea (lasting longer that one week), and weightloss. When the HIV virus matures, it becomes full blown Aids. This process can take years. Ultimately the infected subject will die.
Work Cited
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Campylobacteriosis in New Zealand
"Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by the complyobacter bacterium, most commonly C. Jenjuni. It is amoung the most common bacterial infections of humans, often a foodborne illness." (cfsph.iastate.edu) New Zealand has the world's highest rate of the infection. The infection is transmitted when one comes in contact and or eats raw meat. Though the disease is commonly within the body & feces of farm animals, though rare, house hold animals can also surcome to the illness. The disease is not fatal, but if left untreated one could experience discomfort for the duration of disease, which generally last 5-10 days. Some symptoms include, diarrhea (bloody), nausea, fever, and tiredness. The disease will eventually subside, it the case that it doesn't, antibotics can be used to help rid the body of the bacteria.
Work Cited
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