Otitis Media

IMAGE:  The top image is a cross-section of the organ of Corti from a 12-month-old mouse (homozygous Nox3-Cre+/+;tdTomato) and the bottom image is an illustration of this. Red fluorescent proteins (tdTomato),... view more  Credit: Takehiko Ueyama Professor UEYAMA Takehiko (Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University) and the inner ear research group (Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine) have identified the cell types in the inner ear cochlea ( *1 ) responsible for the production of superoxide (Nox3 *2 -expressing cells). They achieved this by using genetically modified mice that they developed. The researchers discovered that these superoxide-producing cells increase in number in response to aging, noise damage, and ototoxic drugs, thus causing age-related, noise-induced and drug-induced hearing loss. In addition, they were able to suppress the onset of these three types of acquired hearing loss in genetically modified mice with no Nox3 expression (Nox3 knockout). These...

You expected lots of amazing changes with pregnancy, but some of them might still surprise you. Case in point: Being pregnant might give you a higher chance of getting an ear infection, of all things. Ear infections during pregnancy may happen for several reasons. They're usually relatively harmless and easily treated. But see a doctor if you have any kind of infection during pregnancy. If left untreated , ear infections can be harmful for your health and to your growing baby — and in rare cases may lead to complications. Infections in general are more common when you're pregnant. And ear, nose, and throat changes during pregnancy might increase your risk of ear infections in particular. An ear infection can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Pregnancy changes that may make this more likely include: Higher basal metabolic rate (BMR). During pregnancy, your body requires increased oxygen levels and blood volume. This means that your heart also work...

UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics is seeing patients with sore throats and upper respiratory infections that are not COVID-19. To treat a sore throat, patients are encouraged to drink warm liquids and gargle with salt water. If your child has a sudden onset of sore throat, pain with swallowing, a fever greater than 101, and swollen lymph nodes, a physician may recommend a strep test. Treatment for an upper respiratory infection is based on whether a doctor suspects it is caused by a bacteria or virus. If the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used. If the cause is a viral infection, home treatment is recommended, such as getting extra rest and drinking plenty of liquids. Frequent hand-washing, especially during cold or flu season, can help prevent illness. Children should also try to avoid using their hands to wipe their eyes, nose, or mouth. The CVS MinuteClinic in York is still seeing viral upper respiratory infections in patients who are testing negative for ...

Norovirus is a virus that belonging to the Caliciviridae family,which includes a group of single-stranded RNA viruses that may cause problems such as inflammation of the stomach or intestines or acute gastroenteritis. The virus has been previously called the Norwalk or Norwalk-like virus, which was named after the original Norwalk strain that caused the 1968 outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio. Norovirus is now classified into 10 different genogroups and 48 genotypes. ¹ Risk factors for norovirus include eating foods in non-sanitary places and attending childcare centers or preschools. It can also include living in proximity with high-risk patient population, such as patients in nursing homes. It can also become a risk in environments in which many individuals congregate in confined spaces, such as in hotels, resorts, cruise ships, and other destination places. This risk escalates if the person comes into contact with another person with such a virus. ² Whe...

Vaccines have dramatically reduced the incidence of both bacterial and viral meningitis. There are several types of vaccine, and each type is given at a different age and protects against a different type of meningitis. Meningitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the meninges, which are the membranous coverings that protect the brain and spinal cord. It is most often due to bacteria or a virus. Bacterial meningitis is particularly dangerous. It can cause permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss or brain damage, or lead to death within a matter of hours. It is especially dangerous to infants and young children. Keep reading to learn more about scheduling for different meningitis vaccines, the benefits of these vaccines, the risks of meningitis, and why vaccination is important. There are different types of meningitis vaccine that doctors will administer at different ages. Vaccines protect against bacterial meningitis and some forms of viral meningitis...

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which make up the three-layer lining that surrounds and protects the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Babies under age 2 are at the highest risk of getting infectious meningitis, and young babies can have serious long-term effects of meningitis. Treatment involves close management of fevers, reduction of swelling around the brain, seizure treatment, and sometimes antimicrobial treatment to target the infection. skynesher / Getty Images Prevention is important and involves vaccination and avoiding exposure by keeping the baby away from anyone who could have a contagious infection. For babies who are at risk of becoming infected with meningitis from their mothers during birth, preventative antibiotic treatment is sometimes given to the mother and/or the baby. Causes There are several types of infectious meningitis in babies, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Bacterial meningitis is the most...

There's a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, and it can turn a normally risk-averse mouse into a bold, cat-seeking rodent. Cats that devour such mice can then pass the parasite onto humans. But once humans are infected, what happens to them? Do they become Toxoplasma gondii zombies, acting however the parasite deems fit? The answer is complex; studies show that people who test positive for this condition are more likely to take certain kinds of risks than those who don't have toxoplasmosis, but it's not yet clear how this happens. Related: Why do cats hate car rides? Toxoplasma gondii can live in most mammals, but its life cycle traditionally involves living first inside a mouse or rat. That's likely because cats prey on rodents, giving the parasite a way to reach the cat gut — the only known place where the parasite can reproduce, as cat guts are rich in linoleic acid, an ingredient necessary for Toxoplasma gondii sex, a 2019 study posted...