Latest news with #infection
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What is rabies, how to avoid it and how to recognise the symptoms?
Rabies is a rare and serious infection that affects the brain and the nervous system, so it is important to be aware of information about it. Human cases of rabies are very rare in the UK, but it poses a risk to travellers visiting regions where the disease remains prevalent. While the risk is still small, rabies is more common in parts of Asia, Africa, Central America and South America. Here's all you need to know about the infection, including how to recognise symptoms and how to avoid it. If you're travelling to a country where rabies is present, it's worth knowing how to reduce your risk - read our blog post for more info. 🔗 — UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 18, 2025 According to the NHS website, rabies is spread by mammals, such as dogs, bats, raccoons and foxes. You can get rabies if you're bitten or scratched by an infected animal. Additionally, it can be passed on if an infected animal licks your eyes, nose or mouth, or you have a wound that's licked by an infected animal. Rabies symptoms usually take between three to 12 weeks to appear, but they can also occur within a few days or take several months or years. Symptoms of the infection include: numbness or tingling where you were bitten or scratched seeing things that are not there (hallucinations) feeling very anxious or energetic difficulty swallowing or breathing being unable to move (paralysis) Once symptoms develop in an infected person after they have been exposed, it is almost always fatal. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says you need to take a number of immediate steps if you believe you have been in contact with a rabies-infected animal. You should wash the wound with plenty of soap and water for several minutes to reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, seek local medical attention without delay, as treating it sooner will be more effective. They add: "Contact your GP on return to the UK, even if you received post-exposure treatment abroad or the exposure happened several weeks ago. "You may need to continue a course of rabies vaccines. If you have a record of any treatment given, remember to bring this with you." According to the NHS website, the level of protection varies, but a full course should last one or two years. People who are travelling to areas with a risk of rabies more than a year after their course of vaccines can have a single booster dose. If you're travelling to a region where there is a chance of rabies, you need to take preventative measures. The UKHSA recommends consulting a travel health professional before your trip. Recommended reading: Person dies in Yorkshire from rabies after contact with a stray dog in Morocco How long do colds last and how can you cure them quickly? Urgent Mounjaro and Ozempic warning for anyone planning a holiday They can determine if pre-exposure vaccination is recommended based on your destination and planned activities. The UKHSA adds: "Vaccination is particularly important if you'll be staying for over a month, engaging in outdoor activities, or travelling to areas with limited access to medical care." It is also advised to avoid contact with animals as much as possible when travelling.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Spread of measles in northern B.C. brings province's tally to 30 cases
There are now 18 confirmed or assumed cases of measles in B.C.'s north, bringing the provincial tally to 30 infections. The Northern Health Authority first sounded the alarm about the highly infectious disease spreading in Wonowon, a small community located approximately 89 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, over the weekend. Officials have since revealed there are seven measles cases in the Northern Health region confirmed through laboratory testing, and another 11 that are assumed based on symptoms and known exposure. The health authority said the initial case is believed to have been 'travel-acquired,' and that residents of Wonowon and neighbouring communities may have been exposed to the disease in various settings going back to late May. There was also an exposure risk in the waiting area of Fort St. John Hospital's emergency department in the early morning hours of June 2. Vancouver Coastal Health has reported eight cases so far this year, and Fraser Health has confirmed four. New exposure warning While there have been no confirmed cases in the Interior Health region, officials issued an exposure warning Tuesday about a 'visitor to B.C.' who was recently in the community of Sparwood while infectious. Officials said anyone who was in the McDonald's restaurant on Middletown Place on June 8, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., could have been exposed to the disease. 'Interior Health is following up directly with individuals who are known to have been exposed to complete contact tracing,' the health authority said, in a public service announcement. 'The risk to the broader public is considered low.' According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, it can take up to three weeks post-exposure for a patient to show measles symptoms. Those can include fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed days later by a rash that begins at the hairline and spreads rapidly down the body. Officials have asked that anyone suspected to be suffering from measles inform their health-care provider before heading into a clinic, so precautions can be taken to prevent further spread. Worst year since 1998 The spread of the disease has been much worse in other jurisdictions, particularly Ontario and Alberta, which have already recorded nearly 3,000 cases combined. Less than halfway through the year, Canada has experienced more measles cases nationwide than it has since measles was declared eliminated in 1998 – an issue health officials have blamed on declining vaccination rates. In B.C., the vaccination rate among seven-year-olds was 72.4 per cent in 2023, the latest year for which data is available. That's down from a rate of 90.9 per cent a decade earlier, before the anti-vaccine movement grew in popularity, including on social media. With files from CTV News Vancouver's Ian Holliday
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Climate change leads to spread of infection-causing fungi, scientists say
Climate change may be putting millions more people at risk from an infection-causing fungi, which is likely spreading due to warming global temperatures, scientists say. There will likely be an increased risk of infection due to harmful fungi in the coming years due to climate change, according to researchers from the University of Manchester. MORE: What to know about Fusarium graminearum, the biological pathogen allegedly smuggled into the US The scientists mapped the effects of rising temperatures on global distribution of three infection-causing fungi under different climate scenarios through 2100: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger, according to the paper, which has been published on preprint platform Research Square and not yet been peer-reviewed. Aspergillus, a fungal mold that thrives in warm, damp climates, is already found worldwide -- including in the U.S. -- and can impact humans, animals, livestock and plants. But current emissions projections indicate that within 15 years a "significant spread" of certain fungal pathogens could occur in Europe and beyond, the researchers said. Under this scenario, the spread of A. flavus could increase by 16%, putting 1 million more people in Europe at risk of infection, according to the paper. MORE: USDA orders removal of climate change mentions from public websites Another fungus, A. fumigatus, could increase by 77.5% and potentially expose 9 million people in Europe, the researchers said. A. fumigatus affects the lungs and is one of the most common pathogens responsible for life-threatening infections in humans, according to the paper. Fungal spores transported through the air can cause infections in humans when inhaled -- especially for vulnerable populations and people with weakened immune systems and lung disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fungi are "incredibly adaptable organisms" that allow them to colonize new geographies and survive environment changes, the researchers said. The emergence and spread of the fungus Candida auris has also occurred as a result of warming temperatures, Van Rhijn said. "Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread," Norman van Rhijn, professor at the University of Manchester's School of Biological Sciences and lead author of the paper, said in a statement. MORE: Climate change could aggravate over half of known human pathogens, scientists say The trend is especially concerning due to a rise in antifungal resistance -- driven by the use of fungicides in agriculture to protect crops -- as well as a "severe lack" of treatment options for fungal infections, the researchers said. But fungi are relatively under researched compared to viruses and parasites, Van Rhijn said. Less than 10% of up to 3.8 million species have been described, the researchers said. "Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this," he said. Climate change leads to spread of infection-causing fungi, scientists say originally appeared on
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman diagnosed with common UTI...now she's had to have all 4 limbs amputated because of little-known infection complication
A mother-of-two has urged people to learn the warning signs of sepsis after losing four of her limbs following a common infection. Kim Smith, 63, from Milton Keynes, was left with blackened legs, feet and hands that needed to be amputated after a life-threatening ordeal left her in a coma for months. In 2018, Mrs Smith was on holiday in Alicante, Spain with her husband Steve when she developed a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is a common infection where bacteria infiltrates parts of the body like the bladder, kidneys and urethra, causing a burning sensation when urinating. Familiar with the common symptoms of a UTI—including needing to urinate more often and lower abdominal pain—Mrs Smith went to the doctors who prescribed her antibiotics. But the pharmacist did not have her prescription available for collection that day, so the couple returned to their hotel, where Mrs Smith's condition quickly deteriorated. 'I woke up at 4am and I thought I was going to die,' she said in a TikTok video that has so far garnered over 793,000 views. 'I had severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion. I was really really cold. I had a fever and I was shivering like mad,' she added. Her husband rushed her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with severe sepsis and put into a medically induced coma on November 29th. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection, which occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection—like a UTI—and attacks its own tissue and organs. By the next day, her hands had already turned purple. 'Spain had told my daughters that I had black digits, that's fingers and toes', Mrs Smith recalled. 'My arms were black up to [my elbows]'. Eventually, after six weeks on life support, Mrs Smith was flown back to the UK, to Milton Keynes University Hospital, via air ambulance. There, after three weeks back in the UK, Mrs Smith was gradually brought out from her coma. 'When I woke up, I could actually see that my hands and legs were black, so I knew that they would have to be amputated', she remembers. Mrs Smith then underwent life-changing surgery to amputate her hands and legs above the knee. Once she recovered from the quadruple amputation, the grandmother spent 12 weeks in physical rehabilitation, where she regained her strength and learnt to live without her limbs. Now, Mrs Smith wants to raise awareness for the little-known risk associated with common UTIs. 'I want to tell you, if you need to go pee, go pee. Don't hold it—that could cause you to get an infection and that could develop into sepsis,' she said. 'The symptoms are severe breathlessness, slurred speech and confusion-I had that-I didn't pass much urine that day and I had a fever but I was really cold.' 'If you get anything like that, if you feel unusually unwell and you know something is not right, please please please advocate for yourself,' Mrs Smith urged her followers. 'Tell [doctors] something is not right and ask them to test you for sepsis. 'Ask for a second opinion if you have to. Do not leave if you feel something is wrong.' UTIs affect the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, the urethra and the kidneys. According to the NHS, common symptoms include pain or a burning sensation when peeing, needing to pass urine more often than usual, and cloudy looking urine––which can also be a sign of dehydration. Some people may also experience lower abdominal or back pain, as well as a high temperature, chills or and a really low temperature below 36C. These more severe symptoms could indicate a kidney infection, which can be serious if left untreated, developing into life-threatening sepsis. Up to 1.7million people in the UK suffer from recurrent UTIs—classed as three or more infections a year. Around half of all women will experience a UTI in their life time. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sepsis kills 11 million people globally each year, while in the UK the infection claims around 48,000 lives. People who suffer septic shock can develop small blood clots, which cut-off life-giving oxygen flow to the extremities. The tissue then begins to die, and the skin turns black. However, if there is still enough healthy tissue, doctors may try to first remove the dead tissue—known as debriding. If this treatment doesn't work, amputation is the next step. UTIs are one of the most common causes of sepsis, dubbed the 'silent killer' because its symptoms can overlap with other conditions like the flu. However, as Mrs Smith warns, knowing the symptoms of sepsis could save your life. Tell-tale signs of sepsis in adults include appearing confused, slurred speech or not making sense, blue, grey or blotchy skin and difficulty breathing. According to the NHS, a rash that doesn't fade when your roll a glass over it could be a tell-tale sign of the condition, as well as having a pale and blotchy appearance that is cold and clammy to the touch. Sepsis affected skin may also develop pinprick bruises or large purple areas that can also turn blue, a sign the body is not getting enough oxygen. Producing less urine than usual, for example not urinating for an entire day, is another potential sign of serious sepsis. This is in part because a decrease in blood pressure caused by sepsis, as well as an increased risk of blood clots, can reduce blood supply to organs like the kidneys, which produce urine, impacting their function. As the kidneys can be some of the first organs to start showing signs of reduced function due to sepsis, reduced urine production is considered a potential sign of the condition. The NHS advises anyone who experiences these symptoms to call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Major warning as UK cases of Victorian 'bleeding disease' reach record high
Cases of typhoid, a bleeding disease that famously killed the husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, have reached a record level in Britain. Health officials warned the number of travellers returning to the UK with the highly contagious—and potentially deadly infection—is now at an all-time high. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 702 cases of typhoid fever, and a related illness called paratyphoid fever in 2024. This was an eight per cent rise on the previous year and is the highest number of cases ever recorded. Typhoid is a bacterial illness that without quick treatment can cause serious and fatal complications, like internal bleeding, or lead internal organs to burst. It is caused by a type of salmonella bacteria that is usually spread through food and water contaminated with an infected person's urine of faeces. Most British cases are linked to travel to India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, where the disease is more common. UKHSA officials also warned there had also been a concerning rise of antibiotic-resistant typhoid in Pakistan. This is a strain that has adapted immunity to the medication used to treat it meaning people infected with this strain are more likely to have serious complications. Globally, a fifth of typhoid cases worldwide are fatal, though this is rarer in countries like the UK. Symptoms of a typhoid infection usually develop between one to two weeks after a person is infected. It initially triggers flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, aches and pains, fatigue, a cough but also constipation. After this initial wave, symptoms will get worse, with the addition of nausea, diarrhoea and sometimes a rash. It is at this stage that a patient is at high risk of potentially deadly complications. With treatment, such as antibiotics, the infection usually clears within three to five days. While a free typhoid vaccine is available on the NHS to people travelling to countries with high levels of the disease, no such jab exists for paratyphoid—which is caused by a slightly different bacteria to the one that causes typhoid. Travellers are also advised to take steps like drinking bottled water, avoiding having ice in drinks and to not eat raw fruit and vegetables while in affected areas. UKHSA officials also warned that while imported cases of the mosquito-borne disease malaria decreased in 2024, they remained at 'concerning levels'. Data shows there 1,812 malaria cases diagnosed in British travellers last year, a small decline from the 2,106 cases recorded in 2023. But both figures are significantly higher than figures recorded in previous years. Malaria is usually easily treated if caught early, can be deadly if left untreated or diagnosed late. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, warned that the level of cases of such diseases they were seeing in people returning to Britain remained high. 'It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad–even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often,' she said. She urged people to visit the Government's Travel Health Pro website for information on what vaccines or medications tourists may need before travelling to an overseas destination. Dr Veal added this was especially important for women expecting a child or hoping to have one in the near future as they could be at heightened risk. 'If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip,' she said.
