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Sandy
How Australian Lab Cultures Control New Coronavirus As Infections Climb
~2.2 mins read
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With more than 6,000 cases of the 2019-nCoV virus confirmed, researchers are hoping that studying the pathogen in the lab will help stop the outbreak
As of today (January 29), the World Health Organization had confirmed a total of 6,065 cases of the new coronavirus that started causing pneumonia-like symptoms in people in Wuhan, China, late last year. Sixty-eight of those confirmed cases come from 15 countries outside of China, raising concerns about the worldwide spread of the pathogen.
Researchers are studying the virus in hopes of aiding the effort to treat infections and minimize further transmission. Julian Druce, head of the Virus Identification Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues announced yesterday that they’d successful grown the virus in cell culture, after having isolated it from the first person in the country to be diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection.
The group, the first outside of China to successfully culture the virus, will share it with the WHO, which will distribute samples to research labs around the globe—something Chinese groups who claim to have grown the virus in the lab have not yet done. Working with the cultured virus may allow researchers to develop better treatments as well as diagnostics by detecting antibodies specific to 2019-nCoV, for example. “There are some things that are much easier to do when you have the virus,” Mike Catton, a deputy director of the Doherty Institute, tells Nature.
The news from Australia comes days after the WHO confirmed the first person-to-person spread of the virus outside of China: an individual in Vietnam who acquired the infection from a family member. Additionally, there have been media reports of a tour-bus driver in Japan who may have contracted the virus while transporting tourists from Wuhan, and a German man is thought to have been infected by a colleague who had recently visited Wuhan, China, according to Nature.
See “Scientists Scrutinize New Coronavirus Genome for Answers”
In a study published today in The Lancet, researchers in China analyzed the genomes of coronaviruses isolated from nine patients in Wuhan and found that 2019-nCoV is most closely related to two bat-derived SARS-like coronaviruses. The findings point to bats, which are sold at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, as a possible origin for the new outbreak. The Chinese team reports that eight patients had recently visited the market; the ninth patient had stayed in a nearby hotel.
“These data are consistent with a bat reservoir for coronaviruses in general and 2019-nCoV in particular,” coauthor Guizhen Wu of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention says in a press release emailed to journalists. “However, despite the importance of bats, it seems likely that another animal host is acting as an intermediate host between bats and humans.” The study also found evidence that the virus has only recently emerged in humans, with the genomes of the viruses isolated from the different patients differing by less than 0.1 percent.
See “Where Coronaviruses Come From”
The WHO is starting a global database to collect anonymized clinical data on infected individuals, and the agency will be hosting a meeting tomorrow to discuss whether the current outbreak should be considered a global health emergency
As of today (January 29), the World Health Organization had confirmed a total of 6,065 cases of the new coronavirus that started causing pneumonia-like symptoms in people in Wuhan, China, late last year. Sixty-eight of those confirmed cases come from 15 countries outside of China, raising concerns about the worldwide spread of the pathogen.
Researchers are studying the virus in hopes of aiding the effort to treat infections and minimize further transmission. Julian Druce, head of the Virus Identification Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues announced yesterday that they’d successful grown the virus in cell culture, after having isolated it from the first person in the country to be diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection.
The group, the first outside of China to successfully culture the virus, will share it with the WHO, which will distribute samples to research labs around the globe—something Chinese groups who claim to have grown the virus in the lab have not yet done. Working with the cultured virus may allow researchers to develop better treatments as well as diagnostics by detecting antibodies specific to 2019-nCoV, for example. “There are some things that are much easier to do when you have the virus,” Mike Catton, a deputy director of the Doherty Institute, tells Nature.
The news from Australia comes days after the WHO confirmed the first person-to-person spread of the virus outside of China: an individual in Vietnam who acquired the infection from a family member. Additionally, there have been media reports of a tour-bus driver in Japan who may have contracted the virus while transporting tourists from Wuhan, and a German man is thought to have been infected by a colleague who had recently visited Wuhan, China, according to Nature.
See “Scientists Scrutinize New Coronavirus Genome for Answers”
In a study published today in The Lancet, researchers in China analyzed the genomes of coronaviruses isolated from nine patients in Wuhan and found that 2019-nCoV is most closely related to two bat-derived SARS-like coronaviruses. The findings point to bats, which are sold at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, as a possible origin for the new outbreak. The Chinese team reports that eight patients had recently visited the market; the ninth patient had stayed in a nearby hotel.
“These data are consistent with a bat reservoir for coronaviruses in general and 2019-nCoV in particular,” coauthor Guizhen Wu of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention says in a press release emailed to journalists. “However, despite the importance of bats, it seems likely that another animal host is acting as an intermediate host between bats and humans.” The study also found evidence that the virus has only recently emerged in humans, with the genomes of the viruses isolated from the different patients differing by less than 0.1 percent.
See “Where Coronaviruses Come From”
The WHO is starting a global database to collect anonymized clinical data on infected individuals, and the agency will be hosting a meeting tomorrow to discuss whether the current outbreak should be considered a global health emergency
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Sandy
10 Common Childhood Illnesses And Their Treatments
~4.9 mins read
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All children deserve high-quality medical care. As a parent, it is important to be aware of the most up-to-date treatment guidelines so you can be sure your child is getting the best care possible.
The following information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists some of the most common childhood illnesses and their approved treatments. The treatments discussed here are based on scientific evidence and best practices. However, there may be reasons why your pediatrician has different recommendations for your child, especially if your child has an ongoing medical condition or allergy. Your pediatrician will discuss any variations in treatment with you. If you have any questions about appropriate care for your child, please discuss them with your pediatrician.
1. Sore Throat
Sore throats are common in children and can be painful. However, a sore throat that is caused by a virus does not need antibiotics. In those cases, no specific medicine is required, and your child should get better in seven to ten days. In other cases, a sore throat could be caused by an infection called streptococcal (strep throat).
Strep cannot be accurately diagnosed by simply looking at the throat. A lab test or in-office rapid strep test, which includes a quick swab of the throat, is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of strep. If positive for strep, your pediatrician will prescribe an antibiotic. It's very important that your child take the antibiotic for the full course, as prescribed, even if the symptoms get better or go away. Steroid medicines (such as prednisone) are not an appropriate treatment for most cases of sore throat.
Babies and toddlers rarely get it strep throat, but they are more likely to become infected by streptococcus bacteria if they are in child care or if an older sibling has the illness. Although strep spreads mainly through coughs and sneezes, your child can also get it by touching a toy that an infected child has played with.
2. Ear Pain
Ear pain is common in children and can have many causes—including ear infection (otitis media), swimmer's ear (infection of the skin in the ear canal), pressure from a cold or sinus infection, teeth pain radiating up the jaw to the ear, and others. . To tell the difference, your pediatrician will need to examine your child's ear. In fact, an in-office exam is still the best way for your pediatrician to make an accurate diagnosis. If your child's ear pain is accompanied by a high fever, involves both ears, or if your child has other signs of illness, your pediatrician may decide that an antibiotic is the best treatment.
Amoxicillin is the preferred antibiotic for middle ear infections—except when there is an allergy to penicillin or chronic or recurrent infections.
Many true ear infections are caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics. If your pediatrician suspects your child's ear infection may be from a virus, he or she will talk with you about the best ways to help relieve your child's ear pain until the virus runs its course.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
Bladder infections, also called urinary tract infections or UTIs, occur when bacteria build up in the urinary tract. A UTI can be found in children from infancy through the teen years and into adulthood. Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning during urination, the need to urinate frequently or urgently, bedwetting or accidents by a child who knows to use the toilet, abdominal pain, or side or back pain.
Your child's doctor will need a urine sample to test for a UTI before determining treatment. Your doctor may adjust the treatment depending on which bacteria is found in your child's urine.
4. Skin Infection
In most children with skin infections, a skin test (culture or swab) may be needed to determine the most-appropriate treatment. Tell your doctor if your child has a history of MRSA, staph infection, or other resistant bacteria or if he or she has been exposed to other family members or contacts with resistant bacteria.
5. Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is an infection of the larger, more central airways in the lungs and is more often seen in adults. Often the word "bronchitis" is used to describe a chest virus and does not require antibiotics.
6. Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is common in infants and young children during the cold and flu season. Your doctor may hear "wheezing" when your child breathes.
Bronchiolitis is most often caused by a virus, which does not require antibiotics. Instead, most treatment recommendations are geared toward making your child comfortable with close monitoring for any difficulty in breathing, eating, or signs of dehydration. Medicines used for patients with asthma (such as albuterol or steroids) are not recommended for most infants and young children with bronchiolitis. Children who were born prematurely or have underlying health problems may need different treatment plans.
7. Pain
The best medicines for pain relief for children are acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Talk to your pediatrician about how much to give your child, as it should be based on your child's weight.
Narcotic pain medications are not appropriate for children with common injuries or complaints such as sprained ankle, ear pain, or sore throats. Codeine should never be used for children as it's been associated with severe respiratory problems and even death in children.
8. Common Cold
Colds are caused by viruses in the upper respiratory tract. Many young children—especially those in child care—can get 6 to 8 colds per year. Symptoms of a cold (including runny nose, congestion, and cough) may last for up to ten days.
Green mucus in the nose does not automatically mean that antibiotics are needed; common colds never need antibiotics. However, if a sinus infection is suspected, your doctor will carefully decide whether antibiotics are the best choice based on your child's symptoms and a physical exam.
9. Bacterial Sinusitis
Bacterial sinusitis is caused by bacteria trapped in the sinuses. Sinusitis is suspected when cold-like symptoms such as nasal discharge, daytime cough, or both last over ten days without improvement.
Antibiotics may be needed if this condition is accompanied by thick yellow nasal discharge and a fever for at least 3 or 4 days in a row.
10. Cough
Coughs are usually caused by viruses and do not often require antibiotics.
Cough medicine is not recommended for children 4 years of age and younger, or for children 4 to 6 years of age unless advised by your doctor. Studies have consistently shown that cough medicines do not work in the 4-years-and-younger age group and have the potential for serious side effects.
Cough medicines with narcotics—such as codeine—should not be used in children.
If Symptoms Change:
Occasionally, mild infections—viral or bacterial—can develop into more serious infections.
Call your pediatrician if your child's illness appears to change, becomes worse, does not go away after a few days, or if you are worried about any new symptoms that develop. If your child's illness has worsened, or if he or she develops complications, your pediatrician may recommend a new treatment.
The following information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists some of the most common childhood illnesses and their approved treatments. The treatments discussed here are based on scientific evidence and best practices. However, there may be reasons why your pediatrician has different recommendations for your child, especially if your child has an ongoing medical condition or allergy. Your pediatrician will discuss any variations in treatment with you. If you have any questions about appropriate care for your child, please discuss them with your pediatrician.
1. Sore Throat
Sore throats are common in children and can be painful. However, a sore throat that is caused by a virus does not need antibiotics. In those cases, no specific medicine is required, and your child should get better in seven to ten days. In other cases, a sore throat could be caused by an infection called streptococcal (strep throat).
Strep cannot be accurately diagnosed by simply looking at the throat. A lab test or in-office rapid strep test, which includes a quick swab of the throat, is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of strep. If positive for strep, your pediatrician will prescribe an antibiotic. It's very important that your child take the antibiotic for the full course, as prescribed, even if the symptoms get better or go away. Steroid medicines (such as prednisone) are not an appropriate treatment for most cases of sore throat.
Babies and toddlers rarely get it strep throat, but they are more likely to become infected by streptococcus bacteria if they are in child care or if an older sibling has the illness. Although strep spreads mainly through coughs and sneezes, your child can also get it by touching a toy that an infected child has played with.
2. Ear Pain
Ear pain is common in children and can have many causes—including ear infection (otitis media), swimmer's ear (infection of the skin in the ear canal), pressure from a cold or sinus infection, teeth pain radiating up the jaw to the ear, and others. . To tell the difference, your pediatrician will need to examine your child's ear. In fact, an in-office exam is still the best way for your pediatrician to make an accurate diagnosis. If your child's ear pain is accompanied by a high fever, involves both ears, or if your child has other signs of illness, your pediatrician may decide that an antibiotic is the best treatment.
Amoxicillin is the preferred antibiotic for middle ear infections—except when there is an allergy to penicillin or chronic or recurrent infections.
Many true ear infections are caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics. If your pediatrician suspects your child's ear infection may be from a virus, he or she will talk with you about the best ways to help relieve your child's ear pain until the virus runs its course.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
Bladder infections, also called urinary tract infections or UTIs, occur when bacteria build up in the urinary tract. A UTI can be found in children from infancy through the teen years and into adulthood. Symptoms of a UTI include pain or burning during urination, the need to urinate frequently or urgently, bedwetting or accidents by a child who knows to use the toilet, abdominal pain, or side or back pain.
Your child's doctor will need a urine sample to test for a UTI before determining treatment. Your doctor may adjust the treatment depending on which bacteria is found in your child's urine.
4. Skin Infection
In most children with skin infections, a skin test (culture or swab) may be needed to determine the most-appropriate treatment. Tell your doctor if your child has a history of MRSA, staph infection, or other resistant bacteria or if he or she has been exposed to other family members or contacts with resistant bacteria.
5. Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is an infection of the larger, more central airways in the lungs and is more often seen in adults. Often the word "bronchitis" is used to describe a chest virus and does not require antibiotics.
6. Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is common in infants and young children during the cold and flu season. Your doctor may hear "wheezing" when your child breathes.
Bronchiolitis is most often caused by a virus, which does not require antibiotics. Instead, most treatment recommendations are geared toward making your child comfortable with close monitoring for any difficulty in breathing, eating, or signs of dehydration. Medicines used for patients with asthma (such as albuterol or steroids) are not recommended for most infants and young children with bronchiolitis. Children who were born prematurely or have underlying health problems may need different treatment plans.
7. Pain
The best medicines for pain relief for children are acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Talk to your pediatrician about how much to give your child, as it should be based on your child's weight.
Narcotic pain medications are not appropriate for children with common injuries or complaints such as sprained ankle, ear pain, or sore throats. Codeine should never be used for children as it's been associated with severe respiratory problems and even death in children.
8. Common Cold
Colds are caused by viruses in the upper respiratory tract. Many young children—especially those in child care—can get 6 to 8 colds per year. Symptoms of a cold (including runny nose, congestion, and cough) may last for up to ten days.
Green mucus in the nose does not automatically mean that antibiotics are needed; common colds never need antibiotics. However, if a sinus infection is suspected, your doctor will carefully decide whether antibiotics are the best choice based on your child's symptoms and a physical exam.
9. Bacterial Sinusitis
Bacterial sinusitis is caused by bacteria trapped in the sinuses. Sinusitis is suspected when cold-like symptoms such as nasal discharge, daytime cough, or both last over ten days without improvement.
Antibiotics may be needed if this condition is accompanied by thick yellow nasal discharge and a fever for at least 3 or 4 days in a row.
10. Cough
Coughs are usually caused by viruses and do not often require antibiotics.
Cough medicine is not recommended for children 4 years of age and younger, or for children 4 to 6 years of age unless advised by your doctor. Studies have consistently shown that cough medicines do not work in the 4-years-and-younger age group and have the potential for serious side effects.
Cough medicines with narcotics—such as codeine—should not be used in children.
If Symptoms Change:
Occasionally, mild infections—viral or bacterial—can develop into more serious infections.
Call your pediatrician if your child's illness appears to change, becomes worse, does not go away after a few days, or if you are worried about any new symptoms that develop. If your child's illness has worsened, or if he or she develops complications, your pediatrician may recommend a new treatment.
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