Hepatitis is a gastroenterological disease, featuring inflammation of the liver. The clinical signs and prognosis, as well as the therapy, depend on the cause. Hepatitis - Signs and symptoms. Hepatitis is characterised by fatigue, malaise, joint aches, abdominal pain, vomiting 2-3 times per day for the first 5 days, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and jaundice (icterus). Some chronic forms of hepatitis show very few of these signs and only present when the longstanding inf ...

Including:

• Hepatitis - Signs and symptoms
• Hepatitis - Types of hepatitis
• Hepatitis - Viral
• Hepatitis - Alcoholic hepatitis
• Hepatitis - Drug induced hepatitis
• Hepatitis - Other toxins that cause hepatitis
• Hepatitis - Metabolic disorders
• Hepatitis - Cholestatic
• Hepatitis - Autoimmune
• Hepatitis - Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Hepatitis - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

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Antiserum is blood serum containing antibodies. Antiserum is used to pass on passive immunity to many diseases. Other related archivesantibodies, blood serum, immunity

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Bell's palsy (facial palsy) is characterised by facial drooping on the affected half, due to malfunction of the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve), which controls the muscles of the face. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve), and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis. The paralysis is of the infranuclear/lower motor neuron type. Bell’s palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States every ye ...

Including:

• Bell's palsy - Symptoms
• Bell's palsy - Investigation
• Bell's palsy - Diagnosis
• Bell's palsy - Pathology
• Bell's palsy - Epidemiology
• Bell's palsy - Treatment
• Bell's palsy - Complications
• Bell's palsy - Famous sufferers

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Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body attacks its own cells. Today there are more than 40 human diseases classified as either definite or probable autoimmune diseases, and they affect 5% to 7% of the population. Almost all autoimmune diseases appear without warning or apparent cause, and most patients suffer from fatigue. The causes of autoimmune diseases are still obscure: Some are thought to be either examp ...

Including:

• Autoimmune diseases - Autoimmune diseases
• Autoimmune diseases - Accepted
• Autoimmune diseases - Suspected
• Autoimmune diseases - Reference

Read more here: » Autoimmune diseases: Encyclopedia - Autoimmune diseases

B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response (as opposed to the cell-mediated immune response). The abbreviation "B" stands for the bursa of Fabricius which is an organ unique to birds, where B cells mature. It does not stand for bone marrow, where B cells are produced in all other vertebrates except for rabbits (where B cells develop in the appendix-sacculus rotundus). The human body makes millions of different types of B cells each day, and each type has a unique receptor protein (refer ...

Including:

• B cell - Production of B Cells

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Avian influenza (also known as bird flu, avian flu, influenzavirus A flu, type A flu, or genus A flu) is a flu due to a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals. It was first identified in Italy in the early 1900s and is now known to exist worldwide. [1] A strain of the H5N1-type of avian influenzavirus that emerged in 1997 has been identified as the most likely source of a future influenza pandemic and is known to have infected 137 people in Asia sin ...

Including:

• Avian influenza - In nonhumans
• Avian influenza - In humans
• Avian influenza - Infections
• Avian influenza - Prevention and treatment
• Avian influenza - Potential pandemic

Read more here: » Avian influenza: Encyclopedia - Avian influenza

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) is suggested by thrombosis (arterial or venous) and recurrent miscarriage (especially in the second trimester, but often earlier). Other common findings, although not part of the classification, are thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and livedo reticularis (a skin condition). Many patients report headaches. APLAs are present in the blood in the context of a number of diseases, most notably systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One can only speak of antiphospolipid syndrome wh ...

See also:

Antiphospholipid syndrome, Antiphospholipid syndrome - Signs and symptoms, Antiphospholipid syndrome - Laboratory, Antiphospholipid syndrome - Diagnosis, Antiphospholipid syndrome - Pathogenesis, Antiphospholipid syndrome - Treatment, Antiphospholipid syndrome - External link

Read more here: » Antiphospholipid syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Antiphospholipid syndrome - Signs and symptoms

Type I hypersensitivity is an allergy reaction provoked by reexposure to a specific antigen. Exposure may be by ingestion, inhalation, injection, or direct contact. The reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and produced by the immediate release of histamine, arachidonate and derivatives by basophils and mast cells. This causes an inflammatory response leading to an immediate (within seconds to minutes) reaction. The reaction may be either local or systemic. Symptoms vary from mild irritat ...

See also:

Hypersensitivity, Hypersensitivity - Type I - immediate hypersensitivity, Hypersensitivity - Type II - antibody-dependent hypersensitivity, Hypersensitivity - Type III - immune complex hypersensitivity, Hypersensitivity - Type IV - cell-mediated hypersensitivity, Hypersensitivity - Type V - stimulatory hypersensitivity

Read more here: » Hypersensitivity: Encyclopedia II - Hypersensitivity - Type I - immediate hypersensitivity

Singapore launched a number of measures to contain the dengue outbreak, including public awareness campaigns and regular fogging with insecticides. 4,200 volunteers, 970 environmental control officers hired by construction sites, 350 so-called "mozzie busters" made up of girl guides and scouts, have participated in the preventive efforts. The Ministry of Health stepped up its monitoring of common mosquito breeding sites and launched an online map listing "hotspots" for the insects. Residents who allow mosquitoes to breed in the ...

See also:

2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Status of outbreak, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Inter-ministerial and inter-agency committees, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Preventive measures, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Community response, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Weekend blitz, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Hotline, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Treatment, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Dengue diagnostic kits, 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - In other countries

Read more here: » 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore: Encyclopedia II - 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore - Preventive measures

When measuring the platelet count, one has to bear in mind that the "normal values" for laboratory measures are all statistical. They are defined by the upper and lower 2.5th percentile. It is therefore possible to be completely healthy but to have a decreased platelet count. There is, however, a higher chance of pathology. The diagnosis of ITP is a clinical one and is a diagnosis of exclusion. Low platelet count can be a feature of a large number of diseases and, when serious, warrants investigation by a hematologist. Secondary cause ...

See also:

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - Signs and symptoms, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - Pathogenesis, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - Diagnosis, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - Treatment

Read more here: » Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: Encyclopedia II - Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - Diagnosis

The causative agent of Borna disease, Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic virus and is the sole member of the Bornaviridae family within the Mononegavirales order. It has the smallest genome (8.9 kilobases) of any Mononegavirales species and is unique within that order in its ability to replicate within the host cell nucleus. Although the virus is seen mainly as the causative agent of borna disease in horses and other animals, recent findings have implicated the borna virus in some human neurological and psych ...

See also:

Borna disease, Borna disease - Borna Virus, Borna disease - Effects in other species, Borna disease - Borna Virus as an agent of human disease

Read more here: » Borna disease: Encyclopedia II - Borna disease - Borna Virus

There are three major types of white blood cells. White blood cell - Granulocytes. Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells, characterised by the fact that all types have differently staining granules in their cytoplasm on light microscopy. There are three types of granulocytes: neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils (named according to their staining properties). ...

See also:

White blood cell, White blood cell - Nomenclature, White blood cell - Types, White blood cell - Granulocytes, White blood cell - Lymphocytes, White blood cell - Monocytes, White blood cell - Diseases, White blood cell - Other tissue cells

Read more here: » White blood cell: Encyclopedia II - White blood cell - Types

Roman Catholic authors take pains to discredit the contemporary chronicler Stefano Infessura's story of Innocent VIII's deathbed. In 1492, as the Pope sank into a coma, the harrowing story was told that, at the suggestion of a physician, the blood of three boys was infused into the dying pontiff's veins. They were ten years old, and had been promised a ducat each. All three died. Historians of medicine note this event as the first report ...

See also:

Blood transfusion, Blood transfusion - History, Blood transfusion - Precautions, Blood transfusion - Procedure, Blood transfusion - Contraindications, Blood transfusion - Complications, Blood transfusion - Animal blood transfusion, Blood transfusion - Blood transfusion substitutes

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The major and generally accepted modalities for treatment of hyperthyroidism in humans are: Hyperthyroidism - Surgery. Surgery (to remove the whole thyroid or a part of it) is not extensively used because most common forms of hyperthyroidism are quite effectively treated by the radioactive iodine method. However, some Graves' disease patients who cannot tolerate medicines for one reason or another or patients who refuse radioiodine opt for surgical intervention. The procedure is relatively safe - some surgeons are even treating partial thyroidectomy on an out-patient basis. See also:

Hyperthyroidism, Hyperthyroidism - Causes, Hyperthyroidism - Signs and symptoms, Hyperthyroidism - Diagnosis, Hyperthyroidism - Treatment, Hyperthyroidism - Surgery, Hyperthyroidism - Radioiodine, Hyperthyroidism - Thyrostatics, Hyperthyroidism - Veterinary medicine

Read more here: » Hyperthyroidism: Encyclopedia II - Hyperthyroidism - Treatment

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - Type 1. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, type 1 is also known as the candidiasis-hypoparathyroidism-Addison's disease-syndrome after its main features: A mild immune deficiency, leading to persistent mucosal and cutaneous infections with candida yeasts. There is also decreased function of the spleen (asplenism). Autoimmune dysfunction of the parathyroid gland (leading to hypocalcemia) and the adrenal gland (Addison's disease: hypoglycemia, hypoten ...

See also:

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - The syndromes, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - Type 1, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - Type 2, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - XPID, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - Other diseases, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - Management, Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - Sources

Read more here: » Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome - The syndromes

Normally, a red blood cell survives 90 to 120 days in circulation: about 1% of human red blood cells break down each day, which matches the production rate. The spleen (via the reticulo-endothelial system) is the primary organ by which red blood cells are cleared out of the circulation. When the rate of breakdown increases, the body compensates by producing more red blood cells. If compensation is adequate there are few clinical problems. If breakdown occurs at such a rate that it exceeds th ...

See also:

Hemolytic anemia, Hemolytic anemia - Overview, Hemolytic anemia - Symptoms, Hemolytic anemia - Causes of hemolysis, Hemolytic anemia - Differential diagnosis, Hemolytic anemia - Therapy

Read more here: » Hemolytic anemia: Encyclopedia II - Hemolytic anemia - Overview

A person can be infected with the virus for weeks or months before any symptoms begin to appear. Symptoms usually begin to appear 4-7 weeks after infection and may resemble strep throat or other bacterial or viral respiratory infections. These first signs of the disease are commonly confused with cold and flu symptoms. The typical symptoms and signs of mononucleosis are: Fever - this varies from mild to severe, but is seen in nearly all cases. Enlarged and tender lymph nodes - particularly the posterior cervical lymph n ...

See also:

Infectious mononucleosis, Infectious mononucleosis - Symptoms and physical signs, Infectious mononucleosis - Laboratory tests, Infectious mononucleosis - Treatment, Infectious mononucleosis - Interactions with common drugs

Read more here: » Infectious mononucleosis: Encyclopedia II - Infectious mononucleosis - Symptoms and physical signs

The most effective treatment for asthma is identifying triggers, such as pets or aspirin, and limiting or eliminating exposure to them. Desensitization is commonly attempted, but has not been shown to be effective. As is common with respiratory disease, smoking adversely affects asthmatics in several ways, including an increased severity of symptoms, a more rapid decline of lung function, and decreased response to preventive medications.[9] Asthmatics wh ...

See also:

Asthma, Asthma - History, Asthma - Signs and symptoms, Asthma - Diagnosis, Asthma - Differential diagnosis, Asthma - Pathophysiology, Asthma - Bronchoconstriction, Asthma - Bronchial inflammation, Asthma - The immune response, Asthma - Pathogenesis, Asthma - Treatment, Asthma - Relief medication, Asthma - Prevention medication, Asthma - Long-acting β₂-agonists, Asthma - Emergency treatment, Asthma - Alternative medicine, Asthma - Prognosis, Asthma - Epidemiology, Asthma - Socioeconomic factors, Asthma - Asthma and athletics

Read more here: » Asthma: Encyclopedia II - Asthma - Treatment

Antibody tests are specifically designed for the routine testing of HIV in adults, are inexpensive, and are very accurate. If a person does not have a realistic risk of infection, then these tests are not necessary. Antibody tests give false negative results during the window period of between three weeks and six months from the time of HIV infection until the immune system produces detectable amounts of antibodies. During this window period an infected person can transmit HIV to others, without their HIV infection being ...

See also:

HIV test, HIV test - Terminology, HIV test - Principles, HIV test - Screening donor blood and cellular products, HIV test - Diagnosis of HIV infection, HIV test - Human Rights, HIV test - Antibody tests, HIV test - ELISA, HIV test - Western blot, HIV test - Rapid or point-of-care tests, HIV test - Interpreting antibody tests, HIV test - Antigen tests, HIV test - Nucleic acid based tests, HIV test - Other tests used in HIV/AIDS treatment

Read more here: » HIV test: Encyclopedia II - HIV test - Antibody tests

Autoimmune diseases - Accepted. Diseases with a complete or partial autoimmune etiology: Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. Major symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system (i.e., not the brain and spinal column). It is also called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, acut ...

See also:

Autoimmune diseases, Autoimmune diseases - Autoimmune diseases, Autoimmune diseases - Accepted, Autoimmune diseases - Suspected, Autoimmune diseases - Reference

Read more here: » Autoimmune diseases: Encyclopedia II - Autoimmune diseases - Autoimmune diseases

The pathologic hallmark of the disease is loss of myelin in peripheral nerves due to an acute and progressive inflammation of unknown cause. It is suggested that it is an autoimmune disease, in which the sufferer's immune system is triggered into damaging the nerve covering. There is some support for this in that half of all cases occur soon after a microbial infection or respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. Many cases develop ...

See also:

Guillain-Barré syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Overview, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Prevalence, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Cause, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Signs and symptoms, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Diagnosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Treatment, Guillain-Barré syndrome - Prognosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome - History

Read more here: » Guillain-Barré syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Guillain-Barré syndrome - Overview

Heroin - Manufacturing. Heroin is produced for the black market through opium refinement processes. Unlike drugs such as LSD, the production of which requires considerable expertise in chemistry and access to constituents which are now tightly controlled, the refinement of heroin from opium is a relatively simple process requiring only moderate technical know-how and common chemicals. First morphine is isolated from the crude opium and then reacted with acetic anhydride, a chemical also used in the product ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Production and trafficking