Airline travel and infection

Article Abstract:

The transmission of infectious diseases during modern air travel is relatively rare, despite inherent risks of transporting hundreds of people over long periods of time. Flight passengers occasionally risk exposure to contaminated food, parasitic and infectious disease. According to a 1996 study, a Korean woman with advanced tuberculosis apparently infected a number of fellow travelers during a long flight. As she coughed, tiny droplets entered the atmosphere and possibly the lungs of nearby passengers. Since circulating cabin air is almost sterile, sitting in an airplane may actually be less hazardous than public transportation or a crowded shopping mall. Most of the infections were transmitted to people in adjacent rows, while two other cases had been seated further away. Although Korea has a higher rate of tuberculosis than the US, global disease control would benefit all travelers sharing the conveniences of long-distance travel.

Health aspects, International aspects, Public health, Disease transmission, Tuberculosis, Air travel, Airplanes, Heating, cooling and ventilation, Airborne infection, Airborne infections

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The evolving technology of venous access

Article Abstract:

Intravenous catheters that have antibiotics embedded in the plastic may reduce the risk of bacterial infections in patients who have them. These catheters are used to deliver food and medication to critically ill patients. However, the catheter can become coated with bacteria, which can infect the patient. A 1998 study found that there were fewer infections in patients who had a catheter embedded with the antibiotics minocycline and rifampin compared to patients with catheters embedded with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine. These catheters should be used more frequently in intensive care units.

Care and treatment, Innovations, Infection, Prevention, Composition, Intravenous catheterization, Critically ill, Catheters

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The antibiotic pipeline - challenges, costs, and values

Article Abstract:

A relatively unfavorable return on investment is apparently deterring large pharmaceutical companies from engaging in antibiotic-drug discovery, and the Infections Diseases Society of American has suggested extending the life of drug patents as an incentive to industry. An unsetting impasse in medicine is reached, with increasing levels of antibiotic resistance, an insecure pipeline, and a dwindling number of companies investing in antinfective agents.

Financial management, Science & research, Pharmaceutical preparations, Services information, Research, Pharmaceutical industry, Services, Company investment, Investments, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Infectious Diseases Society of America

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