Long past date set for its US disappearance, measles remains a threat to many children

Article Abstract:

In 1982 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) set 1989 as the target date for the elimination of measles in the US. In 1989 there were more than 20 deaths associated with measles. The reason for the recent spate of measles-related deaths in the U.S. is not understood. More than 90 outbreaks and 8000 cases of the disease have been recorded this year, a 300 percent rise over 1988 figures. Two patterns of outbreaks, those occurring among children under 5 years of age, and those occurring among children aged 5 to 19 years, have emerged. Most cases involve unvaccinated children five years of age or younger from lower-class urban families. These patients are often taken to hospital emergency departments for care, where they may infect those around them. The CDC and the Health Department of the city of Chicago have established a door-to-door immunization drive and special vaccination clinics in emergency departments in hospitals throughout the city. The effectiveness of the Chicago-based program is being evaluated. There is only one U.S. approved vaccine for the prevention of measles and it is effective in about 95 percent of the persons vaccinated. The remaining 5 percent make up the older class of patients. Although widespread vaccination against measles has resulted in an enormous decrease in the number of cases reported annually, the fact that outbreaks still occur means that there must be renewed efforts to immunize preschool-age and school children in urban areas. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a routine two-dose measles immunization schedule. The first dose is given at 15 months of age and the second between the ages of 11 and 12 years.

Evaluation, Pediatric diseases, Children, Demographic aspects, Diseases, Measles, Communicable diseases, Dosage and administration, Immunization of children, Immunization, Measles vaccine, Measles vaccines, Chicago

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As AIDS epidemic approaches second decade, report examines what has been learned

Article Abstract:

Cumulative knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is reviewed in a report from the Committee on AIDS Research and the Behavioral, Social, and Statistical Sciences. The report examines topics of disease prevention, behavioral intervention, and blood supply, and gives the outlook for the 1990s. One committee member presenting information from the report stated that the AIDS epidemic has not yet peaked. An estimated 40,000 new cases of HIV infection are reported each year and AIDS is no longer limited to the well-defined high-risk groups. Behavioral changes still need to be promoted to end virus transmission and procedures for screening blood donors must continue to be redefined. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, HIV (Viruses), HIV, AIDS (Disease)

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Are Autoimmunologists in Many Women's Future?

Article Abstract:

Doctors who treat various autoimmune diseases believe that autoimmunology should become a new medical specialty. The presence of fetal cells in a mother's blood may explain why women are 10 times more likely to have autoimmune diseases. The fetal cells may be the cause of the immune attack.

Research, Autoimmune diseases

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