Infectious disease, mortality caused

Some idea of the relative importance of antibiotic therapy as a disease control measure in populations can be gained from an analysis of the patterns of human infectious disease mortality. During the last century deaths to infectious diseases showed a dramatic decline in developed countries. This decline is popularly believed to have been a result of developments in scientific medicine and, in particular, of the application of antibiotics. This belief is not, however, supported by the detailed analysis of mortality data for England and Wales reported by McKeown (1976). He observed that deaths to both viral and bacterial diseases decreased by approximately 90% in the period before any chemotherapeutic agents became available or any vaccine use (with the exception of that designed to control smallpox), was widespread. He concluded, immunization and treatment contributed little to the reduction of deaths from infectious diseases before 1935 and over the whole period since the cause of death was first registered (1835) they were much less important than other influences . These analyses demonstrate that, even in densely populated areas and contrary to popular mythology, a dramatic decline in deaths to infectious diseases can and did occur without reliance on chemotherapy. 

Increased morbidity and mortality is associated with increases in outdoor particle concentrations (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1995). Of particular concern are the particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which are more likely to deposit deep inside the lungs (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1995). Some particles, biological in origin, may cause allergic or inflammatory reactions or be a source of infectious disease. 

Solid-organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of infectious diseases, which is a major cause of early morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of posttransplant infection depends... 

Influenza is the most widespread acute infectious disease of humans. Annually, influenza accounts for the increase in morbidity and mortality rate all over the world. For example, every winter about 300 000 patients in the US are hospitalized and 30000 0000 patients die as a result of influenza infection. The morbidity and mortality rates due to influenza infection are increased dramatically in cases of pandemic outbreaks. In the 20th century, there were three pandemics — the pandemic of Spanish influenza in 1918, caused by a virus of antigenic formula HlNl the pandemic of Asian influenza of 1957, caused by a virus of antigenic formula H2N2 the pandemic of 1968 caused by a virus with antigenic formula H3N2. These pandemics are characterized by a morbidity rate from 30% to 60% of the population and are accompanied by dramatic increases of pneumonia number and general mortality. The pandemic of Spanish influenza of 1918, which took the lives of 1-2% of the entire human population, was especially serious. Almost the entire world was stricken with the first influenza pandemic of the third millennium caused by strain A/California/04/2009 (HlNl). 

Tetanus immunoglobulin is an example of an antibody preparation used to induee passive immunization against a mierobial toxin. Tetanus (lockjaw) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. Bacterial spores can commonly contaminate surface wounds and the resulting bacterial cells produce a toxin as they multiply. The toxin interferes with normal neurological function, particularly at neuromuscular junctions. The result is spasmodic contraction of muscles and, if untreated, mortality rates are high. Treatment with antibiotics and anti-toxin, however, is highly effective if administered promptly. 

Rabies affects Southeast Asia and Africa and causes 50-60,000 deaths a year, yet this infectious disease does not receive a great deal of financial support because it is not a major cause of mortality in developed countries. 

Emerging infectious diseases are a constant challenge to the public health system and may be the cause of a disease outbreak disaster resulting in high morbidity and mortality. 

Globally, infectious disease is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Ninety percent all infectious disease deaths are caused by only six diseases, of which half are emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases (tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV). 

In the late 1960s, testifying before Congress, U.S. Surgeon General William T. Stewart claimed victory in the war against infectious diseases. Stewart, along with other members of the medical and scientific communities, believed that there had been a transition in which infectious disease had waned and chronic disease had become the dominant cause of morbidity and mortality in the modern age (Fauci, 2001). 

Reports from the World Health Organization, show that infectious diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately 50% of all deaths in tropical countries [1]. 

For diabetic patients overall, the mortality risk is about twice that in the age-matched non-diabetic population. ForType-I, the overall life expectancy is reduced by about 30%. The most frequent cause of mortality in Type-I diabetes is nephropathy (Palmberg et al., 1981) 35% of Type-I diabetics die from renal failure, 15% from coronary heart disease and 15% from infectious disease. Type-I diabetics whose disease appears before puberty have a still higher risk of developing nephropathy, associated with premature death. 

Vaccination against infectious illnesses provides unseen protection against contagious diseases—afflictions causing permanent disability or even death. Vaccines have been responsible for dramatic decreases in morbidity and mortality secondary to infectious disease, and in the case of smallpox, has globally eradicated a once life-threatening illness.However, while true adverse consequences of vaccination have never exceeded the level of adverse consequences of infection in the absence of vaccination, the public perception of harm secondary to vaccine administration has threatened to overshadow the victory of disease prevention.With the inception and continued evolution of immunization, the number of individuals protected against diseases has steadily increased. Unfortunately, the number of vaccine-related adverse events has also increased proportionally to vac-... 

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