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Testing for West Nile Virus

Blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid samples from suspected West Nile virus patients with clinical symptoms are sent to a registered laboratory for an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test that detects West Nile virus antibodies - sometimes a follow-up sample is needed to confirm diagnosis, and in rare cases, samples are sent to the CDC for definitive confirmation.

14 Jul 2009

West Nile Virus in Pets and Other Animals

West Nile virus does not usually cause illness in dogs and cats and there is no evidence that a dog or cat can transmit the virus to humans or other animals, horses are however more susceptible to West Nile virus and closely related viruses but fortunately, there is an effective West Nile virus vaccine for horses.

14 Jul 2009

West Nile Virus Prevention

The simplest and most effective way of preventing a West Nile virus infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes - this is done by using an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient when outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn when many mosquitoes are most active - wearing long sleeves and pants at these times or staying indoors during these hours - and ensuring there are good screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

14 Jul 2009

West Nile Virus Symptoms, Risk, Treatment

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

14 Jul 2009

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease, which can cause an inflammation of the brain and can be a serious, even fatal, illness.

14 Jul 2009

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Treatment and Prevention

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Treatment

14 Jul 2009

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Symptoms and Diagnosis

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Symptoms

14 Jul 2009

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Causes and Risk Factors

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Causes

14 Jul 2009

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common but under-diagnosed medical condition that occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. A deep-vein thrombus (blood clot) is an intravascular deposit that is composed of fibrin and red blood cells with a variable platelet and leukocyte component.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Questions

Some of the common questions that men ask regarding prostate cancer include the following.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer that may not cause symptoms for years. In cases where the cancer is detected early, an approach called watchful waiting or active surveillance may be adopted if the cancer appears to be slow growing and is confined to a small area of the prostate.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

The symptoms of prostate cancer may take years to appear since this is typically a slow growing cancer. Furthermore, the urinary symptoms of prostate cancer are also seen in other prostatic conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Staging

Prostate cancer staging is performed for two main reasons: to guide decisions about the optimal treatment approach and to predict patient outcomes.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

In men, the urethra is a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body. The urethra also passes through the prostate gland, which is responsible for producing a protective fluid that mixes with sperm to produce semen. This semen is also carried out of the body by the urethra.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer typically takes years to manifest and in most men, the cancer advances slowly. However, prostate cancer is one of the largest killers among men worldwide.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

The causes of prostate cancer are unclear but some of the risk factors for the condition that have been identified include age, race, lifestyle and genes.

14 Jul 2009

The Prostate

The prostate gland is a small gland that lies beneath the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum in males. The gland surrounds the top end of the urethra which carries urine from the bladder out of the body via the penis. The gland's size may vary with age.

14 Jul 2009

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year in the UK. This is usually a slow growing cancer and most men do not notice the symptoms until the cancer has become large enough to press against the urethra and interfere with urination.

14 Jul 2009