Word: viruses
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...TIME correspondent in Mexico, India, Pakistan and other countries where rogue germs abound, Tim McGirk has had his share of firsthand epidemiological experience. But dengue fever holds a special, painful place in his memory. "There's a reason they call it break-bone fever," says McGirk, who contracted the virus in New Delhi and suffered for three weeks. "You feel like there's this deep, painful itching happening inside your bones. You're on this horrible roller-coaster ride of hot spells and chills, like you're being shaken around. It just racks your body...
...trouble in a tiny package?specifically, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, whose bite is the main way the virus can spread. Aedes aegypti are right at home in tropical cities rife with stagnant water and human targets. "Once a dengue epidemic is under way, it's very difficult to stop it," says Dr. Ray Arthur, a virologist for the who. No vaccine exists...
...Fortunately for most, the virus is fatal in less than 1% of cases, although its symptoms?blinding headaches, spiraling fever and extensive body rash?can make death look attractive. Doctors sometimes confuse a dengue case with ordinary flu (the sensitive, pinkish rash is often the best indicator of dengue). But the worst suffering rarely lasts more than a week. Treatment consists of little more than bed rest and nonaspirin painkillers...
...Unlike many viral ailments such as chicken pox, dengue infection fails to ensure immunity from subsequent attacks. Worse, it can actually increase the odds you'll get DHF should you be twice-bitten by dengue-carrying mozzies. The virus comes in four strains, and when antibodies created by one type interact with antibodies created by another type, dengue gets nastier. "This is what is called antibody enhancement phenomenon," says Peiris. It's why a vaccine has so far eluded scientists. "The worry is that if you immunize someone without immunizing them against all four types, it might actually be worse...
...being pro-active in trying to help some of these kids who may come into contact with this virus, and to prevent some family from losing, what is in most cases, a healthy child,” Hart said...