Herpetic whitlow is an infection of the skin around your fingernail that can turn a simple finger into a throbbing, painful ordeal. That tiny but mighty blister shows up around your nails, making every touch feel like you’ve hit it with a hammer. It is characterized by painful blisters on the skin near your finger, and typically resolves independently, but it may require an antiviral prescription to hasten a resolution. It is contagious and can spread from person to person. What causes herpetic whitlow? The herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is responsible for cold sores, causes the condition when the virus penetrates…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Investing in digital health today could prevent millions of deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. A small yearly investment of just 24 cents per patient in technologies like telemedicine, mobile messaging, and chatbots has the potential to save over two million lives over the next decade. The investment, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), could also prevent seven million medical emergencies and hospitalizations, easing the pressure on health systems worldwide. The report, “Going Digital for Noncommunicable Diseases: The Case for Action,” was launched…
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause the lining of the large intestine and rectum to become inflamed. There may be a connection between ulcerative colitis and alcohol, which also affects the gut. In the past, some studies have shown both the harmful and beneficial effects of alcohol in ulcerative colitis. Newer studies suggest no correlation or a negative correlation between alcohol and ulcerative colitis. The general recommendation is to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. Alcohol irritates the digestive tract in similar ways to UC, and combining the two may worsen symptoms. While some people with…
Mosquitos, though capable of spreading certain diseases, are NOT capable of spreading the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The mosquito cannot host the virus because it lacks human T-cells. Such cells are required for the HIV to replicate. Do mosquitoes inject blood into a person when they bite? Other factors prohibit mosquitos from acting as a vector for HIV as well. Mosquitos do not inject blood into a person when they “bite”. A mosquito injects its saliva. Female mosquitos that supplement their diet with blood generate saliva that acts as an anticoagulant and vasodilator. It is the components of that saliva…
In a world where headlines about food safety – food recalls and toxic ingredients are becoming all too common, it’s no surprise that Americans are feeling increasingly uneasy about the safety of their food. According to the 2024 Food & Health Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), trust in the food supply has dropped to its lowest point in over a decade. Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, President and CEO of IFIC, puts it simply: “Trust is at the heart of food choices for individuals and their families.” The recent IFIC Spotlight Survey: American Consumer Perceptions of Food Ingredient Safety…
The Guardian said its own greenhouse gas emissions analysis revealed more pollution than the giant tech companies claimed. A review of emissions reports from Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple by The Guardian revealed that actual emissions could be up to 662% higher than the companies’ official statements, The Guardian announced on September 15. The discrepancy is largely attributed to the difference between direct, “location-based” emissions at company facilities and the purchase of renewable energy credits, according to The Guardian. Meanwhile, the growing use of generative AI is further increasing the energy demands of big tech companies. The Guardian reviewed emissions reports from 2020…
On the surface, the disastrous flooding that overwhelmed Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria was caused by a ruptured Alau dam. HumAngle found that the dam has suffered years of devastating decay, despite multimillion funds disbursed for its rehabilitation. By Ibrahim Adeyemi, Mansir Muhammed, Alamin Umar, Usman Abba Zanna A local was deeply asleep amid devastating flooding sinking his home. Photo by Usman Abba Zanna/HumAngle. When flooding submerged towns and villages of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state in North East Nigeria, a wave of terror gripped the atmosphere. Thousands of houses were buried underwater; the heavy rainfall swallowed people as families lost…
According to a new study, no level of alcohol consumption does not increase the risk of dementia among drinkers. Using statistical methods based on genetic analyses, the authors of the study found that it heightened dementia risk in proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed. This study contradicts earlier research that suggested light to moderate drinking may protect against dementia. No level of its consumption is associated with a higher risk of dementia, suggests a new study, contrary to previous findings. The study, which appears in eClinicalMedicine, concludes there is a linear relationship between the amount of alcohol one consumes…
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has become the first country in the world to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy. This significant milestone marks a new era in global public health efforts. “WHO congratulates Jordan on this impressive milestone,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Leprosy has afflicted humanity for millennia, but country-by-country we are stopping transmission and freeing individuals, families and communities from its suffering and stigma.” “Jordan’s elimination of this age-old disease is a historic milestone in public health and a huge success for efforts to eliminate leprosy globally,” said…
A recent survey across Africa by KnowBe4 (www.KnowBe4.com) reveals that 84% of respondents rely on social media as their primary news source, with 80% favouring Facebook; This heavy dependence on social platforms for information is concerning, particularly as disinformation continues to rise.With 19 African countries set to hold elections in 2024 and numerous political campaigns underway, worries about misinformation (unintentionally shared false information) and disinformation (deliberately spread fake news) are mounting. The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (http://apo-opa.co/3Bj92mY) reports that disinformation campaigns in Africa have quadrupled since 2022, often backed by foreign states like Russia and China, leading to social instability.In…