CRE: A Deadly Superbug

CRE stands for Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and is a bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is one of the most common causes of bacterial infection, especially for those working in healthcare settings. CRE has been around for a couple of years, but has become a real problem recently after the discovery of its ability to mutate into new superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics or treatments as of now. Because CRE is a bacteria, it is spread through direct contact with someone who has CRE. One affected, the patient will experience infections of the bladder, urinary tract or wounds as well as pneumonia and meningitis. The major problem that doctors and researchers are facing now is the lack of ability to tract the progress of the disease. According to USA Today, 41 states have documented cases of CRE, but more states may be affected. Researchers advise that we try to prevent the bacteria from spreading, since antibiotics are not working. They recommend, especially to those who work in the healthcare system, to regularly wash their hands, especially after direct contact with a patient because they may be infected. Until and if ever we find a solution to this problem, prevention looks like the only thing we have going for us to prevent this from becoming a pandemic.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis is found in undercooked meat, contaminated water, contaminated soil or those who have cats and don't take proper sanitary care of the feces can ingest this parasite.This parasite is found throughout the world, but in the US,  more than 60 million people could be infected. For those people who have a healthy immune system, it will keep them from showing any symptoms. For those with weak immune systems, however, the symptoms include problems with the eyes and flu-like symptoms. Severe symptoms include damage to the eyes, brains and other organs. Those at risk are infants whose mothers were exposed to the parasite while they were pregnant. Those who have weak immune systems, are on chemo or have received an organ transplant are also at risk for developing symptoms. Treatment for Toxoplasmosis is generally unnecessary for those with healthy immune systems. Even if symptoms develop, they will go away within a few weeks or months. For those with weak immune systems or for women who are pregnant, treatment is available.

Arsenic

Arsenic is a metal that, according to the OSHA occurs naturally in the earth's crust. When combined with oxygen, chlorine or sulfur, it becomes an organic compound. It is used as a poison in a lot of sprays to get rid of unwanted guests like bugs, rats or weeds. Because it is directly sprayed onto the soil, it can seep into the groundwater and contaminate any well water connected to it. It is also used in paint, semi-conductors and mirrors. It can be ingested directly through water, food or by breathing it in. High levels of arsenic intake will result in a quick death within hours of ingesting. Those who consume high levels will experience symptoms of a metallic taste in their mouth followed with vomiting and diarrhea as well as excess sweating and will eventually go into shock and die. Those who are exposed to low levels are still at risk, they just won't see results as quickly and usually die from cancer or other health problems caused by the arsenic.

Community Gardens!

Community gardens are a way to bring communities together by creating a common interest. They are a way to show an area that productivity is possible if everyone pitches in. The cool thing about community gardens is that everyone can reap the benefits if enough work is put in by everyone. Community gardens, for some reason remind me of the class pet that I had as an elementary student. The class had to pitch in to make sure that the hermit crabs had enough water and food to survive so that we could play with them when the teacher said we could. The pet brought my class together because we were all contributing to taking care of this one thing that we all shared. If one person was to not do their job and the hermit crab died, then the class wouldn't have been too happy and the same goes for the community gardens. Those who pitch in and make sure that the plants are watered and properly cultivated will happily reap the benefits when the plants start producing fruits and vegetables. 

Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson was an essential part of Environmental Science world. Her book Silent Spring highlighted the damaging effects of the spraying of pesticides on our environment. She is such an iconic person because she is the only person who was brave enough to stand up against the government and other major companies who claimed these pesticides were safe to use. She was seeking to highlight the irreversible damage that we were causing to the environment and the animals living in it and how this damage was not worth eliminating the pests. There are a few alternatives that she described like introducing a new species into an environment to control the outbreak of a certain pest. The spotlight of the environmental damage opened many doors for environmental protection which led to the creation of the EPA in 1970. Rachel was a strong woman who displayed tremendous determination and dedication through all of her personal issues to fight for something she truly believed in. She is an inspiration for many people.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

According to NASA, the CO2 level has never been as high as it has been starting in 1950. They attribute this to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that increase the temperature of the Earth. Cores collected from Antarctica, Greenland and tropical glaciers shows that the Earth's temperature reacts to a change in the Earth's orbit, the sun and greenhouse levels.

The increase in CO2 levels cause sea temperatures to rise which melts glaciers which in turn causes sea levels to rise. On land, we see an increase in temperature causes drought. Carbon dioxide that gets to the sea causes the sea to become more acidic. Coming from living in the desert, I know first hand what it's like to feel like there is not enough water to go around. Restrictions are placed on how often and when people are allowed to water their grass throughout the year. Part of the world is flooding and the other is drying up. We have also been seeing spontaneous catastrophic events that may not have been as bad before such as flooding, harsh winters and longer summers.

Lake Nyo Eruption

This is Lake Nyos. It is located in Cameroon, Africa. On August 21, 1986, the lake suddenly exploded as a result of a build up of CO2 gas that resulted from a nearby volcano leaking the substance into the lake. The eruption sent CO2 gas 16 miles killing all people by asphyxiation almost instantly. 17-1800 people died on top of their cattle. Since CO2 is denser than air, anyone who was at a higher elevation survived but I couldn't find how many survivors there were. The volcano still leaks CO2 into the lake, but a pipe has been placed in the bottom of the lake to give the gas a way to escape at a slower rate to keep the lake from exploding again. A problem that is being faced now is the weakening of the lake walls. If the walls break, then contaminated water could be spilled as far as Nigeria.

West Nile?!?! Get the bug spray!!!

West Nile Virus is caused by coming in contact with an infected mosquito. According to the CDC, once infected, the victim may see symptoms within 2 to 15 days of being infected. Symptoms include fever, headaches, tiredness and body aches. (CDC) This year we have seen the highest prevalence in the United States. The CDC has reported 1,590 cases just in this year alone. According to Dr. David J. Dausey, who is a chair of the public health department at Mercyhurst University claims the increase of cases as a result of an increase of moisture from an early spring as well as temperature. Mosquitoes thrive in hot and moist conditions. Where there is standing water, mosquitoes will be there also. The outbreak of West Nile is concentrated in the southern states as well as a few up north but Texas may be the worse. According to Dr. David L. Lakey, who is the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services in Texas says that Texas has seen 783 cases this year in which 95% needed hospitalization. The last epidemic occurred in 2003 but it doesn't come as close to the outbreak this year. I would like to ask those people who do not believe in global warming what the reasoning for this increase is. All signs point to climate change. Below is a picture from the CDC which shows West Nile activity as of August 28, 2012.

 

CBS West Nile Article 

CDC article