January 06, 2012

What is HPV?

Roya Samuels, MD

HPV and sexually transmitted diseases are sometimes uncomfortable to talk about but the consequences of not educating yourself can be serious. For parents of teens and preteens who may or may not be sexually active, here's important and frank information in a video from Roya Samuels, MD, at Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York about the human papillomavirus -- causes, symptoms, effects, prevention and treatment.

In this video on HPV we answer:

  1. What is HPV?
  2. How is HPV transmitted?
  3. How do you know you have HPV?
  4. How is HPV treated?
  5. Can HPV be prevented?
  6. Is there a vaccine?
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December 05, 2011

More Die from Hep C than HIV--But a Cure Is Available

David Bernstein, MD

Hepatitis C kills more Americans every year than HIV--and almost 75 percent of the fatalities affect 45-to-64-year-olds, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The research is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s analysis of statistics from 1999 through 2007.

Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne viral infection in the United States, affecting more than 4 million Americans. Four times more prevalent than HIV infection, hepatitis C is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States and a leading predisposing factor to the development of liver cancer.

Unfortunately, most people with hepatitis C don’t know they have it, since it is usually silent until complications develop. The infection, which is transmitted primarily through blood-to-blood contact, often leads to advanced liver disease and cirrhosis. Full Post - to Detail View

July 28, 2011

A Third of the World Infected with Hepatitis

David Bernstein, MD

Today is World Hepatitis Awareness Day. The World Health Organization, in a statement just released in Geneva, estimates that 2 billion people -- one-third of the world’s population -- have been infected with hepatitis. Injection drug use is prevalent throughout the world and is a common risk factor for hepatitis B, C and HIV.

A global study recently published in the Lancet estimates that approximately 10 million intravenous drug users are infected with hepatitis C and 1 million to 2 million are infected with hepatitis B. These numbers are significantly higher than the prevalence of HIV infection in this population. This study reinforces the global health problem that chronic hepatitis B and C present to healthcare and coincidentally has been published at a time when the WHO is meeting in Geneva to address the significant health problem hepatitis presents to the world.

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July 27, 2011

Understanding and Fighting Sepsis

Yosef Dlugacz, Ph.D.

Sepsis is an extremely severe illness, often life-threatening, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Patients with sepsis can suffer from shock, the failure of major organs, such as kidneys, liver or lungs and changes in mental status. In hospitalized patients, sepsis can result from infection from intravenous lines, surgical wounds, surgical drains, and skin breakdown (“bed sores”). During an episode of sepsis, bacteria overwhelm the bloodstream. People who are elderly, with weakened immune systems or who suffer from chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to sepsis.

The North Shore-LIJ Health System and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) have established a collaborative initiative to address this widespread and dangerous condition. The goal is to combine the research and scientific strengths of North Shore-LIJ with the extensive data provided by IHI to result in an increased understanding of the causes and effective treatment of sepsis with the goal of controlling and eliminating it.

Although we understand many of the causes of sepsis and North Shore-LIJ has instituted protection for patients (improved hand hygiene protocols, antibiotic administration), it remains an intractable disease. The health system has been collecting data and studying the important variables associated with sepsis for many years, which has enabled us to develop measurements in order to monitor prevalence and improvements. This new IHI collaboration will enable both organizations to share insights and resources which should lead to an increased understanding of the issues involved in controlling this illness.

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