In many ways one can think of the middle of the twentieth century as the end of one of the most important social revolutions in history, the virtual elimination of infectious disease as a significant factor in social life. —Sir F. Macfarlane Burnet, M.D., Nobel Laureate, 1962

Twenty-first century will continue to produce major advances in medicines

   The twenty-first century will continue to produce major advances in medicines and medicine delivery. Nature is, however, a resilient foe. Diseases and organisms develop resistance to existing drugs, and new drugs must constantly be developed. (This is particularly true for anti-infective and anticancer agents.) Additionally, new and more lethal forms of existing infectious diseases can develop rapidly.

    With the ease of global travel, these can spread from Timbuktu to Toledo in less than 24 hours and become pandemics. Hence the current concerns with avian flu. Also, diseases that have previously been dormant or geographically circumscribed may suddenly break out worldwide. (Imagine, for example, a worldwide pandemic of Ebola disease, with public health agencies totally overwhelmed.) Finally, there are serious concerns regarding the possibility of man-made epidemics occurring through the deliberate or accidental spread of disease agents—including manufactured agents, such as smallpox with enhanced lethality. It is therefore imperative that the search for new medicines continue.

The Use and Abuse of Drugs

       For thousands of years, humans have used a variety of sources with which to cure their ills, cast out devils, promote their wellbeing, relieve their misery, and control their fertility. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the agents used were all of natural origin, including many derived from plants as well as elements such as antimony, sulfur, mercury, and arsenic. The sixteenth-century alchemist and physician Paracelsus used mercury and arsenic in his treatment of syphilis, worms, and other diseases that were common at that time; his cure rates, however, remain unknown.

    Many drugs used today have their origins in natural products. Antimony derivatives, for example, are used in the treatment of the nasty tropical disease leishmaniasis. These plant-derived products represent molecules that have been “forged in the crucible of evolution” and continue to supply the scientist with molecular scaffolds for new drug development.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can only be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk.

HIV is mainly transmitted through vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom or by sharing a needle or syringe with someone who's living with HIV.

Other ways that HIV is transmitted are:

• By giving oral sex (although this is rare and will usually only occur if a person has cuts or sores in their mouth).
• From a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding (though less than one per cent of babies born to HIV positive mothers in the UK acquire HIV).
• From a needle stick injury in a healthcare setting (although there has not been a case in the UK for more than five years).
• From a blood transfusion or blood products (in the UK all blood and organs are carefully screened to prevent this but in some countries this may not happen).

It's impossible to transmit HIV through saliva and HIV cannot be passed on through casual contact such as kissing or sharing glasses or cutlery. HIV is a very fragile virus so doesn't live long outside the body.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The virus infects and gradually destroys the cells in the body that usually combat infections leaving the body susceptible to diseases it would normally be able to fight.

Without treatment, the immune system will become too weak to fight off illness and a person with HIV may develop rare infections or cancers. When these are particularly serious, the person is said to have AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

Smoking leads to hearing loss

Scientists from the U.S. found that teenagers who often become passive smokers may suffer from deafness.

Experts explain hearing problems in passive smokers, the fact that the chemicals contained in tobacco smoke can impair blood supply to the hearing. In a study by American scientists took part in 1.5 thousand teenagers from 12 to 19 years. After checking their sensitivity to the sounds of different frequencies, the researchers found that those exposed to tobacco smoke are twice as likely to have problems with hearing.

Previously, scientists have found an association between smoking and parental behavior and school performance of their children. Parents who have the habit of smoking at home are at risk of bringing up children who will perform poorly in school and will have problems with discipline.

According to WHO, in the last century, smoking killed 100 million people. This year from diseases associated with smoking: stroke, lung cancer and heart attack - could die more than 5 million people. And by 2030, mortality from this bad habit risk increase to 8 million.

Hepatitis B

World Health Organization (WHO) on the eve of the fight against hepatitis B has published data on the number of infected viral hepatitis Earth's inhabitants.

According MedPortal, the total number infected with hepatitis B virus in the world for more than two million each year from hepatitis B kills about a million patients.

The largest proportion of morbidity in the picture is hepatitis B, because it can be transmitted through blood, including in utero, as well as through contaminated hypodermic needles and surgical instruments.

Most carriers of the virus are not even aware of their infection, so WHO urges member countries to strengthen the diagnosis of viral hepatitis, as well as carry out preventive measures. According to international organizations, 180 of the 193 member countries have included hepatitis B vaccine into national immunization schedules.

FDA Approves Second New Treatment for Hepatitis C

On May 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of telaprevir for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic viral hepatitis C affects 3.2 million Americans. Left untreated, chronic viral hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and unwitting transmission to others.

The approval of telaprevir marks the second new treatment approved for chronic hepatitis C. On May 13, the FDA announced the approval of boceprevir. Edward Cox, M.D., M.P.H., director, Office of Antimicrobial Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, calls the new treatments “a major step forward in the battle against chronic hepatitis C”, offering patients with this condition a greater chance at a cure.

In a major initiative to bring attention to combating viral hepatitis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis (PDF 672KB). Among its goals, the Action Plan calls for a 25% reduction in the number of new cases of hepatitis C and an increase in the proportion of persons who are aware of their hepatitis C virus infection.

A vaccine against alcoholism

Sensational news from the scientists from Chile, who were engaged in research on anti-alcohol people. Chilean scientists claim to have invented a vaccine that can reduce alcohol consumption among men 90-95%.

The principle of the vaccine, invented by Chilean scientists is quite simple - blocking the release in the human body, the enzyme responsible for the withdrawal of alcohol from the body. Thus, the effect as a strong hangover will pursue anyone who had used alcohol after vaccination. Attack of the strongest hangover, which is manifested by headaches, palpitations, severe nausea and sweating, according to scientists, should be sufficient factor for the rejection of alcohol in principle.

At this time clinical trials are conducted on rats and studies involving human subjects should begin no earlier than 2012. While many details remain unknown, such as: the impact of vaccine on liver cells, side effects of the delay of alcoholic substances in the body, emotional and psychological consequences of exposure to modern humans. A vaccine against alcoholism, which is developed by Chilean scientists, so far only theoretically could be a tool used to combat alcoholism. World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly drawn the attention of physicians of all countries on the problem of alcoholism and drug addiction, but research in this area has not yet possible to synthesize a vaccine or medicine that has a 100% effect for physiology and for the psyche of dependent people.

Symptoms of insomnia

Insomnia can materialize because of stress, illness, pain, diet and medications.

Symptoms of insomnia may include:

- daytime tiredness,
- general fatigue,
- dulled reaction times, an inability to concentrate,
- decreased performance,
- anxiety and depression,
- muscle aches and an irritable state.

If the condition persists for more than a few times a week and affects one's ability to function normally, then a health care provider should be seen to make sure there isn't a more serious underlying medical condition. It is purported by some experts that chronic insomnia poses a greater risk than smoking, high blood pressure and heart disease.

There are many different types of AIDS alternative medicine available in today's world. Alternative medicine is a treatment type that covers an extensive range of various philosophies related to healing. When the HIV and AIDS epidemic was discovered, the treatments for the condition were extremely limited. The stresses of long working days are getting to Australian employees, with 25% saying they would like a plug-and-play room at work in order to partake in a bit of escapism during the work-day, A further 25% say they would like to see the introduction of a meditation room in the office in order to bring a bit of peace and balance back to their life.

The key stress management issue for employers is how to maximize and sustain high quality work productivity in the pressure-cooker world of 21st century living. Think of a long distance runner. A drink of water during the run gives a temporary boost, but it's what they do between runs, mentally and physically, which improves their performance, endurance, energy levels, self confidence and self esteem. It's much the same for the long-distance worker. Better than a short recreational break at work, creating your own stress-reducing recreational experience away from the work environment has much wider, more sustainable benefits. There's far deeper value in creating an experience that is custom-designed to suit your personal needs, in your chosen location, in your own time, at your desired pace and to your chosen level of ability. It becomes a creative expression of your unique, natural talents, of benefit to work and to personal life alike.