Conditions and Diseases:

Sepis -- is a life-threatening condition caused by the immune response of an

organism to severe infection. Sepsis is characterized by overwhelming systemic
(i.e. not localised) inflammation. It is often associated with coagulation disorders
and dysfunction of the circulatory system. Even under optimal treatment,
dysfunction of many organ systems may progress to multiple organ failure and
eventually death.

Sepsis is particulary common and dangerous in elderly, immunocompromised,

and critically ill patients, where it is a major cause of death in intensive care units
worldwide. In the United States, sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-
coronary ICU patients, while recent 1998 data from the Centers for Disease
Control show that it is the 11th leading cause of death overall. Mortality rates
ranging from 28 to 50% have been reported for sepsis.

The therapy of sepsis rests on antibiotic (and in some cases, surgical) treatment
of the causating infection, fluid replacement, adequate nutrition (including
parenteral nutrition), and appropriate support for organ dysfunction. This may
include hemodialysis in renal failure, mechanical ventilation in pulmonary
dysfunction, transfusion of blood plasma, platelets and coagulation factors to
stabilize blood coagulation, and drug and fluid therapy for circulatory failure.
Therapeutic strategies aimed at the inflammation process itself have largely
failed to improve outcome. However, the infusion of activated Protein C, a
coagulation factor, has recently been shown to improve survival in sepsis. Low
dose cortisol also seems to be beneficial.

Reye's Syndrome

Topic Overview

Reye's syndrome is a very rare but serious disease that can develop in children and teens under
age 20, but most often occurs in children 6 to 12 years old. The disease primarily targets the
brain and liver. Brain swelling and chemical changes in the blood from liver damage affect the
entire body. Drowsiness, confusion, seizures, coma, and in severe cases, death may result.

The cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown. However, the disease most often develops in children
who have recently had chickenpox (varicella) or flu (influenza) and who have also taken
medications that contain aspirin. Reye's syndrome is not contagious, even though the symptoms
usually develop 3 to 7 days after a viral illness starts. The most important thing you can do to
prevent Reye's syndrome is avoid giving aspirin or products that contain aspirin to anyone
younger than 20 years of age unless a health professional has specifically prescribed it.

Reye's syndrome has become very rare since widespread campaigns publicized the dangers of
giving aspirin to young people. In the United States, only two cases of Reye's syndrome were
reported each year from 1994 through 1997. 1 Since it is so rare, all other possible causes of
brain and liver problems must be eliminated before Reye's syndrome is diagnosed.
There is no cure for Reye's syndrome. The goal of treatment is to stop the brain and liver damage
and prevent complications. All children with Reye's syndrome are treated in a hospital intensive
care unit.

If the disease is diagnosed early, most children recover from Reye's syndrome in a few weeks.
However, some children develop permanent brain damage. Early treatment increases the chance
for full recovery.

CryptorchidismFailure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum.

Cirrhosis

What causes cirrhosis?

• Alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis can develop in a man who consumes 5 or more
alcoholic beverages every day for at least 10 to 15 years; women may develop the
disease after 3 or more drinks daily over the same period.1 At least 10% to 15% of people
who drink alcohol excessively will develop cirrhosis. Of the 26,000 people who die from
cirrhosis each year, at least 40% have a history of alcohol abuse.2
• Cirrhosis caused by chronic viral hepatitis. End-stage cirrhosis develops in up to 40%
of people with long-term (chronic) viral hepatitis.3 Often cirrhosis is slow to develop,
taking up to 20 years or longer. However, in people who have chronic viral hepatitis and
drink excessive amounts of alcohol, cirrhosis may develop much more quickly.
• Cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is a condition in
which too much fat is stored in the liver. It is becoming increasingly common and may be
the underlying cause of many cases of cirrhosis for which the cause is otherwise
unknown.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis. Primary biliary cirrhosis is a type of cirrhosis that develops
when the ducts that carry bile out of the liver become inflamed and blocked. The exact
cause is unknown, but it may be related to a problem with the immune system.
• Autoimmune hepatitis. In some people, the immune system may attack the liver,
causing cirrhosis.
• Inherited diseases. Sometimes cirrhosis can be caused by an inherited disease, such
as Wilson's disease, cystic fibrosis, or hemochromatosis.

What are the symptoms?

How is cirrhosis diagnosed?

How is it treated?
Hepatitis B

What is hepatitis B, and what causes it?

• An acute infection usually goes away on its own without treatment.

Some people have no symptoms. Most people who develop
symptoms feel better in 2 to 3 weeks and recover completely after
4 to 8 weeks. Other people may take longer to recover. Once an
acute infection is over, you are no longer contagious. You also develop antibodies against
HBV that provide lifelong protection against future infection. Most people who have
hepatitis B have acute hepatitis B and do not develop chronic hepatitis B.
• Chronic infection occurs when the hepatitis B virus continues to be present in your liver
and blood for 6 months or more. Chronic hepatitis B puts you at increased risk for
developing serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocellular
carcinoma). When you have chronic HBV, you can easily spread the disease. An
estimated 1.25 million Americans have chronic hepatitis B.1

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?

• Jaundice (the skin and whites of the eyes appear yellow). Although jaundice is the
defining sign of hepatitis B, it does not occur in most cases. Jaundice usually appears
after other symptoms have started to go away.
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue).
• Mild fever.
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Constant pain on the right side of the abdomen under the rib cage, where the liver is
located. In most people, the pain is made worse if their bodies are jarred or if they
overwork themselves.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Muscle aches and joint pain.
• Skin rash.

How is hepatitis B spread?

How is hepatitis B diagnosed?

How is hepatitis B treated?

Pulmonary Embolism

Topic Overview

What is pulmonary embolism?

What causes pulmonary embolism?

What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

What increases the risk of pulmonary embolism?

How is pulmonary embolism diagnosed?

How is pulmonary embolism treated?

Smallpox

Topic Overview

What is smallpox?

What are the symptoms of smallpox?

How is smallpox spread?

How is smallpox diagnosed?

How is smallpox treated?

Can smallpox infection be prevented?