Facts you should know about onchocerciasis Photo of a blackfly; SOURCE: CDC Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease that may cause blindness. It occurs mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and a few isolated areas in the Americas (Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela) and is transmitted by blackfly bites. It is called river blindness as the blackfly …
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Facts you should know about peanut allergy The prevalence of peanut allergy in the United States is approximately 0.6%-1.3%. The rate of peanut allergy is higher in individuals with additional allergic conditions or a family history of allergic conditions, including a sibling with a peanut allergy. One-third of patients with peanut allergy are also allergic to tree nuts. About 90% of …
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What is Onureg, and how does it work? Onureg is a prescription medicine used for continued treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who: had a first complete remission (CR) following intensive induction chemotherapy with or without recovery of your blood cell counts, and who are not able to complete intensive curative therapy. It is not known if Onureg …
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The parathyroid glands are four pea-sized glands located in the neck near the thyroid gland. If you have hyperparathyroidism, it means that one or more of the parathyroid glands are overactive, resulting in the overproduction of the parathyroid hormone (PTH). Parathyroid hormones in excess can lead to an increase in the calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia). A high calcium …
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What is Mycobacterium marinum? Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is a slow-growing atypical mycobacterium that is commonly found in bodies of fresh or saltwater in many parts of the world. Skin infections with Mycobacterium marinum in humans are relatively uncommon and are usually acquired from contact with contents of aquariums or fish. Most infections occur following skin exposure to the bacteria …
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Radon is a naturally occurring invisible radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. The safe level of radon at home, as recommended by Environmental Protection Act (EPA), is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or 148 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3) (‘picocurie’ and ‘becquerel’ are common units for measuring the amount of radioactivity). Levels above this are dangerous …
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What is Pravachol, and how does it work? Pravachol is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of high cholesterol, to lower blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and to lower triglycerides. Pravachol may be used alone or with other medications. Pravachol belongs to a class …
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What is Sogroya, and how does it work? Sogroya is indicated for the replacement of endogenous growth hormone (GH) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Sogroya is a prescription medicine that contains human growth hormone, the same growth hormone made by the human body. Sogroya is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneous) and is used to treat adults …
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The amount of blood that comes out of a woman’s body is called menstrual flow. The entire normal menstrual cycle usually lasts between 24 and 38 days. However, the cycle between 21 and 45 days is still considered normal. It may vary from cycle to cycle in every woman and may also change over the years. In a normal cycle …
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What is Livalo, and how does it work? Livalo (pitavastatin) is a statin drug used to improve blood cholesterol levels in persons with elevated or abnormal blood cholesterol levels. Livalo is indicated as an adjunctive therapy to diet in: Adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia to reduce elevated total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (Apo …
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