Trichinella Spiralis

Trichinella Spiralis is a roundworm.

Trichinella spiralis is a nematode parasite, occurring in rats, pigs, bears and humans, and is responsible for the disease trichinosis. It is sometimes referred to as the "pork worm" due to it being found commonly in undercooked pork products.

LIFE CYCLE 

Trichinella species are the smallest nematode parasite of humans, have an unusual life cycle and are one of the most widespread and clinically important parasites in the world.^[1] The small adult worms mature in the intestines of an intermediate host such as a pig. Each adult female produces batches of live larvae, which bore through the intestinal wall, enter the blood (to feed on it) and lymphatic system, and are carried to striated muscle. Once in the muscle, they encyst, or become enclosed in a capsule.

Nurse cells containing Trichinella Spiralis

This roundworm causes the disease called Trichinosis or Trichinellosis. The first symptoms a human has are gastrointestinal and occur 1-2 days after the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from the trichinella infected animal. 

Early Symptoms:

-Nausea

-Diarrhea

-Vomiting

Classic symptoms of the disease occur two weeks after the infection and can last up to 8 weeks.

-Muscle pain

-fever

-swelling of face (especially eyes)

-chills 

-headache

-rash

-constipation

Can be treated with prescription drugs as soon as diagnosed. 

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

CRE, which stands for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, are a family of germs that are difficult to treat because they have high levels of resistance to antibiotics. Healthy people usually do not get CRE infections. In healthcare settings, CRE infections most commonly occur among patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions. Patients whose care requires devices like ventilators (breathing machines), urinary (bladder) catheters, or intravenous (vein) catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk for CRE infections.

Some CRE bacteria have become resistant to most available antibiotics. Infections with these germs are very difficult to treat, and can be deadly—one report cites they can contribute to death in 40% of patients who become infected.

In the USA Today article (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/29/bacteria-deadly-hospital-infection/1727667/) multiple cases of CRE infections occured in the university of Virginia Medical Center. Doctors stuggled to find an anti-biotic strong enough to battle this constantly changing strain of bacteria. 

The exsistance of a bacteria that is resistant to the strongest anti-biotics is a scary reality. Scientists are referring to CRE as the "Superbug". It has spread to at least 42 states and is often over looked in smaller hospitals and nursing homes that lack the technology to identify. It is predicted that an effective drug that will kill CRE will be developed in the future.

LEAD

Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal and poor metal. Wikipedia

Symbol: Pb Electron configuration: Xe 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p2 Melting point: 621.5°F (327.5°C) Atomic number: 82 Boiling point: 3,182°F (1,750°C) Atomic mass: 207.2 ± 0.1 u

Though lead is found frequently in our environment, it has no known purpose in our bodies. When lead gets inside the body, the body confuses it with calcium and other essential nutrients. This confusion can cause permanent damage to the health of both children and adults.Rules and regulations prohibit lead in common products like most gasoline and paint, so lead poisoning has dramatically declined in the United States. However, it is still a real problem that continues to poison thousands of people in the U.S. each year.

Health problems in Children:

In children, lead is most damaging when they are six years and younger. Children are growing at a very fast rate - growing bones, developing stronger muscles and creating many connections in their brain. When lead instead of essential nutrients is "available" to the body to make bones, muscle, and brain connections, permanent harm to health can occur. Even at low levels, lead can be harmful and be associated with:

Learning disabilities resulting in a decreased intelligence (decreased IQ)
Attention deficit disorder
Behavior issues
Nervous system damage
Speech and language impairment
Decreased muscle growth
Decreased bone growth
Kidney damage

High levels of lead are life threatening and can cause seizures, unconsciousness, and death.

Children often times consume paint that contains lead. Houses that were built before the 1970 often have paint containing lead.

Health Problems in Adults:

Lead exposure is a concern for adults, even though they have finished growing. Since an adult's body is much larger than a child's body, more lead is needed to cause injury but the harm lead can do to an adult is very serious. High levels of lead can cause:

Increased chance of illness during pregnancy
Harm to a fetus, including brain damage or death
Fertility problems in both men and women
High blood pressure
Digestive issues
Nerve disorders
Memory and concentration problems
Muscle and joint pain