The Allied Times

MeaslesThe world’s most contagious disease.By Jenny Ewen, BA, NREMTEditor-In-ChiefA Short History Measles was identified as the result of a virus in the 18th century, but it was first mentioned in the 9th century by a Persian doctor. By 1912, measles was a notifiable disease in the US so all diagnosed cases were reported – in the…

Close Encounter with a BatA cautionary tale about the risk of rabies.By Marven Ewen, MDMedical DirectorOne day while walking through a big box store, a customer was struck on the head by a flying bat (the mammal, not the wooden kind). He was concerned he might have contracted rabies from this contact and came to…

MelanomaThe most serious form of skin cancer.By Jenny Ewen, BA, NREMTEditor-In-ChiefOverviewEver been worried about a new mole or discoloration appearing on your skin? Welcome to melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, which is increasing in people under 40. Almost 200,000 new cases of melanoma are estimated to be diagnosed in America this year…

Lyme DiseaseThe dangerous disease carried by deer ticks.By Marven Ewen, MDMedical DirectorIt’s that time of year again. When the weather warms up the ticks come out. The ticks we are mostly concerned about are deer ticks. Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) carry Lyme disease. Lyme disease in the USA is caused by a bacterial parasite called…

Spina BifidaThe result of a neural tube defect.By Jenny Ewen, BA, NREMTEditor-In-ChiefOverviewSpina bifida is the most common birth defect in the United States that results in permanent disability – the literal meaning of the name is “Split spine” and occurs during the first 28 days of pregnancy. It is a neural tube defect, and the…

Lightning StrikesInjury patterns caused by bolts of lightning.By Marven Ewen, MDMedical DirectorYour general risk of being struck by lightning is about 1/700,000 per year. About 10% of strikes result in death. Of course, that risk can go way up or down depending on a person’s behavior. The specific lightning we are concerned with is generated by…