Symptoms: People exposed to the parasite can experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, weight loss and vomiting. Most people don’t become seriously ill. Symptoms can appear within a few days, but usually develop within two to four weeks.
Treatment: Antibiotics such as metronidazole can be used to treat dysentery.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Diarrhea","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
Diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks is considered persistent or chronic. In an otherwise healthy person, chronic diarrhea may be a nuisance problem, but for someone who has a weak immune system, it can be a life-threatening illness.
Treatment: Prevent dehydration. Diarrhea may become worse and hospitalization may be required if dehydration occurs. Solutions such as Pedialyte and Oralyte can help with rehydration and are available at drug stores. ";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","E. coli ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
A powerful, toxic bacterial strain that can cause severe illness, E. coli is spread by swimming in or drinking water contaminated by sewage, or eating contaminated meat that has not been thoroughly cooked.
Symptoms: The infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. There is usually little or no fever and the illness resolves in five to 10 days. In children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can also cause kidney failure. Bacteria in diarrheal stools of infected people can be passed from one person to another if hygiene or hand-washing habits are inadequate.
Treatment: Most people recover without antibiotics or other specific treatment within five to 10 days. There is no evidence that antibiotics improve the course of the disease, and it is thought that treatment with some antibiotics may precipitate kidney complications. Avoid antidiarrheal medicines such as Immodium.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Encephalitis ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
Encephalitis is an infection spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. To avoid the illness, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you're outside between dusk and dawn. Always use an insecticide when outdoors.
Symptoms: Most of the time encephalitis is asymptomatic or may result in flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and malaise. The infection can sometimes be fatal.
Treatment: Treatment for mild cases mainly consists of rest and a healthy diet, including plenty of liquids, to let your immune system fight the virus. Using acetaminophen (Tylenol) can relieve headaches and fever.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Hepatitis","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
A liver disease spread by coming in contact with contaminated water or fecal material. To avoid it, always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper or before preparing or eating food.
Symptoms: Some people don’t have any signs, but others experience fever, tiredness, nausea, loss of appetite and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Symptoms usually appear after 28 days and can last from 2 to 6 months.
Treatment: Most people get well on their own. Bed rest for a few weeks is recommended. A vaccine is available.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Malaria","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. Usually people get malaria by being bitten by an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria was eradicated from the United States in the early 1950s; however, a few cases of malaria occur every year in the United States in people who have not left the country. The mosquito that transmits malaria is found throughout much of the United States.
Symptoms: Patients with malaria typically are very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Although malaria can be fatal, illness and death from malaria are largely preventable. The best way to prevent malaria is by keeping mosquitoes from biting you, especially at night.
Treatment: Antimalarial drugs include chloroquine and quinine sulfate.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Norwalk virus","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including Noroviruses. People become infected with the virus by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages. It can be spread through close contact with an infected person, including through sharing food, water or utensils.
Symptoms: For most people, it is not serious. Infants, people with chronic diseases, young children, the disabled or elderly are at risk for dehydration from loss of fluids. The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting, accompanied by headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms generally begin one to two days following infection and may last for one to 10 days.
Treatment: The key to treating viral gastroenteritis in children and adults is to prevent severe dehydration. There is no vaccine or medicine currently available that prevents viral gastroenteritis.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Salmonella","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
Salmonella is the name of a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans.
Symptoms: Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. However, for some the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
Treatment: Salmonella infections usually end after five to seven days and often do not require treatment unless the patient becomes severely dehydrated or the infection spreads from the intestines. People with severe diarrhea may require rehydration, often with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Tetanus","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
An often fatal disease of the nervous system, tetanus is caused by bacteria that enter the body through a tear in the skin or puncture wound. It isn’t transmitted from person to person.
Symptoms: Early symptoms include lockjaw, stiffness in the neck and abdomen, and difficulty swallowing, followed by fever, elevated blood pressure and severe muscle spasms.
Tetanus toxoid (contained in DTaP, DT, and Td vaccines) can prevent the disease.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","Tuberculosis","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
A contagious, bacterial infection, tuberculosis is spread through airborne droplets when a person coughs, talks or sneezes. In general, you need prolonged exposure to an infected person before becoming infected yourself.
Symptoms: Tuberculosis mainly affects the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis). Symptoms include a cough lasting three or more weeks that may produce a bloody or discolored mucus; weight loss; fever; night sweats; chills; and pain with breathing.
Treatment: Because TB bacteria grow slowly, treatment for an active infection is lengthy — usually six to 12 months. If a patient is diagnosed with active TB, doctors will prescribe four antibiotic medications.";
hurricane_disease[i++] = new Array("","West Nile Virus","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
hurricane_disease[i-1].body = "
West Nile is a potentially serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. To avoid the illness, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you're outside between dusk and dawn. Always use an insecticide when outdoors.
Symptoms: People typically develop symptoms between three and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito. About 80 percent of people who become infected will not show any symptoms at all. Others may experience fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting and possibly swollen lymph glands. Symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks. About one in 150 people will develop severe illness, suffering high fever, neck stiffness, vision loss, disorientation, coma, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
Treatment: There is no specific treatment for the infection. Severe illness usually requires hospitalization. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to see a doctor if they develop symptoms."; // END editorial data