Hepatitis in Dogs

Hepatitis, a disease of the liver that is seen in several animals, including humans, is caused by a viral infection. Canine hepatitis is caused by the virus designated CAV-1 which is seen only in dogs. Humans and other animals are not at risk to contract hepatitis from the CAV-1 virus.

Once a dog is infected, there is no treatment that will destroy the CAV-1 virus. There is no cure. There is, however, a very good vaccine that can be given to puppies when they start their series of inoculations. The vaccine has greatly reduced incidents of canine hepatitis in the United States and Western Europe.

Like many viruses, CAV-1 first localizes and replicates in the lymph nodes and spreads into the bloodstream from there. Once in the blood, CAV-1 attacks several organs, most notably the liver, eyes, and kidneys. Although hepatitis is a very serious disease, not all cases of CAV-1 infection lead to it and not all are serious. Some dogs show few or no symptoms after being infected. Some, on the other hand, especially young puppies, become seriously ill.read more

Is Hepatitis A Vaccine Effective In Preventing Infectious Hepatitis?

HAV vaccine is very effective in protecting you against hepatitis A virus. It is generally available in injection form.

Remember that hepatitis A vaccine cannot protect you from other hepatitis types.

Consult your doctor if you have exposed to hepatitis A recently. Your doctor may prescribe an injection called immune globulin to treat the condition in early stages.

Immune globulin consists of high levels of antibodies that fight against Hepatitis A virus. Remember that immune globulin should be taken possibly within 2-6 weeks after you get infected with hepatitis A virus.read more

The Kampo boom, traditional Japanese phytotherapy comes of age

Of the many ancient holistic medical systems that have withstood the test of time, Kampo is one of the more successful ones, particularly in Japan. In a nationwide study of Japanese mainstream medical practitioners performed in October 2000, 72 percent regularly used Kampo medicines. Today, nearly 150 Kampo drugs are available for reimbursement under Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) program. Kampo is slowly making inroads into the West as well.

Today Kampo medicine is the focus of worldwide clinical research in an ever widening list of clinical conditions - Sho-saiko-to (H09) for the treatment of hepatitis C being researched at New York Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (phase II clinical trial), and in the treatment of hepatitis-C induced liver cirrhosis at the UCSD Liver Center. Kampo has been evaluated through placebo-controlled trials in the treatment of headaches, hypertension, fertility problems, insomnia, chronic fatigue, stress-related health problems, and numerous more trials are under way.read more

Medical Services International For The VScan TB and Hepatitis C Test Kits

Medical Services International Inc. (Pink Sheets: MSITF) wishes to announce that it has signed an agreement with a US biotech firm based in New Jersey that specializes in developing new products.

As part of the agreement this firm will be responsible for the completion of all necessary US testing required that hasn't been completed and filing of documents necessary to get the VScan TB and VScan Hepatitis C approved for use in the United States as medical device. This firm will be responsible for obtaining regulatory approval, marketing and distribution of the two VScan test kits.

The VScan rapid test kit is a single use, easy to use, test for the screening of HIV1&2, Hepatitis B&C, Tuberculosis (TB),Dengue Fever, Malaria, West Nile, Syphilis and Prostate Cancer.read more

No pain, no gain: Straight facts on back-to-school immunizations

Adequate, timely vaccinations ward off 210,000 cases of preventable diseases and 660 deaths in Wisconsin each year, according to Gov. Jim Doyle's 2004 "KidsFirst" strategic plan. Immunizations in Wisconsin also save an estimated $210 million annually in direct health care costs every year.

"There are risks for disease transmission and appearance of these diseases to justify vaccinations," said Kellea Ewen, a nurse with the Manitowoc Public School District. "Within the last two school years, we have had a pertussis outbreak within our district and continue to see chickenpox [and] measles within the community."

The Wisconsin Student Immunization Law began in July 1975, with all new kindergartners required to get vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles, according to the Department of Health and Family Services. The law has since expanded to include shots preventing mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and Varicella.Especially,the hepatitis B.read more