#Treating Viral Fever

[macgyvermedical]

Magic Bullets: The Antibiotic Story

The year was 1907 and a Dr. Alfred Bertheim was trying to make arsenic less toxic to humans.

Why? Because in addition to killing humans, arsenic also kills trypanosomes- single-celled protozoa that cause the life-threatening infection trypanosomiasis. By creating a version of arsenic that still killed the protozoa, but not the human they infected, Dr. Bertheim could create a drug to treat the disease*.

This was not a fully new idea. About 50 years earlier, a drug called Atoxyl had been created in France. About 40 times less toxic than pure arsenic, it had been shown to not only successfully treat trypanosomiasis, but also the equally devastating syphilis infection.

But 40 times less toxic than pure arsenic is still not great. About 2% of people treated even one time with the drug ended up blind, among a myriad of other side effects. It was a start, but not ideal.

And Dr. Bertheim (under the direction of better-known Dr. Paul Ehrlich) was setting out to change that.

And it just so happened that the sixth compound from the sixth group he tried did so. Known as "compound 606", the new Arsphenamine could treat trypanosomiasis, relapsing fever, and syphilis very effectively- and it didn't leave its takers dead or blind.

Most of the time, at least. See, arsphenamine, also known by the brand name salvarsan, was a pain in the ass to administer. It had to be dissolved in several hundred mililiters of water under a nitrogen atmosphere to prepare it for administration. If it touched air, it would rapidly react, causing toxic byproducts that could cause liver failure, severe skin rashes, and even death.

But both trypanosomiasis and syphilis were definitely going to kill you, so it was worth the risk.

And the seed had been planted, so to say. The idea of a chemical able to kill infection-causing agents without killing the host was a true possibility for the future of medicine.

And by 1912, Neosalvarsan, a drug somewhat less effective -but far easier to administer and with significantly fewer side effects- was on the market. Over the next decade, Neosalvarsan would be responsible for a massive drop in syphilis cases worldwide.

But neither of the drugs could treat deadly infections from staph or strep or the hundreds of other bacterial or viral infections that still had no cure in the 1910's and 1920's.

Then came the first of the heavy-hitters. Bayer was a dye company when it started, and in 1932, three and a half decades after switching mostly to pharmaceuticals, chemists at Bayer were testing the company's dyes for anti-infective properties. They went through thousands of trials, finally finding a dye that could kill streptococcal bacteria without killing a mouse host.

Pre-1930s, streptococcal disease was a major problem. It caused strep throat, cellulitis, scarlet fever, childbed (purpural) fever, some forms of toxic shock syndrome, impetigo, necrotizing fasciitis, rheumatic fever, and many others. The skin infections may have been at least somewhat treatable with a hot compress, but the rest were prone to cause blindness, deafness, loss of limbs, and for many, loss of life.

In 1936, sulfonamide antibiotics changed that. Protosil, the first of the sulfonamides, became available to treat many of the infections listed above. These would be used for wound infections throughout WWII. Unfortunately, they would also cause the untimely death of nearly 100 people via the Elixer Sulfanilamide tragedy.

Sulfanilamide was a similar drug to Prontosil and was safe and effective for treating strep infections. However, when mixed with diethylene glycol (now used as standard car antifreeze) to make it into a liquid suspension, it was deadly. See this letter from a doctor who had prescribed the liquid form of the medication, not knowing it was poison:

[to read more about the Elixer Sulfanilamide Disaster, see here]

Despite the sulfanilamide tragedy, the race was on for more antibiotics. Three years before they went on the market, researchers had found evidence of bacterial resistance to sulfonamides. What would happen when these new bacteria, that didn't die when exposed to the new wonder drug, made up so much of the bacterial population?

In 1942, the Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston caused over 492 deaths and 130 injuries. The injured were among the first to receive a remarkable new drug called penicillin. The fire and the fate of the victims were publicized throughout the world, and penicillin became a household name overnight. But once again, even before it went on the market in 1943, just in time for the end of the Second World War, there was evidence of resistance.

But fortunately, the fire had been sparked. Over the next 30 years, many dozens of antibiotics would come into clinical use. If you've taken it, it probably came out between 1940 and 1970. Tetracycline, isoniazid, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, vancomycin, amoxicillin, and dozens more you've never heard of.

And then? Nothing.

Well, not completely nothing, there were a couple that came out in the 1980s and a few in the early 2000s. But nothing like that 30-year golden age.

But now we're running into problems due to drug resistance. About 1.27 million people die annually directly from antibiotic resistant infection, while antibiotic resistance contributes to about 4.95 million more deaths.

The good news is that the drugs that are being made today are directly targeting those antibiotic resistant infections. In fact, as I'm writing this, a new drug (Zosurabalpin) is being tested for a bacteria called Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, which up until now has had no antibiotic that works against it.

*as you may imagine for the time period, this was not necessarily a benevolent act. See, most of the reason Europeans wanted to treat trypanosomiasis in the first place was because they kept dying of it when they went to colonize Africa. And they wanted something that would give them a leg up on the people who were already there.

[idontwikeit]

URGENT: Save Suad and her family

Suad Ahmad is a talented engineer and working in a tech company, and was overjoyed from news of being a new mother, a mere week before Oct 7.

Can you imagine being forced to flee from one place to another eleven times, each time worse than the last? All while being extremely sick and pregnant, and in the end had to walk all the way to the hospital during labor, with minimal medical support; just a month ago, she walked 10 km/6 miles under extreme heat just to find medical care to treat her baby's 40C/104F high fever. And Suad is now suffering pain from severe allergies brought by the complications, living condition and malnutrition, yet the worse news is her newborn is also suffering from sickness.

Suad's newborn baby Khaled has now developed severe chest viral infections and allergies from the 24/7 strikes and destruction wrought by IOF, and his treatment has been severely insufficient due to the power outrage. Not to mention the expensive medical care and the extreme inflation of everything in Gaza. Both Suad and Khaled desperately need immediate medical treatment which Gaza can no longer provide, and the family needs to secure funds for evacuation and daily necessities.

No parents should have to witness the death of their child. I'm now asking everyone to please help Suad and her family, let them LIVE without pain and the constant fear of danger.

#279 on the Vetted Gaza Evacuation Fundraiser List by nabulsi and el-shab-hussein

As of 7 Sep 2024: $27,307USD / $70,000

@northgazaupdates

[fcthots]

I saw the 🧸 ask where Jason had to add cat ears to his red hood helmet bc he lost a bet, and PLEASE tell me you imagined him having to actually patrol that night like that too. Bc it’s so perfect.

Every vigilante that sees him is howling so goddamn loud that being stealthy that night is shot through. The mental image of him is enough to have em giggling, but esp Dick, Tim, and Steph are ROLLING on the ground and everything (those assholes). Jason can’t even defend himself bc at the end of the day he’s whipped enough to be walking around like this, the bet isn’t a good enough excuse now. Dick takes so many pictures. Hood goes viral for the next week and a half. Gothamites make fucking babygirl edits of cat hood and this shit haunts Jason for the rest of his life. Months and months later someone gives him one of those catnip treats for Christmas and nobody fesses up to it, but since Dick wakes up with a brand new hair color and cut (the drunk but not actually drunk Todd signature), safe to say Jaylad figured it out by the time the day ended 😭

(May I be🧋? This blog is fun and I wanna interact w u more 👉🏾👈🏾)

AHHAHAHAHAH I LOVE THIS. also ofc!!

I did envision him wearing the cat ears to patrol lol. There are several edited photos of the Red Hood in a maid outfit that all sprung from this event. The edits go viral and they further convince everyone outside of Gotham that the bats are not real. An ex-robin murderous crime lord anti-hero now turned vigilante that wore cat ears?? Yeah no way that’s real, Gotham is just Goncharov-ing up a fever dream. Even people who live in Gotham are like …Scarecrow must have done a mass attack that we just missed?? More plausible than the guy who tried to kill Batman and cleaned the streets in blood just randomly wearing cat ears one day. Also he started trying to murder the bats again with the cat ears on? No way.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Health experts warn against COVID complacency in schools amid surge - Published Aug 25, 2024

Health experts are urging school staff and families to take active steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 amid rising infections as school districts stick to their previous plans to combat the virus similarly to how they would the flu or strep throat.

Weekly deaths from COVID-19 have steadily risen in the United States since mid-June, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID Data Tracker.

And wastewater viral activity for the disease — which is monitored as a means of detecting where a potential outbreak may occur — has gradually climbed since May, with the national level now “very high,” according to the CDC.

The rising rates are having little effect on the start of the school year, however. Schools have largely chosen to treat COVID-19 like RSV or the common flu, at the recommendation of health organizations like the CDC.

“COVID forever changed the landscape of education. As it stands now, in both districts (Meridian CUSD 223 and Oregon CUSD 220) I have the pleasure of leading we are moving forward full steam ahead and treating COVID in the same form and fashion we would treat influenza or strep throat,” said PJ Caposey, superintendent of Meridian School District in Illinois.

“The impact COVID has had on schools and on society cannot be understated, but currently it is not impacting how we operate and serve kids,” he added.

School districts are still feeling tremendous impacts from the coronavirus and the widespread closures it drove earlier in the pandemic, such as students struggling to catch back up academically.

Recent data from nonprofit research group NWEA found that students going into high school are a full year behind academically.

Since the CDC has classified COVID-19 under the umbrella of respiratory illnesses, in the same category as the flu, schools have dropped precautions previously put in place to mitigate the spread of the virus such as masks or social distancing.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), for instance, previously had policies requiring students and faculty to stay out of school longer if they contract COVID-19 and to wear masks for a certain period when they came back.

LAUSD posted on social media in August that due to high vaccination rates, COVID-19 will be treated like RSV. The district stressed that those with COVID-19 need to stay home if they have symptoms or a fever and cannot come back until symptoms start improving and the fever is gone for 24 hours without medicine.

Amid the current rise in COVID-19 cases and with another likely surge looming during the fall or winter months ahead, health experts are urging school communities not to become complacent when fighting against the virus’s spread.

The most important thing families and school staff can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated, according to Jodie Guest, senior vice chair of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.

As of May, only about a quarter of U.S. adults and about 14 percent of children were reported to be up to date on a COVID-19 vaccination, according to CDC data.

The Food and Drug Administration approved updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines Thursday to more closely target the recent strains of the virus, as well as potential fall and winter variants.

Adults and children 6 months and older are eligible for the updated vaccines, according to the CDC. Children 5 years old and up will need one shot of an updated vaccine to remain current, while children between 6 months and 4 years old might need multiple shots.

The updated shots will likely be on pharmacy shelves within “the coming days.” Those who have recently been infected with COVID-19 can delay getting the updated vaccine for up to three months, per CDC guidelines.

On top of getting the shot, Guest encourages school staff and parents to regularly test themselves and children for COVID-19 infections because testing “still really matters.”

“If your kid comes home and is not feeling well and showing signs that might be COVID, might be something else, going ahead with at-home testing is an important way to stop spread in your family and to stop spread in schools,” she said.

Sick adults and children should test themselves multiple times at home to ensure they do not have the virus, Guest said. If a first at-home antigen test is negative, she recommends taking a second test 36 to 48 hours later “to make sure it’s a true negative.”

School staff members who think they are sick should stay home, health experts agree. Parents should also keep their children home from school if they are sick to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 to others.

“If you are sick, stay home. Don’t infect others,” said David Weber, epidemiologist and associate chief medical officer of UNC Health Care.

While COVID-19 infections are typically less severe in children, kids can still suffer complications from contracting the virus, like long COVID, which may appear differently in adolescents than in adults.

Children can also serve as vectors for the virus, potentially spreading it to more vulnerable people like older relatives.

“You really don’t want to bring this home particularly if you have grandparents living with you,” said Andrew Pekosz, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who studies respiratory illnesses including COVID-19.

However, it appears unlikely that schools will change their standards to fight COVID-19 without official recommendations from the CDC.

“Schools put measures in place through the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the spread of infection including vaccination clinics, cleaning procedures, and mitigation protocols that should be followed just as with any other communicable diseases such as the seasonal flu,” said Jeanie Alter, executive director of the American School Health Association, a group that supports health professionals in schools and advocates for healthy school environments.

“It will be important for schools to review and update these practices and continue with best practice guidance from reputable science-based organizations such as CDC,” she said.

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

This may be an entirely speculative question, but could there be infectious diseases on Gallifrey that are passed telepathically? If there could be, would they also be treated telepathically in a way that prevents transmission to a medical professional?

Could there be infectious diseases on Gallifrey that would transmit telepathically?

For absolute sure, there are a whole plethora of nasties out there just waiting to infect your psychic Gallifreyan. We don't know that much about transmission patterns, though we can definitely explore the area.

🦠 Types of Infections

These could come in several forms, all of which might thrive in particular areas and have a different presentation of symptoms.

Viral: Psionic viruses that hijack telepathic signals, spreading through mental links and causing disruptions in neural pathways.nSome common symptoms may include:

High fever

Intense headaches

Telepathic noise (unwanted mental chatter)

Hallucinations

Bacterial: Psionic bacteria thriving in psionic energy fields, spreading through shared mental and physical spaces. Some common symptoms may include:

Inflammation of neural tissues

Difficulty focusing telepathic abilities

Severe migraines

Parasitic: Mind parasites that feed on psionic energy, spreading through telepathic contact. Some common symptoms may include:

Draining of telepathic strength

Lethargy

Distorted perception of reality

🔁Transmission

Telepathic Link: Gallifreyans have telepathic connections to others, and Time Lords are part of an intricate network. Those mental links could theoretically transmit infectious agents.

Biological Proximity: Somebody with particularly strong telepathic powers might generate a kind of field around them, which could be infectious.

Residual Imprints: Visiting areas or objects with strong psionic imprints left by infected individuals could also be a transmission method.

🩺 Treatment and Prevention

You can bet your bottom dollar Gallifreyan doctors have some standard ways to handle them:

Mental Barriers: Infected Gallifreyans might be encouraged to build mental walls to contain the disease and stop the spread as a form of - dare I say - self-isolation.

Isolation Fields: Hospitals would have special isolation fields and other tech to block telepathic signals, keeping the disease from jumping to other patients or medical staff.

Psionic Cleansing: Highly-trained 'psycho-healers' might dive into the patient’s mind to locate and neutralise the infection, sort of like a mental deep-clean.

Mental Shields: Both patient and healer would use strong mental shields during treatment to avoid spreading the disease.

Symbiotic Assistance: Time Lords with a strong connection to their TARDIS might be able to utilise it for help.

Psionic Medical Machines: These gadgets might emit controlled psionic waves to disrupt the infectious agent in the mind, but they'd have to be flawlessly calibrated to avoid damaging the patient.

Neural Realignment: Fancy neurotech could realign neural pathways, flushing out the disease and fixing any mental messes it caused.

Offworld Aids: There are plenty of races that are far more versed in psionics than Gallifreyans who might be able to help.

🏫 So ...

While telepathic disease transmission on Gallifrey is pretty speculative, it fits right into the unique quirks of Gallifreyan life. Advanced telepathic and tech treatments would probably be key to handling such diseases, keeping Gallifreyans healthy and their minds clear.

Related:

Factoid: How do Gallifreyans form intimate telepathic relationships?

What's the full extent of a Gallifreyan's psychic powers?: The uses and limitations of Gallifreyan psychic abilities.

Gallifreyan Psionics: An Overview: A brief overview of abilities [to be replaced]

Hope that helped! 😃

Any purple text is educated guesswork or theoretical. More content ... →📫Got a question? | 📚Complete list of Q+A and factoids →😆Jokes |🩻Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts →🫀Gallifreyan Anatomy and Physiology Guide (pending) →⚕️Gallifreyan Emergency Medicine Guides →📝Source list (WIP) →📜Masterpost If you're finding your happy place in this part of the internet, feel free to buy a coffee to help keep our exhausted human conscious. She works full-time in medicine and is so very tired😴

[mariacallous]

“I am opposed to war, unless in self-defense.” This was the most-liked comment on Douyin—the Chinese counterpart to TikTok—in reaction to a speech delivered by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Jan. 9. In his address, Wang previewed China’s top diplomatic goals for 2024 and emphasized “the unwavering resolve of all 1.4 billion Chinese citizens to achieve reunification with Taiwan,” a statement made just days prior to the island’s general elections.

The broader reaction to Wang’s remarks likely wasn’t what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hoped for: Tens of thousands of Chinese social media users responded, many of them with grievances, sarcasm, and defiance, widely questioning the costs of a potential war.

One man from Shanghai complained, “Who is going to fight the war? If I die, who is going to pay my mortgage or my car loan?” Wang’s speech framed “national unification” as one of “China’s core interests,” but as one user from Hunan rebutted, “[China’s] core interests are that every Chinese can be treated equally and have access to elderly care and health care.” The pushback went beyond economic and social grievances. Some posters were even bolder, suggesting that Taiwan’s democracy may demonstrate a political alternative to mainland China: “The fact that Taiwanese choose their own way of life,” said one commentator from Shandong, “might show that Chinese people can take a different route.”

The mood among social media users is a sharp departure from past elections. After almost every Taiwanese general election since 2016, a wave of pro-war fever has swept the Chinese internet. After Taiwan’s 2020 elections, for example, upbeat war enthusiasts in China produced oil paintings that illustrated wild fantasies of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) capturing Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen alive after landing in Taiwan and forcing her to sign an official surrender document onboard a Chinese aircraft carrier—a scene reminiscent of the 1945 Japanese surrender that ended World War II.

In 2021, one of the most popular songs to go viral on Chinese social media was “Take A Bullet Train to Taiwan in 2035.” Its allusion to a high-speed rail line connecting Beijing and Taipei was a dog whistle to nationalist masses who hoped that unification was on the horizon—by force, if necessary.

Absent from these fantasies, however, was the blood and violence that accompanies real war. At the time, China’s star was rising on the international stage, and public confidence was riding high on China’s success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic within its borders. As such, the sentiments surrounding unification and the use of military force were quite romantic; many people believed that victory over Taiwan would be easy, that the Taiwanese would surrender voluntarily if the PLA simply blockaded the island.

In 2024, however, things have changed. The most recent Taiwanese presidential election—in which the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won a repeat victory—served as an uncomfortable reminder to the Chinese public that neither Taiwanese politicians nor voters are interested in Beijing’s plans for political unification. Although the forceful unification narrative still exists, any push from nationalists to reignite war fever has now run into a wall of skepticism following the DPP victory.

“Wake up,” one Weibo user wrote in opposition to the broader online calls for forceful unification. “Stop dreaming,” another echoed. The defiant voices are becoming a common reaction to the suggested use of military force to an extent rarely seen, given the massive culture of censorship on Chinese social media.

A clear reason for this change is China’s economic slowdown. While Taiwan went to the polls in 2024, China was grappling with a youth unemployment rate above 20 percent, a housing market crisis with sales down by 45 percent, and a stock market in free fall that lost $6 trillion in just three years, the likes of which haven’t been seen in almost a decade. News about Taiwanese elections failed to arouse the same nationalistic reactions among the preoccupied Chinese public that had occurred in the previous two contests.

Instead, the 2024 elections triggered a flood of complaints: “Sort out our own economy, what a mess.” a Shanghai resident said angrily. “Look at our stock market,” an apparently frustrated investor from Hunan grieved, “It’d be better to keep the status quo, and leave Taiwanese alone.” The gloomy economy has made some commenters question the underlying justification for war: “With low-income people making less than 1,000 yuan a month ($140), and the national insurance tax going up, huge medical bills, and unaffordable apartments, why do you want forceful unification? I don’t get it.”

“It is the economy that really matters,” another person from Tianjin pointed out. “[Taiwan] being independent or not has nothing to do with ordinary people.”

The changing attitudes toward Taiwan’s elections reflect a broader shift in public sentiment in China’s online space. Discontent about the country’s poor economic reality has been growing louder, drowning out calls for a military takeover.

Ironically, the CCP’s own past propaganda efforts contributed to this cooling effect. Right before Nancy Pelosi, then the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visited Taiwan in August 2022, official and semiofficial rhetoric in mainland China was so belligerent that it led many Chinese to believe that the day of unification had finally arrived and that the military would shoot down her plane and launch its attack on Taiwan imminently.

This was the peak of forceful unification hysteria, but it only left its crusaders disappointed. In the end, there was not only no shootdown of Pelosi’s plane, but there also weren’t even military exercises conducted before she left Taiwan. Many Chinese, especially forceful unification advocates, felt betrayed and disillusioned by their government’s failure to follow through on its belligerent rhetoric, and the after-effects of this letdown are still being felt today.

During Taiwan’s 2024 elections, war enthusiasts were continuously reminded of Beijing’s military inaction following Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan. “Have you guys forgotten Pelosi?” one said. One commonly repeated joke, observing the lack of military action, scoffed that the only thing that was fired up when Pelosi visited was the stove in her hotel. The kinds of threats that once resonated with nationalists now drew widespread ridicule online: “delusion,” “talking a big game,” “an unrealistic fantasy,” and “all hat, no cattle.”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the Chinese political spectrum, the 2024 election prompted the resurgence of the view among many liberals that Taiwan’s democracy represents a desirable political model. In the early 2010s, many Chinese saw Taiwan as a beacon of hope for Chinese society—a liberal, civic, and democratic alternative to the one-party state. The liberal Chinese writer Han Han coined a popular phrase—“The most beautiful scenery of Taiwan is its people.”—that encapsulated the view of how trustworthy and free a people can become under democracy.

But after the crackdown on liberal intellectuals and online speech under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the honeymoon did not last long and was gradually replaced by a climate of xenophobia, jingoism, war euphoria, and a longing for unification by force. Making matters worse, a growing nationalist mood in Taiwan led many to believe that Taiwanese looked down on mainlanders.

The 2024 elections, however, prompted a renewed interest from the Chinese public about their neighbor, home to the world’s only Chinese-speaking democracy. News about Taiwanese elections aroused great curiosity on Weibo about the nuts and bolts of the electoral process—what a ballot looks like, how many ballots one can cast, how votes are counted, and how candidates are selected. When a few Taiwanese Weibo users answered these questions, they were liked and retweeted by thousands of Chinese accounts, drawing genuine admiration and blessings from many.

“Are we going to see one day like this?” one user from Gansu wondered with a crying emoji. “Maybe this is accumulating experience for our own future: giving speeches, holding debates, and counting votes,” commented another, from Tianjin.

China’s shifting public sentiment is bound to have repercussions for cross-strait relations, but it would probably be a bridge too far to infer that the Chinese public will fiercely oppose a war in the Taiwan Strait. Ultimately, the nationalist base remains. At present, the euphoria about forceful unification is quieting down, mainly because the party’s over-the-top propaganda failed to meet the expectations of its most ardent supporters. But if aggressive rhetoric were followed by military action in the future, war fever could be easily fanned again.

Despite the prevalence of extreme nationalism, Chinese public opinion is more divided on Taiwan than it seems, and these divisions are only likely to increase. What concerns most ordinary Chinese are decent jobs, good income, accumulating savings for retirement, and getting affordable access to health care and housing.

So long as the economy is struggling and people’s livelihoods are threatened, there is no guarantee that the CCP’s attempts to exploit nationalism will work; quite the opposite, it could be faced with plenty of pushback.

[shiut]

Hi, I saw your homunculus research post and it's super interesting! I know only very basic biology but it was still understandable! I wanted to ask about how homunculi would get ill since they are made out of bacteria? Do they get sick, can they get bacterical infection and if they can, can that be treated with antibiotics?

Ohh thanks for the fun question! I'm glad that other people also think that granular bio details are interesting too

I'd like to preface with the fun fact that the average human body already contains more bacterial cells than actual human cells, and most of them are either just harmless or are straight up essential to human life. This is why misuse of antibiotics is dangerous, and there is a very specific amount and way you need to take them if they are prescribed. Misusing antibiotics can kill your beneficial bacteria, and it's the sheer amount of bacteria in your body that helps control the potentially bad bacteria. If you kill the good ones, this gives the bad ones room to grow out of control. Not to mention, it's usually the bad bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and can very quickly build more resistance the more antibiotics you take.

So in short, antibiotics can be dangerous for humans too, if not used carefully.

With all this in mind, it'll be easy to talk about homunculi. When I was referring to the bad bacteria that have super high antibacterial resistance, this mostly applies to gram-negative bacteria, the type that turns a bright pink that I've described as being a base for homunculi. So, I think that homunculi would generally be fine with antibiotics considering the lab environment in which they were created, where they would probably very quickly build resistances to the cocktails of antimicrobials that would be all over the place in that type of place. I'd expect maybe some homunculi to have a mild allergic reaction to some antibiotics, but I'd imagine that it'd be about as much of a risk as it is to humans.

Also, this leans more into some more science fiction element of all this; but I imagine that the bacteria used to create homunculi are probably some sort of lab-made strain that doesn't exist in real life (it's probably similar to e. coli though), but has stem cell-like properties so that it can use the human genetic code to be able to differentiate and grow into an organism where the bacterial cells become visually and functionally the same as a human's, just with some bacterial properties. It'd be a hybrid cell that's not entirely one or the other.

Going back to when I mentioned that humans contain more bacteria than actual human cells, this means that there could be upwards of a thousand different species in a person. Even when it comes to a bacteria that sounds as scary as e. coli, the reality is that it's normal and beneficial to have e. coli in you. The thing is that there is a specific strain of e. coli that gets you incredibly sick, not the species as a whole. Meaning, that despite homunculi having bacterial based cells, there are so many different species and strains of bacteria that do so many different things that really, homunculi probably can get sick like anyone else if they catch a bad bacterial or viral infection. Granted, they won't be at risk of dying from an illness because their cells are so good at regenerating, but they still have a human body, with a human organ system, and a human immune system. A lot of symptoms from illness are the result of the immune response, so if you consider that a homunculus has an immune system, that still means sneezing, runny nose, inflammation, fever, etc.

[iciatheguardess]

and now for a small ramble on plagues.

“Plague” is a catch-all term for widespread and fast-acting diseases in Dusk’s Domain. “The Plague” is whatever of those diseases is prominent at the time. That’s why Delirium is called “Delirium” but also “The Plague”.

Similarly to how we always assume a disease to be bacterial or viral, in Dusk’s domain it’s assumed to be plant-based, usually with a flower accompanying it. They treat flowers growing on someone the same as we would treat a fever or a cough: telltale signs of illness. Similarly, medicine is plant/spell-based in that world, with bandaged wounds often ending up covered in harmless flowers that grow in the cloth and take care of infection.

Like everything in that world, a plague’s origin is usually unique and myriad, but is almost always formed from a strong emotion or desire. If someone is miserable, there’s a chance either a plague of misery or a plague of comfort will form from that.

Delirium was Dusk’s/the circus’s exhausted wish for a break twisted into something it was never meant to be. You get your rest, buuuut not in the way you’d like. That’s why it acts somewhat similarly to Dusk’s room trap.

Jesus christ

This is

This is amazing

By amazing I mean in terms of writing

Like

Holy fuck

Wow

I love that

[pandemic-info]

CDC easing covid isolation guidance worries vulnerable people - The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/02/17/cdc-covid-isolation-vulnerable-sick-leave/

Concerns among medically vulnerable people are growing as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prepares to drop its long-standing recommendation that those with covid isolate for five days. People with compromised immune systems worry that co-workers will return to the office while they’re still contagious. At the same time, the few remaining policies guaranteeing paid leave for employees with covid are largely coming to an end. New York, the only state that still requires paid leave for covid isolation, is considering ending that benefit this summer. Even as many cheer loosening isolation guidance, others are troubled by federal health officials’ latest move to stop treating covid as a unique respiratory viral threat. The forthcoming change, first reported by The Washington Post, says people could return to school and work if they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication and they have mild and improving symptoms. This article is free to read: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/02/17/cdc-covid-isolation-vulnerable-sick-leave/

I will add that any scientifically literate person who understands how this disease affects the body has been and continues to be concerned.

Let's not keep pinning it just on "vulnerable people" and making them carry the entire load for everyone, in addition to the ways they're already suffering.

But who am I kidding at this point, honestly. Everything is so fucked.

[captainmartin20]

Do you have any thoughts on this CC/WNBA discourse that happens after every Fever game?

well,

the debate about physicality shouldn’t been made into an issue imo. as someone who also watches football— im used to seeing players slide tackle each other at full speed to win the ball, so the shoving and pushing that happens on a basketball court is nothing.

as for the foul on cc yesterday, I thought it was weird how she was fouled whilst waiting for the inbound ball— like carter could’ve at least waited until the ball was in play lol. i did see a clip that maybe cc was egging her on so clearly the two were probably going at it before it the shove happened. as for the angel reese one, I think cc was trying to sell it a bit too much lol

As for trash talking, we all know caitlin is a trash talker— she even admitted it herself, proudly too— might I add. that little back and forth moment with vivians during the seattle game was normal sports stuff, but i guess it blew up because it’s the first time caitlin had ever done that in the wnba (she does it a lot back in iowa— hence the kate martin blinders were very much needed)

I do think that cc’s teammates should try and stick up for her a little more though otherwise players will think she’s free game— which they reallyyyy should not allow this to happen considering 1.) shes their teammate so you got to back her always; and 2.) she’s their star player and they need her on the floor for as long as possible.

i think the frequent discourse is tiring but at the same time, I guess anything caitlin clark does these days is twitter viral worthy. there will always be people with different opinions, different perspectives etc and you kind of just have to accept it— it’s all a part of growing the game. here on tumblr, i follow a few blogs who aren’t too fond of cc lol but I like to still get their perspectives on things.

caitlin’s not trying to make everyone like her. if she was, she’d cave into every online discourse to explain her side or clap back. she’ll make mistakes, she’ll fuck up etc. she doesn’t need to be coddled or treated differently by a league that has existed before her and will continue to exist after her.

caitlin doesn’t portray herself as the second coming of christ and no one should worship the ground she walks on because that’s weird as fuck— you either like her or you don’t, and that’s fine either way.

…did I miss anything?

[chronal-anomaly]

The Switzerland Rehab Garden, nicknamed The Gardens, was a long term medical rehab facility for extremely private and protected clients. Members of their alum include world leaders, billionaires, and one plucky pilot destined to make history.

Lena was taken to The Gardens once she completed half of her training regimen. Her body was strong and her mind was set; they no longer referred to Lena by her name, but by The Pilot, or The Asset, for those unaware of the project. Another six months of training and she would be embarking on the Slipstream project.

The Gardens, as the name suggested, was a medical center nestled in the mountains, and overlooked both the ocean and a beautifully arranged garden that aimed to "improve the mental and physical recovery of their patients." It was several acres large, with tailored paths and places to sit and enjoy your surroundings.

Lena was booked into a private suite in a private wing, with high level contagion restrictions. This meant a portion of the garden was accessible by her balcony, but she was otherwise cut off from the other patients of the facility. To enter, a full hazmat suit was required. As such, her twenty-four hour guard was stationed outside of the ward doors and along the fence of the garden, to prevent anyone from breaking in - or breaking out.

Her care was handled entirely by Overwatch scientists, doctors, and researchers stationed there. Everyone else was excluded from knowing who resided in the north wing of the Gardens.

The vaccination schedule consisted of 2-4 vaccines a cycle, with 10 cycles. Vaccine schedule was determined by the magnitude of the disease, along with the rate of antibody production. These often came with significant side effects, usually a moderate case of whatever disease they were treating.

Lena was ill for the greater part of six months, body processing the likes of yellowfever, tuberculosis, shigella, and other international and regional viral and bacterial illnesses, both modern and ancient. Her vitals were monitored consistently in a strict quarantined environment.

There were a handful of moments where it did feel like the end, that she would succumb to the burning fever or near-constant exhaustion, but the doctors were well practiced in keeping her alive, at least until the next day. The Pilot left the Gardens approximately 9 months after arriving, labeled as 'one of the most vaccinated people in the world.'

And they worked, for the most part. The few infections she had resulted in recovery in a few weeks, while others from similar time periods succumbed to the illness. In one case, she was the only one left alive when a bout of the flu tore through a rural town she landed in for a few weeks.

Today, those antibodies are still around, still protecting her. Lena very rarely gets ill, but when she does, it can be pretty bad. Lain up in bed for days, ache in her bones, fever borderline deadly, unable to keep anything down or sleep or find much in the way of comfort. Jack and Angela are the only ones who know of this particular issue.

When it gets bad, Lena will often lock herself in her room for days, sweating through sheets and getting food delivered to her room by a medical team. They'll check her vitals, ensure she's not going to die, and give her whatever meds to make her comfortable as possible. It's usually passed in a week, two max, and Jack will typically make excuses for her enough that people don't ask questions.

[brainanalyse]

Brain Infection From Sinus Infection

Introduction

Sinus infections are a common ailment that many people experience at some point in their lives. While they are often seen as minor annoyances, it’s crucial to understand the potential complications that can arise if they are not properly treated. One of the most severe complications is the risk of developing a brain infection. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between sinus infections and brain infections, detailing the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods.

Understanding Sinus Infections

What is a Sinus Infection? A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, occurs when the tissue lining the sinuses becomes inflamed or swollen. This inflammation can block the sinuses and trap mucus, leading to pain and pressure in the sinus area.

Common Symptoms of Sinus Infections Nasal congestion Facial pain or pressure Runny or stuffy nose Headache Fever Fatigue Cough Causes of Sinus Infections Sinus infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Common triggers include colds, allergies, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum.

The Connection Between Sinus Infections and Brain Infections

How Sinus Infections Can Lead to Brain Infections Sinus infections can lead to brain infections when the infection spreads from the sinuses to the brain. This can occur through direct extension or through the bloodstream. The close proximity of the sinuses to the brain makes this a potential, though rare, complication.

Statistics and Case Studies While brain infections from sinus infections are rare, they are serious. Studies show that untreated or severe sinusitis can occasionally lead to life-threatening conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscesses.

Types of Brain Infections Linked to Sinus Infections

Meningitis Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Sinus infections, particularly bacterial ones, can sometimes lead to meningitis.

Encephalitis Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain itself. This condition can result from a viral infection that spreads from the sinuses.

Brain Abscess A brain abscess is a collection of pus that forms in the brain due to an infection. Sinus infections, especially chronic or untreated ones, can occasionally lead to the formation of a brain abscess.

Risk Factors for Developing Brain Infections from Sinus Infections

Weakened Immune System Individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections and their complications. Conditions like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or use of immunosuppressive drugs increase this risk.

Chronic Sinusitis Chronic sinusitis, where sinus infections persist or recur frequently, increases the risk of the infection spreading to the brain.

Anatomical Abnormalities Structural issues like a deviated septum or nasal polyps can obstruct normal sinus drainage, making infections more likely and potentially more severe.

Symptoms of Brain Infections

General Symptoms Severe headache Fever Nausea and vomiting Sensitivity to light Altered mental status Specific Symptoms for Different Types of Brain Infections Meningitis: Stiff neck, confusion, seizures Encephalitis: Altered consciousness, seizures, personality changes Brain Abscess: Localized neurological deficits, changes in behavior, speech difficulties Diagnosis of Brain Infections Medical History and Physical Examination A thorough medical history and physical exam are crucial for diagnosing brain infections. Doctors will assess symptoms and perform neurological exams.

Imaging Tests (MRI, CT Scan) Imaging tests like MRI or CT scans are used to visualize the brain and detect any abnormalities, such as abscesses or swelling.

Laboratory Tests Lab tests, including blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, help identify the cause of the infection and guide treatment.

Treatment Options for Brain Infections

Medical Treatments Antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals are administered based on the type of infection. Corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation.

Surgical Interventions In cases of brain abscess, surgical drainage may be necessary to remove the infected material.

Role of Hospitalization Hospitalization is often required for brain infections to provide intensive treatment and monitoring.

Preventing Sinus Infections Home Remedies and Natural Treatments Steam inhalation Saline nasal sprays Warm compresses Lifestyle Changes Stay hydrated Use a humidifier Avoid smoking Avoiding Triggers Manage allergies Avoid pollutants Practice good hygiene Preventing Brain Infections Early Treatment of Sinus Infections Prompt treatment of sinus infections reduces the risk of complications. Seek medical care if symptoms persist or worsen.

Regular Medical Check-ups Routine check-ups help detect and treat infections early, preventing their progression.

Strengthening the Immune System Eat a balanced diet Get regular exercise Adequate sleep When to See a Doctor Warning Signs Severe headache High fever Stiff neck Confusion or altered mental status Importance of Early Intervention Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for preventing serious complications and improving outcomes.

Living with a History of Brain Infections

Rehabilitation and Recovery Recovery may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to regain lost functions.

Long-term Health Considerations Regular follow-ups are important to monitor for any potential long-term effects and manage them appropriately.

The Role of Diet in Preventing Infections Foods to Eat Fresh fruits and vegetables Whole grains Lean proteins (plant-based sources) Foods to Avoid Processed foods Sugary snacks Excessive caffeine Importance of a Balanced Diet A balanced diet supports overall health and a strong immune system, reducing the risk of infections.

Conclusion Understanding the connection between sinus infections and brain infections is crucial for preventing serious health complications. By recognizing symptoms early and seeking prompt medical care, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing a brain infection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet further supports your immune system and overall well-being.

FAQs

Can a sinus infection really cause a brain infection? Yes, though rare, untreated or severe sinus infections can spread to the brain and cause infections like meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscesses.

What are the first signs of a brain infection? Early signs include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and altered mental status.

How are brain infections treated? Treatment typically involves antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals, and in some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Can brain infections be prevented? Yes, by treating sinus infections promptly, maintaining good hygiene, and keeping the immune system strong, you can reduce the risk of brain infections.

Is there a special diet to follow to prevent infections? A balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins (plant-based) supports immune health and helps prevent infections.

[rhysintherain]

As a follow-up to my rant about mRNA vaccines, there's a question I get a lot about acellular and mRNA type vaccines:

"If there's no virus in there, why did the COVID shot make me sick as a dog the next day??"

Because viruses generally aren't what makes you feel sick.

Your immune system is.

Few viral infections, on their own, give you a fever, joint aches, and a stuffy nose. If you had no immune system, a virus could kill you without producing most of the signs and symptoms we associate with viral illness.

Those things you have with a flu are the direct result of your immune system fighting back.

Lots of microorganisms are vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. Fever is your body trying to cook the germs.

Inflammation is a concentration of immune cells at a given location doing their job. Lots of them go to where the infection is, which makes tissues puffy and painful.

Cough, congestion, and nausea are your body trying to flush out attacking organisms by removing them from your airways and digestive system. If it can get rid of them before they get into your cells, that's half the battle.

Which means that you don't actually need to have an infectious illness to feel like you have a cold or flu.

Your immune system just needs to THINK you do.

Vaccines trick your body into fighting an intruder that isn't actually a threat, much like allergies do. Your immune system throws everything it's got at the vaccine material, and creates antibodies against future infections from the same attacker.

So when you actually get COVID, or measles, or seasonal influenza, it'll be ready.

That immune response that makes you feel like dirt the day after your COVID shot is actually a good sign, because it tells us your immune system bought the ruse and treated it like an actual disease.

Which means it's also planning ahead in case you catch that disease again someday.

Working at the vaccine clinic, I heard from a lot of people about how the COVID vaccine affected them, and what I heard was incredibly consistent: maybe swollen lymph nodes on the first vaccine, but otherwise nothing. On the 2nd, 3rd, and later doses, almost everyone felt sick enough to stay home/in bed within about 24 hours.

This is good news, because it means the mRNA vaccines are producing a very similar immune response in most of the people who get it, and it keeps producing a strong immune response after multiple doses.

Anyway, the moral of the story is we need to feel sick for many vaccines to work. Think of it like a building fire in a big city: a building catches fire, the fire department is called, and traffic slows to a crawl.

This isn't because the fire slowed down traffic; fires don't do that, but firetrucks rushing to put it out do.

The same thing happens if somebody's kid wants to know what'll happen if they pull the fire alarm: the firefighters rush to the scene, traffic slows down.

But in this case there's no actual fire; the fire department gets the signal for a fire and responds accordingly without the building actually being in danger.

Vaccines pull the fire alarm for your immune system to make sure the firefighters know how to do their thing when a fire actually starts. Your immune system responding like there's actually something wrong is what makes you feel sick the next day.

[puppyexpressions]

First-Year Puppy Vaccinations

When you bring that fuzzy ball of puppy energy into your home, you know right away that your new puppy depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to you to give your new puppy all the care they need every day. It can be a little intimidating — your puppy needs the best puppy food, plenty of attention, puppy training, puppy-safe toys, puppy socialization, a comfortable place to sleep, and proper veterinary care. And that includes making sure to schedule puppy shots throughout your puppy’s first year.

Which Shots Do Puppies Need?

Going to the vet over several months for a series of puppy vaccinations—and then for boosters or titers throughout your dog’s life—may seem inconvenient, but the diseases that vaccinations will shield our puppies and dogs from are dangerous, potentially deadly, and, thankfully, mostly preventable.

We read about so many different dog vaccinations, for so many different illnesses, that it can sometimes be confusing to know which vaccinations puppies need and which puppy shots are important but optional. Here is an overview of the diseases that puppy vaccinations will help your pet avoid.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica

This highly infectious bacterium causes severe fits of coughing, whooping, vomiting, and, in rare cases, seizures and death. It is the primary cause of kennel cough. There are injectable and nasal spray vaccines available.

If you plan on boarding your puppy in the future, attending group training classes, or using dog daycare services, often proof of this vaccination will usually be required.

Canine Distemper

A severe and contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous systems of dogs, raccoons, skunks, and other animals, distemper spreads through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) from an infected animal. The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls and equipment. It causes discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and, often, death. This disease used to be known as “hard pad” because it causes the footpad to thicken and harden.

There is no cure for distemper. Treatment consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections, control symptoms of vomiting, seizures and more. If the animal survives the symptoms, it is hoped that the dog’s immune system will have a chance to fight it off. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months.

Canine Hepatitis

Infectious canine hepatitis is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes of the affected dog. This disease of the liver is caused by a virus that is unrelated to the human form of hepatitis. Symptoms range from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to vomiting, jaundice, stomach enlargement, and pain around the liver. Many dogs can overcome the mild form of the disease, but the severe form can kill. There is no cure, but doctors can treat the symptoms.

Canine Parainfluenza

This is one of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough.

Coronavirus

The canine coronavirus is not the same virus that causes COVID-19 in people. COVID-19 is not thought to be a health threat to dogs, and there is no evidence it makes dogs sick. Canine coronavirus usually affects dogs’ gastrointestinal systems, though it can also cause respiratory infections. Signs include most GI symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors can keep a dog hydrated, warm, and comfortable, and help alleviate nausea, but no drug kills coronaviruses.

Heartworm

When your puppy is around 12-to-16 weeks, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm preventive medication. Though there is no vaccine for heartworm in dogs, it is preventable with regularly administered heartworm medication that your veterinarian will prescribe.

The name is descriptive — these worms lodge in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries (that send blood to the lungs), though they can travel through the rest of the body and sometimes invade the liver and kidneys. The worms can grow to 14 inches long and, if clumped together, block and injure organs.

A new heartworm infection often causes no symptoms, though dogs in later stages of the disease may cough, become lethargic, lose their appetite or have difficulty breathing. Infected dogs may tire after mild exercise. Unlike most of the conditions listed here, which are passed by urine, feces, and other body fluids, heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Therefore, diagnosis is made via a blood test and not a fecal exam.

Kennel Cough

Also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, kennel cough results from inflammation of the upper airways. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections, such as Bordetella and canine parainfluenza, and often involves multiple infections simultaneously. Usually, the disease is mild, causing bouts of harsh, dry coughing; sometimes it’s severe enough to spur retching and gagging, along with a loss of appetite. In rare cases, it can be deadly. It is easily spread between dogs kept close together, which is why it passes quickly through kennels. Antibiotics are usually not necessary, except in severe, chronic cases. Your vet may prescribe a dog-safe cough suppressant to help your dog (and you) get some rest, and some  dog-safe throat soothers can help make a dog more comfortable.

Leptospirosis

Unlike most diseases on this list, Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria, and some dogs may show no symptoms at all. Leptospirosis can be found worldwide in soil and water. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be spread from animals to people. When symptoms do appear, they can include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, severe weakness and lethargy, stiffness, jaundice, muscle pain, infertility, kidney failure (with or without liver failure). Antibiotics are effective, and the sooner they are given, the better.

Lyme Disease

Unlike the famous “bull’s-eye” rash that people exposed to Lyme disease often spot, no such telltale symptom occurs in dogs. Lyme disease (or borreliosis) is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete. Transmitted via ticks, an infected dog often starts limping, his lymph nodes swell, his temperature rises, and he stops eating. The disease can affect his heart, kidney, and joints, among other things, or lead to neurological disorders if left untreated. If diagnosed quickly, a course of antibiotics is extremely helpful, though relapses can occur months or even years later.

Talk to your vet about when your puppy will be old enough for tick preventatives. Once your puppy is old enough, keep your dog on tick preventative medication, topicals, or wearables to help stop ticks from biting in the first place.

Parvovirus

Parvo is a highly contagious virus that affects all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies less than four months of age are at the most risk to contract it. The virus attacks the gastrointestinal system and creates a loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and often severe, bloody diarrhea. Extreme dehydration can come on rapidly and kill a dog within 48-to-72 hours, so prompt veterinary attention is crucial. There is no cure, so keeping the dog hydrated and controlling the secondary symptoms can keep him going until his immune system beats the illness.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that invades the central nervous system, causing headache, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, paralysis, and death. It is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Treatment within hours of infection is essential, otherwise, death is highly likely. Most states require regular rabies vaccinations. Check with your vet about rabies vaccination laws and requirements in your area.

Talk with your veterinarian about more information and guidance on necessary and optional vaccinations.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

The first thing to know is that there is not just one puppy vaccination schedule for all dogs. Factors such as which part of the country you live in, and your dog’s individual risk factors will come into play. Some dogs do not need every vaccine. This decision is between you and your veterinarian. Always discuss puppy vaccinations at your regularly scheduled appointments.

That said, here is a generally accepted guideline of the puppy vaccination schedule for the first year.

How Much Do Puppy Vaccinations Cost?

How much puppy vaccinations will cost depends on several factors. Where you live is a big one: Veterinarians in crowded and expensive urban areas will generally charge more than a rural vet in a small town. You may be able to find low-cost clinics providing rabies vaccinations sponsored by your local municipal government. But no matter what the range in costs, some vaccines, such as the “core vaccines” and rabies, are necessary.

The average cost can average around $75—100. These will include the core vaccines, which are administered in a series of three: at 6-, 12-, and 16 weeks old.

The core vaccines include the DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza). Your pup will also need a rabies vaccination, which is usually around $15—20. (Some clinics include the cost of the rabies vaccination.)

Often animal shelters charge less for vaccines — approximately $20 — or are even free. If you acquired your dog from a shelter, he would most likely have been vaccinated, up until the age when you got him.

The initial puppy vaccination costs during the first year are higher than during adulthood.

Vaccinations for Adult Dogs: Boosters and Titers

There is a difference of opinion about having your adult dog vaccinated every year. Some vets believe too many vaccinations in adult dogs pose health risks. But others disagree, saying that yearly vaccinations will prevent dangerous diseases such as distemper. Talk with your vet to determine what kind of vaccination protocol works for you and your dog.

Many dog owners opt for titer tests before they administer annual vaccinations. Titer tests measure a dog’s immunity levels, and this can determine which, if any, vaccinations are necessary. One key exception to this is rabies: a titer test is not an option when it comes to the rabies vaccine. This vaccination is required by law across the United States. Your vet can tell you the schedule for your particular state, with boosters often lasting three years.

And it’s all worth it. For your effort and care your puppy will lavish you with lifelong love in return. This critical first year of her life is a fun and exciting time for both of you. As she grows physically, the wonderful bond between you will grow, too.