Tag

Infection Control

All articles tagged with #infection control

health4 days ago•4 min saved

Philadelphia dental clinic closure prompts HIV and hepatitis testing for patients

Philadelphia health officials urge patients of Smiles at Rittenhouse Square to get tested for HIV and hepatitis after investigators found unsanitary practices; the clinic is closed and the dentist's license suspended; potential exposure window is April 2025 through May 2026; no linked cases identified yet, but risk is considered low but real; officials expect hundreds of patients may be affected and have set up a helpline at 215-685-5488; hepatitis B vaccination offers protection if exposed, while there are no vaccines for HIV or hepatitis C; testing may require multiple blood draws depending on timing.

via ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|

#dental-clinic #health #hepatitis-b

local6 days ago•2 min saved

Philly dental clinic shut over unsanitary conditions; patients urged to test for HIV and hepatitis

Philadelphia health officials suspended the Smiles at Rittenhouse Square license and closed the clinic after unsanitary conditions were found. Former patients who visited from April 2025 through May 2026 will be notified by mail to seek testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C; a hotline (215-685-5488) is available for questions. No infections have been confirmed, and the clinic will not reopen until infection-control remediation is completed and the dentist’s license is reinstated. A separate investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of State is underway, and Dr. Kirti Chopra is cooperating with authorities.

via CBS News|

#hepatitis-b #hepatitis-c #hiv

health18 days ago•14 min saved

Ant Infestation Forces Temporary Surgery Pause at Manitoba Hospital

Carman Memorial Hospital in southern Manitoba suspended elective surgeries after red ants were seen crawling under doors and hallways, with officials saying even a single ant could compromise sterile conditions. Exterminators were brought in to treat the infestation—cleaning drains, sealing cracks, and placing bait traps—while officials noted many procedures remained unaffected and the risk to patients was considered low.

via The Daily Beast|

#ant-infestation #health #hospital

science26 days ago•35 min saved

Graphene Toothbrush Mystery Solved: How Graphene Oxide Kills Bacteria Without Harming Humans

Scientists reveal that graphene oxide in graphene toothbrushes targets a bacterial membrane molecule called POPG, explaining how these brushes kill bacteria while largely sparing human cells. Increasing oxygen-containing groups on graphene oxide enhances binding and antibacterial effect (around 96–99% growth suppression), while removing oxygen or adding nitrogen weakens it, highlighting surface chemistry over sheet size. Microscopy shows membrane damage and cell rupture; the approach also suppresses drug-resistant strains and aided faster wound healing in animal models, with potential uses in medical textiles and protective fabrics. Safety data come from cell and animal studies, but human trials and design optimization remain needed. More than 10 million graphene toothbrushes have already been sold, underscoring the push toward evidence-based antibacterial products.

via Earth.com|

#antibacterial #graphene #graphene-oxide

health27 days ago•3 min saved

Leicester GP banned for bogus cancer cures using garlic oil and vitamin C

Leicester-based doctor Mohsen Ali was struck off after running an unregistered clinic and charging two cancer patients up to £15,000 for unproven treatments described as cancer cures with vitamin C, garlic oil and ozone therapy; the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found he claimed a 90% cure rate, used a dirty, shared residence for treatment with reused IV bags and failed to obtain informed consent, despite denying the allegations, and one patient died after stopping treatment.

via BBC|

#cancer-cure-claims #garlic-oil #gmc

science-tech1 month ago•10 min saved

Flexible nanopillar film ruptures viruses on contact

Researchers at RMIT developed a lightweight, flexible acrylic film with thousands of nanoscale pillars that mechanically rupture viral envelopes on contact, inspired by insect wing textures. Lab tests with human parainfluenza virus type 3 showed up to 94% of virus particles were destroyed within an hour. Pillar spacing (around 60 nanometers) mattered more than pillar height, and the scalable molding process could enable antiviral coatings for phones, hospital equipment, and public transit—providing a chemical-free alternative to disinfectants, though real-world durability remains to be tested.

via The Conversation|

#antiviral-surfaces #infection-control #materials-science

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Undercover findings: Taunsa hospital still risking children's health after HIV outbreak

A BBC undercover investigation found ongoing serious malpractices in the children’s ward of Taunsa Tehsil Headquarters Hospital months after it was linked to a HIV outbreak, including reuse of contaminated syringes, unqualified volunteers, and poor infection control. Despite government pledges of action, HIV infections among Taunsa children continued into late 2025 (over 300 infections and nine deaths reported), with officials describing a joint screening and treatment response, though some parties dispute responsibility.

via Dawn|

#bbc-investigation #health #hiv-outbreak

health2 months ago•2 min saved

Tennessee grapples with surge of drug-resistant Candida auris tied to hospital care

Tennessee is seeing a rise in Candida auris with eight active screening cases and forty clinical cases this year. The drug-resistant fungus primarily affects seriously ill patients in hospitals or post-hospital settings, and some infections are linked to international hospital stays. Health officials are monitoring the situation and providing infection-control guidance, with emphasis on frequent hand-washing to curb spread as authorities work to contain the surge.

via WTVC|

#candida-auris #health #hospitals

health3 months ago•1 min saved

Legionella positive in Atlanta VA patient prompts cleaning and monitoring

An immunocompromised patient at the Atlanta VA Health Care System died after testing positive for Legionella. The facility sampled the patient’s room and a nearby ice machine; routine water-system testing on the seventh floor had been negative for two years. Other patients were relocated, the area disinfected, and investigators consulted federal health agencies. There are no active Legionella cases reported at the facility.

via WSB-TV|

#health #infection-control #legionella

health3 months ago•3 min saved

Hidden Germs: Laundry Could Help Norovirus Spread at Home

California is seeing rising norovirus activity, with a newly detected subvariant (GII.17) possibly fueling the trend. The virus spreads via the fecal-oral route and can be transmitted through damp laundry in the home. Health experts urge separating the clothes of the sick, washing germy loads with bleach, drying on high heat until completely dry, sanitizing hampers, and washing hands after handling laundry to reduce household spread, noting underwear and children's clothing carry the most germs.

via abc7.com|

#gii17 #health #household-transmission

health4 months ago•1 min saved

Kansas hospitals tighten visitor rules amid respiratory illness surge in Salina and Abilene

Salina Regional Health Center and Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, have enacted temporary visitor guidelines due to a regional rise in influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, effective January 16 until further notice. Ill visitors or symptoms; children under 12 should not visit inpatients; those with compromised immune systems should visit only if absolutely necessary; masks are available; hand hygiene required; compassionate exceptions considered case-by-case to protect patients, staff and the community.

via Salina Post|

#covid-19 #health #infection-control

health4 months ago•4 min saved

Rising Threat of Drug-Resistant Superbug Fungus in U.S. Healthcare Facilities

Experts warn about Candida auris, a multi-drug resistant fungus detected in Connecticut, which poses a significant threat in healthcare settings due to its resistance to treatment, ability to spread rapidly, and difficulty in detection, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

via Hartford Courant|

#candida-auris #connecticut #health

health5 months ago•4 min saved

Scientists Warn of Growing Drug Resistance in Common Infections

The article warns that common fungal infections like thrush are increasingly resistant to antifungal drugs due to factors like misuse, environmental changes, and Candida's adaptability, making treatment more challenging and highlighting the importance of good hygiene and microbiome health to prevent resistant strains.

via ScienceAlert|

#antifungal-resistance #candida #health

health6 months ago•2 min saved

Florida Doctor's Office Patients Contract Hepatitis C

A Florida doctor, Lily J. Voepel, faces disciplinary action after her office was found to have unsafe practices that led to at least three patients contracting hepatitis C, resulting in a temporary license suspension, fines, and mandatory training to improve infection control.

via Gizmodo|

#florida #health #health-department

health8 months ago•4 min saved

New COVID Variant Sparks U.S. Case Surge with Unique Traits

The Stratus COVID-19 variant, a hybrid of Omicron strains, is currently the dominant and slightly more infectious variant in the U.S., causing a rise in cases with symptoms similar to previous variants. Vaccination, mask-wearing, and good hygiene remain key to protection, and current vaccines are expected to be effective against it.

via AOL.com|

#covid-19 #health #infection-control