Morbidity Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Morbidity and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Pharmacogenetics Adverse drug reactions are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Drug metabolism is a process whereby drugs are delivered to the body, distributed, metabolized and then ultimately excreted. As there can be potentially significant differences between patient drug absorption, metabolism and excretion, molecular testing allows a physician to work with a patient's individual phenotype and/or genotype to deliver an optimum pharmaceutical selection and/or dosage. | View Page |
| Introduction Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a disorder of iron regulation that results in excessive dietary iron absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. Over time, the resultant iron overload and its deposition in tissue may lead to widespread organ damage, a variety of chronic disorders, and even death. Although it is a genetic disorder, clinical symptoms most typically become apparent in middle aged adults. Iron overload occurs in a variety of hereditary and acquired forms, known as iron storage diseases. HH is the most common cause of inherited iron overload. (1) Due to lack of awareness, HH often goes undetected or unrecognized by health care providers. Early detection to prevent the serious complications associated with iron overload has important consequences for reducing morbidity and mortality. Laboratory tests that assess iron levels and molecular assays for genetic mutatations are essential for both its detection and diagnosis. | View Page |
| The federal government has categorized critical biological agents into three groups: A, B, and C. Those agents in category A are highest-priority because they: | View Page |
| Category B Agents in Category B are considered the second highest priority agents and are included in this group because they: Are moderately easy to disseminate Cause moderate morbidity and low mortality Require specific enhancements of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) diagnostic capacity and enhanced disease surveillance | View Page |
| Category C Agents in the third highest priority, Category C, include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination at some future date because of: Availability Ease of production and dissemination Potential for high morbidity and mortality and major health impact | View Page |
| Disadvantages of using Biological Agents They are not immediate. The delayed effect, for example, the long incubation period for some agents, may detract and limit their tactful usefulness as a political statement.They are hazardous to all who come in contact.There is the possibility that the biological agents could also affect the health of the aggressor forces. They are hard to control.The dependence of prevailing winds and other weather conditions such as temperature, sunlight, and desiccation may make it difficult to control distribution of the biological agent. Potential long term effects beyond the initial attack.The persistence of some agents such as spore-forming anthrax in the environment may make an area uninhabitable to aggressor forces for long periods. Results are unpredictable.Morbidity secondary to a biological attack is unpredictable since casualties will be related to the quantity and manner of exposure plus the preventive and treatment measures available. | View Page |