What is ME – Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a little-understood, female-biased [1] illness. It is estimated that up to 90% of people with the condition go diagnosed [2] and about 25% of sufferers are severely ill [3]. In recognition of the profound physical and psychological impact this disease has on its victims, August 8th has been designated as a Severe ME Awareness Day.
What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)?
The disease is best known for a state of extreme and unremitting fatigue. A range of additional symptoms may suggest the presence of an infectious disease: myalgia, nausea, cogniti...
Source: GIDEON blog - August 8, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Identify News Source Type: blogs
Vaccines save lives
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) and this year vaccines and immunology are probably on many more people’s minds than usual – for obvious reasons. While medical professionals and researchers work tirelessly on developing and testing a COVID-19 vaccine (amongst others), let’s briefly remind ourselves how far we have come in such a brief segment of human history.
224 years, 40 vaccines
The first vaccine, developed in 1796 for smallpox, was not put into mass production until many years later – but was a monumental breakthrough in Medicine. It took almost another 100 years before the next vaccines ...
Source: GIDEON blog - August 6, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Source Type: blogs
Coronavirus effect on other diseases
The effect of coronavirus on the economy and our daily lives has been huge. COVID-19 has rightly dominated government and organization policies, social life, and media headlines so far this year – but are other diseases getting the right attention?
Neglected diseases
The World Health Organization maintains a department dedicated to the research and treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases. These conditions are considered “neglected” by mainstream Medicine by virtue of a relative lack of impact and presence in Western countries.
In January 2020, GIDEON listed 360 generic infectious diseases in humans – of wh...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 23, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Source Type: blogs
National Picnic Month and how to enjoy it amid COVID-19
Did you know July is National Picnic Month? It was a pleasant surprise for us too!
Summer picnics are a fantastic way to spend time with the family, enjoying beautiful parks and weather – but as we all know this year is different. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still very a much threat to much of the country, but don’t you worry, we’ve put together our top 5 helpful tips for staying safe while still making the most of your local recreational spaces. So before you pack that hamper, take a few minutes to learn how you can stay safe and be prepared.
1. Keep it outside
This might seem an odd piece of advice for a picnic, b...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 17, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Tips Source Type: blogs
How to safely visit loved ones during COVID-19
Since COVID-19 arrived, there has been a constant stream of concern and curiosity about how to safely visit loved ones during the pandemic. Can I give them a hug? Should we enjoy a meal together? Are my elderly grandparents off-limits?
GIDEON Founder, Dr. Stephen Berger, shares with Livestrong what to consider before planning an in-person visit with family and friends.
First, it is important to acknowledge that keeping yourself safe is just as important as keeping those whom you are visiting safe.
Secondly, realize that not everyone has obvious symptoms who may be carrying the virus. “It is possible to be an ...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 16, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Tips Source Type: blogs
Insurance risk solution powered by gideon data
Read the full case study here
INCREASING EPIDEMIC FREQUENCY
There’s mounting evidence that the rates of infectious disease outbreaks have been increasing in frequency over the past few years. Perhaps even in the past two decades.
From the period of the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 to the HIV/AIDS epidemic around 1981, there were only six pandemics on record. Approximately one per decade.
However, since the SARS outbreak of 2002, there has been an increased frequency of outbreaks.
The records show that SARS was quickly followed by several recurring and new outbreaks. AVIAN flu, MARBURG virus, SWINE flu, MERS, and E...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 9, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Case studies News Reviews Source Type: blogs
Independence Day: 5 tips to stay healthy and safe
Independence Day is a time for celebration, family reunions, good food, good drink and momentarily escaping the everyday. The 4th of July has been one of the biggest national holidays since 1776 and draws millions across the country to gatherings for fairs, fireworks, and fun. The significant difference this year is the lingering threat of the coronavirus. How can you and your family still enjoy the day and limit the risk of bringing home more than just fond memories?
Here are our top 5 tips for staying safe this Independence Day:
1. Don’t get locked up
While we highly recommend keeping your enjoyment legal, in this case...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 3, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Tips Source Type: blogs
Diagnosis tool of choice for 27 years
GIDEON is ideally suited to assist infectious diseases specialists
Read the full case study here
Medical Doctors have a serious enough job to do when caring for people’s health. But when their patients have recently been to other countries this may increase the complexity even more.
They must get information on the current state of infectious diseases in the country where the patient has been. With over 200 countries worldwide, doctors would have to be walking databases of infectious diseases.
SITUATIONS MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE TO DEAL WITH
For example, now the flight restrictions due to COVID are being eased, it is ...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 1, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Case studies News Reviews Source Type: blogs
Diagnosis tool of choice for 30 years
GIDEON is ideally suited to assist infectious diseases specialists
Read the full case study here
Medical Doctors have a serious enough job to do when caring for people’s health. But when their patients have recently been to other countries this may increase the complexity even more.
They must get information on the current state of infectious diseases in the country where the patient has been. With over 200 countries worldwide, doctors would have to be walking databases of infectious diseases.
SITUATIONS MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE TO DEAL WITH
For example, now the flight restrictions due to COVID are being eased, it is ...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 1, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Case studies News Reviews Source Type: blogs
Md prefers gideon to the library
GIDEON is ideally suited to assist infectious diseases specialists
Read the full case study here
Medical Doctors have a serious enough job to do when caring for people’s health. But when their patients have recently been to other countries this may increase the complexity even more.
They must get information on the current state of infectious diseases in the country where the patient has been. With over 200 countries worldwide, doctors would have to be walking databases of infectious diseases.
SITUATIONS MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE TO DEAL WITH
For example, now the flight restrictions due to COVID are being eased, it is ...
Source: GIDEON blog - July 1, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Case studies News Reviews Source Type: blogs
Predicting the future with GIDEON data
“Study the past if you would define the future.” – Confucius
If you want to study the past then GIDEON is a great place to do so. The question is, what would you do with over 750,000 data points, dating back to the 17th Century?
A team of researchers answered in a recent interview.
Tad Dallas, Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University
Colin J. Carlson, Assistant Research Professor at Georgetown University
Timothée Poisot, Assistant Professor at Université de Montréal
Idea
“The three of us have talked a lot about why predictions and ecology work or don’t work. We all share a lot of fr...
Source: GIDEON blog - June 18, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: Case studies News Reviews Source Type: blogs
Catching COVID-19 In A Crowd (Even If You ’re Outside)
Recent waves of crowd protests throughout the country in the wake of George Floyd’s death have set off alarming new concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
Even though it is thought to be safer outside where the virus may be less contagious, those who are not practicing social distancing and congregating in close crowds could be putting themselves and others at risk.
GIDEON Founder, Dr. Stephen Berger, recently explained in both Healthline and YahooFinance how easily COVID-19 could be transmitted in a crowd.
“The center of a large crowd is no different than a sealed off, an unventilated room filled with poten...
Source: GIDEON blog - June 15, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Source Type: blogs
Dr. Berger On Face Shields: Are They Functional or Just Fashionable?
Plastic face shields, or now “COVID visors,” are one piece of PPE still questionable as to how effective and necessary they are at protecting against the virus.
Unlike fabric face masks which are recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in many situations and settings, there are no official guidelines or suggestions for wearing face shields.
This begs the question: are face shields merely just in fashion at the moment – with many style influencers on social media sporting them — or are they actually functional?
GIDEON Founder, Dr. Stephen Berger, answers questions about face ...
Source: GIDEON blog - June 8, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Source Type: blogs
Dining Out Amid COVID-19: Dr. Berger speaks with Healthline
Missing dining out in your favorite restaurant? As businesses have begun to reopen, many are wondering if it is safe to eat out again.
GIDEON Founder and infectious disease and microbiology specialist, Dr. Stephen Berger, recently answered questions about safe dining amid COVID-19 for Healthline.
One of the most important things to take into consideration, Dr. Berger says, is whether a restaurant is set up for safe social distancing and keeping the designated six-foot separation between tables.
Also, he says, “before sitting down and asking for a menu, check to confirm that the restaurant staff is wearing masks and ...
Source: GIDEON blog - June 4, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Source Type: blogs
Do gloves protect you from COVID-19?
There have been many recommendations set forth over the past few months by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on wearing face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Gloves have also been suggested as a way of preventing the spread, there are no official recommendations on wearing them.
Because the virus is transmitted via respiratory droplets and not through the skin, the jury is still out on whether or not gloves are beneficial at all.
Our co-founder and infectious disease expert, Dr. Stephen Berger, recently commented on the efficacy of gloves for an article in InStyle magazine. He says “ther...
Source: GIDEON blog - June 1, 2020 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Kristina Symes Tags: News Press Source Type: blogs
