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Month: July 2024

Under the Microscope: Ebola  

In 1976, researchers first identified a frightening virus that had emerged in the African nation then known as Zaire. The source of this fast-moving, destructive disease remains unknown, but Ebola is believed to have spread to humans from apes, monkeys and bats. There have been several Ebola outbreaks since 1976, primarily in African countries, though the disease has been found in animals originating from Asia as well.  

The most consequential outbreak became a worldwide epidemic: Beginning in Guinea in 2013, the disease spread to other West African countries and later Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, eventually killing more than 11,000 people over a period of two and a half years. 

What Is Ebola? 

Viewed through a microscope, Ebola looks somewhat like a worm that’s knotted and looped at one end. Like many diseases, it may not be easily recognized by its symptoms, since it shares early symptoms common in many other diseases, including those that indicate a far less serious condition. These symptoms may appear up to three weeks after exposure to the virus and include: 

  • Fever 
  • Sore throat 
  • Aches 
  • Fatigue 
  • Vomiting 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Unusual bruising 
  • Bleeding from multiple orifices

How Ebola Enters the Body 

Humans can contract the virus through contact with infected animal blood and tissue, often via hunting and eating carriers of the disease or being bitten by one of them. The infected individual may then expose others to the disease through their bodily fluids, which can enter the body through a wound, the mucous membranes of the face, or intimate contact. Even a person who has died from Ebola can remain contagious, so their bodies must be handled with care.  

What Ebola Does Once Inside the Body  

Ebola immediately attacks the immune system that was designed to fight it, leaving immune cells unresponsive, then rapidly replicates itself and spreads through the bloodstream. Other infected immune cells throughout the body cause clots that rob organs of essential blood. The virus does some of its most catastrophic damage by inhibiting plasma production, though other organs and systems are also impacted as the disease makes its way through the body.  

Many patients die from Ebola: up to 90%, with an average of 50%. Having quality medical care and a strong immune system can increase one’s odds of recovery. End-stage symptoms may include brain inflammation and organ failure. Medical experts believe that Ebola survivors may develop some immunity, as antibodies stay in their blood for up to a decade.  

Discover How Disease and Other Factors Affect Our Body Systems 

As you’ve seen, Ebola can wreak havoc throughout the body, impacting many organs and often resulting in death. The University of Florida is proud to offer two entirely online Master of Science programs that provide different perspectives on the body systems, their organs and factors that can affect them:  

Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology 

Acquire a comprehensive scientific understanding of key human body systems, delve into the effects of drugs on living organisms at cellular and molecular tiers, and explore both normal and abnormal conditions in human body systems. Finish this 30-credit degree program in as little as two semesters. 

Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Medical Physiology and Aging 

Develop a more expansive and profound understanding of the biological processes associated with aging. Finish this 30-credit degree program in as little as one year. 

Students who have completed a science-oriented bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution and meet the other requirements are invited to apply to these master’s degree programs! Both empower you to: 

A Path to Higher Earnings 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median earnings of those who hold a master’s degree are about 16% higher than those whose highest education credential is a bachelor’s degree. BLS data also shows that graduate degree holders are more likely to remain employed. Our medical physiology master’s degrees can be your path to higher earnings and greater job security! 

A Flexible, High-Quality Learning Experience 

We offer our master’s degree and graduate certificate programs through an asynchronous online format that enables you to complete coursework at your own pace from just about anywhere in the world. This flexibility makes it possible for you to earn one or more graduate credentials without taking time away from your daily professional and personal commitments. What’s more, our programs are as comprehensive as they are convenient and feature a robust curriculum taught by the same acclaimed faculty who teach our medical physiology programs on campus. 

Bring the benefits of a master’s degree in medical physiology to your career! 

 

Sources:
https://time.com/3502740/ebola-virus-1976/
https://www.itg.be/en/health-stories/impact-stories/the-discovery-of-and-research-on-the-ebola-virus

Exploring the Immune System Line of Defense: 3 Key Strategies

There’s nothing worse than feeling a tinge of discomfort in your throat alerting you that something’s not quite right. When it’s accompanied by a sudden bout of sneezes or a slight fever, you know that it’s time to accept the inevitable: A pathogen has staked its claim in your body, and you’re officially getting sick. 

Long before you feel that first tickle, however, your immune system is already hard at work fighting the good fight against the pathogens causing those symptoms. 

The immune system has multiple lines of defense designed to help you maintain a clean bill of health, but it’s not an exact science. Occasional illnesses are a part of life, even with a healthy immune system. 

Today, we’re dissecting the three strategies the immune system has in place to keep unwanted illnesses at bay. 

What Is the Immune System? 

When you think of your immune system, what do you see? A tiny but mighty army defending its fortress (a.k.a. you)? You’re not wrong! The immune system is our body’s first wall of defense when we encounter antigens and pathogens attempting to nonchalantly sneak past those defenses. 

The immune system is composed of specialized cells that work to identify and eliminate invaders. Like an army, our immune systems use multiple layers of defense to keep those pathogens at bay. 

The Immune System’s Three Lines of Defense 

What are the three lines of defense in the immune system? And are they akin to defensive tiers in football, where the first line of defense represents the biggest and best and the second and third lines act as backup?  

Not quite. 

While each line of defense plays a vital role in the immune system’s function, one isn’t inherently more important than the others. Although certain defenses may be more effective against specific pathogens in specific situations, they all collaborate to shield your body from harmful invaders to ensure your well-being. 

Below, we break down your immune system’s three primary lines of defense, exploring what makes each one unique and how they work to effectively keep your body safe against pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. 

#1 Physical Barriers 

When a pathogen tries to enter your body, the first line of defense it’s up against is our external physical barriers, such as our skin, sweat, saliva and tears. These barriers offer a basic yet effective barrier of protection against unwanted microorganisms. 

Other physical barriers include:  

  • Mucous membranes 
    These slimy membranes line our nose, throat, intestines and reproductive tract and trap microbes we come into contact with as we breathe and eat. 
  • Nasal hairs 
    The hairs inside your nasal cavity have more responsibilities than causing the occasional sneeze. They also trap pathogens and environmental pollutants, such as pollen and dust (hence the sneezing). 
  • Acidic fluids 
    Urine, gastric juices and vaginal secretions create low pH conditions, which aren’t hospitable for pathogens and often destroy them. 

#2 Innate Immune System 

When pathogens bypass the physical barriers, they come across our bodies’ second line of defense: the innate immune system. Rather than targeting particular pathogens, this defense provides an immediate response to any pathogens it detects. Using phagocytes, a broad type of white blood cell, the innate immune system engulfs, digests and eliminates pathogens as they wander through your body. 

#3 Adaptive Immune System 

While slower acting than the innate immune system, the final line of defense—the adaptive immune system— often defends your body with more precision. It works by using memory cells that target germs you’ve encountered previously, thus providing a quick response upon being re-exposed. 

The adaptive immune system is why we usually get certain illnesses, like chicken pox, just once in our lives. After fighting off the virus, our bodies build a natural immunity to it, recognizing it the next time our bodies come into contact with it and destroying it on site. 

The adaptive immune response begins with dendritic cells, which capture and present fragments of the pathogen to helper T cells in nearby lymph nodes. The helper T cells send signals to other immune cells known as B cells, telling them to produce the antibodies that will target the invading pathogen. This creates memory cells that can recognize and neutralize the threat if you’re re-exposed to it. 

The University of Florida: Your Pathway to Success 

While each line of defense may be referred to as first, second and third, they all play crucial roles in maintaining our body’s health against COVID-19, the flu, the common cold and other viruses. 

Understanding the importance of these defenses can inspire individuals to pursue careers in immunology and related fields. If you’re interested in developing vaccines or becoming involved in cutting-edge medical research, the University of Florida offers several online graduate programs tailored to help you achieve your professional goals: 

All of our programs offer online students the following advantages: 

  • Asynchronous classes that allow you to complete your coursework on your schedule 
  • Year-round start dates 
  • No GRE requirements 
  • Affordable tuition costs 
  • A renowned education from U.S. News’ top 10 public universities in the nation

Discover the program that aligns with your passions, and start your application today! 

 

Sources:
https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-the-Three-Lines-of-Defense.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/ 

 

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