Year: 2009
H1N1 and hand cleansers
The recent emergence of pandemic influenza caused by the H1N1 strain of influenza virus has prompted considerable public concern, and inspired many people to take steps to prevent their exposure to the virus. The use of hand sanitizers is not useful for the prevention of most influenza viruses (they are mostly transmitted through the air). […]
West Nile virus [WNV]
West Nile Virus (WNv) is a flavivirus that in infected humans causes head- and body aches, fever, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. More serious effects occur if the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier. This event leads to development of encephalomyelitis and possibly to death. Mosquitoes that feed on infected blood from birds may become […]
Potential sources of phthalate exposure in a Vancouver, BC birth cohort at three months of age
T Takaro, R Allen, R Rouseau, M Brauer, JA Scott, J Brook, S Turvey. Epidemiology 20 (6), S72 [Abstracts: ISEE 21st Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, August 25–29, 2009: Poster Presentations]. doi: 10.1097/01.ede.0000362924.70819.3f
Microbes in public washrooms
Flush before you sit? Paper the seat? Modern microbiology can shed light on these and other age-old advisories on the use and misuse of public washrooms. In an interview just released in Best Health Magazine, Dr. Scott provides answers to these long disputed questions. Click here to read the interview >
Hand sanitizers – do they really work?
Everywhere you turn of late, it seems you’re confronted with a bottle of hand sanitizer. Most sanitizers are alcohol-based, and destroy microorganisms by disrupting their cell membranes or protein coats. Although these materials have been available for some years, only recently have they enjoyed such widespread use and stirred so much discussion. U of T […]