The BIOFIRE System and Your Immune System

The BIOFIRE System provides syndromic infectious disease testing, empowering healthcare professionals to select the most appropriate test, the first time. Patients benefit from faster diagnosis and a more specific treatment. Clinicians benefit from improved stewardship of antibiotics. Labs save money and increase efficiency.

The BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia plus panel (PN panel) tests native sputum, endotracheal aspirate, and bronchoalveolar specimens (including mini-BAL) for 33 pathogens that are clinically relevant and antimicrobial resistance genes, with semiquantitative results within an hour.

Respiratory

The burning of biomass, such as wood, plants and other organic materials, produces gaseous pollution and fine particles that negatively affect the respiratory system. Climate change could increase the negative impacts of forest fires on the health of humans.

In the United States, wildfire smoke has been linked to hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses, including asthma, COPD and lung cancer. This kind of pollution to the air also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is a major cause of the burden of disease in the most vulnerable populations.

Wildfires caused unhealthy levels of air pollutants in numerous communities during the COVID-19 epidemic. However, the public health response to this environmental issue has been sporadic and mostly focused on educating people regarding symptom management. This knowledge gap is alarming given the evidence of potential health risks resulting from the continual exposure to smoke and other causes of poor air quality.

Researchers are now evaluating the best ways to safeguard the public's health in future events of this kind. NIH is funding research on this important public health issue through the BLUE CORAL study as well as its successor FIRE CORAL.

For the first time that a prospective study is conducted, it will assess the long-term effects of exposure to smoke from wildfires or other sources. FIRE CORAL enrolls adults who are hospitalized for COVID-19 index episodes and hanging bioethanol fuel fireplace Fireplace (talking to) who speak English or Spanish however, they are not pregnant. The indoor bio ethanol fire place ethanol fireplace insert fire (mouse click for source) CORAL protocol includes a battery of tests conducted in-person, objectively measuring lung function tests and pulmonary imaging, as well as functional assessments.

The lungs are the most sensitive to the effects of smoke and other particles because they can trigger or worsen chronic respiratory illnesses such as emphysema, asthma and COPD, and increase the risk of contracting pneumonia. A variety of steps can be taken to prevent or reduce the adverse health effects resulting from exposures to smoke, which includes avoidance of outdoor activities whenever feasible and wearing the EPA's "N95" mask that is designed to capture fine particles.

Smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to the eyes and throat, and lead to a runny nose. To help reduce symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and take medications that reduce inflammation, such as corticosteroids.

Bloodstream

Your bloodstream is on the front lines of fighting germs that invade your body. Dendritic cells are special cells, function as the call center for your fire department. They collect antigens from bacteria and release proteins to signal other white cells to fight. The total number of white blood cells, differentials and band cells increased after firefighters' firefighting tasks in comparison to levels after intense exercise without firefighting.

Skin

Dermatologists were concerned that the smoke and ash that resulted from the California wildfires could have negative effects on the skin of those exposed to these substances. Maria Wei is a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine. She investigates how the extreme pollution from wildfires affects the skin. Her research was published in Scientific Reports on April 22.

Wei's research has shown that the temperature of the skin changes based on how long the body is exposed to flames. It can take up to two hours for the skin of a person to reach its "flash point"--the place where it begins to burn and then turns ashy. This is why it's crucial to not stay near an open flame or campfire and why you must wear protective clothing when you are outdoors in the midst of a forest fire or even an extremely hot day.

Forest fires will continue occur, despite the steps taken to prevent wildfire pollution. Wei predicts that as the climate changes cause forests to burn more, the number of people who suffer from wildfires will grow. This means that more people will have to wear hats and long sleeves and thick moisturizers.

It's also worth noting that atopic dermis (itchy skin) that many people suffer from is often exacerbated by the air pollution from wildfires. The particles in smoke can clog pores, making atopic skin worse.

Another issue is that atopic dermatitis can make people more sensitive to UV light, which may be aggravated by smoke from wildfires. This can result in people seeking out tanning salons and apply a tan with less protection.

A fire and ice treatment can help reduce atopic skin symptoms of dermatitis, but it is not recommended for those with an open wound or rash. This treatment is not recommended for those who have active acne, or if you're pregnant or nursing. The IS Clinical Fire & Ice Facial at Novuskin, Las Vegas' top membership MedSpa It's a highly effective result-driven facial that bridges the gap between a gentle facial and a peel, without needing any downtime. It's designed to smooth skin, reduce rosacea, decrease the appearance of acne scars and fine lines and stimulate cellular regeneration. This is a great treatment to give your skin a radiant glow.

Infections

The human body is a complicated system of organs and tissues that work together to guard us against infections. Infections can be caused by microorganisms, such as parasites, viruses, and bacteria that invade healthy cells, causing them to multiply uncontrollably. Your immune system can react by exhibiting symptoms of illness. These symptoms can include anything from a swollen or achy nose to stomach ache however, they may also include a fever high, swollen glands, and an rash. Your symptoms can be affected by the type of infection, its location, and even your temperature.

Infections can be spread in a variety of ways, but they are most often spread through droplets in the air that remain after sniffling or coughing. This is how bacterial infections like strep, tuberculosis and meningococcal disease, as well as viral infections such a common cold and influenza, are spread. Certain bacterial infections, such as skin infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) like gonorrhea or chlamydia are transmitted by contact with infected tissue or mucous membranes or by indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. Certain bacterial diseases are carried by bugs like ticks, mosquitoes or fleas and can be spread when these bugs bite you.

Viruses, parasites, and other microorganisms are tiny enough to enter your bloodstream and infect your cells. This can result in serious diseases like the common cold or AIDS. Fungi can cause a variety of skin ailments, like ringworm and athlete's foot, while some are a threat to the lungs and nervous system, like the rabies virus.

The BioFire Panel utilizes our unique FilmArray technology to analyze the bronchoalveolar and sputum samples to determine a comprehensive list of pathogens involved in upper respiratory infection. The kit comes with the reagent pouch which stores all the necessary chemistry to perform reverse transcription PCR, nested multiplex analysis and detection with a single device. This is a simple method that helps clinicians identify and treat patients who have several respiratory symptoms. The test has been granted an Emergency Use Authorization. It is available in bioMerieux CLIA medium and high-complex laboratories.