Infectious is a bi-weekly podcast about the diseases that maim, kill, and well... just give us a stuffy nose. Each episode explores the mysterious microbes, medical treatments, intriguing biology, historical tales, and the spectacular efforts underway to reduce these illnesses deathly grasp on humanity. Because sometimes the scariest things in life are right under our fingertips.
Ep 7 Scabies (Pt 3): Hildegard has got it going on
This episode we'll be wrapping up our three-part series on Scabies, an infectious skin mite that is spread through skin-to-skin contact. We'll learn the history of the scientific study of the mite, from the Bible to the writings of Saint Hildegard of Bingen (the most bad ass nun you've ever heard of). There'll be stories of secret identities and tales of why the deep belief that disease is caused by black bile pushed back the creation of an effective treatment for over 1000 years. Once the history wraps, we'll see how important microscopes, skin scraping, and ball point pens are to diagnosing the illness, learn all about how your head to toe application of sunscreen when you're kid has prepared you to be the best patient your doctor ever had, and finally round out the episode by discussing where the disease is today. So get ready for an episode packed to the brim with fun details and interesting stories.
Want to connect more?
Email: infectiouspodcast@gmail.com
Instagram and Twitter: @infectiouscast
Website: www.infectiouscast.com
7 Apr 2022
Ep 6 Scabies (Pt 2): It started with an itch
Have you been looking for a good reason to not hold strangers' hands anymore? Ever wondered how exactly a parasite can live in your skin for months without you even noticing? Have you ever asked yourself, "How does my skin react to pathogens?" Oh... do I have an episode for you and your inner hypochondriac. This week we'll be covering how the infectious skin disease known as scabies is spread, what the disease itself is like, and how your body valiantly fights against the mite in a tiny microscopic battle of the worlds. And people say science isn't fun.
Interested to connect more?
Website: www.infectiouscast.com
Instagram: @infectiouscast
Twitter: @infectiouscast
Email: infectiouspodcast@gmail.com
24 Mar 2022
Ep 5 Scabies (Pt 1) : One more reason to get that rash checked out
In this episode, we'll be covering the first part of a three-part series on our new favourite disease.... SCABIES! For our start to this harrowing journey, we'll be covering everything to do with Sarcoptes scabiei (var hominins), the itsy bitsy mite approximately the size of a grain of salt that causes uncontrollable itching in the bodies of those it afflicts. We're going to talk all about their family tree (Hint: they helps us make cheese AND dust); how they love to use our skin as their own personal metropolis; why exactly these tiny little guys can't live without us; oh, and why humans are to blame for mange in dogs (woof).
Throwing a special thanks to the wind for Larry G. Arlian, a professor out of Wright State University, who I SWEAR is the world expert on scabies and contributed to at least 50% of the articles I read.
Finally, want to find me to connect more or read some show notes?? Check out:
Twitter: @infectiouscast
Instagram: @infectiouscast
www.infectiouscast.com
12 Dec 2021
Ep 4 River Blindness/Onchocerciasis: One more reason to swat that fly on your sandwich
Ready to really feel your skin crawl? Then this month's episode on Onchocerca volvulus, a parasite that is able to infiltrate into the eye and skin to cause intense itching and blindness, might just be the one for you! We'll learn all about why this communicable disease earned the nickname "River Blindness", its mysterious linkage to seizures, the awesome powers of ivermectin (when it's actually used for diseases it can treat), and how exactly a donkey falling into a river has helped hundreds of thousands of people. Tune in to learn more about the epidemiology, biology, and history of this infectious disease!
Website: www.infectiouscast.com
Twitter: @infectiouscast
Instagram: @infectiouscast
29 Oct 2021
Ep 3 Campylobacteriosis: One more reason to hate Canadian Geese
This week we'll take a deeper look into Campylobacter, one of the most prolific bacteria you might have never heard of. We'll cover the myriad of ways that you can contract this little agent (obstacle courses anyone?), why cuddling your pet chicken might just be a one way trip to the toilet, and the chilling reality of a rare outcome of this foodborne illness that can immobilize its victims, Guillain-Barre syndrome. Tune in to learn more about the epidemiology, biology, and history of this intriguing disease!
12 May 2021
Ep 2 Syphilis: Mercury Saunas and Transatlantic Travel
This week we'll take a sexy journey through history following the evolution of Syphilis from its tenuous origins in the Americas to the havoc it has caused around the globe. Together, we'll learn more about how the bacteria managed to traverse the Atlantic Ocean in 1493, the weird and errr... creative? ways it was treated throughout history, and why you really need to get that little painless bump down there checked out as soon as possible! Tune in to hear it all!
5 Mar 2021
Ep 1 Kuru: One more reason why you shouldn‘t eat Grandma
In Episode 1 we're talking about Kuru, AKA "The Laughing Death", the first infectious spongiform encephalopathy (I dare you to say that 10 times fast) to be discovered and described among humans. We'll dive straight into the heart of the Kuru epidemic in Papua New Guinea, describe its mysterious and intriguing origins, and tell you everything you need to know about what a prion is and how they work!
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