MARBURG VIRUS

Marburg Virus is a haemorrhagic fever of African origin which causes high fever, bleeding and organ failure. Mortality after infection is said, by some, to be over 90%.

Marburg is extremely similar to its more famous cousin the Ebola Virus. In fact, both viruses are structurally identical. It is because they produce different antibodies that they are classified as seperate diseases.

The Marburg virus is named after Marburg Germany where the disease was first documented in 1967. The virus was traced back to lab monkeys.

The disease is indigenous to Africa where, it is believed, a natural reservoir of fruit bats stores the virus during times of dormancy.

There is no treatment for Marburg virus. No antivirals have been proved to slow its progress. Victims are treated with supportive medications and fluids.

This disease is passed via body fluids including blood, excrement, saliva and vomit.

Symptoms are flu-like at onset, but quickly proceed to rash, haemorrhaging, hypovolemic shock and multiple organ failure.

This is a very harsh sick.

So, this ailment rates a
10 on my "lethality scale" (1-10)
and a 10 on my "disturbing scale" (1-10)

FETIFORM TERATOMA

A Fetiform Teratoma is a tumor with tissue and organ components resembling those of a fetus; including limbs and organ systems.

Teratomas are part of a group of tumors called nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). All tumors of this class are caused by abnormal growth of germ cells and embryonal cells.

Teratomas of embryonal origin are hereditary; teratomas of germ cell origin are not necessarily congenital. The kind of cell from which the tumor develops does not have any affect on the tumor, except for determining the location of the tumor in the body.

Fetiform Teratomas are not necessarily malignant and can often be removed with excellent results.

So, this ailment rates a 3 on my "lethality scale" (1-10)

and a 10 on my "disturbing scale" (1-10)