Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that attacks the lining around the lungs (the pleura) and certain other organs such as the peritoneum. There is no cure. Radical surgery is available to a limited number of patients. Alimta is the only licensed form of chemotherapy but funding is not available for the drug in all parts of the country. The condition can be difficult to diagnose and survival is usually less than 18 months from the time of diagnosis.

Although mesothelioma is an occupational disease, victims also include teachers, nurses, doctors, shop workers and family members of people who have worked with asbestos. What will you do when Mesothelioma strikes?

The best option is for you to look up the mesothelioma laws in your country. While browsing the net we come across many a mesothelioma law firm. One such site firm is the Maunie Raichle Law firm which boasts of a very good reputation in getting proper compensation for your ill health. Do visit this site if you have this unfortunate condition.

World Health Organization (WHO) clinical definition of AIDS in Africa

AIDS in an adult is defined as the presence of at least 2 major criteria and at least 1 minor criterion (in the absence of any other cause of immunosuppression such as cancer, cytostatic therapy, prolonged steroid therapy or malnutrition). These criteria of course do not have 100% sensitivity and they are not 100% specific. They are only intended as guidelines. This definition should not be used by clinicians to declare the diagnosis without the result of a HIV-test. New definitions have been proposed since HIV-tests have become more available.

Major	Weight loss > 10 % of earlier weight
	Chronic diarrhoea > 1 month
	Prolonged high temperature > 1 month (constant or intermittent)
Minor	Generalised pruritic papulous cutaneous rash
	Generalised lymph node swelling
	Persistent cough > 1 month (when no TB)
	Chronic Candida infection in mouth/throat
	Recurrent Herpes zoster
	Chronic progressive and generalised Herpes simplex infection, resulting in painful genital ulcerations, not responding to antibiotics
Other	The presence of disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma or cryptococcal meningitis is in itself sufficient for AIDS diagnosis.

CDC surveillance Case Definition for AIDS

In the diagnosis of the following diseases AIDS is assumed, even if the HIV status is not known. This concerns patients without other underlying immunodeficiencies.

• Candidiasis of oesophagus, trachea, bronchi or lungs

• Extrapulmonary cryptococcosis

• Chronic cryptosporidiosis (> 1 month)

• CMV infection of any organ, except liver, spleen or lymph nodes, when this has been present > 1 month.

• Herpes simplex infection with chronic (> 1 month) affection of mucocutaneous membranes, lungs or oesophagus.

• Kaposi's sarcoma in persons under 60 years old.

• Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in persons under 60 years old.

• Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) and/or pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia in children <>

• Disseminated Mycobacterium avium or M. kansasii

• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (JC virus)

• Toxoplasmosis of the brain in persons over one month old.