Vertically transmitted infection

A vertically transmitted infection is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or in rare cases, parasites transmitted directly from the mother to an embryo, fetus, or baby during pregnancy or childbirth. It can occur when the mother gets an infection as an intercurrent disease in pregnancy. Nutritional deficiencies may exacerbate the risks of perinatal infection.

Classification

The transmission can also be called mother-to-child transmission. A vertically transmitted infection can be called a perinatal infection if it is transmitted in the perinatal period, which is the period starting at a gestational age of 22 weeks to 28 (with regional variations in the definition) and ending seven completed days after birth.

The term congenital infection can be used if the vertically transmitted infection persists after childbirth.

Examples

Bacteria, viruses, and other organisms are able to be passed from mother to child. Several vertically transmitted infections are included in the TORCH complex, which stands for:

Torch

A torch is a stick with combustible material at one end, which is ignited and used as a light source. Torches have been used throughout history, and are still used in processions, symbolic and religious events, and in juggling entertainment. In some countries the word torch is used as the term for a 'battery operated portable light'.

Etymology

From the Old French "torche" meaning "twisted thing," hence "torch formed of twisted tow dipped in wax," probably from Vulgar Latin *torca, alteration of Late Latin torqua, variant of classical Latin torques "collar of twisted metal," from torquere "to twist".

Torch construction

Torch construction has varied through history depending the torch's purpose. Torches were usually constructed of a wooden stave with one end wrapped in a material which was soaked in a flammable substance. In ancient Rome some torches were made of sulfur mixed with lime. This meant that the fire would not diminish after being plunged into water. Modern procession torches are made from coarse hessian rolled into a tube and soaked in wax. There is usually a wooden handle and a cardboard collar to deflect any wax droplets. They are an easy, safe and relatively cheap way to hold a flame aloft in a parade, or to provide illumination in any after-dark celebration.

Torch (American rapper)

Kevin Christopher Belnavis (born July 12, 1982), better known by his stage name Torch, is an American rapper signed to Maybach Music Group as part of the group Triple C's. He grew up in the Castle Hill area of the Bronx before moving to Florida as a teen. While living in Miami, he met William Leonard Roberts II who would come to be better known as Rick Ross, a Miami rapper called Gunplay and rapper Young Breed; together, the four would go on to form the southern rap group Triple C's (aka Carol City Cartel).

Childhood

Torch was born Kevin Christopher Belnavis to his parents Lorna and Christopher Belnavis on July 12, 1982 in the Castle Hill area of the Bronx in New York. Spending most of his childhood on the streets of this rough neighborhood earned Kevin the nickname "Torch" for his rampant and unpredictable misbehavior. Fearful of the dangerous and seemingly predictable path her son was on, Torch’s mother sent him to Florida to live with his older sister. While living in Miami, Torch met his future Triple C’s group members Rick Ross and Gunplay.

Torch (book)

Torch is the debut novel of American author Cheryl Strayed. Published in 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the book was a finalist for the Great Lakes Book Award and was selected by The Oregonian as one of the top ten books of 2006 by writers living in the Pacific Northwest. The book presents the story of family crisis and grief through the failing health and subsequent death of a mother of two children in Minnesota. The book is loosely based on the real life of the author.

Reception

Torch has been reviewed by journalists on staff at the San Francisco Chronicle, the Austin Chronicle,Entertainment Weekly,Curled Up,Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly.

References

Disease

A disease is a particular abnormal condition, a disorder of a structure or function, that affects part or all of an organism. The causal study of disease is called pathology. Disease is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by factors originally from an external source, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases. In humans, "disease" is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person. In this broader sense, it sometimes includes injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts and for other purposes these may be considered distinguishable categories. Diseases usually affect people not only physically, but also emotionally, as contracting and living with a disease can alter one's perspective on life, and one's personality.

Disease (song)

"Disease" was released on September 30, 2002 as the first single from Matchbox Twenty's third album, More Than You Think You Are. It was co-written by Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas and The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. The song peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Disease" was one of two songs written and presented to Mick Jagger, by Rob Thomas in which Jagger actually gives back the song, saying "it would sound better coming from you".

Music video

The video, directed by Phil Harder, starts with a man turning on his colorful boombox, then roller skating over a wide section of New York City, amid images of the band illuminated on moving billboards. During the second chorus, we see the band performing in a large outdoor roller-rink, complete with a disco ball. They are surrounded by a crowd dancing along, and to begin the 3rd chorus, Rob slides off the stage on all fours onto the dance floor past the crowd. At the end of the song, the roller skater shuts off his beat box and then proceeds up some stairs, presumably to his home.