Ebola

Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.

There has been a lot of news coverage on the Ebola outbreak in Africa over the last several months. On August 8, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak an international public health emergency. For only the third time in history, the US CDC raised its level of emergency alertness to “Level 1.”

As of now, about 1,700 people have been infected and 952 have died in basically three areas of Africa: Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The government says Ebola can be up to 90% lethal, but this outbreak has a death rate of about 55%, says Dr. Mercola.

What is Ebola? It is a virus with five subtypes or mutations identified. The first discovered and most common is Zaire Ebolavirus (ZEBOV), first found in 1976 and thought to be the most virulent. It is this strain causing the current epidemic.

Have You Had a Heart Attack?

Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.

Have you had a heart attack? No? Then why are you still taking an aspirin a day? The doctor told you it will prevent a heart attack? What would you do if I told you even the FDA says that isn't true?

The fact is there are over 60 studies that prove aspirin has no benefit in preventing the first heart attack. In fact, it is debatable whether or not aspirin has ANY protective benefits against heart disease, even if you have had a heart attack. The most recent scientific studies show that the side effects may offset any supposed benefit.