4 ms·

Why is it unfortunate? The article didn't seem to say whether this change was good or bad, although I would assume a decrease in inflammation would be good?

by plopz 7y ago

kempbellt 7y ago
> I would assume a decrease in inflammation would be good I'd be careful with that assumption. Context means everything. It depends on what caused the inflammation, and what is causing its decrease.
- jonas21 7y ago
  Here's the relevant context from the study: > Economic development, improved standards of living and sanitation, decreased chronic infections from war injuries, improved dental hygiene, the waning of tuberculosis and malaria infections, and the dawn of the antibiotic age together are likely to have decreased chronic inflammation since the 19th century. For example, in the mid-19th century, 2–3% of the population would have been living with active tuberculosis (Tiemersma et al., 2011). This figure is consistent with the UAVCW Surgeons' Certificates that reported 737 cases of active tuberculosis among 23,757 subjects (3.1%). That UAVCW veterans who reported either current tuberculosis or pneumonia had a higher temperature (0.19°C and 0.03°C respectively) than those without infectious conditions supports this theory. I would assume that less tuberculosis is a good thing (though, this being Hacker News, someone will probably show up to question that assumption too).
  - kempbellt 7y ago
    Inflammation is one of the body's natural defense mechanisms to issues like infection, or injury. Treating inflammation like it is the "bad thing", while ignoring (or not understanding) the underlying cause of it is not good, and potentially hazardous. People do this all the time by taking ibuprofen to treat headaches or minor pains that are natural indicators that something is wrong (dehydration, infection, etc). Tuberculosis is a disease, and widely accepted as detrimental to human health. I agree, less tuberculosis = a good thing. This being a medically related post, more information, and less assumptions is better for everyone. Thank you for adding context.
reedx8 7y ago
If anything it would be more desirable for body temp to increase. Makes it harder for Viruses and pathogens to hurt us. Maybe that’s why people are getting sick more often it seems.

Why is it unfortunate? The article didn't seem to say whether this change was good or bad, although I would assume a decrease in inflammation would be good?

by plopz 7y ago

Why is it unfortunate? The article didn't seem to say whether this change was good or bad, although I would assume a decrease in inflammation would be good?

kempbellt 7y ago

> I would assume a decrease in inflammation would be good I'd be careful with that assumption. Context means everything. It depends on what caused the inflammation, and what is causing its decrease.

jonas21 7y ago
Here's the relevant context from the study: > Economic development, improved standards of living and sanitation, decreased chronic infections from war injuries, improved dental hygiene, the waning of tuberculosis and malaria infections, and the dawn of the antibiotic age together are likely to have decreased chronic inflammation since the 19th century. For example, in the mid-19th century, 2–3% of the population would have been living with active tuberculosis (Tiemersma et al., 2011). This figure is consistent with the UAVCW Surgeons' Certificates that reported 737 cases of active tuberculosis among 23,757 subjects (3.1%). That UAVCW veterans who reported either current tuberculosis or pneumonia had a higher temperature (0.19°C and 0.03°C respectively) than those without infectious conditions supports this theory. I would assume that less tuberculosis is a good thing (though, this being Hacker News, someone will probably show up to question that assumption too).
- kempbellt 7y ago
  Inflammation is one of the body's natural defense mechanisms to issues like infection, or injury. Treating inflammation like it is the "bad thing", while ignoring (or not understanding) the underlying cause of it is not good, and potentially hazardous. People do this all the time by taking ibuprofen to treat headaches or minor pains that are natural indicators that something is wrong (dehydration, infection, etc). Tuberculosis is a disease, and widely accepted as detrimental to human health. I agree, less tuberculosis = a good thing. This being a medically related post, more information, and less assumptions is better for everyone. Thank you for adding context.

reedx8 7y ago

If anything it would be more desirable for body temp to increase. Makes it harder for Viruses and pathogens to hurt us. Maybe that’s why people are getting sick more often it seems.