Are swine flu or bird flu viruses dangerous
Most viruses that cause swine flu or bird flu are very hard to pass from one human to another: they don’t cause epidemics. Sometimes, however, further changes in genes create a virus that can spread rapidly among humans, and can produce a more severe illness. One reason this illness is more severe is that the virus is so new. The regular flu that Read more
What are “swine flu” and “bird flu”?
An epidemic of swine flu has recently developed in Mexico and the United States, says the CDC. Swine flu has killed many people, and the outbreak has features that suggest it could become a global pandemic. A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads around the whole world. Pandemics also often cause more severe disease than epidemics.
If a pandemic happens, it could be very serious for human health and the global economy (which definitely does not need any more bad news right now).
Q: What are “swine flu” and “bird flu”?
A: Flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus. Humans, pigs, birds, and other animals all can be infected by influenza viruses. Typically, influenza viruses can infect only Read more
2009 flu pandemic
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of a influenza A virus subtype H1N1, officially named the “new H1N1″, first identified in April 2009, and commonly called “Swine flu.” It is thought to be a reassortment of four known strains of influenza A virus[92]: one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus cannot be transmitted by eating foods.
The outbreak began in Mexico, with evidence that Mexico was already in the midst of an epidemic for months before the outbreak was recognized. Soon after, its government closed down most of Mexico City’s public and private offices and facilities to help contain the spread. In early June, as the virus spread globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, but also noted that most illnesses were of “moderate severity.” The virus has since spread to the Southern Hemisphere which entered its winter flu season, and to many less developed countries with limited healthcare systems. Because the virus was spreading with “unprecedented speed”, and many clinics were overwhelmed testing and treating patients, WHO stopped requiring countries to report all cases, but is still monitoring unusually large outbreaks. Read more
Scientists ID First Human With Gorilla Strain of HIV
For the first time, researchers have found evidence that the AIDS virus traveled from gorilla to human, another confirmation that the disease continues to evolve even as scientists race to vanquish it.
French scientists reported Sunday that a woman in the West African country of Cameroon carried a strain of the AIDS virus that is closely related to a similar virus found in gorillas.
It’s not yet clear whether this strain of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is common among humans or whether it’s especially dangerous.
“Findings like these remind us that primates continue to transmit viruses to humans just as they did before we knew about AIDS,” said Rowena Johnston, vice president of research with the Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) in New York City. “HIV continues to broadside us from directions we do not necessarily expect.” Read more
Lindane 1% for scabies
Examples
Brand Name: Kwell
Generic Name: lindane 1%
How It Works
Lindane is a chemical that kills the scabies mite.
Lindane is available as a cream or lotion. It is applied to the skin and left on for 8 hours before being washed off with lukewarm, soapy water. Follow these instructions for using scabies medications.
Lindane cream or lotion can cause serious side effects if you do not use it exactly as directed. General precautions include:
Only applying it on cool and dry skin. Chemicals in lindane absorb quickly and easily. If it is applied after bathing when skin is warm and moist, lindane is more likely to become toxic and cause side effects.
Never applying the medication more than once without first seeing your doctor. Itching may continue even after all the mites have been killed. If you itch, it doesn’t mean that you still have scabies. Talk to your doctor, who may advise you to take an antihistamine or other medication.
Why It Is Used Read more
Xeloda(R)-Oxaliplatin Combination (XELOX) Shown To Be More Effective Than Standard Chemotherapy Regimen In Adjuvant Colon Cancer
Genentech, Inc. announced that an international Phase III study demonstrated that oral Xeloda® plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) is superior to a commonly used intravenous chemotherapy, 5-FU/LV (infused 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin), in increasing the time people with adjuvant colon cancer lived without their cancer returning when given immediately after surgery. The data show those who participated in the study and took XELOX immediately after surgery lived longer without their cancer being detectable than those who took intravenous 5U/LV. No new adverse events related to Xeloda were observed in the study.
Data from the trial will be submitted for presentation at upcoming international scientific meetings. Read more
Kids With Type 1 Diabetes Often Overweight
Study explores weight problems faced by youngsters with the disease
Children with type 1 diabetes are more likely to be overweight than those without the disease, increasing their risk of serious health complications, researchers say. Read more
Why Swine Flu Differs From Seasonal Flu
Scientists have uncovered some intriguing clues about why the new swine flu frequently brings on gastrointestinal distress and vomiting, symptoms not usually associated with seasonal flu. Read more
Odd Behaviors on Ambien Linked to Brain Circuitry
When the sleep aid shuts down one set of neurons, another set wakes up: study
New information about brain circuit activity may help explain why some people who take the sleep aid Ambien (zolpidem) walk, eat, talk on the phone and even drive while not fully awake — and without remembering it the next morning. Read more
More reasons to use extra caution when taking painkillers like Tylenol
Acetaminophen is what I’ve always grabbed when I have a throbbing headache, or a teething baby to soothe, or a fever to tame. And I have to say, when the headache’s excruciating, or the fever’s raging, I sometimes supplement the recommended dose with an extra pill, Read more
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Anti-Aging breakthrough