HealthNewsBlog.com

Video Shows Why Texting While Walking is Dangerous

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

This video - created by Casey Neistat for a New York Times story - explains why texting while walking is dangerous. Numerous people have sustained injuries from walking and texting simultaneously. A walking teen once fell down a manhole while texting. Doctors have been warning of the dangers since 2008.

The video shows how narrow your field of vision is when you are texting and walking at the same time. It also shows how walking while texting can be dangerous for other people as well. Neistat says the proper technique is to stop and put your back against a wall while you text. Take a look:

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CNN and Today Report on Mystery of Twelve Girls in One School Suffering Tourette-like Symptoms

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST

CNN has a report on the twelve girls at Le Roy JR/SR High School in Leroy, New York suffering from a mysterious Tourette-like illness. Health officials have found no evidence of infection, diseases or environmental factors at the high school. Dr. Laszlo Mechtler, a neurologist at the DENT Neurologic Institute in Amherst, N.Y. believes the girls are suffering from conversion disorder or mass hysteria. However, it is not clear what would have triggered the disorder. The girls don't feel like their lives are particular stressful. Take a look:

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Health News Blog is Now on Google+

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:25:00 EST

Health News Blog now has a Google+ page on Google+. Google+ is a new social network from Google. You can follow us on Google+ by clicking on the Google+ button below and adding us to one of your circles.

Health News Blog is also on Facebook and Twitter.

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12 People Infected With H3N2v Swine Flu

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

The CDC says in its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) that it has received reports of 12 human infections with influenza A (H3N2)v viruses. The CDC says the new swine flu strain contains the matrix (M) gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (formerly called swine-origin influenza A [H3N2] and pandemic influenza A [H1N1] 2009 viruses).

The 12 cases occurred in five states (Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Eleven of the twelve cases were children. Six of the 12 patients had no identified recent exposure to swine. Three of the 12 patients were hospitalized, and all have recovered fully.

U.S. News reports that the sample of cases so far is too small for CDC epidemiologists to determine how contagious the new swine flu strain will become. If it does spread the current seasonal flu vaccine will not be much help.

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Man Dies From H5N1 in Schenzhen, China

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 17:03:00 EST

The death of a 39-year-old man in China from bird flu (H5N1) has renewed concerns that the virus will eventually cause a pandemic. The man died in Shenzhen, a southern city of China. The Wall Street Journal reports that H5N1 has infected 575 people and killed 338 since. This is a very high death rate for a flu virus. The good news is so far the disease has not spread very easily from person-to-person. Scientists are very concerned that someday the virus will mutate and the virus will start spreading easily from human-to-human and become a global pandemic. Take a look:

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New Study Finds No Link Between Cell Phones and Cancer

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:25:00 EST

A study released earlier this year found a link between cell phones and brain cancer. The study found people using cell phones for more than ten years had double the rate of a type of brain tumor. Dr. Kieth Black, Chairman of Neurology, Cedas-Sinai Medical Center, told CNN's Dr. Gupta that there "is no way to say that cell phone usage is safe. I think that the public has the right to know that there could be a potential risk."

Now there is a new Danish study saying cell phones are safe. The new study followed 350,000 people for about ten years. No doubt there will be another study in a few months saying the opposite. Take a look:

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Malaria Vaccine Cuts Malaria Risk in Half in Promising Clinical Trial

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:44:00 EST

The clinical trial of a new malaria vaccine, RTS,S, has shown promise in Africa. Researchers say infants given the vaccine had half the malaria risk of those not given the vaccine. The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Former Microsoft CEO/co-founder Bill Gates was thrilled with the results. The vaccine itself is probably about three years away. Take a look:

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Second Case of Locally Acquired Dengue Fever Reported in Palm Beach County

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

The Palm Beach Post is reporting that a second case of locally acquired dengue fever has been reported in Palm Beach County. Health Department Director Alina Alonso in a statement, "We have been closely monitoring the county for the possibility of dengue. The second case is good evidence that it is becoming established here and all should be on the alert to prevent mosquitoes from biting."

The first case, reported on October 13, prompted an advisory. The Palm Beach Post reports that the advisory is being upgraded to an alert.

There have also been at least two cases of locally acquired dengue fever in Miami-Dade counties.

CDC has more about dengue fever here.

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FDA Approves Gel to Stop Blood Flow During Surgery

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST

The FDA has approved LeGoo, a gel that enables surgeons to temporarily stop blood flow during surgery. The goo can be used intead of clamps or elastic loops. The FDA says LeGoo can minimize blood flow to the surgical area without causing damage to the blood vessels.

Christy Foreman, director of the Office of Device Evaluation in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said, "LeGoo is an innovative device that offers surgeons an additional aid during vascular surgery. The gel's unique properties may facilitate surgeries that entail the joining or grafting blood vessels."

LeGoo remains liquid at room temperature but solidifies at higher temperatures. The gel forms a plug that molds to shape of blood vessels when it is injected. The gel can stop blood flow for up to 15 minutes.

Photo: Pluromed

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Independent Panel Concludes Prostate Cancer Blood Test Not Worth the Risk

Sat, 8 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST

CBS News reports that an independent government panel has concluded that a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test used to diagnose prostate cancer is not worth its risks. There are 241,000 cases of prostate cancer each year. 34,000 of the cases result in death. The PSA blood test can run positive for non-cancer causes such as infections and an enlarged prostate.

Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton says the test can generate false positives, which can lead to unnecessary biopsies, surgery and radiation. She also says there can be false negatives. Take a look:

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Mice Develop Alzheimer's After Being Injected With Brain Tissue From Human Alzheimer's Patient

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST

Some disturbing newly published research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) says that brain damage that characterizes Alzheimer's disease may originate in a form similar to that of infectious prion diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob. The researchers found in an experiment with mice that mice can develop Alzheimer's when the brain tissue of a human Alzheimer's patient is injected into their brains.

The researchers injected the brain tissue from a confirmed human Alzheimer's patient into mice and compared the results to those from injected tissue of a control without the disease. None of the mice injected with the control showed signs of Alzheimer's, whereas all of those injected with Alzheimer's brain extracts developed plaques and other brain alterations typical of the disease.

Claudio Soto, Ph.D., professor of neurology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, said in a statement, "We took a normal mouse model that spontaneously does not develop any brain damage and injected a small amount of Alzheimer's human brain tissue into the animal's brain. The mouse developed Alzheimer's over time and it spread to other portions of the brain. We are currently working on whether disease transmission can happen in real life under more natural routes of exposure."

Soto also says, "Our findings open the possibility that some of the sporadic Alzheimer's cases may arise from an infectious process, which occurs with other neurological diseases such as mad cow and its human form, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The underlying mechanism of Alzheimer's disease is very similar to the prion diseases. It involves a normal protein that becomes misshapen and is able to spread by transforming good proteins to bad ones. The bad proteins accumulate in the brain, forming plaque deposits that are believed to kill neuron cells in Alzheimer's."

The results showing a potentially infectious spreading of Alzheimer's disease in animal models were published in the Oct. 4, 2011 online issue of Molecular Psychiatry.

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Hot Food Trucks May Deliver Spoiled Food to Grocery Stores, Restaurants

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST

A Today show investigation found that some delivery trucks are too hot to carry produce. Today rode along with police that pulled over trucks carrying produce in Indiana. They checked the produce and found the temperatures were way too high to be safe. Some trucks were refrigerator trucks that were not working. Other trucks were carrying produce that needed to be cold and they did not even have refrigerator units. Today says Indiana is the only state where police even bother to check food trucks. Take a look:

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Military Study Links Low Levels of Omega-3s to Higher Suicide Risk

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:44:00 EST

A new military study found that active duty men were 62% higher to commit suicide if they had low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. The study compared blood samples of 800 male military service members who later committed suicide to samples from 800 soldiers who did not kill themselves.

Omega-3s have already been linked to health benefits in past studies, such as reducing heart disease risk and joint pain. Some foods that that contain omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, flax seeds and salmon. WebMD has an article about Omega-3s here.

Take a look:

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CNN's Elizabeth Cohen Fact Checks Michele Bachmann's HPV Vaccine Comments

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen talked about GOP candidate Michele Bachmann's bizarre comments that the HPV vaccine Gardasil is unsafe and can cause mental retardation. Bachmann is apparently sticking by her charges despite many experts saying she is totally wrong about the HPV vaccined.

Elizabeth Cohen says there is no scientific evidence that terrible things happen after someone gets the vaccine. It is true that there have been adverse effects reported, but there is no evidence that they were caused by the vaccine. The CDC has a page here about reports of health concerns following HPV vaccination. Take a look:

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Kate Winslet Admires Infectious Disease Experts

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST

Actress Kate Winslet played Dr. Erin Mears in the disease thriller Contagion. Winslet told CNN's Sanjay Gupta that she admires the infectious disease experts who try and hunt down the source of outbreaks.

Kate says, "They are extraordinarily brave people and highly skilled, highly intelligent and somewhat intimidating I found them to be, just simply because they have so much knowledge and they care so much about the job that they do. They operate in isolated little bubbles - it's just them, their backpack and their Dell computer. They just have to get on with it and work tirelessly all hours around the clock to do whatever they need to do in order to find that index patient. I just really admire them."

Kate also says she washes her hands a little bit more than she needs to these days. She says making the film made her a lot more "germ conscious." Take a look:

Photo: Claudette Barius/Warner Bros.

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Glowing Cats Will Help Fight Feline AIDS and HIV

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST

Mayo Clinic researchers announced they have developed a genome-based immunization strategy to fight feline AIDS. The plan will also illuminate ways to combat human HIV/AIDS and other diseases. The goal is to create cats with intrinsic immunity to the feline AIDS virus.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes AIDS in cats as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does in people: by depleting the body's infection-fighting T-cells.

The researchers inserted a gene for a rhesus macaque restriction factor known to block cell infection by FIV into cat eggs. They also inserted a jellyfish gene for tracking purposes, which makes the offspring cats glow green.

This specific transgenesis (genome modification) approach will not be used directly for treating people with HIV or cats with FIV, but it will help medical and veterinary researchers understand how restriction factors can be used to advance gene therapy for AIDS caused by either virus.

Eric Poeschla, M.D., Mayo molecular biologist and leader of the international study, says the research "can help cats as much as people."

Photos: Mayo Clinic

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HIV Scare Shuts Down Porn Industry

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

A porn actor recently had a positive HIV test. The Los Angeles porn industry temporarily shut down Monday as a result. The performer was not identified. The actor reportedly did not wear a condom and the positive HIV test has renewed concerns that monthly HIV testing is just not enough to keep porn stars safe. Take a look:

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Credit Card Sized mChip Can Diagnose Disease in the Field

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

Nature reports that a new credit card sized device, called mChip, can be used to diagnose diseases like HIV and syphilis in minutes. The device could act as a mobile lab that would be extremely useful in the developing world. Nature reports the the mChip was successfully field tested in Rwanda. The mChip is also cheap to manufacture, is highly accurate and requires just a single pin-prick of blood. Take a look:

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New York Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Irene

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency for the state of New York. In a statement, Cuomo says, "We are communicating with our federal and local partners to track the storm and to plan a coordinated response, and we will deploy resources as needed to the areas expected to be hit the hardest."

ABC News reports that the declaration enables the state to activate the "Emergency Management Assistance Compact" and obtain access to federal resources and other resources outside the state of New York.

New York's Office of Emergency Management currently has one long detailed page about hurricane preparation here. It provides information about the Saffir-Simpson scales as well as information about preparation, evacuation and inland flooding.

Other states including New Jersey and Virginia have also declared a state of emergency today.

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USDA Offers Food Safety Tips in Advance of Hurricane Irene

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST

If Hurricane Irene strikes the U.S. east coast it could cause widespread power outages. You can get the latest forecast cone on the NHC's website. Landfall is possible along the U.S. east coast from North Carolina to Maine.

The USDA issued recommendations for residents in states that might be affected by Hurricane Irene to minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses in the event of power outages, flooding, and other problems following the storm.

Steps to Prepare for a Possible Weather Emergency

Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer. An appliance thermometer will indicate the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer in case of a power outage and help determine the safety of the food.
Make sure the freezer is at 0ºF or below and the refrigerator is at 40ºF or below.
Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the power is out.
Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately - this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.
Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
Group food together in the freezer - this helps the food stay cold longer.
Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.

Steps to Follow After a Weather Emergency

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.
Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after 4 hours without power.
Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40ºF or below when checked with a food thermometer.
Never taste a food to determine its safety!
Obtain dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for 2 days.
If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer. If the appliance thermometer reads 40ºF or below, the food is safe to refreeze.
If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe.
Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.
Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved. Follow the Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches in the publication, "Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency"
Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, tap water can be boiled for safety.

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Erectile Dysfunction Can be Heart Disease Indicator

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

Erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator for heart disease in men. Dr. Terry Mason, Cook County Hospitals, calls erectile dysfunction the "canary in the coal mine." He says it can be a leading indicator of not only heart disease, but other diseases as well. Take a look:

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Three People in U.S. Have Died From Naegleria, a Brain Eating Amoeba

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST

Three people have died this summer from Naegleria, a rare brain-eating amoeba that lives in warm water. Most people get it from swimming in lakes in the summer. The amoeba is extremely rare and kills just a few people a year. The CDC has an information page about the amoeba here. People rarely get the amoeba, but those that do usually die.

A 16-year-old Brevard County girl died from the amoeba after swimming in a branch of the St. Johns River. A Richmond, Virginia boy also died from the amoeba - the first Virginia case since 1969. Take a look:

Photo: CDC

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U.S. Postal Service Shares 2012 Heart Health Stamp

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST

The U.S. Postal Service has announced it will release a Heart Health stamp in 2012. The goal of the stamp is to raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and preventing coronary heart disease (CHD).

The design of the stamp includes a yellow sun, leafy green tree icon and apple. A striding man is featured on the stamp with a red heart on his chest.

Art director Derry Noyes teamed up with illustrator Nicholas Wilton to create the stamp, which will be released as a forever stamp next year.

Photo: United States Postal Service

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U.S. Heat Wave Death Toll Climbs

Sat, 6 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

The blistering heat wave continues in the U.S. The heat this summer has been particularly harsh in Texas, which is also suffering an extreme drought. Heat-related death tolls are in the double digits in many states. A Google news search returns many news articles about news stories of people perishing because of the heat.

A woman in Texas died after her air conditioner was stolen. Two high school football players died in Georgia from the heat. The CDC has a guide available about preventing heat-related deaths. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and limit your outdoor activity on hot days. Take a look:

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Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Kills 70 in Vietman, Mostly Children

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST

A new report says hand, foot and mouth disease has killed at least 70 people in Vietnam. Most of the those who have died have been children under the age 5. This is an increase from a report last week that said 56 people have died from the disease. There have been over 20,000 cases in recent months and as many as 2,000 new patients each week.

A report in the English edition of Saigon Giai Phong says the outbreak is being blamed on a new etiological agent, Enterovirus 71 (EV-71). The virus causes severe complications, including paralysis and brain swelling.

Hand, foot and mouth disease hits Vietnam each year and kills about 20 to 30 children. The numbers this year are much higher.

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Follow Health News Blog on Social Media

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST

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Writers Write, Inc., the publisher of healthnewsblog.com, also runs blogs covering cars, games, music, news, science, shopping, videos and more. You can find the Facebook and Twitter accounts for all of our blogs at wwfeeds.com.

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Babesiosis Disease Linked to Tick Bites

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:44:00 EST

Health experts have traced a dangerous infection called babesiosis to tick bites. The disease can be fatal in people with already weakened immune systems. The disease does not have the characteristic mark of Lyme disease, so it can be easy to miss. The CDC says babesiosis primarily occurs in the Northeast and upper Midwest and peaks during the warm months. Take a look:

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HHS Adds Eight Substances to Report on Carcinogens

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently added eight substances to its Report on Carcinogens. The report identifies chemicals and biological agents that may put people at increased risk for cancer. The additions include two known human carcinogens and six substances reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens. Here are the details from the HHS report:

Two Known Human Carcinogens Added

Aristolochic acids have been shown to cause high rates of bladder or upper urinary tract cancer among individuals with kidney or renal disease who consumed botanical products containing aristolochic acids. Aristolochic acids are a family of acids that occur naturally in some plant species. Despite a warning issued in 2001 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that advised consumers to discontinue use of any botanical products containing aristolochic acids, they can still be purchased on the Internet and abroad, and may be found as a contaminant in herbal products used to treat a variety of symptoms and diseases, such as arthritis, gout, and inflammation.
Formaldehyde was first listed in the 2nd Report on Carcinogens as a substance that was reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, after laboratory studies showed it caused nasal cancer in rats. There is now sufficient evidence from studies in humans to show that individuals with higher measures of exposure to formaldehyde are at increased risk for certain types of rare cancers, including nasopharyngeal (the nasopharnyx is the upper part of the throat behind the nose), sinonasal, as well as a specific cancer of the white blood cells known as myeloid leukemia. Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is widely used to make resins for household items, such as composite wood products, paper product coatings, plastics, synthetic fibers, and textile finishes. Formaldehyde is also commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories, mortuaries, and some consumer products, including some hair straightening products.

Six Substances Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogens Added

Captafol was found to induce cancer in experimental animal studies, which demonstrated that dietary exposure to captafol caused tumors at several different tissue sites in rats and mice. Captafol is a fungicide that had been used to control fungal diseases in fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and grasses, and as a seed treatment. It has been banned in the United States since 1999, but past exposures may still have an effect on health.
Cobalt-tungsten carbide (in powder and hard metal form) showed limited evidence of lung cancer in workers involved in cobalt-tungsten carbide hard metal manufacturing. Cobalt-tungsten carbide is used to make cutting and grinding tools, dies, and wear-resistant products for a broad spectrum of industries, including oil and gas drilling, as well as mining. In the United States, cobalt-tungsten hard metals are commonly referred to as cemented or sintered carbides.
Certain inhalable glass wool fibers made the list based on experimental animal studies. Not all glass wool or man-made fibers were found to be carcinogenic. The specific glass wool fibers referred to in this report have been redefined from previous reports on carcinogens to include only those fibers that can enter the respiratory tract, are highly durable, and are biopersistent, meaning they remain in the lungs for long periods of time. Glass wool fibers generally fall into two categories for consumers: low-cost, general purpose fibers, and premium, special purpose fibers. The largest use of general purpose glass wool is for home and building insulation, which appears to be less durable and less biopersistent, and thus less likely to cause cancer in humans.
o-Nitrotoluene is listed because experimental animal studies showed tumor formation at many different tissue sites in rats and mice. o-Nitrotoluene is used as an intermediate in the preparation of azo dyes and other dyes, including magenta and various sulfur dyes for cotton, wool, silk, leather, and paper. It is also used in preparing agricultural chemicals, rubber chemicals, pesticides, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and explosives. Workers in the United States are likely exposed to o-nitrotoluene through the skin or from breathing it during production and use. o-Nitrotoluene has also been detected in air and water near facilities that produce munitions, and near military training facilities.
Riddelliine has been found to cause cancer of the blood vessels in rats and mice, leukemia and liver cancer in rats, and lung tumors in mice. This botanical should not be confused with the drug Ritalin, prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Riddelliine is found in certain plants of the genus Senecio, a member of the daisy family, grown in sandy areas in the western United States and other parts of the world. Some common names for Senecio plants are ragwort and groundsel. Riddelliine-containing plants are not used for food in the United States, and have no known commercial uses. However, at least 13 Senecio species have been identified that are used in herbal medicines or possibly as food in other parts of the world. Exposure in humans could result from eating or drinking herbal medicine or teas, honey, or foods contaminated by parts of Senecio plants or after consuming products from animals that have fed on the plants.
Styrene is on the list based on human cancer studies, laboratory animal studies, and mechanistic scientific information. The limited evidence of cancer from studies in humans shows lymphohematopoietic cancer and genetic damage in the white blood cells, or lymphocytes, of workers exposed to styrene. Styrene is a synthetic chemical used worldwide in the manufacture of products such as rubber, plastic, insulation, fiberglass, pipes, automobile parts, food containers, and carpet backing. People may be exposed to styrene by breathing indoor air that has styrene vapors from building materials, tobacco smoke, and other products. The greatest exposure to styrene in the general population is through cigarette smoking. Workers in certain occupations may potentially be exposed to much higher levels of styrene than the general population.

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Joplin Fungus: Some Joplin Tornado Victims Suffering From Rare, Aggressive Fungal Infection

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST

At least five Joplin tornado victims are being treated for a rare, aggressive fungal infection. The mucormycosis fungal infection can occur when dirt or vegetative material gets embedded underneath a person's skin. This could happen to a person who endures violent tornadic conditions. A memo sent to medical providers says the infections are causing necrosis of soft tissue.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department was made aware of medical concerns associated with tornado victims. Please see the statement below:

All Medical Providers Caring for Joplin Tornado Victims

Several patients have been identified recently with aggressive fungal soft tissue infections. These patients were transferred in from the field and had lacerations that were closed at the scene. These patients have developed cellulitis followed by aggressive necrotizing soft tissue infection. Despite aggressive surgical debridement, the wounds have continued to advance. Microscopy demonstrates invasive fungal elements with capillary thrombosis. Grossly, the wounds have a cellulitic appearance with necrosis of the deeper aspect of the wound. The fat has a saponified appearance. In some cases gross fungal elements are visible with the naked eye. Despite aggressive surgical debridement, the necrosis reoccurs within 24 hours. Treatment currently consists of aggressive serial surgical debridement with IV amphotericin therapy.

CBS News reports that three of the patients with fungal infections have died, but because the patients were suffering from multiple problems it is not possible to say the fungal infection was a cause of death. A doctor told CBS News that mold could visibly be seen in the victim's wounds.

Update: A CNN report confirms that one person died because of the mucormycosis.

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Promising New Skin Cancer Drugs Revealed at Oncology Conference

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Two promising new skin cancer treatments were announced today at a American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago. BBC News reports that both drugs have shown to improve the survival rates of patients. Here are details about each drug:

Vemurafenib is a pill that give patients better odds of surviving than chemotherapy. 84% of advanced melanoma patients who took the pills twice daily were still alive six months later, compared to 64% of the chemotherapy patients. The BBC says the results were so good the trail was stopped early and the chemo patients were switch over to Vemurafenib.
Ipilimumab is a drug that is taken intravenously, whic also promises to give melanoma patients extra years of life.

While the new drugs are promisng, the L.A. Times and Reuters have realistic buzz-kill articles which discuss the costs of cancer drugs soaring out of control.

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New MRSA Superbug Strain Found In British Cows

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST

British cows are the home of a newly discovered MRSA superbug. The MRSA strain from the cows is believed to be infecting humans. However, humans are not getting it from drinking milk or eating dairy products according to the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal. The BBC reports that the new bacteria has been dubbed "new MRSA" by its discoverers.

The Daily Mail reports that the same strain has been discovered in patients being treated for wound infections. Very few people (under 100) appear to have been infected by the new strain so far.

Overuse of antibiotics is being blamed for the new strain, but this has been proven. The Soil Association is calling for an end of the routine use of antibiotics in farming.

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Checkdent Dental Health Social Network Debuts

Sat, 28 May 2011 15:00:00 EST

Checkdent has relaunched its website with the addition of a social network for dentists and patients. Here are some of the features of the site:

a dental health forum where patients can get answers from dentists and other users on popular topics like teeth bleaching, braces, wisdom teeth and root canal treatments
an extensive collection of over 200 educational dental video clips and 300 articles continuously updated and added by a team of experts
an interactive dentist directory with profile pages linked to the Checkdent social network t
he option for verified patients to write detailed reviews and rate dentists in key areas such as chairside manner, patient information and average wait time
an easy way for dentists to reach out to new and existing patients

Checkdent's CEO and Founder, Jaroslav Belsky, DMD, says, "We are proud to be part of an empowering health care trend in which the Internet and specialized social networks have an important role to play. It has been extremely gratifying to see that both dentists and patients are eager to use this new tool to mutual benefit."

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FDA Warns Consumers About Counterfeit ExtenZe Dietary Supplements

Fri, 27 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

The FDA is warning consumers about counterfeit ExtenZe dietary supplements. ExtenZe is a dietary supplement for male sexual enhancement. The FDA says the counterfeit product contains hidden ingredients not listed on the product label.

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that the counterfeit product contains tadalafil, or a combination of tadalafil and sildenafil --active ingredients in FDA-approved prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction. These ingredients are not listed on the product label.

These ingredients may interact with other medicines, like the nitrates found in some prescription medicines such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates.

The counterfeit product is illegal and unsafe. The FDA is advising consumers not to purchase any products labeled as "ExtenZe" with lot numbers 1110075 and F050899. Consumers who have an ExtenZe product should check the lot numbers on the package to make sure they do not have a counterfeit product. Consumers who think they might have the counterfeit product should: stop taking the product; and contact their health care professional if they are experiencing any negative side effects.

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Decision to Destroy Remaining Stocks of Live Smallpox Virus Deferred

Wed, 25 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

The BBC reports that a decision on whether or not to destroy the last remain stocks of live smallpox virus has been deferred. The World Health Organization (WHO) will meet again in 2014 to discuss the idea of destroying the remaining stock.

The BBC says Iran opposed a plan by the US and Russia to set a date to destroy the remain stockpiles in 2016.

Smallpox is one of the most horrific diseases ever known. The WHO says some ancient would not name a newborn until the infant had proved it could survive the disease. The disease killed as many as 30% of those it infected and left 65% to 80% of survived marked with pockmarks. Many of those fortunate enough to survive smallpox were left blind by the disease.

Photo: CDC

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CDC Publishes Zombie Preparedness Kit

Wed, 18 May 2011 15:00:00 EST

The CDC has published information about preparing for an upcoming zombie apocalypse. The information can be found here and here on the CDC's website. Some of the pages are not currently loading due to overwhelming traffic. The CDC's entry begins with, "There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That's right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you'll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you'll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency."

The CDC says you will need the following items should a zombie attack occur and it takes you a couple days to get to a zombie-free refugee camp. Here is the list (which is lacking in weapons, such as a baseball bat):

Water (1 gallon per person per day)
Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
Important documents (copies of your driver's license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
First Aid supplies (although you're a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)

The CDC also provided the the following four-step guide for the creation of a plan you can implement should zombies appear outside your home.

Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Besides a zombie apocalypse, this may include floods, tornadoes, or earthquakes. If you are unsure contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information. Family members meeting by their mailbox. You should pick two meeting places, one close to your home and one farther away
Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case zombies invade your home...or your town evacuates because of a hurricane. Pick one place right outside your home for sudden emergencies and one place outside of your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home right away.
Identify your emergency contacts. Make a list of local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local zombie response team. Also identify an out-of-state contact that you can call during an emergency to let the rest of your family know you are ok.
Plan your evacuation route. When zombies are hungry they won't stop until they get food (i.e., brains), which means you need to get out of town fast! Plan where you would go and multiple routes you would take ahead of time so that the flesh eaters don't have a chance! This is also helpful when natural disasters strike and you have to take shelter fast.

If zombies do appear the CDC says it will conduct an investigation just like with any other disease outbreak. The CDC will provide "consultation, lab testing and analysis, patient management and care, tracking of contacts, and infection control (including isolation and quarantine)."

Images: CDC

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Telomere Length Test May Soon be Available to Consumers

Mon, 16 May 2011 15:00:00 EST

The Independent reports that tests that measure telomeres will soon be on the market. Telomeres are structures located on the tips of all chromosomes. Telomeres are composed of coils of DNA. Telomeres get shorter with age. They have been linked to ageing and longevity. Experts say telomeres can be used to measure a person's biological age.

The Independent says a telomere test will go on sale in Britain later this year. It will cost 435 pounds, which is about $706 U.S. There is no information yet about U.S. availability of the test, but eventually telomere tests like this should be available to consumer worldwide.

Professor Jerry Shay of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in Dallas told The Independent, "Everyone talks about the chronological age, but there is also a biological age, and telomere length is actually a pretty good representation of your biological age. Telomeres are important - there is no question of that."

Life Length, the company behind the technology, itself notes that there is not proof that telomere shortening causes aging.

While the association of short telomeres in older people supports the idea that telomere shortening is a marker of age-related pathology, it does not prove that telomere shortening causes aging. Telomere length is not associated with overall survival but rather with more years of living a healthy life, suggesting that telomere length may be an informative biomarker of healthy aging.

On the plus side, these tests could give consumers more information about their health and life expectancy. On the downside, health insurance companies could also make use of the information. Health insurance companies might decide to charge higher rates to people with short telomeres.

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Bedbugs Found Carrying Superbug Germ

Sun, 15 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

Scientists have found bed bugs containing MRSA, a drug-resistant bacteria. Bed bugs in the past have not been known to spread germs, but the obvious concern here is that bed bugs could give MRSA to humans. Medical News Today reports that VRE has also been found on bed bugs. Take a look:

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CDC Says Students Aren't Drinking Enough Water

Fri, 13 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

A new CDC study says most students are not drinking enough water. Most schools do not provide water at lunch. Students only have access to water fountains. Take a look:

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Handyscope Makes Mobile Skin Cancer Exams Possible With iPhone

Thu, 12 May 2011 14:00:00 EST

FotoFinder Systems has launched a device for mobile skin cancer examinations with the iPhone. The handyscope device is attached to the iPhone and directly put on the patients' skin. The handyscope converts your iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 into a digital dermatoscope. It allows you to take brilliant polarized mole pictures of up to 20X magnification and to save them in a password protected App. A device like the handyscope could potentially be used for an initial skin cancer check without the need for a patient to come in to the office. If a mole looked suspicious than the patient could come into the doctor's office for a biopsy.

Photo: FotoFinder Systems

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Young South Korean Woman Dies From Unknown Virus

Tue, 10 May 2011 15:00:00 EST

The Yonhap News Agency is reporting that a 36-year-old South Korean woman died Monday in a Seoul hospital from pneumonia caused by an unknown virus. She was admitted last month for tuberculosis.

The article says the CDC is trying to identify the virus, which caused development of "excess fibrous connective tissue in the lungs" according to a CDC official. This fibrosis led to the woman's death.

The woman was pregnant when she arrived at the hospital and premature labor was induced as part of her treatment. The Yonhap report does not say whether or not her child lived. The article says the CDC says six other women in the hospital are also being treated for similar pneumonia cases and all of them are pregnant or recently gave birth.

The CDC official told Yonhap that lab results could come back as early as Thursday.

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Medigus Announces World's Smallest Video Camera

Fri, 6 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

Medigus Ltd. announced it has developed the world's smallest video camera. The tiny camera is just 0.99 mm in diameter. Medigus says the tiny cameras are designed specifically for small-diameter disposable endoscopic devices. It is to be used in diagnostic and surgical procedures in regions of the anatomy where larger scopes are not viable. The tiny camera is compared to a pen and a dime in the photograph above.

Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein, CEO for Medigus Ltd., said in a statement, "Medical procedures that have not been possible until now become possible with the world's smallest camera. The advanced technology provides the medical community and patients with safe, quality and cost-effective treatment."

Photo: PRNewsFoto/Medigus Ltd

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Woman Suffers From Rare Foreign Accent Syndrome

Thu, 5 May 2011 15:00:00 EST

Karen Butler woke up speaking a British accent after being heavily sedated for dental surgery. MSNBC reports that she is suffering from foreign accent syndrome, a rare disorder that only affects about 100 people worldwide. She grew up in Oregon, but woke up afer surgery with an accent described as "Irish, Scottish and northern British, with perhaps a dash of Australian and South African." Preliminary tests suggest she has no neurological conditions other than her voice changing. Take a look:

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