Flu

Genetic influence in menopause

Genes generally control menopause in women. Many women will be aware that they probably started their menopause at around the same age as their mother or sister. But the link between the menopause and genetics has not been established by scientific evidence till now. Researchers in Utrecht and Wageningen in the Netherlands have collected data from 243 non-twin sisters in 118 families...

Diet Can Influence Allergic Skin Reactions

People who are plagued with a skin condition called contact dermatitis may benefit from ridding their diets of foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, according to the results of a small study.// Individuals with contact dermatitis experience inflamed, red, itchy, scaly skin when they come in contact with substances they are allergic to. The reaction is usually associated with an allerg...

First Human Bird-Flu Death Confirmed In China

China has officially confirmed its first human death from bird flu - a 24-year-old farmer from the eastern province of Anhui. The woman became sick after an outbreak of bird flu among poultry in her village in Zongyang county and died Nov 10, // the health ministry said, according to a report Thursday by the state-run Xinhua news agency. It is likely, however, that the woman'...

US Reviews Risks Of Tamiflu After 12 Children Die

The safety of Tamiflu, the anti-flu drug, has been questioned for the second time in a week following reports that it has been linked to the deaths of 12 children in Japan // . The drug is being stockpiled by governments around the world preparing for a threatened flu pandemic, but American drug regulators are to review its status today. European regulators said on Monday they...

Human Bird Flu Cases Total 130: WHO

With laboratory confirmations of new bird flu cases in China and Indonesia, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that on November 17, 130 humans had been stricken with the H5N1 // avian influenza virus that has resulted in the death or destruction of more than 150 million birds. More than half the people infected – 67 – have died from the disease. WHO affirms the announc...

Now,Swine-Flu!

While the threat of a bird flu pandemic still looms large, a new study warns that farmers, veterinarians, meat processing workers and other people who are exposed to pigs are at heightened risk of contracting swine influenza.// The study, which is published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, describes that the physical makeup of the pigs allows them to con...

Vaccination to fowl in Vietnam reduced the spread of bird flu

In Vietnam some regions are under the possible threat of bird flu infection and some cities are free from bird flu infection. //Bird flu samples collected from the delta regions of Dong Thap and An Giang have been tested negative to the bird flu virus strain. These regions and other regions are free from infection which were the main source of infecting grounds in the last years epidemic...

Farm boy's death raises human bird flu fears in Turkey

A 14-year-old Turkish boy who worked on a poultry farm and was one of six people tested for bird flu died on Sunday, and his sister was in a critical // and worsening condition, doctors said. Doctors are still waiting for test results and could not immediately confirm whether the fatality was caused by bird flu. If confirmed, it would be the first human fatality in Turkey from the viru...

Flu Vaccine’s Destination Changed From Illinois To Pakistan

The Government rejected the flu vaccines that were manufactured and sent to Illinois. Blagojevich was prevented // from getting the 250,000 vials of unapproved flu vaccines from Europe to Illinois but sent to Pakistan instead. These vaccines worth $2.5 million were sent to the people affected by the recent earthquake, which plundered the joys from the South East Asians. At Illinois...

Indonesia Claims To Have Arrested The Bird Flu.

Bird flu that made news recently due to its wide spreading nature across the world. But now Indonesia claims to have put an end to its // spread across the country. The health minister pointed out that previously there were21 provinces a...

Delhi Faces Flu Threat Due To Change In Weather

Seasonal illnesses like that of viral flu are spreading across Delhi with the reversal of the cold wave conditions. While Delhi recorded a minimum of 0.2 degrees Celsius (7 degrees below normal) on 8 January, just over a week later the temperature reached 11.6 degrees //(five degree above normal) on 17 January 2006. Doctors have called upon people to be careful about the weather change....

WHO warns that Asia is at high risk of Bird flu

World Health Organization feels that Asia is facing an increased threat of bird flu as new cases of bird flu infections pour in. Dr. Shigeru Omi, Regional Director, WHO Western Pacific has said though// Asian countries are planning and working to combat bird flu spread but feels that still a lot should have been done and should be done to prevent bird flu spread. It is estimated that 77 d...

BioCryst’s Bird Flu Drug Enjoys Fast-Track Review By FD

A new drug, peramivir, claimed to be a highly potent formulation for combating the virulent forms of the H5N1 bird flu virus has been credited with a fast-track review by the Food and Drug Administration. // This novel drug, produced by the pharmaceutical company BioCryst can be injected intravenously. Promising results have been obtained from drug trials conducted against different...

Chinese Students Affected By Unknown Flu

Around 400 Chinese students belonging to Henan University of Science and Technology at Luoyang, suffered from high fevers and were rushed for treatment. The nature of the high fever is suspected to be of unknown flu virus, reports foodconsumer.org. // Reporters can still see a couple of ambulances waiting on the university campus to respond to any emergency needs. It remains u...

So (y) Good: Soy Meal Takes-Off After Bird-Flu Crisis

Mumbai: Soy meal is finding itself in myriad plates and palates. People are moving on and Soy meal is fast becoming a chosen, safe substitute for protein, after the bird-flu crisis and the resultant fear of tucking into chicken. // Soy exports have never been so good. In March alone, India’s soy meal exports crossed 750,000 tones, breaking past records compared to 225,000 tones duri...

Prevention better than fire-fighting. Hong Kong Beefs Up Precaution Against Bird-Flu

HONG KONG: Hong Kong is taking all precautionary measures against bird-flu, having fully understood the ramifications of the bird-flu crisis on the economic health. After bouncing back with an envious economic health, // a bird-flu crisis is the last thing needed so authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the flu never enters, even by fluke! A new central poultry sla...

Britain Prepares For Mass Burials To Encounter Future Bird Flu Deaths

According to a leaked government document, it is stated that Britain needs to prepare itself to mass bury the dead bodies, if encountered with the pandemic flu sometime in// the future. It has been estimated that nearly one third of a million people will die if bird flu strikes in Britain. The document titled Managing Excess Deaths in an Influenza Pandemic, according to Life Style Extra,...

Bird Flu Deters Hunters in Russia

In Russia due to the fear of avian flu epidemic the spring bird hunt was cancelled. The local officials on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula have banned the seasonal hunt.// Usually the spring bird hunt is scheduled to start between April 26 and May 7 and end on May 5 to 14, depending on the area. But now the RIA Novosti news agency reported that this event w...

Bird Flu Not The Cause For Mysterious Bird Deaths

The mysterious deaths of hundreds of birds in Peshawar and adjacent areas have been cleared of bird flu. // Sending hundreds of blood samples to the National Veterinary Research Laboratory, Islamabad for testing the Livestock Disease Investigation chief said that no case of bird flu was detected in the mysteriously dead birds. The deaths of the birds had scared the people of the area foll...

Fluoride Found Effective in Osteoporosis

Fluoride, in combination with calcium and vitamin D, increases bone mass and lowers the risk of backbone fractures associated with osteoporosis, researchers report. Fluoride is known to stimulate new bone formation, but concerns about its safety have limited its use in the elderly, according to Dr. Craig D. Rubin from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and others w...

Health Officials Recommend Flu Vaccine

In the past, they could be signs of flu. These days, people fear the symptoms could mean anthrax. That is one reason they are willing to wait in hours-long lines to get a shot of influenza vaccine this year: They want to avoid both the flu and anthrax panic. "We're getting a tremendous amount of calls and a tremendous response'' to flu vaccination clinics, said Cindy Schulte of the Schene...

Hidden influenza virus protein found

For nearly 20 years, scientists have laboured under the assumption that the influenza virus comprises only 1- protein molecules that form its structure and carry out its activities. However, in Nature Medicine researchers report finding a new, “hidden” influenza virus protein.This protein may kill immune system cells that fight the virus, thereby contributing to the virus’s potency, the r...

Influenza drug delayed

The maker of the only medication approved to treat both major strains of influenza in young children said the drug was not available for the start of this flu season because production problems delayed its distribution. The medication, Tamiflu Oral Suspension product, was supposed to be launched this season. Hoffmann-La Roche informed the FDA of its production problems, but FDA spokeswoma...

Fluoride proves effective against fractures

Sustained-release sodium fluoride in combination with calcium citrate and vitamin D can safely reduce the risk of fractures and increase spinal bone mass in older women with osteoporosis,// a recent study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center concluded. Our study showed that this combination of therapy safely reduces the risk for fractures by stimulating new bone for...

Experimental drug to fight flu

RECENT research has shown that new compounds developed for preventing and treating the flue have shown promise in animal studies, and may require only one dose to be effective.// The compounds, known collectively as multimeric zanamivir, are based on the existing flu drug relenza, or zanamivir, which the U.S. Food and Drug administration approved in 1999 for treating influenza A and B. R...

Birth weight may be influenced by genes

According to a new research in monkeys, they provide compelling evidence that DNA, particularly a type inherited only from the mother, plays an important role in determining a newborn's birth weight. Based on genetic analysis of six generations of macaque monkeys,// a team led by Dr. James C. Ha at the University of Washington in Seattle assessed that genes account for 45% of the inconsis...

Drink more fluids during exercise

While exercising, a good amount of fluids should be taken, in order to replenish the water loss. According to athletics, water is far better than 'energy' drinks for keeping you hydrated during exercise. During summer there is maximum need for fluids,// henceforth, you'll be well aware of the need to keep your fluid levels topped up with regular drinks. There are a lot of so-called energy...

Many factors influence sexual potency

Sexual potency can be influenced by various reasons. Many advertisments with regard to potency have brought the subject of impotence to the attention of thousands of people.// Impotence was once a taboo subject, but attitudes are changing.Many men are taking help, particularly as large segments of the population age. Many men suffer from impotence. Estimates range from 12 million to 30 mi...

Demand for universal flu vaccination

Numerous lives could be saved each year, if only everyone over the age of 60 had a flu jab. According to vaccine experts, Dr. Gregory Poland fe that universal vaccination in three regions// over two flu seasons reduced mortality from the disease by 40 to 50 per cent. Clearly vaccination can be a life-saver, yet take-up rates are still only around 70 per cent. Dr Poland proposes some c...

Influence of diet on allergic Reactions

People who are plagued with a skin condition called contact dermatitis may benefit from ridding their diets of foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, according to the results of a small study.// Individuals with contact dermatitis experience inflamed, red, itchy, scaly skin when they come in contact with substances they are allergic to. The reaction is usually associated with an allerg...

Smoking may be influenced by Parents

According to a new study it is observed by researchers that children who light their parents' cigarette or clean out the ashtray are likely to become smokers themselves. In addition, asking children to bring the cigarettes,// buy them at the store or light a cigarette for the parent are all behaviors that encourage children to smoke. Rafael Laniado-Laborin, M.D., from San Diego State U...

Flu Shots Best for Protection

Treating older adults with one of two classes of available drugs is a cost-effective approach to handling the flu virus, but yearly flu shots are likely a better bet. // Researchers compared the outcomes and costs of several strategies for caring for older adults with the flu or a flu-like illness. The strategies reviewed included no testing or treatment, testing for flu before treatment...

Alcoholism Influenced By Both Genetics & Family Environment

In a study involving identical and non-identical twins, researchers conducted telephone interviews with 1,213 sets of male-male twins, average age 50.// The researchers’ goal was to better understand the hereditary and environmental effects on developing alcoholism -- not by studying the twins themselves, but by interviewing the twins’ children (ages 12 to 26) and the mothers of those chi...

Hunger Found To Influence Taste

Findings of a recent study suggests hunger may be associated with an increased ability to taste. For the study researchers // studied 16 men who agreed to skip breakfast. The men had not eaten since 6:30 p.m. the previous evening. Participants were asked to consume sugary, salty or bitter solutions and describe the flavor they tasted. The participants did not swallow the drinks, but inst...

Is Drinking Extra Fluids Safe When You’re Sick

A new study suggests drinking extra fluids may do more harm than good for patients with respiratory infections.// Researchers examined results from previous studies to determine if recommending patients with respiratory infections drink more fluids is safe. Previous data has shown during a respiratory infection, such as a cold or bronchitis, the body releases large amounts of a specific...

The Causes Of Acid Reflux Questioned

Acid reflux is common and one of the most frequent causes of indigestion. Typical symptoms include heartburn, excessive belching,// and respiratory problems in some cases. Smoking and a high salt intake significantly increase the risk of acid reflux say researchers according to a new study. Results of the study showed that people who smoked every day for more than 20 years were 70-perce...

Body Weight Found To Influence PSA Levels

A new study shows obese men generally have lower prostate specific antigen levels than men of normal weight. // However researchers say this finding suggests the PSA test may not be as good at identifying early prostate cancer in such men. Researchers studied about 2,800 men with no evidence of prostate cancer. Results showed PSA levels declined as weight increased. The association held...

Doctors warned of fluoride toxicity

In the recent Journal of American Dental Association (JADA), doctors are warned against possibility of fluoride toxicity while prescribing fluoride dosage //to patients with oral problems. High concentrations of fluoride dosage are often prescribed to patients to check caries, especially those suffering from mouth cancer. In the recent issue of JADA, authors Frederick C. Eichmiller, N...

Depressed Mothers Found To Influence Their Child’s Behavio

After examining 1,116 sets of twins and their mothers to see if there was a link between maternal depression during the children's first five years // of life and children's antisocial behavior by age 7 , researchers say children of depressed mothers were found to have increased problems with conduct and more antisocial behavior . Results of the study also showed maternal depression afte...

WHO Issues Caution Against Bird Flu Epidemic

WHO had urged the people to be prepared for any outbreak of Avian Influenza, commonly called bird flu. Although the //disease mainly spreads from birds to other animal species, even to humans, WHO is skeptical that the strain of virus that causes bird flu may soon mutate itself to a form that may spread the disease human to human, and cause an influenza outbreak that human immunity will b...