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Physicians misdiagnose comatic states 40 percent of the time, study finds
A "worrying" study just published in BioMed Central Neurology suggests that physicians may not be able to differentiate between a "minimally conscious state" in which a patient would be kept on life support indefinitely and a "vegetative state" in which life support could be turned off at any time. ... Continue Reading
Up to 40 percent of Americans could contract swine flu over the next two years, officials warn
The H1N1 pandemic is far from over, according to U.S. health officials who warn that up to 40 of U.S. citizens could contract the virus over the next two years -- and many could die -- unless the vaccine campaign this fall is successful. ... Continue Reading
Study shows that vegetable protein appears to lower blood pressure
Analysis of data from an international diet study has shown that a diet high in vegetable proteins found in beans, whole grains, rice, soy products and bread lowers blood pressure. ... Continue Reading
Study of half million adults links increased risk of disease with high red meat consumption
A National Institutes of Health study of more than one-half million older adults shows that high consumption of red meat can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer and death. ... Continue Reading
Inflammation markers may put elderly at higher risk for fatal heart attacks
Elderly people at risk for heart disease are more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack if they show increased levels of three inflammation markers in their blood, a study has shown. ... Continue Reading
Canada sees significant decline in heart attack deaths
Aggressive campaigns against smoking and bad cholesterol are the likely reasons Canada has seen a 30 percent reduction in heart attack deaths from 1994 through 2004. However, for the first time, more women than men are dying of cardiovascular causes. ... Continue Reading
Door-to-angioplasty recommendation: the sooner, the better, study finds
Recommendations for heart attack patients being admitted to a hospital couldn’t be simpler: the sooner they undergo an angioplasty, the greater their chances for survival, finds a study recently published in the British Medical Journal. ... Continue Reading
Elevated levels of two proteins associated with lower survival of breast cancer patients
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientists have identified two proteins linked with lower survival rates in patients with breast cancer, both of which are associated with chronic inflammation, which is known to impact the development of cancer. ... Continue Reading
Poorer outcomes following stroke found in patients with sleep apnea
Stroke victims who also suffer from sleep apnea, the common breathing disorder that affects sleep quality, are at a higher risk of death within the first month following a stroke – and they are more disabled following discharge from the hospital – a stroke-sleep study finds. ... Continue Reading
Hybrid flu outbreak causes deaths in Mexico and U.S. – and triggers worldwide action
As of 6:00 GMT, May 2, 2009, The World Health Organization (WHO) website states that 15 countries have now officially reported 615 cases of the A(H1N1) virus infections.
Mexico continues to be the "epicenter" reporting 397 confirmed cases and 16 deaths. Yet, according to a USA Today article, the Mexican Government believes the virus us not as severe or prevalent as they originally estimated.
"The attack rate is not as broad as was thought," Mexico's Health Secretary José Córdova told reporters.
Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard's statement struck a hopeful tone: "The measures we have been taking are beginning to stabilize the situation," said Ebrard. But Secretary Córdova could not confirm whether the government believed they had the virus under control.
The U.S.Government reports 141 laboratory-confirmed cases. The death tole in the U.S. remains at one.
An updated tally of the reported infection cases by country is also posted on the WHO site:
Austria (1)
Canada (34)
China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1)
Denmark (1)
France (1), Germany (4)
Israel (2)
Netherlands (1)
New Zealand (4)
Republic of Korea (1)
Spain (13)
Switzerland (1)
United Kingdom (13).
Reported May 1, 2009:
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control in the US have both officially stopped referring to the flu as "swine flu", instead adopting it's virus classification "H1N1" as the name.
As of May 1, the WHO confirms 331 human cases of virus and at least 10 deaths, nine in Mexico and one in the United States.
The WHO list of reports cases in 11 countries :
• 109 in the United States in 17 states (one death).
• 156 in Mexico (nine deaths).
• 34 confirmed cases in Canada.
• 13 in Spain.
• Eight in the United Kingdom.
• Three in Germany.
• Three in New Zealand.
• Two in Israel.
• One in Austria.
• One in the Netherlands.
• One in Switzerland.
WHO advises no travel restrictions or closure of borders, but does recommend that people who are ill delay international travel. It also requests people developing symptoms following international travel seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises U.S. travelers returning from Mexico with at least two of the 2009 N1H1 flu symptoms to stay at home and avoid public places. Symptoms of the flu can include a fever, sore throat, cough, chills, headaches and runny nose.
The CDC advices that people with no symptoms can continue their normal activities, using healthy precautions like hand washing and upon return, should monitor their health for seven days.
In Mexico, the suspected origin of the virus, Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova reports new cases and suspected deaths appear to be leveling off.
At this point, scientists say they believe the H1N1 Virus would need to mutate further before it would cause the mass deaths estimated by some.
Further analysis at the National Institute for Medical Research in the UK to determine the virus's structure, its origin, and how quickly it could spread is underway.
Professor Jonathan Ball, an expert in molecular virology at the University of Nottingham said, "Many people suspected that H5N1 was the most likely candidate for the next pandemic strain, but now it appears that this was a mistake - but that's not to say H5N1 or another reassortment containing parts of H5N1 may not happen in the future.
"That's the trouble - you can't predict."
Yet, the general public concern about the disease remains high. In San Diego County, for instance, The Public Health Lab is inundated with a backlog of about 400 untested possible H1N1 flu. The facility can processing capacity is roughly 20 tests per day.
Those interested in more scientific information about the H1N1 virus, should visit the BBC's website at the following link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8028371.stm
