Tag: flu

Advances in antiaging drugs, acoustic brain surgery, flu vaccines--and the secret to IQ.

We may look back on 2009 as the year human genome sequencing finally became routine enough to generate useful medical information ("A Turning Point for Personal Genomes"). The number of sequenced and published genomes shot up from two or three to approximately nine, with another 40 or so genomes sequenced but not yet published. In a few cases, scientists have already found the genetic cause of a disorder by sequencing an affected person's genome.

ABC's Joohee Cho reports:

No matter how paranoid North Korea is when it comes to keeping their borders shut, it is now obvious they simply can not stop the H1N1 virus from crossing their borders. They blame South Korea for the flu spreading in their territories, despite the fact that communication and travel between the two Koreas is almost non-existent these days.

This week, the 'rich brother nation' South Korea's president Lee Myung-bak offered to send flu medication to the North. Today, Pyongyang finally accepted the offer of Tamiflu doses that could save the lives of millions of malnourished children.

Researchers are working to treat pandemic flu by recruiting a patient's own immune cells.

Viruses multiply incredibly quickly once they've infected their victim--so fast that antiviral medications such as Tamiflu are only effective if given during the first few days of an infection. After that, the viral load is just too high for a single drug to fight off. But researchers are working on a treatment for the H1N1 virus (or swine flu) that uses a different approach. Rather than disabling the virus with a drug, they're creating a vaccine that can activate and steer a patient's own immune cells to attack the invader.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. health officials said on Friday they are making progress in improving the supply of H1N1 vaccine to state health departments and urged people frustrated by long lines and scarce supply not to give up.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Dr. Anne Schuchat said there are now twice as many doses of vaccine available as there were two weeks ago, with 38 million doses ordered or available for ordering by states.

Hype about immune boosters can end up putting a real pinch your wallet. Here are tips you can bank on.

What multiplies as fast as a flu virus? Claims about immune boosters, most of which just boost a few bucks from your wallet. But a few study-backed moves really can help you fight infection. Worth a try

Study Raises Questions About How Long Kids With Swine Flu Are Contagious

Oct. 29, 2009 (Philadelphia) -- Some elementary school kids with the swine flu are still shedding H1N1 virus six days after their fever strikes, a new study suggests.

Researchers stopped short of saying these youngsters could still transmit the virus to their friends and family.

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Associated With 50% Lower Odds of Dying From Seasonal Flu

Oct. 29, 2009 (Philadelphia) -- Once again, the popular cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have been shown to be good for more than the heart: They may also lower your odds of dying of the flu.

In a large study of people hospitalized with seasonal influenza, those who were taking statins were about 50% less likely to die than those who weren't taking the drugs.

LANDOVER, Maryland (Reuters) - A U.S. government media event to promote H1N1 school vaccinations on Friday included VIPs, cute kids and a phalanx of television cameras -- but only one in five children at the school had proper parental consent to get immunized.

"This school was ready to go," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius declared after touring a makeshift vaccination clinic in the cafeteria at Dodge Park Elementary School, near Washington.

GENEVA (Reuters) - Vaccinations against flu for the 2010 influenza season in the southern hemisphere should also contain viruses against the current pandemic H1N1 virus, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The WHO is currently coordinating the production of vaccines against pandemic H1N1, known as swine flu, for this year's influenza season in the northern hemisphere, which will start in November as the northern winter approaches.

Why you should nix swine flu parties, and other swine flu don'ts.

Swine flu isn't in the headlines as much as it was when it was brand new this spring, and while there have been deaths and hospitalizations in countries worldwide, most cases have been relatively mild.

That's the good news. But the bad news is, swine flu isn't gone. In fact, it may pick up steam during the usual flu season -- and it could worsen.