Tuesday, May 19, 2009
WHO: There is no vaccine for swine flu in several months
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The makers of medicines can not start production of a vaccine against swine flu by mid-July, several weeks after the initial forecasts, acknowledged on Tuesday the World Health Organization.
That means it will take several months before they can produce a new vaccine against the influenza virus called H1N1 WHO.
According to experts on vaccines convened last week by WHO, the swine flu virus does not develop quickly in the laboratory, making it difficult to obtain the crucial ingredient of the vaccine, "the collection of seed virus.
Experts told the WHO influenza vaccine manufacturers that would not be ready to produce a vaccine against swine flu at least until mid-July, the WHO reported on Tuesday. Previously, it was estimated that production would begin in late May.
Moreover, experts have found no evidence that flu shots offer no protection against common variant swine.
The revelation that the process is more difficult than anticipated specialists was published while the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the head of WHO Margaret Chan met with representatives of 30 pharmaceutical companies.
Health officials around the world this week to attend the annual meeting of WHO, where he discussed the outbreak of swine flu that has infected 9830 people in over 40 countries and caused 79 deaths.
Specialists estimated that vaccination in the best case scenario, could produce about 5000 million doses of swine flu vaccine a year after production began on a large scale.
In this case, the UN would have up to 400 million doses for poor countries. The rest would go to rich countries that have already signed contracts for vaccine only becomes available.
Mass production of a vaccine against the pandemic poses a risk as the capacity to diminish the production of vaccine against seasonal flu, which kills up to half a million people per year. Some experts questioned whether the world really need a vaccine for a scourge which so far seems mild.
Labels: Health
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Often times we hear that women are constantly obsessed with beauty and aging. Of course this is a stereotype that not all women fall into, just as the stereotype that men care little about how they look, or even how aging affects them. Enter Mensvita the Anti Aging Portal, featuring a wealth of health topics and articles aimed at those possessing a Y-chromosome.
Ranging from diet and nutrition, to sports and sexuality, Mensvita strives to hit upon the topics important to men, while also encouraging a lifestyle which slows down the signs of aging. Mensvita explores the inner signs of aging just as in depth as the outward signs, giving the site a complete feeling, readers are never lacking in information.
What separates Mensvita from other male targeted websites is that it conveys information without being too scientific, but also does not pander to the lowest common denominator. Discussions on sexuality are informative and most men would not feel uncomfortable checking out these tips from their office, no embarrassing photos or videos.
Beyond sexuality, Mensvita gives tips on healthy diets, anti-aging exercises, as well as tests that all men should consider having as they grow older. Any man looking for helpful hints to slow down aging would do well to visit the site. New content is added daily from the benefits of golf to olive oil skin treatments, something for everyone.
Labels: Health
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Cuba serves more than 24,000 victims of Chernobyl 20 years on
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Thursday, April 02, 2009During nearly two decades, Cuba served 24,000 children from Eastern Europe victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident and whose pollution is still causing damage to the health of the inhabitants of that region.
Most children affected by radiation emanating affected by cancer and birth defects, alopecia and vitiligo, said the doctor in July Medina, director of medical collaboration which celebrated 19 years on Wednesday to exist.
After April 1986 the leak at the Ukrainian nuclear plant which produced a toxic cloud and radiation, then the Soviet authorities sought to aid world to meet the victims, said Medina.
Throughout these years there were 24,023 patients. There were even several marrow and kidney transplants, heart operations to correct deformities and orthopedic. Currently this is still between 700 and 800 children annually.
Many of the current patient had not even born when the accident occurred, but the main contaminant is cesium-137 - with a life of 25 years - and iodine-131, which affects the thyroid.
"We do not give it over to us, but we share what we have. Do not give luxuries," he said during a press conference Medina.
The authorities did not reveal how much the program argue that it is an "solidarity" and "humanistic."
Initially came to Cuba to receive medical care in children from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, but only the latter continued sending nation after the Soviet Union disintegrated.
"It's a concern all of us that Chernobyl is forgotten" due to current problems and crises, said Median. "Chernobyl is a problem that is not solved," he said.
Ukraine currently pays for the transportation of patients and their escorts - through a state fund - the government of Cuba and the addresses for free, making them a checkup, treating their illnesses, provides accommodation, meals and a school.
Tarará of the village on the outskirts of the capital and surrounded by sea has been conditioned to receive them.
The Ukrainian program coordinator, swim Gerasinenko said that in his country all "highly value what Cuba has done that ... even in their most difficult times (the crisis of 1990) continued to assist these children."
Some of the patients participated in the ceremony of commemoration of the program.
"This last five months I have here and not want to go, I do well here," said the young Sabelin Denis, aged 14, who was born with a malformation in the bone through which Cuba maintains a treatment since she was a year and since then goes to his country and return to the island from time to time.
Labels: Health
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pope: The condom is not the answer in the fight against AIDS
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Tuesday, March 17, 2009Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday that the distribution of condoms is not the answer in the fight against AIDS in Africa.
Benedict XVI never before spoken explicitly about condom use, although he emphasized that the Catholic Church is at the forefront in the battle against AIDS. The Vatican maintains that abstinence is the way to fight the disease.
"You can not solve the distribution of condoms," the Pope said to reporters aboard the Alitalia plane while en route to Yaounde, Cameroon. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
Some priests and nuns who work with victims of the AIDS pandemic plaguing Africa which have questioned the church's opposition to condom use.
The Pope also said it intends to make an appeal for "international solidarity" for Africa in times of global economic recession.
He said that although the Catholic Church does not propose specific solutions, it can give "moral and spiritual suggestions.
Describing the current crisis as a result of "a lack of ethics in economic structures," the Pope said: "This is where the church can make a contribution."
The pilgrimage of Benedict XVI will take seven days to Cameroon and Angola.
Africa is the region where the Catholic Church is growing fastest in the world.
Benedict XVI departed Tuesday for his first pastoral visit in Africa. The flight took off from Leonardo da Vinci airport in Rome shortly after 10.00 am (0900 GMT) and is scheduled to arrive six hours later the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde.
The 81-year-old Pope said on Sunday the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that will carry a message of hope to the African continent suffered poverty, disease and conflict.
Labels: Health
Sunday, March 8, 2009
White House: Health reform will come to minorities
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Sunday, March 08, 2009The health system reform, the debate was opened by President Barack Obama will have a "huge impact" on communities of Hispanics and blacks, the two largest minorities in the United States on Friday said Melody Barnes , presidential adviser on domestic policy.
40% of Latino children and up to 1 in 3 Hispanics in general do not have health insurance and reform will touch not only this aspect but the cost and infrastructure of the system, Barnes said in a dialogue with journalists from Hispanic media in the House Blanca.
He said the plan aims to have a health system "affordable and accessible to all."
"It will be a tremendous impact on Latino communities, black, Asian and other sources," he said. "We are working to provide necessary assistance to each of them."
Barnes, director of domestic policy from the White House, is the third official team of advisers of the president speaking to reporters in the Hispanic work six weeks of the new Democratic administration, in an unprecedented plan developed by the office of Latino media contacts.
White House sources also reported Friday that Obama will deliver a speech on Tuesday 10 in the Chamber of Commerce Hispanic-Americans. Although not specified themes, Obama addressed, from his campaign on the issues on immigration reform and the advancement of minorities, including Hispanics, in fields that include health and education.
It will be the first occasion on which the president addresses the Democratic Hispanic community since he assumed the government.
Obama launched the campaign for health reform at a forum Thursday at the White House in which leaders of several Hispanic activist organizations, which are an "important source" for the generation of ideas, Barnes said.
Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza, one participant said that although health was an "urgency to the Hispanic community, the reform project begun 15 years ago during the administration of President Bill Clinton has found difficulties to succeed.
Barnes also acknowledged that Obama will face resistance, particularly in its attempt to universalize health care to all who live in the United States, but expressed optimism, noting that the government hoped to have draft legislation ready for debate in the final quarter of the year.
He noted that the minority of people with chronic illnesses, including diabetes, no lack of help with a system that is expected to be more effective not only with a better quality of care but with prevention programs, pharmacy and trained professionals to meet group minority.
Labels: Health, World News
Thursday, February 12, 2009
When the University of Kansas researchers sent to nursing homes to see how they handled the issue of sexual relations, no one wanted to talk at first.
"No one played the theme," said Gayle Doll, director of the Center on Aging at the University. "I suppose that people think is that their parents have sex, and yet their grandparents."
Following this experience, research seminars and other methods designed to encourage employees of ancianatos to talk about it and try to ensure that the elderly meet the needs they may have in this field.
One of the first seminar was held at the home of Hesston Schowalter Villa, where the initial reaction of several employees was, "From what we talk?" Says Lillian Claassen, vice president of health services in this center.
Claassen said the residents of sexuality has always been a sensitive issue in nursing homes.
"It is not that we care about their needs in the past, but it was like a release when we had discussions with the university researchers," said Claassen. "It made people start thinking about how you can help the residents."
Doll said the classes focus on the meaning of sexuality for the elderly, to identify barriers to satisfy their sexual needs, in identifying strategies to assist residents in learning to distinguish between what constitutes conduct sexual and what is not acceptable.
There are times when a simple sign of "do not disturb" enough. O instruct staff to knock the door of a room before entering. Claassen said her nursing home has a room in which residents can be alone and that staff are prepared to face any situation that may arise.
One possibility, for example, is that during a session of physical therapy beds are arranged so that a patient can be with your partner or companion, he said.
"What interests me is to promote dignity in a situation that can be very delicate," said Claassen. "We all need affection, generosity and companionship. We try to encourage that here, in a public place where people feel the need for privacy."
A relationship does not necessarily imply sexual intercourse. Many times the only thing anyone wants is to relieve loneliness or depression, said Doll.
Us that once a patient asked for pornographic material, but desisted when staff began to dedicate more time.
"The staff can help to combat loneliness and need for contact with residents," said Doll. "Some sexual expressions that can be viewed as inappropriate disappear if the person receives the attention it deserves."
When someone wants to have sex, things become complicated if the person suffers from dementia, it can be pulled with a launch site employees.
Claassen said the center staff was trained to reject these proposals carefully and he said that it must understand that the patient may be confused with your husband or wife, or reacting as it did in the past, something typical of dementia.
If a patient with dementia has a sexual relationship with another, we must determine whether it is consensual, said Robin Dessel, an expert on dementia and who works at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, New York.
Dessel said people with dementia, even those who can not speak, they have desires and needs, and are able to express them. The staff must learn to distinguish if someone is going up or abuses committed by engaging in a sexual relationship.
Dessel said being aware that the elderly do not lose their rights when they are sick, including the right to express their sexuality.
"Looks do not matter, even if someone is incontinent and totally dependent. Everyone has the ability to feel and get excited," he said. "If you build a special relationship with someone, is something to celebrate."
Labels: Health
Possible salmonella in peanut products plant in Texas
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Thursday, February 12, 2009Analysis showed that private laboratories could have been an outbreak of salmonella at a plant operated by a company that turns on an outbreak of contamination at the national level of peanut products, said Tuesday health officials Texas.
The Peanut Company of America Corp. on Monday, temporarily shut down its plant in Plainview, Texas, at the request of health officials after tests indicated "the possible presence of salmonella in some of its products, said in a statement the Department Texas Health.
Apparently none of the products processed at the plant in Texas and possibly contaminated reached the hands of consumers, officials said. The Texas plant produces peanut flour, peanut granules and dry roasted peanuts.
The company is in connection with an outbreak of salmonella that 600 people fell ill and could have caused at least eight deaths.
Also caused the withdrawal of the market for more than 1,800 products from peanuts. Peanut Corp. closed its plant last month in Blakely, Georgia, after he told federal investigators that she proceeded to the outbreak of salmonella.
Research conducted last week indicated that the plant in Plainview, which opened in March 2005 and managed by a subsidiary, Plainview Peanut Co., operated without consideration and without a license from the state health department until the parent company was investigated last month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Doug McBride, spokesman for the Department of State Health Services Texas Peanut Corp. said it agreed to voluntarily shut down the plant while working with the state agency.
The closure happened in Texas the day after the FBI pave the Georgia plant and took boxes and other materials. Agents executed a warrant at the log and the Peanut Corp. headquarters in Lynchburg, Virginia, according to a legislative official familiar with the raids and who spoke on condition of anonymity save for not being authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
Labels: Health
Monday, January 26, 2009
New technique offers more hope fertilization pregnancy
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Monday, January 26, 2009A team of British scientists for the first time used a new technique successful fertilization "test" to better predict what a woman's eggs are the most prone to pregnancy, reported Monday a major expert in fertility.
The treatment combines antenatal checks currently in use with a new computer program that can detect defects in the eggs with chromosomes that are likely to lead to a spontaneous abortion.
The first patient, a 41-year-old British woman in 13 who had failed fertility treatment, is currently pregnant, the researchers reported.
The ultimate goal is to more multiple births and fewer pregnancies and spontaneous abortions, said Simon Fishel, director of CAREfertility, the clinic who developed the technique.
"We will go slowly with technology because we do not want to create (false) expectations," Fishel said at a press conference. "The Holy Grail is to achieve a pregnancy with an embryo," he said,
More than 3.5 million babies born worldwide through assisted reproductive technology since July 25, 1978, when two British doctors brought the world to the first "test tube baby, Louise Brown.
That number is growing rapidly because more and more women are waiting longer to be mothers and increasingly couples can go to a treatment of in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Most of them are women between 30 and 39 years.
The technique involves removing the eggs from the ovaries of a woman and combined with sperm in the laboratory. Doctors then pick the best embryos, usually one or two, and implanted into the female womb.
The challenge is to choose the best embryo, said Fishel, who was part of the team that brought the world to Brown.
Currently, doctors often use a microscope to select an embryo with the best way, rather than check their DNA, Fishel said.
"Now we can see all the chromosomes of an embryo in real time and can apply for a fresh embryo after watching their chromosomes," said the expert.
Fishel's team, which refined a technique to detect problems in complex chromosomes, took a sample of a small polar body called the egg, which contains half the chromosomes of the egg but is not part of the process of fertilization.
Researchers used a new computer program to find that two of nine eggs of women in the IVF treatment had failed 13 times were good candidates for a pregnancy.
The patient, who wants to remain anonymous, is entering the last two months of gestation.
"Although they are in a very early stage, this technique would offer a new diagnostic and therapeutic hope for couples who suffer from repeated failure of implantation (embryo) through IVF," said Stuart Lavery, director of IVF at Hammersmith Hospital London.
Labels: Health
U.S. FDA seeks more data anticoagulant Plavix
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Monday, January 26, 2009Health regulators in the United States reported on Monday that they are reviewing the effectiveness of the widely used anticoagulant Plavix, made by Sanofi-Aventis SA and Bristol-Myers Squibb, in some patients.
The action comes after several studies showed that the popular drug did not work so well in some people, possibly because patients metabolize them differently according to their genetic or consumption of other drugs.
Bristol and Sanofi had agreed to conduct studies on the interaction of genetic and drug Plavix, also known as clopidogrel bisulfate, said in a statement published on its website the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA by its Spanish acronym).
"This information should lead to a better understanding of how to optimize the use of clopidogrel," added the agency.
Laura Hortas, a spokesman for Bristol, said he had no details on how many companies would need to study or how long it will take steps.
The result "will allow us to understand and characterize the factors that influence this complex issue," said Hortas on behalf of both laboratories.
While some reports have suggested a possible interaction makes Plavix less effective, other research found no such problem, the FDA said.
Plavix is an antiplatelet which aims to reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots that could cause heart attacks and strokes (CVA). To operate, you must first be metabolized by the body, according to the FDA.
One type of medication usually prescribed to patients treated with Plavix are antacids such as Nexium and Prilosec AstraZeneca PLC and other inhibitors of proton pump, the federal agency said.
However, the FDA said that doctors and patients should continue using Plavix until there is more data available.
Doctors should reassess the use of some antacids, including versions sold in the patients taking Plavix, the FDA said.
The FDA said that the laboratories had agreed on a timetable for carrying out the studies, but gave no further details. The agency added that it could take months to review the findings after the completion of investigations.
The communique from the FDA is available in English, http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/clopidogrel_bisulfate.htm.
Labels: Health
Paraguay admits dengue epidemic of low intensity
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Monday, January 26, 2009The Paraguayan government on Saturday admitted the existence of a dengue epidemic, but low-intensity andalusia confirmed 35 individuals out of 360 patients treated in public hospitals, and in Bolivia reported an increase of evil in Santa Cruz.
According to the Bolivian authorities, just over 3,000 people came to the hospital so far this year with symptoms of dengue fever in this eastern city.
Meanwhile, Ivan Allende, director of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Public Health in Paraguay, told reporters that the majority of infected people live in the interior and the same amount in just three quarters of Asuncion.
"Of the 360 suspects, after laboratory tests out to 146 people but continue to study the blood of 179 other subjects," he said.
The doctor explained that "the epidemic of dengue fever is low, it means that we are on alert and worried but still can not declare a state of national emergency."
Symptoms of the disease are high fever, headache, diarrhea, nausea and severe pain mainly bones.
Between February and May 2008, the previous government of President Nicanor Duarte declared a national emergency andalusia checked more than 1,300 cases of patients of which eight were fatal shunt.
In Bolivia, the Health Minister Ramiro Tapia, who reported in 3233 across the country were positive cases, of which 2800 were filed in Santa Cruz until January 20.
Last week, his office confirmed the two deaths by dengue hemorrhagic fever in Santa Cruz.
Dengue fever appears in the rainy season in tropical areas. The bearer of evil encuba mosquito larvae in stagnant water. If the treaty is not a bad time can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever, causing death.
Labels: Health
For anyone who must endure endless business meetings, with contributions and pastelitos boring just any diet, Jennifer Baran said to have the antidote.
In his conference room with walking "nobody has to sleep sitting up. Everyone walks or jogging in tapes for burning fat elliptical machines.
The rest of the room, which began renting Baran recently in his gym in Buffalo, has the appearance of any conference room with a screen for PowerPoint presentations, conference phones and coffee-making machine.
The big difference here is that the participants exercised while working.
"Exercise? Do not think so." That was the initial reaction of the teacher Michele Ganschow when the director of their school, Cherie Ansuini, scheduled a work session in the gym of Baran.
Ganschow went to the reunion will begin shortly and began to take a taste.
"One takes more time. It is two things at once," he said.
The idea has some aspects that can be considered negative. For example, many people might not like sweat against colleagues.
"It's fun to see the expressions on all the machines," said trainer John Grzymala exercised while on a bike and elliptical hear the presentation of Ansuini. "Surely I am red as a beet," he said, to laughter from his colleagues.
A positive aspect is that the shirts and pants gym comfortable replace more formal dress, which will probably require dry cleaning. The monitors, moreover, indicate a calories burned, making it clear that the meeting was productive from the viewpoint of the health of employees.
Another benefit: The more people talk about. When you are exercising, they tend to focus on specific things and get down to business.
Baran opened signature Healthy Living Support Network with the idea of offering advice on nutrition and physical education, and talks on motivation.
The concept of the conference room with exercise equipment inspired Dr. James Levine, a specialist in obesity from the Mayo Clinic, who installed devices in his office after publishing a study showing that people thin stands an average of two hours more than the rest and burned 350 calories more than the obese.
"We are trying to incorporate the exercises to everyday life," said Baran, who has a master's degree in social work and certified instructor.
Hoped that readers clubs, people who watch movies together and prove their new business conference room. It also offers another room with a collection of exercises reclined bicycles. The rent of the rooms is between 60 and $ 90 an hour.
While most of those attending the reunion organized by Ansuini for the school Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was brought to a more intense pace, if you exercise at a slower pace for a longer period, also benefits.
Craig Dexheimer was walking in his belt, with his elegant suits and removed without even the twins, when answered a telephone call at his office in Minneapolis. His company, Salo, set up two conference rooms with exercise machines and said that idea is lighting.
The firm has partnered with Levine last year to analyze the effects of incorporating some exercises to work site, including "desk" with tapes that are moving to no more than two miles (3.2 kilometers) per hour.
It is assumed that such a pace to allow someone to exercise without sweating or running out of air. At about ten o'clock, Dexheimer, who is chief operating officer of the company, had traveled 4.3 miles (6.9 km) and thought to continue walking until noon.
Said it receives numerous calls from people interested in the idea and also organizes visits to their offices.
"You can check your e-mail and database" while walking, Dexheimer said, who said he lost 11 kilos (25 pounds) in six months. Says that the weight loss affected other changes he made in his lifestyle. "There are some things that are more difficult to walk a while, just as writing by hand or take notes."
"It takes two or three days to get used. But one fits," said the executive.
Back in Healthy Living, armed with a clip off the tape if it is pulled, Ansuini gave its report without problems from the tape path, albeit at times was slightly shaken.
"I think we are more productive because we have more energy, more adrenaline than usual, when working from a tape treadmills, said Marc Bandelier, one of the teachers of the school Ansuini, during a break to drink water.
Bandelier, by the way, burned 268 calories.
Labels: Health
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Some remedies are more publicity, more self
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Sunday, January 25, 2009Noting behavioral disorders and also in the academic performance of students, teachers of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina faced an investigation to determine consumption of drugs. And there was a marked influence drug advertising industry.
The study showed that the drugs used are the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. According to July Lotero professional in charge of the work for students relieved intake of drugs is synonymous with health.
Among the respondents, 84% recognized that once consumed drugs influenced by advertising, the vast majority are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.
Lotero noted here that, with this trend, there is a high consumption of NSAIDs, a substance that could lead to the emergence of significant adverse effects, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.
The investigation looked at 100 students, 20 of each year of the race. Data were extracted by monitors through a structured survey with closed and open. The variables considered were age, sex, year course, which consumes any medicine, therapeutic, who recommended him and the influence of advertising.
Among the women surveyed had evidence the use of a dangerous psychotropic drugs, the clonazepam. On one occasion was taken anxiolytic, on the advice of relatives.
The professionals in charge of the study indicated: They should assess the reasons for the use of psychotropic drugs in order to determine the reasonableness of its use because it has the potential to affect cognitive ability and performance in the psychophysical for dental student large manual that training on their journey unfolds.
Such conduct has created a problem for public health and society as a whole, called the medicalization of health, Lotero explained.
He also mentioned that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes and accepts the self. But when it is responsible. And they illustrate the use of medications free access (without prescription) for the relief of symptoms little serious ailments such as mild sore throat, stomach or heard, and if this does not replace self-professional contact with the patient.
In autoprescripción is left to one side to the doctor and the patient who decides what medicine to take and contrasts autoprescripción or indiscriminate use of drugs without supervision or optional indication, the experts concluded.
Labels: Health
China reports sixth bird flu case in humans this year
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Sunday, January 25, 2009A man from Guizhou Province, southwest China, was infected with bird flu and is in serious condition in hospital on Sunday, announced the Ministry of Health.
This is the sixth case of bird flu in humans reported to be in China this year. The Chinese Ministry of Health said on its website (www.moh.gov.cn) the latest victim is a man of 29 years apellidado Zhou, who fell ill on January 15.
In recent weeks, four people have died from bird flu in China.
"The epidemiological tests indicate that the patient had previous exposure to poultry in markets," the ministry said in a short statement.
None of the people who were close to Zhou has shown symptoms of the disease, added the ministry.
Even before the report of his case, health officials were urging Chinese to step up surveillance this month because it is assumed that the winter season helps the virus to spread.
Other recent victims fell ill in areas where there were no known poultry outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain.
The H5N1 strain remains mainly a virus is in birds. But experts maintain that there is a possibility that the virus mutate to a version that allows easy human-to-human infection, which could cause a pandemic that would cause death to millions.
Including the latest case, at least 36 people have been infected in China and 24 have died due to H5N1 to date.
Labels: Health
Paraguay admits dengue epidemic of low intensity
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Sunday, January 25, 2009The Paraguayan government on Saturday admitted the existence of a dengue epidemic, but low-intensity andalusia confirmed 35 individuals out of 360 patients treated in public hospitals, and in Bolivia reported an increase of evil in Santa Cruz.
According to the Bolivian authorities, just over 3,000 people came to the hospital so far this year with symptoms of dengue fever in this eastern city.
Meanwhile, Ivan Allende, director of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Public Health in Paraguay, told reporters that the majority of infected people live in the interior and the same amount in just three quarters of Asuncion.
"Of the 360 suspects, after laboratory tests out to 146 people but continue to study the blood of 179 other subjects," he said.
The doctor explained that "the epidemic of dengue fever is low, it means that we are on alert and worried but still can not declare a state of national emergency."
Symptoms of the disease are high fever, headache, diarrhea, nausea and severe pain mainly bones.
Between February and May 2008, the previous government of President Nicanor Duarte declared a national emergency andalusia checked more than 1,300 cases of patients of which eight were fatal shunt.
In Bolivia, the Health Minister Ramiro Tapia, who reported in 3233 across the country were positive cases, of which 2800 were filed in Santa Cruz until January 20.
Last week, his office confirmed the two deaths by dengue hemorrhagic fever in Santa Cruz.
Dengue fever appears in the rainy season in tropical areas. The bearer of evil encuba mosquito larvae in stagnant water. If the treaty is not a bad time can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever, causing death.
Labels: Health
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Deaths from dengue fever in Rio de Janeiro almost quadrupled
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Tuesday, January 13, 2009Deaths from dengue fever in Rio de Janeiro almost quadrupled last year, reaching a figure of 106 victims, reported Sunday the Brazilian authorities.
According to a report from the Ministry of Health of the city, there were 87 more deaths, but are still under investigation to determine whether due to the dengue, reported the News Agency of Brazil, the government.
Brazil agency said that 127,000 people became ill last year in the city, an increase of 25,000 cases compared to the figure of 2007. There were no reports of a possible cause and were unable to locate the secretariat of the authorities on Sunday for comment.
Dengue fever killed 27 people in 2007 in Rio, one of the cities most affected by the disease, transmitted by mosquitoes.
Dengue causes high fever, severe headaches and pains in the joints. Most cases are not fatal, but even more virulent and deadly disease has been reported more frequently.
Labels: Health
China suspends sales of dog food, contaminated
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Tuesday, January 13, 2009A local food for dogs announced on Monday that suspended the sale of the product after reports of the death of several animals by aflatoxin poisoning.
The company Yidi Shanghai Pet Co. stopped selling food brand Optima last week and notified its customers that do not give their animals, after receiving reports about the poisoning of the dogs consumed, said a customer service manager of the firm was identified only with his surname Gu.
"It is disturbing to see so many dogs have been sick for food. They must be serious problems," he added.
The announcement was made on the same day that Chinese authorities said they would increase security mechanisms in food before the main national celebration, the Lunar New Year.
The campaign is the latest effort by China to solve the serious problems of food security in the country.
The local industry has been affected by several scandals, including last year's, in which hundreds of thousands of children get sick from contaminated milk powder with melamine. The death of six babies have been linked to the scandal.
Melamine has also been cited as the cause of death of dogs and cats in the United States during 2007, due to consumption of Chinese food ingredients, contaminated with this compound.
These scandals are focused on chemical compounds that are used to hide the fact that doses food components have been reduced to increase profit margins.
Melamine, like protein, has high levels of nitrogen and was used to fool tests for protein levels.
Labels: Health
Friday, January 9, 2009
Antipsychotic drugs for Alzheimer's raises risk of death: study
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Friday, January 09, 2009The antipsychotic drugs that are prescribed to treat aggression in Alzheimer's patients appear to significantly increase their risk of premature death, British researchers reported on Friday.
The results of the first long-term study on the effect of these drugs in people with Alzheimer's disease highlights the need to seek less harmful treatments for many of these patients, the team said Clive Ballard of King's College London.
During its investigation of three years duration, the men and women who received a placebo were 42 percent less likely to die than those who continued taking antipsychotic medication, revealed the study published in the journal Lancet Neurology.
"Our data add further serious concerns about the safety of long-term use of antipsychotics in this population, and physicians should seek to replace them with safer approaches," wrote the authors.
Alzheimer's is an incurable brain disease that worsens over time and is the most common form of dementia. The condition affects 26 million people worldwide, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
The antipsychotic drugs are being used increasingly to treat the personality changes and aggression-related illness, but the new findings suggest that many patients are not worth the risk.
"Our view is that there is still an important but limited to atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of (symptoms), severe (Alzheimer's), particularly aggression," the researchers reported.
"However, security concerns (...) accumulated stress the urgent need to end the protracted and unnecessary prescriptions," they added.
The study, conducted between 2001 and 2004, 128 patients from 67 to 100 years were randomly assigned to continue antipsychotic treatment for 12 months or switch to a placebo therapy.
Among the drugs used were generic treatments thioridazine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol and trifluorperazina and Risperdal, or risperidone, Johnson & Johnson.
After a year, only a few people in the group treated with antipsychotic drugs had died, but at 36 months survival in the placebo cohort was 59 percent, compared to 30 percent among patients receiving the drugs.
Labels: Health
Weight loss may be just a phone call away: study
0 comments Posted by Lesbond at Friday, January 09, 2009The telephone and e-mail helps people to improve the diet and lose weight, according to a Dutch study published on Friday, which reveals what could be a simple but effective tool to combat obesity.
Research on 1400 overweight workers suggests that this type of advice on lifestyle are especially good for people who want a personal counseling to deal with weight problems.
"We found a significant weight loss with the telephone had not been observed in other investigations," said Marieke Van Wier, a researcher at the University Medical Center in Amsterdam who worked on the study.
"If it makes some people lose a modest amount of weight, it can have a major impact on public health," added Van Wier.
Obesity, which increases the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart problems, is a growing problem in more people adopting a sedentary lifestyle.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 400 million people worldwide are obese.
Van Wier's team randomly assigned to the volunteers, all overweight, a control group without counseling, he received a telephone counseling and other assistance by e-mail.
The advice included encouragement to keep in shape and stressed the need to comply with a healthy diet. Not focused on any target of weight loss in particular, Van Wier said in a telephone interview.
After six months, people with telephone counseling lost 1.5 kilograms (kg) more than those in the control group, while volunteers advised by email dropped 0.6 kg more than those who remained without advice, the expert added.
The authors, who published their findings is the journal BioMed Central, believe that such advice may encourage more specific targets for people with overweight.
"This is a modest weight loss, but the key is not pushing people to make big changes," concluded Van Wier.
Labels: Health
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that usually affects the intestinal tract and occasionally the bloodstream. It is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis and produces several thousand cases each year in New York. Most cases occur during the summer months and in specific cases, outbreaks can occur.
Who contracted salmonellosis?
While the disease can be contracted by anyone, it is recognized that its incidence is highest among infants and children.
How is salmonella bacteria?
Salmonella is spread through consumption of food or water contaminated by contact with infected people or animals.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
People exposed to salmonella may have mild or severe diarrhea, fever and in some cases, vomiting. Bloodstream infections can be very serious, especially for very young children or the elderly.
How long after exposure symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear within one to three days after exposure.
Where is salmonella?
Salmonella can be found easily in our food chain and the environment. The agencies often contaminate eggs, raw meat and dairy products from non-pasteurized cheese. Other sources of exposure may include contact with infected pets such as turtles, chickens, dogs and cats.
How long can an infected person to be carrying the germs of salmonella?
The carrier status varies from a few days to several months. Babies and people who have received treatment with oral antibiotics tend to carry the germ longer than others.
Is it necessary to isolate or exclude from the school or the workplace for those infected?
Because Salmonella is found in feces, it is only necessary to isolate people with active diarrhea that can not control their bowel habits (eg, infants, young children and persons with disabilities). Most infected people may return to work or school if they can control these habits, as long as they wash their hands well after the evacuation. People who handle food, children attending day care and health workers must obtain approval of the local health department or state before returning to their routine activities.
What is the treatment for salmonellosis?
Most people infected with salmonella recover without help or just need fluids to avoid dehydration. Usually, we do not recommend the use of antibiotics or medicines to control diarrhea cases common with intestinal infections.
How can you prevent salmonellosis?
1. Always treat raw meat of poultry, cows and pigs as if it were contaminated and proceed as follows:
Wrap meat in plastic bags in the market to prevent the blood off on the rest of the food.
Refrigerate foods immediately, minimize their stay at room temperature.
Once the counters used for food preparation and cutting boards them, wash them immediately needed to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
Avoid eating raw or poorly cooked meat.
Make sure that food reaching the internal temperature of cooking, especially when using microwave ovens.
2. Avoid eating raw eggs or foods containing eggs cooked bit raw.
3. Avoid using raw milk.
4. Incentive wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food.
5. Make sure that children, especially those who play with pets, wash their hands carefully.
6. Do not have reptiles as pets in homes where people living with compromised immune systems or young children.
Labels: Health
The "metrosexual": a new style of male *
"The typical metrosexual is a young man with money to spend, living in the metropolis, where the best shops, clubs, Gyms and best hairdressers. It may be officially gay, straight or bisexual, but this would not be so important because it takes itself as its object of love and pleasure. They are independent professionals, models, work in the media and producing or pop music, and now also in sports, but love the products of male vanity .... "
-Mark Simpson, "Meet the metrosexual," Salon.com, July 22, 2002
That is the definition of "metrosexual" as is found. The word "metrosexual" was invented in England by Mark Simpson in 1994. Defines a "new man" of the twenty-first century. Basically, this new man is a "narcissistic" that is "out of the closet." The metrosexual is a guy with money, living in the metropolis, he likes to wear loud clothes, paint nails, skin care is, use creams, hair paint. It may be homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual. That's not interested. What matters is that the type is "like" itself and how important that is not afraid to do know. It was generally spend much time in front of the mirror. Although it is starting to leave the closet (closet).
What happens here is that Mark Simpson invented a name to define something that has existed for a long time but now is becoming more common. Men who have no shame in painted nails or hair or use face cream or dressing using Clothing colors that have traditionally been women. Although we all know that this has always existed in some way now appears that many felt "liberated" the image of "male" that has characterized the man for centuries. I read that this new man may come in contact with her female and has no fear in exteriorizarlo. The other day when connecting to the Internet, in the first screen where all the news and post comments saying he had a question: Are you a Metrosexual?
Its leader is the English footballer David Beckham, who despite their nails painted, hair dye, is the son of a hairdresser, and even posing for gay magazines, make the ladies sigh worldwide making clear their masculinity.
"While some prefer to forgo some metro tendencies for fear that the other suspects who are gay, like going to the manicurist or use bright colors, others are consciously appropriated the gay culture as a resource for distinguished men of the pile of gray. The fact that there are other men who question their sexuality is, indeed, part of a game you love to play, "says the New York Times."
They like women, but made part of the gay aesthetic
Those who like strong women, but at the same time, are big consumers of cosmetics, magazines and clothing fashion design, which features more than make him a doubt for their sexual orientation. And it is here where one of the most distinctive features of these "new men": the majority gives them exactly what to think they are gay. One example: the footballer David Beckham, who is painted nails, it is in braids hair and poses for gay magazines, without giving up your profile heterosexual. Some clear so far: using brand jeans, is interested in the design indoor, cook, do yoga. Nor do you mess with cosmetic surgery, have good manners, distinguished from a sheet of good quality that it is not, know what is in and are sensitive.
Another Definition of Metrosexual:
Urban man with an important sense of aesthetics that devotes much of his time and money on his appearance and lifestyle.
They like to be seen as sensitive and romantic.
Being a metrosexual is not conditioned sexual preferences of men, although the term is used for heterosexual men who show this trend for the aesthetics and personal care.
Some examples of men as metro are Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Deep or David Beckham.
Labels: Health