One hundred years ago, the deadliest influenza pandemic of all time made a ravaging march across the globe. The “Spanish” flu of 1918-19 infected an estimated one-third of the world’s population and killed between 50 million and 100 million people, modern epidemiologists estimate. That raises the inevitable question as the United States battles its way… read on >
Herpes infection rates are dropping among young Americans, and safer sex practices may be one reason why. Roughly 12 percent of adults were infected with genital herpes (HSV-2) in 2015-2016, down from 18 percent in 1999-2000, a new government report found. The same promising trend was seen with HSV-1, a form of herpes that causes… read on >
“Exergaming” — playing video games that get you off the sofa and into the action — has positive fitness benefits that span the generations. It can be a way to introduce sedentary kids to exercise and even keep seniors fit. Because it engages the mind, it also may lead to better cognitive function in your… read on >
Poor sleep increases your risk of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and obesity, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. Poor sleep also has been linked to memory problems and increased risk of falls, the agency adds. You should aim for at least seven hours of quality sleep each… read on >
You need iron to make hemoglobin, the part of each red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout the body. More women than men are iron-deficient, which is common during pregnancy. You have iron-deficiency anemia when your body does not make enough healthy red blood cells or the blood cells do not work properly. This can… read on >
If your child is among the 10 percent of kids with asthma, you want to do everything you can to control it. Start by working with your child’s allergist to identify his or her unique asthma triggers and ways to avoid them. Common asthma triggers include: Secondhand smoke from cigarettes, wood-burning stoves and campfires, Pet… read on >
Sinusitis occurs when the lining of the hollow passages in your cheeks, forehead or below your eyes become inflamed. When swelling persists for more than two weeks, it may signal a sinus infection. The American Rhinologic Association mentions these typical symptoms of sinusitis: Nasal obstruction or congestion. Thick and discolored drainage. Decreased senses of smell… read on >
A persistent cough may transmit an illness and keep you up at night, but there are things you can do to help tame your discomfort, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. A cough may be triggered by conditions including asthma, allergy, the common cold, a lung infection and sinusitis with postnasal drip. The agency… read on >
Your pet rat could make you very sick by transmitting a virus that’s newly emerged in North America, U.S. health officials warn. Seoul virus is a rat-borne hantavirus that typically causes symptoms that resemble the flu — fever, headache, muscle pain. In rare cases infection can lead to hospitalization with hemorrhagic fever and kidney failure.… read on >
A colonoscopy can save your life by detecting and removing colon cancer, but it might also trigger appendicitis, a new study suggests. Experts aren’t sure exactly why that happens, and, fortunately, it’s rare. And it shouldn’t stop you from getting a colonoscopy, according to lead researcher Dr. Marc Basson. “Having a colonoscopy, or something about… read on >
