Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug, is surging across the United States this winter, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data shows 91 outbreaks of norovirus during the week of Dec. 5, a sharp rise from the 69 outbreaks recorded the previous week. For context,…  read on >  read on >

Federal health officials have confirmed unsettling new details about the first United States case of severe bird flu, reported recently in a hospitalized patient in Louisiana. Genetic samples from the patient contained mutations that could, in theory, help the virus better infect human cells. Importantly, these mutations were observed in the later stages of infection…  read on >  read on >

The United States is lagging behind dozens of nations in its preparation for dealing with its aging population. The U.S. ranks 24 among 143 countries when it comes to ensuring seniors’ well-being, productivity and security, according to results published Dec. 27 in the journal Nature Aging. By comparison, Switzerland tops the rankings, Singapore is at 10,…  read on >  read on >

Blue Christmas, anyone? Holiday time can be wonderful, worrisome, energizing and depressing — all at the same time. There is no doubt about it: The holidays can be darn hard, especially when the season dredges up painful feelings or memories. Rather than stirring merry and joyful feelings, the end of the year can feel sad,…  read on >  read on >

FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) A specific class of anti-inflammatory drugs can help children avoid a debilitating complication of Crohn’s disease. A new study published recently in the journal Gut shows children with Crohn’s who were prescribed anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs following their diagnosis had an 82% lower risk of anal fistulas, or…  read on >  read on >

More Americans believe in the effectiveness of vaccines developed to protect newborns and seniors against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More than half of U.S. adults (52%) think the RSV vaccine given to pregnant women will protect newborns from the infection, up from 42% a year ago, say survey results from the Annenberg Public Policy Center…  read on >  read on >