If the last flu season is any indication, you need to take steps now to protect yourself against infection, an infectious diseases expert warns. The 2017-2018 flu season in the United States was the worst since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking the severity of annual flu seasons. There were nearly… read on >
The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) is ineffective in treating a rare, polio-like disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis in children, researchers are reporting. In the United States, there have been 219 possible cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) reported so far this year, and 80 have been confirmed, according to the U.S. Centers for… read on >
Women confused by the conflicting advice surrounding the benefits and timing of mammograms will be interested in a new study out of Sweden. The research, involving more than 50,000 breast cancer patients, found that those who took part in a breast cancer screening program had a 60 percent lower risk of dying from the disease… read on >
FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 (American Heart Association) — Sudden cardiac arrest — when the heart stops beating — is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. To help save lives, automated external defibrillators, which shock the heart back into a regular beat, have been placed in many public places. Now, these portable… read on >
There are wide variations between states when it comes to child restraint rules for ride-share services such as Lyft and Uber, researchers report. This can cause uncertainty and confusion for parents and other caregivers. Ride-share vehicles typically don’t come with a car seat, and an option to request one is available only in some cities,… read on >
The HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus, which has been shown to cause cancer in males and females, the American Cancer Society says. More than 270 million doses have been administered since 2006, reports the society, saying studies have shown the vaccine is safe. The society adds: The HPV vaccination is for boys and girls.… read on >
Although the herbal supplement kratom is still legal and widely available, its opioid-like effects have caused significant withdrawal symptoms in at least two newborns in the United States and that should raise concerns, researchers say. A case study of a baby boy exposed to kratom during his mother’s pregnancy — only the second American case… read on >
As stigmas surrounding mental health issues have eased, more U.S. college students are seeking help for emotional problems, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study, an annual online survey involving more than 150,000 students from 196 campuses. In 2017, 36 percent of students were diagnosed with mental health issues, compared… read on >
It is common and perfectly natural for a young child to feel some separation anxiety when a guardian isn’t nearby, Harvard Medical School experts say. But if separation anxiety is strong enough to interfere with normal activities such as school and friendships, it may be cause for psychological counseling, the school says. In cases of… read on >
Kids with summer birthdays, especially those who spend long hours playing on smartphones and tablets, might be at greater risk for vision problems, a new study suggests. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is on the rise worldwide. It’s what eye doctors call a refractive error, meaning the eyes can’t focus light properly. The result: Close objects… read on >
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