Second Wave Of Nastiness From Flu Poised To Sweep In Just As First Strain Eases Up
Doctors are warning that the strain hits children particularly hard, so parents shouldn't drop their guard even as the weather gets warmer.
The Mercury News:
CDC: A Second Flu Outbreak May Be Here
Just when we all thought we were done with this winter’s deadly flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that another influenza strain could be about to hit the nation. While the season was mainly dominated by the H3N2 virus, an influenza A strain that is more severe and less receptive to vaccines than other types of the flu, influenza B has now overtaken influenza A. And that, says the CDC, could be setting the stage for a second wave of misery. (May, 3/28)
In other public health news —
KQED:
E-Cigarettes May Be Toxic To The Body
Many smokers, turn to electronic cigarettes and vaporizers as a way to quit their habit, but recent research shows that swapping smoke for vapor might also lead to serious health risks. ... Flori Sassano, a pharmacologist at the University of North Carolina, worries about all those fruity ingredients. ... Scientists do not know how the body reacts to inhaling artificial flavors. The Food and Drug Administration has only tested the flavor agents for consumption, that's why Sassano just completed a study on e-liquids. ... The researchers found that results varied widely across the e-liquid products tested, and overall, more ingredients led to increased toxicity. (McClurg, 3/28)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Man Suffering From 'Worst-Ever' Case Of Super-Gonorrhea
A British man has contracted what health officials are calling the world's "worst-ever" case of super-gonorrhea. The man, who was not identified, has a regular partner in the U.K., but was infected earlier this year during a sexual encounter with a woman in Southeast Asia, according to BBC News. The main antibiotic treatment for the disease — a combination of azithromycin and ceftriaxone — failed to cure the infection, according to Public Health England. The two drugs were recommended in combination under new World Health Organization guidelines issued only last year. (Moffitt, 3/28)
The Mercury News:
Why Are You Always Hungry?
Summer is coming and you’re thinking about trying on swimsuits and launching a new healthy living kick. Pronto. Especially the diet part. If you are trying to get fit fast, you are likely moving more and eating less — and grappling with the nagging feeling that you can’t seem to stop feeling hungry. Am I right? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Here are four reasons you’re always hungry and what to do to tame your rumbling tummy. (D'Souza, 3/28)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Dining Out Is Bad For Your Health, According To A New Study
Dining out at restaurants might be bad for your health, according to a national study released Wednesday. But it’s not solely due to sugars or fats, but to increased levels of potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates. The study, which was published by George Washington University and authored by a UC Berkeley scientist, is the first of its kind to compare phthalate exposure in people who reported eating at restaurants and cafeterias to those who made home-cooked meals. According to the report, the phthalate levels of those who dined out often were nearly 35 percent higher than those of people who reported eating food purchased at the grocery store, and fast-food restaurants are a particularly strong source of the chemical. (Phillips, 3/28)