02/23/16

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

CDC investigates more U.S. Zika cases possibly transmitted sexually

The new cases include two pregnant women, notable since Zika has been linked to microcephaly in newborns

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/centers-of-disease-control-investigates-whether-14-united-states-zika-cases-were-sexually/

Baby gorilla born by rare C-section

An adorable baby gorilla was delivered via caesarian section at Bristol Zoo Gardens in the U.K. after vets feared she might not survive

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/baby-gorilla-born-by-rare-c-section/

Nerve Block Technique Might Help Chronic Back Pain

Small study found half of patients still getting pain relief a year out from treatment

From: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/news/20160223/nerve-block-technique-might-help-ease-chronic-back-pain?src=RSS_PUBLIC

TX Hospitals Develop Rapid Test for Zika Virus

But it will only be available at hospitals that developed it for now, research team says

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160223/texas-hospitals-develop-rapid-test-for-zika-virus-detection?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Do Genes Link Headaches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Study finds evidence of shared DNA, but more research is needed

From: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20160223/do-genes-link-headaches-irritable-bowel-syndrome?src=RSS_PUBLIC

CDC: Half of black gay men will be diagnosed with HIV

For the first time ever, health officials release alarming projections of lifetime risk of HIV infection in the U.S.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/half-of-black-gay-men-will-be-diagnosed-with-hiv-cdc/

Twin sisters defy the odds with multiple sets of twins

Identical twin sisters in Utah each gave birth to a set of twins - and then they did it again

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/twin-sisters-defy-the-odds-with-multiple-sets-of-twins/

Identical twin sisters give birth to twins - twice

Utah sisters and their growing brood defy the odds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/identical-twin-sisters-give-birth-to-twins-twice/

Could air pollution be making us fat?

A study looks at whether extreme air pollution in Beijing could have an impact on weight gain

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-air-pollution-be-making-us-fat/

Changes to Your Diet

WebMD shows you changes in your diet that can affect your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea.

From: http://www.webmd.com/ibs/features/ibs-d-diet?src=RSS_PUBLIC

CDC Researchers Join Hunt for Zika Clues in Brazil

Teams of U.S. and Brazilian scientists will investigate virus' link to severe brain defect in newborns

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160223/cdc-researchers-join-hunt-for-zika-clues-in-brazil?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Could Adults' Expectations Up Kids' ADHD Rates?

Rates of disorder have risen alongside increasing academic demands, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20160223/could-adults-expectations-drive-up-adhd-diagnoses-in-kids?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: Flu Shot Update

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-rZohLYBxM

Fact Sheet: USDA Investments in Rural Opportunity

Since 2009, USDA’s partnership with America's rural communities has supported the emergence of a more vibrant, diverse rural economy led by makers, creators and innovators. Under the leadership of President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, USDA has made significant and transformative investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure that have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening our nation’s economy, small towns and rural communities.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0051.xml&contentidonly=true

Vaginal Ring Offers Some Protection Against HIV

Use of the new device cut infection rates between 27 percent and 56 percent in African women

From: http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/news/20160222/vaginal-ring-offers-some-protection-against-hiv-study-says?src=RSS_PUBLIC

More American Women Opting for Mastectomy

Rate went up 36 percent between 2005 and 2013, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160222/more-american-women-opting-for-mastectomy-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Parent Depression, Anxiety and Kids' Fussy Eating

If mom or dad had mental health issues, children were pickier about what they ate, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20160223/parents-depression-anxiety-may-contribute-to-kids-fussy-eating?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Awards Loans to Boost Rural Economic Development in Five States

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2016 –As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ongoing efforts to boost opportunity in rural communities, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded six low-interest loans to local governments and community organizations that will spur rural economic development in five states. Secretary Vilsack announced the awards at the Legislative Conference of the National Association of Counties during a seminar with the White House Rural Council.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0050.xml&contentidonly=true

High-Impact Exercise Strengthens Men's Bones

Long-term jogging or tennis may help males avoid osteoporosis

From: http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20160222/high-impact-exercise-strengthens-mens-bones-researchers-say?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Snickers, Milky Way and other Mars candy bars recalled

Chocolate maker Mars recalls chocolate bars in 55 countries after problem is found

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/snickers-milky-way-mars-candy-bars-recalled/

The biggest distractions that cause car crashes

Video shot inside cars reveals what was distracting drivers seconds before an accident; some distractions more dangerous than others

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/biggest-distractions-that-cause-car-crashes/

Steroid May Be Safe, Effective Gout Treatment

Doctor says this appears to offer options for pain management

From: http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/news/20160223/steroid-may-be-safe-effective-gout-treatment-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Obama Asks Congress for $1.9 Billion to Fight Zika

Money would go toward mosquito-control programs, vaccine development and tests to better spot the virus

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160222/obama-asks-congress-for-19-billion-to-battle-zika-virus?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Lung Cancer Survivors May Get Too Many PET Scans

Study finds using costly test as first option for follow-up may not improve survival

From: http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20160222/lung-cancer-survivors-may-be-getting-too-many-pet-scans?src=RSS_PUBLIC

In Texas, a race to find a vaccine for Zika

One doctor says scientists have learned more about the virus in the last two months than they have in almost 70 years

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zika-virus-vaccine-lab-university-of-texas-medical-branch-galveston/

How artificial hearts could one day make transplants history

Companies are working on creating a permanent artificial heart that could last for decades and one day make donor hearts unnecessary

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/heart-disease-number-one-killer-artificial-eliminate-need-for-human-transplants/

4 ways to protect your family from mosquitoes

.Follow me at @drClaire

The news about the Zika virus possibly causing microcephaly in infants has everyone talking about — and worried about — mosquitoes. It’s not just the Zika virus that can be spread by mosquitoes; these insects also spread other illnesses, such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, and Japanese encephalitis.

It should be said that most people who are bitten by mosquitoes don’t get sick with anything. But if you are living in or traveling to an area where these illnesses are prevalent, it’s important to know the four best ways to protect yourself and your family:

Choose your clothes wisely. Lightweight long sleeves and long pants are your best bet; spraying clothing with insect repellent may help even more.
Create barriers between you and the mosquitoes. Staying inside, in air-conditioned buildings or buildings with good screens that don’t let in mosquitoes, is one way to do that. You can also use mosquito netting; you can use it around beds and also around baby strollers. Spraying the netting with insect repellent is a good idea.
Watch out for standing water. That’s where mosquitoes breed. If you can empty it out, do that. If you can’t, don’t hang out near it.
Use insect repellents. The most effective one is DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Mosquitoes don’t like how it smells, so they stay away from it. The higher the percentage of DEET in the repellent, the longer the protection: 10% protects for a couple of hours, 20% about twice that.

How to use insect repellent effectively and safely

DEET does have side effects. The most common one is skin irritation, and it’s important not to use it on areas with scratches, cuts, or rashes. If ingested, it can cause nausea or vomiting. Ingesting large amounts of it, or using high percentages for long periods of time, can lead to neurologic problems such as seizures, but this is very rare.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that percentages up to 30% are safe in children — but you shouldn’t use it on babies younger than 2 months old. For best protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using at least 20%.

There are other insect repellent options, too:

Oil of lemon eucalyptus (or PMD, the man-made version), which can be very effective and is safe. It shouldn’t be used on children under 3 years old, however — it’s not well-studied enough.
Picaridin, which can be very effective against mosquitoes (but not so much against ticks — so keep that in mind if you need protection against both). It can cause mild skin irritation or irritation of the eyes if you get some there.
2-undecanone (IBI-246), a chemical naturally found in various plants. It can protect for up to 4-5 hours and is nontoxic.
IR-3535, which is the active ingredient in Avon insect repellents (and some others as well). It lasts for about 2 hours. It can cause eye irritation if you spray it there by accident, but is otherwise very safe.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a great tool to help you find the insect repellent that works best for your particular situation. No matter what you use:

Make sure a grownup does the spraying.
Never spray directly on the face; spray it on your hands and use your hands to apply it to the face (and then wash your hands!)
Always spray in an open area, to limit how much you end up breathing in.
Reapply if truly needed, but do so sparingly.
When you come home at the end of the day, wash everyone up well with soap and water — and be sure to wash any sprayed clothing before it’s worn again.

To learn more about mosquito-borne diseases and how to protect yourself, visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The post 4 ways to protect your family from mosquitoes appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4-ways-to-protect-your-family-from-mosquitoes-201602239272

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