The flu vaccine has been 48% effective so far this season, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brendan Flannery, an epidemiologist at the CDC’s influenza division, said, “The 48 percent overall is not as good as we would like to see for flu vaccine, but the protection we see is significant.”
MoreThis is according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC also reported that eight pediatric deaths have been reported due to seasonal influenza and that 10 states have experienced high amounts of people with flu-like symptoms. Widespread influenza activity was reported in 37 states.
MoreA study published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse suggests that psilocybin, the hallucinogen found in magic mushrooms, can help smokers quit smoking.
MoreA Finnish study published online in JAMA Internal Medicine found that “found that every 500-meter (about one third of a mile) increase in distance to the nearest tobacco shop increased an individual’s odds of quitting by 20 percent to 60 percent.”
MoreA new research indicated “an implantable pacemaker-like device that controls breathing muscles during sleep by electrical stimulation of a phrenic nerve proved effective in patients with moderate to severe central sleep apnea.”
MoreThe FDA has approved a surgically implanted weight-loss device that drains the contents of the stomach after meals. The AspireAssist device is intended for those aged 22 and older with a body mass index of 35 to 55.
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Smokers are more likely to try quitting and more successful at quitting if they are given cigarette packs with graphic warnings compared to smokers given cigarette packs with only text warnings, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
MoreAn average of 251,454 deaths per year in the United States are caused by medical error.
Even that figure probably underestimates the actual number, because it includes only deaths in hospitals, not in out-patient surgery centers, nursing homes, or other health care settings.
MoreAre allergy shots going out of favor. This is good news for patients and bad news for allergist who make most of their income out of allergy shots for at least 3 years. The tablets are much more convenient however the price might be very high!
In 2014, the Food and Drug Administration approved Oralair for grass allergies. It was the first sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet approved for use in the United States. It then approved Grastek, also for grass allergies, and Ragwitek, for ragweed allergies.
MoreGovernment health officials will team up with minor league baseball as part of a new $36 million campaign to discourage rural teenagers from using chewing tobacco.
