Tag Archives: disease-control

Cancer patients at increased risk for severe flu complications

"The flu shot is recommended annually for cancer patients, as it is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications," said Mollie deShazo, M.D., associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology and medical director of UAB Inpatient Oncology. "The flu vaccine significantly lowers the risk of acquiring the flu; it is not 100 percent effective, but it is the best tool we have." Flu activity in the United States is low, even after increasing slightly in recent weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, more activity is expected, and people who have not had a flu vaccine this year are advised to do so. "It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, but you can benefit even if you get the vaccine after the flu has arrived in your community," deShazo said…

Woman claims berries bought at Costco gave her Hepatitis A, sues manufacturer

A woman is suing after she says she got Hepatitis A from eating Townsend Farms frozen berries she bought at Costco, according to My Fox Phoenix.  The lawsuit was filed against berry maker Townsend Farms on Thursday. The woman, who lives in Anthem, Ariz., can't remember which Costco she bought the berries at. She's worked at the same place for 10 years and says she's never called in sick. Now she's at risk of losing her job and her degree as her medical bills are mounting. “I mean if I don't have a job, I don't have a degree, what do I have? Hepatitis A,” said Karen Echard. Echard says she got Hepatitis A from eating Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berry and Pomegranate Mix she bought at Costco in April. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 79 people in eight states have Hepatitis A infections potentially associated with the frozen berry mix; 30 were hospitalized. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can last a few weeks to several months. “They said it's anywhere from six weeks to six months for recovery with as bad a case as I have,” said Echard. The CDC says Costco removed the item from its shelves.Townsend Farms voluntarily recalled the item. Click for more from My Fox Phoenix. source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/woman-claims-frozen-costco-berries-gave-her-hepatitis-sues-manufacturer/

Mysterious respiratory illness kills 2, leaves 5 others hospitalized in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – & A mysterious respiratory illness has left five people hospitalized and two dead in southeast Alabama, state health officials said Tuesday. Seven people have been admitted to hospitals with a fever, cough and shortness of breath in recent weeks, Alabama Department of Public Health spokeswoman Mary McIntyre said in a statement. Two of the seven have died. The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control Respiratory Laboratory are analyzing lab tests from all seven patients. McIntyre says officials hope to have preliminary results on the samples back by Wednesday or Thursday morning. The illness was first reported late last week and the last of the seven patients was hospitalized Monday, McIntyre said. It wasn't immediately clear which municipalities the illnesses were concentrated in. “We're only aware of the Southeast, but we don't know -- we haven't received reports from anywhere else,” McIntyre said. “That's why we're trying to get the information out.” McIntyre said it's unclear what's causing the illness but some of the seven patients also had the flu. Authorities are urging hospital staff to wear masks when caring for patients who appear to be suffering from respiratory illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control referred all questions to Alabama health officials.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/mysterious-illness-kills-2-in-southeast-alabama/

Deaths from West Nile virus hit record last year

U.S. health officials say last year was the worst ever for West Nile virus deaths. The final tally reported Monday was 286 deaths - or two more than the record set in 2002. But there were far fewer illnesses overall, and fewer serious cases than in previous years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had predicted it would be a bad year because of weather conditions that promote breeding of the mosquitoes that spread the virus to people. The CDC report Monday showed Texas had nearly a third of the serious cases, and about a third of the deaths. West Nile virus was first diagnosed in Uganda in 1937, but no cases were reported in the U.S. until 1999 in New York. It gradually spread to the West Coast.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/14/deaths-from-west-nile-virus-hit-record-last-year/

HPV-related cancers rose before vaccines hit market

The number of some cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) increased throughout the U.S. before vaccines against the sexually transmitted infection were available, says to a new study. Researchers found an increase in many early-stage cancers and anal and head and neck late-stage cancers across the U.S. …