Are you trying to stop smoking - but having a hard time with it? Don’t beat yourself up about it - instead get some free help. The Great American Smokeout is a day set aside to help people quit for at least one day. They hope that if they can get people to quit for one day they can help them to quit for good.
Researchers have found a new way for people who have tested for STD’s to tell their sexual partners without feeling embarrassed. Public health educators analyzed the effects that inSPOT.org would have on people. The website was launched in 2004 and is a place that lets sexual partners notify each through an e-card if they have been exposed to an STD.
Close to 18,000 people participated in the 5km walk that was a part of the American Cancer Society’s 11th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. There were also close to 2,000 other breast cancer patients and ones that were not patients who came to help raise money for the different programs that would help to fund research, support breast cancer patients, and for advocacy.
The West Nile virus can hit someone suddenly and without warning. That is how it was for 72 year old Jack Austin who said that he did not even remember a mosquito even biting him. Austin - a Duarte resident - spent nine days in the hospital being treated for the virus and told reporters that he did not even remember this stay.
Yet another outbreak of salmonella contamination has erupted and this time the infected vegetable are alfalfa sprouts. Already nine people in the state of Washington have been ill from them and four others in Oregon. Two of those people were admitted to the hospital.
The FDA stated this week that they will be increasing the warnings about the life threatening pancreas problems when connected to the drug Byetta - used for type 2 diabetes. Already two deaths have been reported as well as four hospitalizations.
Those patients had hemorrhagic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas with bleeding) or necrotizing pancreatitis (in which the inflamed pancreas destroys itself). All six patients were hospitalized, and their Byetta treatment was stopped. The four survivors were still recovering at the time that the FDA learned of their illness.
Another food recall is being conducted and investigated by the Whole Foods Market. Fresh ground beef that has been sold from June 2 to August 6 of 2008 is being recalled due to an E. coli outbreak that allegedly originated in Austin, Texas.
The Nintendo Wii Fit game has quickly become popular among Nintendo gamers and is acclaimed to be an exercise game that is made up of activities using a Wii Balancing Board. The new game may be popular among gamers - but several health experts are mad at the game because it is telling kids that it will help them to lose weight.
10 year old Brandon Rayner from Las Vegas has recently survived a brain tumor - but now he is facing yet another medical illness that could take his life. Brandon is now fighting off leukemia and needs bone marrow to help him survive. In an effort to save his son Moe Rayner has created a bone marrow drive.
The Central District Health Department released a statement concerning the mosquito spraying that they will be doing over the summer:
Grand Island -Beginning this week the Central District Health Department will begin spraying for adult mosquitoes. With recent rains and flooding the mosquito numbers have increased and now warrant the need for control. The spraying will be conducted during the early morning and late evening hours when mosquitoes are most likely to be out. The spraying can only be conducted when there are perfect weather conditions and notices will be made whenever possible.