According to the FDA, the drug Chantix (varenicline) may increase the risk of heart attacks.
T
his result was seen in a study which compared rates of heart attacks in smokers who took either Chantix or a placebo.
Ironically, smoking in itself is a big risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Tobacco related deaths in the USA alone are about 500,000 each year, ten times more than the US deaths in Vietnam.
For more information, talk to your doctor or visit the FDA
A new study from the Lancet showed that individuals with tuberculosis and vitamin D deficiency had a better response to antibiotic treatment when they were also given high doses of vitamin D (4 doses of 100,000 IU were given in total).
In this randomized trial of 126 people, 62 received the vitamin D + antibiotic while the remaining received the antibiotic + placebo.
Further analysis showed that individuals with the TT genotype of the Taq1 vitamin D receptor polymoprhism had the best response and their sputum cultures converted from positive to negative more rapidly when compared to the others in the study. There were no reported side effects from the vitamin D.
While at this time, this type of genetic testing is not carried out due to cost, treatment of all tuberculosis (TB) patients with high dose vitamin D would be prudent. The overall safety profile and low cost of vitamin D would make this a reasonable approach.
Read more about the health benefits of Vitamin D.
Source: Martineau AR et al. Lancet. 2011, January 15;377[9761]: 242-50
Posted in Diseases, Infectious Disease, Vitamins
FDA permits marketing of first test for most common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks
Test can aid in identifying and containing norovirus outbreaks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the first test for the preliminary identification of norovirus.
The Ridascreen Norovirus 3rd Generation EIA assay is for use when a number of people have simultaneously contracted gastroenteritis and there is a clear avenue for virus transmission, such as a shared location or food.
Norovirus is a leading cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States.
Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine that can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Norovirus contamination usually occurs in settings where there is close group contact, such as cruise ships, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools or child-care centers. It is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly through direct person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces.
“This test provides an avenue for early identification of norovirus,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Early intervention can halt the spread of an outbreak.”
The test is not sensitive enough for use when only a single person has symptoms and should not be used for diagnosing individual patients.
The manufacturer demonstrated the performance of the Ridascreen test by comparing results of it to the results of a norovirus reference standard for 609 fecal samples. When the fecal samples were tested with Ridascreen, overall results on average were less sensitive than those of standard reference tests, detecting norovirus across samples about 2/3 of the time it was present.
The FDA reviewed data for Ridascreen via the de novo pathway, an alternative path to market for devices that are lower risk and may not require premarket approval (PMA), but are of a new type, and therefore may not be able to be cleared in a ’510(k)’ premarket notification.
In March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be updating management and disease prevention guidelines for norovirus outbreaks. These guidelines will likely reflect substantial advances made in norovirus epidemiology, immunology, diagnostic methods and infection control.
Ridascreen is made by R-Biopharm AG, located in Darmstadt, Germany.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm244331.htm
Health Tip: Consider a Strawberry Banana Cabbage smoothie to help increase your immunity. Smoothies are a great alternative for young children and help create healthy dietary habits while prevent disease. Learn more about the Industrial Vitamix Smoothie Blender designed for home use.
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Do you have a head cold, cough, body aches and it body aches all over- does this sound familiar?
Do you have a bad cough that is leading to vomiting? if so, you may have whooping cough (read more about this here).
This is influenza season and virus season. Some become dehydrated and may need intravenous fluids. Even though you may have had your flu shot, you can still get flu-like illnesses. No one is 100% protected against infections.
I have seen many patients with stuffy noses, post nasal drip (you know you have this if your are clearing your throat all the time), sore throat, cough, body aches and a few with vomiting and diarrhea. A visit to your doctor may be of benefit.
Fortunately, only a few will develop bacterial sinus infections, bacterial bronchitis or even pneumonia. For some, this virus may prove fatal.
Generally, less than 10% of those with a viral infection will need antibiotics, most just need time and fluids.
Also, its real important to note that the only throat infection that needs antibiotics is strept throat. No matter how bad your throat hurts, antibiotics won’t help unless you test positive for strept. See your doctor if you are not sure.
If my patient does not have a bacterial infection, I simply recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).
How can you prevent these from occurring in the first place? First, make sure your vitamin D levels are adequate. Most people need to take 2,000-4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D blood levels before taking in excess of 2,000 IU daily. To learn more about vitamin D and how it can strengthen you immune system, read Vitamin D Prescription on Kindle.
Also, consider zinc supplementation which has been shown to be beneficial according to recent studies.
Also, consider influenza vaccination, which may also decrease risk. However, the studies are not as clear cut as one thinks.
Cochrane reviewers, an independent research group concluded this when asked whether vaccines were helpful in preventing the flu for healthy people. “Influenza vaccines have a modest effect in reducing influenza symptoms and working days lost. There is no evidence that they affect complications, such as pneumonia, or transmission.”(cochrane). Ask your doctor if the flu shot is right for you.
FYI: The above symptoms are generally caused by a virus called, adenovirus. In addition to the above symptoms, adenovirus can cause gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis (pink eye), rash and whole body aches. Another type of virus that can cause infection and common cold symptoms are known as the corona virus (no relation to the beer).
* Always consult your physician if you have a medical problem, the above it not my medical advice..
From the CDC website: Adenoviruses are medium-sized (90-100 nm), nonenveloped icosohedral viruses containing double-stranded DNA. There are 49 immunologically distinct types (6 subgenera: A through F) that can cause human infections. Adenoviruses are unusually stable to chemical or physical agents and adverse pH conditions, allowing for prolonged survival outside of the body.
Posted in Diseases, Health & Fitness, Infectious Disease, Vaccines
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