Pregnancy & Influenza Vaccination

Industry Recognition Underscores Importance of Educating Pregnant Women About Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
Date: April 8, 2009Media Contact: Kristin Mellon, 202-296-2002 or klm@ecius.net
Washington, DC ­ "Flu-Free and a Mom-to-Be: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby, Get a Flu Shot!,” an educational campaign geared towards increasing awareness of influenza vaccination in pregnant women, was awarded the National Influenza Vaccine Summit Immunization Excellence Award ­ 2008-2009 Corporate Campaign. Launched by the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and supported by an educational grant from CSL Biotherapies, the "Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be”program focuses on providing tips andinformation about the flu vaccine for women who are pregnant or planning to conceive during the flu season.
"As a nursing organization representing professionals dedicated to women's health, AWHONN recognizes the role we and partner organizations play in providing nurses and the women they serve with the support and information they need,” said Catherine Ruhl, CNM, MS, associate director of women's health programs at AWHONN. "We're pleased with the recognition this campaign has received and look forward to continuing efforts to eliminate barriers to vaccination for pregnant women during the upcoming flu season.”
"Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be” is a motivational campaign designed to encourage pregnant women to protect themselves and their unborn child by getting a flu shot. Pregnant women are considered a priority group for influenza vaccination by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) because of health risks it poses to moms-to-be. Selection for the award was based upon the organizations' outreach efforts through media, communities, coalitions and involvement of other stakeholders to deliver the message to mothers-to-be regarding the importance of influenza vaccination. The "Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be” campaign reached more than 82 million individuals via print, online and broadcast outlets and nearly 30,000 healthcare professional and their patients via a direct mail distribution.
"The National Women's Health Resource Center is dedicated to educating women on issues that can impact their health during their lifetime,” said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of NWHRC. "Influenza vaccination is a public health priority and this award highlights the value of campaigns like 'Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be' in arming women with the information they need to make informed decisions.”
"At CSL Biotherapies, we're committed to addressing unmet public health needs in influenza,” said Paul Perreault, Executive Vice President of CSL Biotherapies Worldwide Commercial Operations. "Recognition such as the National Influenza Vaccine Summit Award highlights the importance of improving influenza vaccination rates among pregnant women and new mothers and we're pleased to have supported NWHRC and AWHONN on this initiative.”
The National Influenza Vaccine Summit is co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The award presentation was held during the CDC's National Immunization Conference on Monday, March 30, 2009. In addition, NWHRC will present the program to attendees of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit meeting to be held on May 18-20, 2009.
For more information about Flu-Free and a Mom-to-Be and to learn more about the latest developments in women's health and wellness, visit healthywomen.org.
About Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is the foremost nursing authority that advances the health care of women and newborns through advocacy, research and the creation of high quality, evidence-based standards of care. AWHONN's 23,000 members worldwide are clinicians, educators and executives who serve as patient care advocates focusing on the needs of women and infants.
A leader in professional development, AWHONN is the first and only association to be awarded the designation Premier Provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for innovation and excellence in Continuing Nursing Education.
In 2009 AWHONN celebrates its 40th anniversary of promoting the health of women and newborns.Founded in 1969 as the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the association became a separate nonprofit organization called the Association of Women's Health and Neonatal Nurses in 1993. For more information visit www.awhonn.org
About NWHRCThe not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center is the leading independent health information source for women. NWHRC develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice, all of which is reviewed by leading medical specialists in the field. NWHRC believes all women should have access to the most trusted and reliable health information. Information empowers women to make the best decisions to maintain and improve their health and the health of their families. For more information, visit www.healthywomen.org.
About CSL BiotherapiesThe U.S. headquarters of CSL Biotherapies are located in King of Prussia, Pa. Its parent company, CSL Limited, in Melbourne, Australia, operates one of the world's largest thimerosal-free influenza vaccine facilities for global markets. CSL Biotherapies, which shares its U.S. headquarters with its sister company, CSL Behring, is commercializing influenza vaccine products globally.
At CSL Biotherapies, delivering vaccines is our mission, protecting lives our passion. The CSL Group, which also includes CSL Research & Development, CSL Bioplasma, and CSL Behring, has more than 9,000 employees and operates in 27 countries worldwide. For more information, visit us at http://www.cslbiotherapies-us.com, or call 1-888-435-8633.
Reference:Obgyn.net

Trying for a baby

Trying for a baby? Lying down may boost pregnancy
Women who lie down for 15 minutes after artificial insemination boost their chances of getting pregnant, new research suggests.
Researchers from the Netherlands found that 27% of women who laid down after being artificially inseminated went on to have a baby compared with only 17% who stood up and moved around after the procedure.
In the study, 391 couples having fertility treatment were monitored to find out if lying down immediately after artificial insemination improved pregnancy rates. All women underwent intrauterine insemination which involves the partner's sperm being placed directly into the uterus.
Around half of the women were asked to lie down for 15 minutes after insemination, and the other half allowed to move around immediately after treatment.
The results, published online in today's British Medical Journal, showed that pregnancy and birth rates in women who laid down were "significantly higher" than in the women who moved around.
However, if fertility clinics decided to adopt this method, they would need to provide more time and space for women undergoing treatment.
Study leader Dr. Inge Custers from the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam said: “Although immobilisation takes more time and occupies more space in busy rooms, the intervention will be economic in the long run, as pregnant patients will not return in subsequent cycles.”
The scientists say it is not clear why lying down improves the success of artificial insemination but thought that moving around after treatment may cause "leakage".
In an accompanying editorial, Professor William Ledger from the University of Sheffield said that while the results showed promise, further research was needed.
He suggested that fertility units carry out their own evaluation to test the hypothesis in the “real world and that “if successful, more couples could be spared the rigorous and costly process of in vitro fertilisation.”
This article was published on Fri 30 October 2009Image © © Spectral-Design - Fotolia.com

People shamed into hand washing

People shamed into hand washing Most men don't soap!
People are more likely to wash their hands when they have been shamed into it, according to a new study.
The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, looked at responses to electronic hygiene messages displayed in UK service station toilets.
Handwashing is one of the most effective and cheapest ways of preventing illness caused by poor hygiene which causes the deaths of a million people worldwide each year.
It also prevents the spread of flu, and hospital-acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile.
However, scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine wanted to find out the best way to get people to adopt good hand washing habits.
"It's difficult to know what kind of message is most effective at changing this everyday behaviour, so it's important to experimentally test what works best in a real setting, " said Robert Aunger, who led the study.
In the study, researchers looked at how people responded to electronic hygiene messages displayed over the entrance to toilets at UK service stations.
A quarter of a million people were counted using the toilets and their use of soap was monitored by on-line sensors.
They discovered that only 32% of men used soap to wash their hands compared with 64% of women.
Men and women also differed in the way they responded to the electronic messages on display. Women tended to respond to reminders to use soap, but men were found to respond to a more direct message such as "soap it off or eat it later."
However, the message which worked best was "Is the person next to you washing with soap?" suggesting that people were most likely to change their behaviour if they thought others were watching.
Gaby Judah, who ran the study said: "Our findings are particularly important on Global Handwashing Day, when many agencies concerned with improving health worldwide by encouraging people to wash their hands with soap will be looking to use best practice."
Global Handwashing Day is on 15th October.
This article was published on Thu 15 October 2009Image © © Vladimir Voronin - Fotolia.com

Curry spice kills throat cancer cells

Curry spice kills throat cancer cells Triggers cancer cell death
Curries may not be the healthiest of foods, but a chemical found in the curry spice tumeric can kill cancer cells, new research has found.
Past studies have shown curcumin, found in turmeric and the chemical that gives curry its mustard-yellow colour, may have anti-cancer properties.
Now scientists from the Cork Cancer Research Centre have found that it can kill oesophageal cancer cells in the laboratory.
Dr Sharon McKenna, who led the study, said: “Scientists have known for a long time that natural compounds have the potential to treat faulty cells that have become cancerous and we suspected that curcumin might have therapeutic value."
They found that curcumin started to kill cancer cells within 24 hours. The cancer cells also began to digest themselves.
Additionally, the results, published in this month's British Journal of Cancer, showed that curcumin kills cells by triggering lethal cell death signals.
“These exciting results suggest scientists could develop curcumin as a potential anti-cancer drug to treat oesophageal cancer," Dr McKenna said.
Each year around 7,800 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK. It is the sixth most common cause of cancer death and accounts for around five per cent of all UK deaths due to cancer.
Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: “This is interesting research which opens up the possibility that natural chemicals found in tumeric could be developed into new treatments for oesophageal cancer.
“Rates of oesophageal cancer rates have gone up by more than a half since the 70s and this is thought to be linked to rising rates of obesity, alcohol intake and reflux disease so finding ways to prevent this disease is important too.”
This article was published on Wed 28 October 2009Image © jscalev - Fotolia.com

How fish oils can help fight arthritis

How fish oils can help fight arthritis Omega-3 compound identified
Scientists have discovered why taking fish oils can help with rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions linked to inflammation such as stroke, sepsis and arthritis.
Although past studies have shown that fish oils can be of benefit to people with arthritis, this latest research explains how this occurs. The research is published in the journal Nature.
In a joint collaboration, scientists from Queen Mary London and Harvard Medical School discovered that the body converts an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oils into Resolvin D2, a chemical which has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs currently in use, Resolvin D2 does not seem to suppress the immune system, the researchers noted.
Mauro Perretti, Professor of Immunopharmacology at Queen Mary, University of London, who led the UK team said: "We have known for some time that fish oils can help with conditions like arthritis which are linked to inflammation.
"What we've shown here is how the body processes a particular ingredient of fish oils into Resolvin D2. It seems to be a very powerful chemical and a small amount can have a large effect.
"This research is important because it explains at least one way in which fish oils can help in different types of arthritis.
"We can also work on this chemical and see if it can be used not only to treat or even prevent arthritis, but also as a possible treatment for a variety of other diseases associated with inflammation."
Arthritis, and many other diseases, are caused by inflammation. This means that the body's natural defences against infections are mistakenly directed at healthy tissue.
A crucial step in inflammation occurs when white blood cells from the immune system stick to the inner lining of blood vessels.
In lab tests scientists found that cells lining the blood vessels produced small amounts of nitric oxide which discouraged the white blood cells from sticking and so preventing inflammation.
Omega - 3 is an essential fatty acid. As your body cannot make it, omega-3 has to be sourced from your diet. Oily fish such as tuna (fresh, not canned), salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, pilchards and crab are all rich in omega-3, including DHA.
This article was published on Thu 29 October 2009Image © Tomo Jesenicnik - Fotolia.com

My 10 Point Quit Smoking

My 10 Point Quit Smoking Plan All you need to become a successful quitter I’ve been working in the area of helping patients to quit smoking for over 35 years, and I’ve lectured on this topic in over 27 countries (so my kids tell me!) For most of my years I’ve ran a ‘Smoker’s Clinic at the University Hospital of South Manchester, helping smokers in huge groups of 200, to help kick their addiction to tobacco. I was there in the early days when we made smokers smoke so many cigarettes so rapidly that they eventually vomited, and then I made them smoke cigarettes whilst giving them electric shocks. Boy, those early treatments were very barbaric!! The first two patients I treated then were - Max Beesley (father of Max Beesley, actor and drummer to Take That band) and Benny Van den Burgh (a close friend who worked in the very stressful environment of the early Manchester club scene, and was one of the most nicotine-addicted patients I’ve ever treated). The aversion therapy they received stopped them smoking and neither has smoked to this very day!! Nowadays, treatments at helping you stop are far more acceptable. Most are based on giving you low doses of nicotine, to just take the edge off any cravings, whilst you learn to live without cigarettes in your life. So, to help you cope for living life without the need for cigarettes, here is my tried and tested Quit Plan – Stopping Smoking with the Nicotine Phase-Out Plan.

TEN POINT QUIT PLAN
1-Quit day: Fix a day when you are actually going to try and quit the cigs. Make sure that this is the best day for you to really try and quit.
2-Quit with a friend: quitting can be a lonely business. Non-smokers don’t know what you’re going through, ex-smokers will tell you that it’s a ‘doddle’ (they’ve done it so they feel it’s so easy – although they probably went through hell coping with it!)... and smokers will be the very ones who’ll offer ‘just that one cig’ when you’re actually dying for one! If one of your friends is quitting with you, then that makes coping easier.
3-Cash not ash: You’re probably spending nearly £5 a day on your fags. So put £5 every day into a clear glass jar at the end of every day whilst you’ve not smoked. That’s £150 every month,£900 every 6 months, and £1,800 in your glass jar in 12 months time. Then just go and spend it on yourself – you’ve deserved it!!
4-Shift all cigs: because you don’t smoke, get rid of all cigarettes, lighters and matches. All of these prompts could lead to you into temptation to smoke again. The night before you quit, clean out the car, your office, and shift all the ashtrays
5-Just for Today: When you awake on the morning of your ‘Quit Day’, and every morning thereafter, tell yourself that ‘Just for Today’ I won’t have a smoke. Coping with just one day at a time, makes coping with any problem a lot easier. If it means going to bed earlier at night just to get that day behind you – then do it. Every little helps, and if you can get through one day with out smoking, then you can certainly do one more day.
6-Nicotine replacement: tobacco is a dangerous source of nicotine, to which you have become addicted. Using any of the nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) will more than double your chances of quitting – there are nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, nasal spray, inhalator, micro-tabs and the non-nicotine drug bupropion (Zyban). To be honest, if you really want to quit smoking you have never had it so good. There are so many treatments available to you now, and you can get even more help. So ask your GP to refer you onto your own local Smoking Cessation service for personal treatment. Come on, you’ve now got no excuse to quit smoking.
7-Distract yourself: whenever you feel a craving coming on, distract yourself, do some slow deep breathing. Imagine that you’re actually smoking a cigarette, breathing the air in deeply and slowly, and as you breathe out allow yourself to feel more and more relaxed. In other words smoke fresh clean air … breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly, feeling more and more relaxed with each breath out! Another way of distracting yourself is to get involved in an all-absorbing hobby – a hobby will distract you from the transient cravings that come upon you when you crave for a cig – remember cravings only last for seconds so keep yourself busy for hours - with an all-absorbing hobby!! One of my patients created a huge collection of doodles, which he did whilst distracting himself from his cravings – the doodles were miniature works of art, and I told him that he should publish them!
8-The Fat Farewell Weight Loss Plan: because so many cigarette-quitters gain weight on quitting smoking I’ve also enclosed a simple weight loss plan into this ‘TEN POINT QUIT PLAN FOR SMOKERS’. You can access it on the Lose Weight page of the site.
9-No thanks... I don’t smoke! Now this is the crunch.When you’ve actually quit the cigs and stopped smoking – somebody offers you a cigarette!! My best advice to you is to say “No thanks, I don’t smoke” and then change the subject straight away. Never, say, “Oh I’m just trying to quit”, because that will cause all sorts of problems. Comments like “You must be dying for a cig, aren’t, you?” or “ When I tried I was craving all the time – I just had to give in – I just don’t know how you’re going to get through, because it’s so difficult!” etc etc etc. Smokers will drive you mad, so remember, when offered a cigarette – “No thanks, I don’t smoke!” and change the topic of conversation.
10-Finally, if you don’t succeed at quitting at this attempt, keep trying. It make take several attempts to become that successful quitter! Quitting never killed a smoker... Smoking kills 120,000 smokers each year in the UK. IF YOU DON’T SUCCEED ...QUIT...QUIT, AGAIN.
This article was published on Thu 27 July 2006Image © Aviator70 - Fotolia.com

Reference:http://www.TheFamilyGP.com

Pre-diabetes warning sign

Seven million in UK have "pre-diabetes" Diabetes warning signs
An estimated seven million people in the UK have pre-diabetes, making them up to 15 times more likely to develop diabetes, according to a new report released today by charity Diabetes UK.
People with pre-diabetes, also known as Impaired Glucose Regulation, have higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.
Recent research has shown pre-diabetes may already be causing long-term damage to the body, especially to the heart and circulatory system.
People with pre-diabetes are often overweight or obese when diagnosed, and 90% will have a family history of the condition or have high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
However, it is possible to reverse pre-diabetes, and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be reduced by 60% by making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, maintaining a healthy balanced diet and doing some sort of physical exercise.
Diabetes UK Chief Executive, Douglas Smallwood, said: “It’s staggering that an estimated seven million people in the UK have pre-diabetes, which is often a precursor to Type 2 diabetes, a serious condition which can lead to long term complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and blindness.
“Identifying and educating people with pre-diabetes is vital as it’s not too late for many to make healthy lifestyle changes, reverse the condition completely and reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
“Recent figures show that more than 145,000 new cases of mainly Type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in the past year, bringing the total number of people with diabetes in the UK to 2.6 million.
"It’s time for all of us to get serious about our health if we want to have any chance of defusing the ticking time bomb of Type 2 diabetes.”
The health charity said that it welcomed government plans to identify people at risk of diabetes and heart disease in England, but wants to see this extended throughout the UK.
The report was released to mark the launch of the charity's Get Serious campaign, aimed at involving more people in Diabetes UK activities.
Do you have pre-diabetes?
If you are white and over 40 years old, or if you’re Black or South Asian and over 25, and you have one or more of the following risk factors, then you may be at risk of pre-diabetes:
A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or sibling)
You’re overweight or your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 37 inches or over for men, but 35 inches or over for South Asian men
You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke
You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight
You’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes
You have severe mental health problems
The more risk factors that apply, the greater the risk of pre-diabetes. If you have one or more of these risk factors, Diabetes UK recommends you pay a visit to your GP.
More information
To find out more about the Get Serious campaign, text SERIOUS to 84383 or visit www.diabetes.org.uk/GetSerious/
This article was published on Mon 19 October 2009Image © Phototom - Fotolia.com

Reference:http://www.TheFamilyGP.com

Babies sleep safest in own cot.

Babies sleep safest in own cot.

But many mothers sceptical .
Half of all unexpected infant deaths occur when babies are sleeping with adults, according to research carried out at Bristol University.
The latest findings, published online today in the British Medical Journal, confirm that "the safest place for a baby to sleep is in its own cot."
Another study, funded by The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID), found that a quarter of mothers don't believe that bed sharing increases the risk of cot death.
Joyce Epstein, director of FSID, said: "Since 2000 FSID and the Department of Health have been advising parents to sleep their babies in a separate cot in a room with them, and we are pleased that the most up-to-date research confirms that this advice is correct."
"But the survey results are alarming. We know that those at greatest risk of experiencing a cot death are very young mums, often single, and still in their teens, and this group is the most likely to reject safe sleep advice."
Please see the next page of this article for advice on reducing the risk of cot death.
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) has issued this advice for parents to help reduce the risk of cot death:
Cut smoking in pregnancy (fathers too!) and don’t let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
Place your baby on the back to sleep (and not on the front or side)
Do not let your baby get too hot, and keep your baby’s head uncovered
Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent them wriggling down under the covers or use a baby sleep bag
Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or cot in a room with you for the first six months
Don’t forget, accidents can happen: you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby; or your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed, or could roll out of an adult bed and be injured
Settling your baby to sleep (day and night) with a dummy can reduce the risk of cot death, even if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep
Breastfeed your baby. Establish breastfeeding before starting to use a dummy
It's especially dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you (or your partner):
Are a smoker, even if you never smoke in bed or at home
Have been drinking alcohol
Take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
Feel very tired;
Or if your baby:
Was born before 37 weeks
Weighed less than 2.5kg or 5½ lbs at birth
For more information please visit www.fsid.org.uk
This article was published on Wed 14 October 2009Image © Nixie - Fotolia.com

Reference:http://www.TheFamilyGP.com

Are you Obese

Are you obese? Health problems linked to obesity
NHS officials considered using a helicopter to airlift the UK's heaviest man from his home in Ipswich to a specialist obesity unit at St. Richards Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex.
Weighing 70 stone, 48 year old Paul Mason is now unable to leave his home. Suffolk NHS Trust have now decided to use a bariatric ambulance instead.
As someone who is morbidly obese, Mr. Mason may be an extreme example. But the health problems he is facing are similar to the 20% of women and 25% of men in the UK who are currently obese. With 40% of the population also overweight, it's likely these figures will continue rising.
Being obese not only reduces the quality of someone's life, but increases their risk of a number of serious health conditions. The cost to the NHS in treating these is likely to be very high.
Health problems linked to obesity
People who are obese are at risk of a range of health problems related to their weight, including:
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Certain cancers
Arthritis
Gallstones
Snoring and sleep apnoea
Obesity is second only to smoking as a risk factor for some types of cancer. Women who are obese are also more likely to have complications during and after their pregnancy.
A recent study found that people who are obese were likely have their life expectancy shortened by 10 years, and more in those who are severely obese.
How do you know if you're obese?
A useful way to find out if you are a healthy weight in relation to your height is to calculate your Body Mass Index.
To do this, you divide your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height squared in metres. Or you can use Dr Chris's easy BMI Calculator instead.
Body Mass Index Range:
Underweight - less than 20
Normal - 20 - 25
Overweight - 25 - 30
Obese - 30 - 35
Severely obese - above 40
Waist measurement
Research has shown that people who carry extra fat around their waist are more at risk of obesity related health problems that those who carry it on their hips and thighs.
Generally, men with a waist circumference of 94cm (37") and women who measure 80cm (32") have a higher risk of obesity-related disease.
Men measuring 102cm (40") and women 88cm (35") around the waist, have an even higher risk.
What you can do about it
It is never too late to make the lifestyle changes necessary to reduce your weight to a healthy level. Your GP should be your first port of call. They can give you the support and advice you need to get started.
If you are severely obese you may also be eligible for surgery. This has to be discussed with your GP.
More information
Dr Chris's easy BMI Calculator
The Dr Chris Fat Farewell diet plan
This article was published on Tue 20 October 2009

Reference:http://www.TheFamilyGP.com

Recent News of swine flu

New swine flu cases double Intensive care rates at all time high
The number of new swine flu cases in the UK has almost doubled in a week, according to new figures released on Thursday.
In the past week, an estimated 53,000 people were infected with the swine flu virus compared with 27,000 the week before.
GP consultation rates, based on the number of people visiting their doctor with flu-like illness, have now increased above the winter threshold levels set for England, Wales and Norrthern Ireland, but remain stable in Scotland.
School age children and young people continue to be the most affected.
Although the average overall rate for GP consultations increased to 39.1 per 100,000 people for England, the highest increase was seen in the 1-4 age group, from 35.8 to 63.7 consultations per 100,000 people. The next highest rise was seen in 5 - 14 age group.
The number of people in hospital due to swine flu increased to 506 compared with 363 the week before, with 99 in intensive care. This means that intensive care rates are now at 20% for the second week running.
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “We don’t understand why this has happened. It looks as if the virus is having a different impact in the flu season than it had in the summer.”
He also said he was concerned about the pressure this would put on the NHS during the winter months.
A further 16 people in the UK died due to infection with the virus, taking the total to 122: 93 in England, 18 in Scotland, 5 in Northern Ireland and 6 in Wales.
More than half (54%) of flu related deaths have occurred in people under the age of 45. A third of those who died had few or no underlying health problems.
To date, an estimated 435,000 people have been infected with swine flu in the UK.
In a planning document published yesterday, the Department of Health said that up to 1.5 million people may fall ill in a single week when the pandemic peaks, and 35,000 people may need to be admitted to hospital. They also estimate up to 1,000 deaths due to the virus.
Although this may seem high, the two most recent flu pandemics have each resulted in the deaths of over 25,000 people in the UK.
The estimates did not take into account the effect the swine flu vaccine may have on the pandemic.

This article was published on Fri 23 October 2009

Reference:http://www.TheFamilyGP.com

Swine flu prevention

Swine flu prevention Practical steps you can take
Swine flu, like other forms of flu, is passed between people by close contact. It can be transmitted through the air by coughing or sneezing, or by touching your face after contact with surfaces on which the virus is present. The virus is able survive for a few hours on hard surfaces.
Stop the spread
To help prevent the spread of swine flu (and other airborne infections), you should:
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and use a tissue where possible
Throw the tissue in the bin after you use it. Don’t leave it lying around
Maintain good basic hygiene. Wash hands frequently with soap and water to stop the virus spreading from hands to face, or to other people
Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) regularly using normal cleaning products
Ensure your children follow this advice
If you become infected (or suspect you are)
Stay at home if possible. Ask friends or family to shop for you, and to check on you regularly. If you think you are infected, do not visit your doctor, instead call your local GP or NHS Direct. They may recommended you receive anti-viral drugs. If so, ask someone else to collect them from your GP.
Avoid infection
If you are in a known risk group, you should avoid crowds and unnecessary travel to limit your risk of exposure.
Vaccination
At the time of writing there is no vaccination for swine flu, however one is in development. In the UK the government is predicting delivery of the first batch of the vaccine by late August of this year. These will almost certainly be administered to high risk groups first.

Reference:http://www.TheFamilyGP.com

Swine flu symptoms

Swine flu symptoms Warning signs to look out for
Most people who contract swine flu will experience only mild symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu, and some people will not exhibit any symptoms at all. Unfortunately, a small number of people will have a more severe reaction to the virus. Children may show additional symptoms and need to be monitored closely. Listed below are handy check-lists for each case.
Mild symptoms
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those for seasonal flu. The most common are:
Sudden fever (body temperature higher that 38C or 100.4F)
Sudden cough
Again, like seasonal flu additional symptoms include:
Headache
Tiredness
Chills
Aches in muscles and joints
Sore throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Loss of appetite
Swine flu may also cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea, which is unusual in seasonal flu.
Severe symptoms
Doctors recommend to look out for more severe symptoms which may require immediate medical attention. These are:
Difficulty in breathing
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Severe or persistent vomiting
A high temperature lasting more than three days
Symptoms in children
For children, as well as all of the above, also look out for:
Difficulty in waking up
Lethargy
Lacking alertness
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms you should immediately contact your GP.
Swine flu and meningitis

What is swine flu

What is swine flu? Background on the virus
Swine flu is the name given to a completely new influenza virus, first detected in humans in Mexico City in April 2009. It is one of many influenza type A virus strains which cause outbreaks of flu during the winter months each year in the UK.
It is called swine flu because scientists initially thought the virus came from pigs. Type A influenza viruses can infect humans and animals, including pigs and birds. If a host animal becomes infected with both human and animal/bird (avian) flu strains, it can give rise to a completely new strain of influenza.
It is now known that the new H1N1 virus has genes from strains of pig, human and bird flu viruses. The original source of the new H1N1 virus is still unknown. Last week the WHO requested the new strain be called H1N1/09 virus, to avoid stigmatizing Mexico or the pork industry, but the swine flu name has stuck.
How does H1N1/09 flu compare to ordinary seasonal flu?
In the UK, seasonal flu occurs every year during the winter months of October to April. This is caused mostly by influenza type A viruses already circulating in the population.
Many people are either immune or have partial immunity to these flu viruses, and typically only 10% to 15% of the population become infected. Although anyone can catch seasonal flu, people with chronic diseases, the very young and old people are most likely to suffer from complications such as pneumonia, which can be fatal. Each year, an estimated 12,000 people in the UK die from flu-related illness.
Minor changes to seasonal flu viruses are common, resulting in new strains. Fortunately, scientists can often predict these, and new vaccines are prepared in advance for winter.
Because the H1N1/09 influenza virus varies so much from seasonal flu virus strains, people have little, if any immunity to it. This is why it has spread so rapidly, causing a pandemic (a global outbreak of disease). According to the WHO, H1N1/09 flu has spread with "unprecedented speed."
It also means that more people will be infected. In a worst case scenario, the UK government is prepared for up to 30% of the population falling ill with flu. They also estimate that 65,000 people could die from flu related illness, based on a mortality rate of 0.35%.
Grim as these figures may seem, so far the H1N1/09 virus causes only mild disease in most people, unlike the pandemic flu viruses of 1918, 1957 and 1968. Most people recover without being treated. However, in a minority of cases the virus causes severe disease.
Unlike seasonal flu, the under-5s and the 5 to 14 age groups are predominately infected. The UK government has stated that up to 50% of children may be infected when the pandemic peaks in the UK. People at higher risk of disease complications are the same as for seasonal flu, but also include pregnant women and, perhaps, people who are obese.
As it is not possible to predict when a pandemic is going to occur, there is no vaccine against the H1N1/09 influenza virus. However, one is in development and 132,000 doses have been ordered, enough for the entire UK population.
TheFamilyGP guide to swine flu

Molecular breast imaging-MBI

Dilon Diagnostics joins forces with Philips
NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 11 October 2009 – /PRNewswire/ – Dilon Diagnostics, the leader in molecular breast imaging (MBI) also known as Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) and Philips (NYSE:PHG) (NYSE:AEX:) (NYSE:PHI), today announce that they have entered into a distribution agreement. Philips Healthcare will sell and support the Dilon 6800 gamma camera in key European and Middle Eastern markets. The compact camera technology and related products and services are used for the detection of breast cancer as an adjunct to mammography and serve to complement Philips innovative women's health solutions.
Philips is a leading provider of comprehensive diagnostic tools for healthcare professionals in treating women and will display its women's imaging technology, including the Dilon 6800, at the Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine in Barcelona, Spain October 10–14. Joint exhibition at this congress marks the launch of the partnership between Dilon and Philips.
The Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera is a high-resolution, compact gamma camera, optimized to perform Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI), a molecular breast imaging procedure that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake. BSGI is an adjunct to mammography that can see lesions independent of tissue density and discover early stage cancers.
With BSGI, the patient receives a pharmaceutical tracing agent that is absorbed by all the cells in the body. Due to their increased rate of metabolic activity, cancerous cells in the breast absorb a greater amount of the tracing agent than normal, healthy cells and generally appear as dark spots on the BSGI image – helping doctors to make more informed decisions about the presence or absence of cancer in high-risk patients or for those who present with inconclusive mammograms.
"Our partnership with a global leader in medical technology like Philips demonstrates a significant endorsement of MBI/BSGI technology and our company," said Bob Moussa, President and CEO of Dilon Diagnostics. "By joining forces with Philips, MBI/BSGI is now an important element to a total women's health solution."
"Molecular breast imaging is a clinically promising method for early breast cancer detection, to improve care for women who need diagnostic imaging beyond mammography," said Patricia Venters, Vice President Women's Healthcare at Philips. "We are excited about our new alliance with Dilon Diagnostics, as it demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver the most advanced women's health solutions."

Molecular breast imaging

New Technology - Molecular Breast Imaging/Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging(MBI/BSGI) -

Reveals Early Stage Cancers That Other Tests May MissNEWPORT NEWS, Va., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- "We were ready to start a familywhen a mammogram revealed an abnormal mass in my left breast," said StaciSansolo, 34, of New Jersey. A biopsy revealed the mass was not cancer, but asecond-round test found another area of concern.Due to family history of breast cancer, Sansolo underwent Molecular BreastImaging/Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (MBI/BSGI) to rule out any additionalabnormalities. The new diagnostic technology found another suspicious area,and this time a biopsy confirmed malignancy. Staci's cancer was found at theearliest stage thanks to MBI/BSGI.With MBI/BSGI, physicians are able to view cellular activity that can revealbreast cancer, even in difficult-to-screen breasts. This new technology helpsphysicians and their patients "see what matters" and discover cancer early sotreatment can begin and greatly increase the chances for survival.MBI/BSGI utilizes a high-resolution, compact gamma camera called the Dilon6800®. The patient receives a pharmaceutical tracing agent that is absorbed byall the cells in the body. Due to their increased rate of metabolic activity,cancerous cells in the breast absorb a greater amount of the tracing agentthan normal, healthy cells and generally appear as "dark spots" on theMBI/BSGI image. BSGI is used as a follow-up to mammography, and is especiallyuseful for patients who have dense breasts, scar tissue, implants, or palpablelesions that cannot be detected using mammography or ultrasound.A Second OpinionWhen Sansolo's mammogram came back abnormal, her mother, a breast cancersurvivor, suggested a second opinion from her own physician, Dr. Susan K.Boolbol, Chief of Breast Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York. Itwas Dr. Boolbol who ordered the MBI/BSGI test.A 2009 study from Beth Israel Medical Center revealed that additional breastcancer was found in 9 percent of patients when screened with MBI/BSGI, aspresented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons 2009 Annual Meeting inSan Diego."Especially in this month of breast cancer awareness, women need to know aboutnew diagnostic tools that are helping to detect breast cancer," said Dr.Boolbol. "Technology is making it possible to perform tests in addition tomammography and ultrasound. BSGI is one more tool that we use to diagnosebreast cancer early."

Latest H1N1 News

CT scans show patients with severe cases of H1N1 are at risk for developing acute pulmonary emboli
Researchers utilizing computed tomography (CT) scans have found that patients with severe cases of the H1N1 virus are at risk for developing severe complications, including pulmonary emboli (PE), according to a study to be published online Oct. 14, 2009, in the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study will be published in the December issue of the AJR.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked. The condition can be life-threatening. However, if treated aggressively, anti-coagulants (blood thinners) can reduce the risk of death.
The study, performed at the University of Michigan Health Service, included 66 patients diagnosed with the H1N1 flu. Two study groups were formed. Group one consisted of 14 patients who were severely ill and required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Group two consisted of 52 patients who were not severely ill and did not require ICU admission.
All 66 patients underwent chest X-rays for the detection of H1N1 abnormalities. Ten patients from the ICU group and five patients from the largely outpatient group, underwent CT scans. "Pulmonary Emboli were seen on CT in five of 14 ICU patients," said Prachi P. Agarwal, M.D., lead author of the study.
"Our study suggests that patients who are severely ill with H1N1 are also at risk for developing PE, which should be carefully sought for on contrast-enhanced CT scans," she said.
"With the upcoming annual influenza season in the United States, knowledge of the radiologic features of H1N1 is important, as well as the virus's potential complications. The majority of patients undergoing chest X-rays with H1N1 have normal radiographs. CT scans proved valuable in identifying those patients at risk of developing more serious complications as a possible result of the H1N1 virus, and for identifying a greater extent of disease than is appreciated on chest radiographs," said Dr. Agarwal.
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This study will be posted online at www.ajronline.org, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, and will appear in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. For a copy of the full study, please contact Heather Curry via email at hcry@acr-arrs.org or at 703-390-9822.

Childhood sweets and adult violance

Childhood sweets link to adult violence May encourage impulsive behaviour
Children who eat sweets and chocolate every day are more likely to be violent as adults, new research has found.
Results from the research showed that 10-year olds who ate sweets and chocolate almost every day were significantly more likely to have been convicted for violence at age 34.
Previous research has shown that diet can be associated with behavioural problems, including aggression. However, UK scientists wanted to find out how childhood diet affected behaviour as an adult.
In the study, published in this month's British Journal of Psychiatry, scientists analysed data from almost 17,500 people born in 1970. They discovered that 69% of participants who were violent at the age of 34 had eaten sweets and chocolate nearly every day during childhood, compared to 42% who were non-violent.
This association between sweets and violence as an adult remained after adjusting for other factors such as where the child lived, educational qualifications and car ownership.
The researchers put forward several explanations for the link. Dr. Simon Moore from Cardiff University said: "Our favoured explanation is that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want.
"Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency.
The researchers concluded: "Targeting resources at improving children's diet may improve health and reduce aggression."

Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking in pregnancy linked to child psychosis Risk highest in children of heavy smokers
Smoking has long been implicated as a cause of many diseases, including in the babies of mothers who smoke. A new study has now linked the emergence of psychotic symptoms in teenagers to smoking by their mothers during pregnancy.
Over 6,000 12-year olds were studied as part of the research. They were asked about the occurrence of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Just over 11% had suspected or definite symptoms of psychosis.
Smoking during pregnancy was found to be associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the children. The researchers observed a 'dose-response effect', meaning that the risk of psychotic symptoms was highest in the children whose mothers smoked the most heavily during pregnancy.
Curiously, smoking cannabis during pregnancy seemed to have no link to psychosis, although the number of mothers reported this behaviour was small.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy was linked to psychosis in children, but only in mothers who drank more than 21 units a week in early pregnancy.
The nature of the link between smoking in pregnancy and psychosis in children is not clear. It is estimated that between 15% and 20% of women in the UK continue to smoke during their pregnancy.
One of the leaders of the study, Dr Stanley Zammit, said: "If our results are non-biased and reflect a causal relationship, we can estimate that about 20% of adolescents in this cohort would not have developed psychotic symptoms if their mothers had not smoked. Therefore, maternal smoking may be an important risk factor in the development of psychotic experiences in the population."
The study was carried out by researchers at universities in Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham and Warwick and was published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Thinning of hair

Over the years, there have been many myths regarding thinning hair.
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However, scientists have now proven that “clogged” hair follicles and poor scalp circulation do not cause thinning hair. In addition, researchers have also found that wearing hats or helmets does not lead to hair loss.
Unfortunately, genetics account for more than 90% of all cases of men and women with thinning hair. Illness, stress, poor diet, and certain prescription medications can also aggravate hair loss. However, hair loss that can be attributed to one of these factors is generally much easier to treat than thinning hair that is solely the result of genetic influences. Speaking to a doctor or dermatologist may help you determine what is causing your thinning hair.The medical term for hair loss caused by thinning hair is alopecia. Some people who suffer from thinning hair begin to notice hair loss in their early teens, although most hair loss doesn’t occur until the 30s or 40s. Hair loss is more common among men, but typically causes greater stress for women who have been raised to believe their hair is an important part of their femininity.Hair loss caused by thinning hair cannot be cured, but several non-surgical treatment options are available. Rogaine brand hair treatment products, containing a minoxidil liquid solution, are available over-the-counter in versions formulated for both men and women. Men who suffer from thinning hair may have suitable results with the prescription medication finasteride, sold under the brand name Propecia. Corticosteroids injections, pills, or creams are sometimes prescribed for patients suffering from persistent hair loss that has not responded to other alternative treatments. These treatment methods require a commitment to continual use, however, since any improvement in thinning hair will be reversed after treatment is discontinued.
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While the type of hair care products you use can make it easier to style your hair, products can’t slow or stop the hair loss process. However, poor quality shampoos, conditioners, and styling aids may cause hair breakage that can sometimes be mistaken for hair loss. If you’re bothered by thinning hair, switching to salon quality hair care products might be a worthwhile investment.Hair transplants and scalp reduction surgery can be used to treat thinning hair. However, these treatments are expensive, painful, and carry serious risks. Most experts will only recommend surgery if other treatment methods have failed and you feel your thinning hair is having a substantial impact on your quality of life.

Your first prenatal test

Most women are excited for their first ultrasound. It offers a sneak peak of the unborn baby and might offer hints at its sex. Your doctor will let you know how often you need an ultrasound. Most women will have one or two ultrasounds during pregnancy. Here's what to expect for this prenatal test.
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of your unborn baby. It also shows images of your uterus, amniotic sac, placenta and ovaries.
In this procedure, a small device called a transducer sends sound waves into the body. The waves reflect off internal structures, including your baby. Then the transducer receives the sound waves and sends a picture to a screen.
The images appear on the screen during the exam. Pictures can be printed or the whole procedure can be recorded on video. Your doctor can usually discuss results of an ultrasound with you soon after the exam is over.
Why is ultrasound used in pregnancy?
Ultrasound is used to:
Check on your baby's health status, including position, movement, breathing, growth and heart rate
Make sure the placenta is healthy and attached normally
See the number of fetuses
Calculate the expected due date
Detect some birth defects
See how much amniotic fluid is in the uterus
Ultrasound can also be used to diagnose a possible miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, or to determine the cause of vaginal bleeding. Sometimes it can give you a hint as to the sex of the baby. This is not always accurate, though.
How do I prepare for an ultrasound?
You'll need to have a full bladder, which can be uncomfortable, especially during pregnancy. But a full bladder pushes the uterus up for better viewing. You may be asked to drink up to six glasses of water in the two hours before the exam. You can't urinate until the ultrasound is over. Wear clothes that make it easy to expose your abdomen. The exam usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.
What are the different types of ultrasounds?
There are two main types of ultrasounds: abdominal and vaginal.
Abdominal ultrasound. You'll lay on a table with your abdomen exposed. Then the ultrasound technician puts a gel on your abdomen. The gel improves how the transducer works on your skin. The transducer is gently placed on your abdomen and moved over your stomach and pelvis. There are two more detailed types of abdominal ultrasounds:
Doppler. Higher-intensity sound waves are used to study the movement of blood and listen to the baby's heartbeat.
Three- and four-dimensional (3-D and 4-D). The 3-D ultrasound takes thousands of images at once, making the image look more realistic. A 4-D ultrasound shows movement as well as still shots.
Vaginal ultrasound. The vaginal ultrasound can take a closer look at the organs and fetus. It is used more often in early pregnancy.
For this procedure, you will change into a hospital gown, lie down and put your feet into stirrups, like you are preparing for a pelvic exam. A protective sheath is placed over the transducer and then it's inserted into the vagina. The ultrasound procedure is painless. You may feel mild discomfort from the pressure of the transducer.
Is ultrasound safe?
There is no evidence that ultrasounds are harmful to mom or baby. They have been done for many years without problem. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine discourage the use of ultrasounds for nonmedical purposes. Using an ultrasound to detect the sex of the baby or to take a keepsake photograph should be done only if the ultrasound is needed for medical reasons - and only by certified medical personnel. Even though there are no known risks linked to ultrasounds now, it is possible that some will be found in the future. Radiation is not used for ultrasound.