Health

A new study reports that people who became sick from the coronavirus in the Chinese city where the outbreak began likely had a lower death rate than previously thought. The study , published Thursday in the journal Nature Medicine, calculated that people with coronavirus symptoms in Wuhan, China , had a 1.4 percent likelihood of dying. Some previous estimates have ranged from 2 percent to 3.4 percent. Assessing the risk of death in Wuhan is instructive because it provides a snapshot of the epidemic from the beginning, when doctors were scrambling to treat people with the brand-new virus and hospitals were overwhelmed. Some experts say that such a benchmark — known as the symptomatic case fatality rate — could be lower in countries like the United States if measures like widespread business and school closures and appeals for social distancing have the desired effect of slowing the spread of the disease. “The experience gained from managing those initial patients and the … [Read more...] about Coronavirus Death Rate in Wuhan Is Lower than Previously Thought, Study Finds

The United States and Russia faced off on Saturday over a World Health Organization report on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, with Moscow saying it was politically motivated and Washington calling for it to be swiftly updated. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s report was presented to the organisation’s executive board, on which both Russia and the United States sit. It covered events in the first nine months of 2022 and classed the situation in Ukraine, which Russia invaded on Feb. 24, as one of eight acute global health emergencies. The report documented more than 14,000 civilian casualties, with 17.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 7.5 million Ukrainian refugees displaced across Europe. Of 471 attacks with heavy weapons on healthcare facilities globally, 448 occurred in Ukraine, the WHO report said. Russia’s representative to the WHO board called it politicised and one-sided and described its references to Ukraine as unfounded … [Read more...] about WHO Report on Ukraine Health Emergency Sparks US, Russia Row

A world taken over by fungal infections, with no vaccine available: It sounds like the plot of post-apocalyptic show The Last of Us , but it could become our reality as climate change makes diseases caused by fungi, like valley fever, better at spreading. Valley fever is usually only contracted in the southwestern U.S. states, with the majority of all U.S. cases occurring in Arizona and California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). However, valley fever and other fungal infections are being found increasingly far outside of their usual ranges, and climate change might be to blame. "Cases of valley fever have been rising, and there are regions of the U.S. that have not been considered endemic for the disease, such as eastern [Washington] state, that are now seeing locally acquired cases," Bridget Barker, a valley fever expert and associate professor at Northern Arizona University, told Newsweek. Valley fever is caused by the … [Read more...] about Fungal infections are spreading and climate change is to blame

Valley fever, an infection caused by a type of fungus that lives nestled in dust and soil, has been reported more and more in U.S. residents over the past several years—but it's not just humans that can catch the disease. The fungus behind the disease is known as Coccidioides , and it tends to grow in areas with low rainfall and high summer temperatures, such as the southwestern U.S. The fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed, such as by wind. People and animals can then inhale them. Over 18,400 U.S. residents were reported to have fallen ill with Valley fever in 2019, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) data, with many living in Arizona and California. This marked an increase of nearly 3,000 reports from the previous year. In people, the disease can cause symptoms such as tiredness, a cough, fever, a rash, headaches and more. But it can also affect our pets. Dogs are very susceptible to Valley fever. According to the … [Read more...] about Signs of Valley Fever in Dogs As Fungal Disease on the Rise in U.S.

Every human body goes through a series of changes in its lifetime. A female reproductive system undergoes several changes at a particular age. Most women go through menopause after hitting the age of around 45. Menopause usually begins in the late 40s or early 50s. The hormonal changes experienced during this phase results in various symptoms including hot flashes, irritability, tiredness and mood swings. Menopausal women are at a higher risk of facing several diseases such as osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. One such major problem a woman may face is, the weakening of bones or bone fracturing. To avoid such conditions, calcium intake is very important. As calcium is beneficial for a child’s growth and development, it is also a very essential nutrient for women, who are going through menopause. Calcium intake is very important for every part of the body. It is essentially important for the women who are going through menopause to include calcium-rich food in their … [Read more...] about This Is Why Calcium Intake Is Essential For Every Women During Menopause

More from our inbox: A Public Misinformed About the Federal Budget Making Bread by Hand Foie Gras ‘Status’ Against Gambling To the Editor: Re “ She Feared the Organ Donation System Would Kill Her. It Did ,” by Kendall Ciesemier (Opinion guest essay, Feb. 1): I read this essay with great sadness. When we testified together before Congress, I was inspired by Tonya Ingram’s story and resonant voice to our legislators: “Please don’t make us wait.” Tragically, she was one of 12,000 people last year on waiting lists who died or became too sick to receive a transplant. As a transplant surgeon who studies organ donation, I believe that the organ shortage is due to ineffective regulation and failing contractors. High-quality research over 20 years demonstrates that for every donor used, even more potential donors are wasted — enough to end most deaths and dramatically reduce dialysis time. Members of Congress agree on the solutions: Replace … [Read more...] about A ‘Preventable Tragedy’: Dying for Lack of an Organ Donor

The British state is urging healthy people aged 16 to 49 to come forward for their third coronavirus jab by mid-February if they have not been “boosted” already. National Health Service (NHS) England, the socialised state healthcare provider for Britain’s most populous Home Nation, will not be rolling out its fourth booster to healthy under-50s, and is urging un-boosted people in the 16-49 age range to schedule a third jab before February 12th, after which is will no longer be generally available. “There is just one week left of the autumn booster campaign and so if you are eligible for a booster but have yet to take up your latest dose, please do so before the end of next week,” said Steve Russell, the National Health Service’s Director of Vaccinations and Screening, in comments reported by the BBC. UK Govt Launches Covid and Flu Vax 'Marketing Campaign' Aimed at Pregnant Women, Minorities https://t.co/YEs947Nual — Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) October 23, 2022 … [Read more...] about British State Urges Healthy Under-50s to Get Third Jab by Mid-February

A gruesome illness is killing dogs up and down the country. But very few pet owners have heard of the difficult-to-treat condition commonly known as Alabama rot . It first appeared in the UK five years ago and has claimed the lives of dozens of our four-legged friends since then. Following a recent recent spate of infections around Manchester, we've looked into Alabama rot to bring dog owners up to speed. There are currently 13 confirmed cases within a 50-mile radius of Manchester, the Manchester Evening News reported . There are believed to have been nearly 100 cases of Alabama rot in the UK and Ireland since 2012 ( Image: Getty) The devastating condition, officially called CRGV, can lead to a dog's flesh rotting away. This results in kidney failure, loss of appetite, tiredness and vomiting. And without urgent treatment, dogs develop a raging fever and can eventually die. The cause of the mysterious bug is not yet known, but it affects all breeds of … [Read more...] about Alabama rot is back: How to spot the disease killing dozens of dogs by eating their flesh

Pet owners are being urged to stay vigilant and a potentially deadly dog disease sweeps the country. Alabama Rot can lead to devastating symptoms in all breeds of dogs and there is no way to prevent your pet from becoming infected. The devastating illness can cause a dog's flesh to rot and can ultimately lead to kidney failure, tiredness, vomiting and loss of appetite. If dogs displaying any of these symptoms are not treated urgently, they can die of a deadly fever, reports Essex Live . It's thought that the disease is picked up on the paws and legs on muddy walks, so dog owners are reminded to always wash off woodland mud, check for signs of CRGV and if in doubt, call the vet. There is no way owners can prevent their pets from being infected ( Image: MEN) Have your say on this story Comment Below Dogs can also appear to become 'depressed' with a loss of appetite and they may start to vomit. The mysterious illness, which first appeared in the … [Read more...] about Deadly dog disease is sweeping the country – and pet owners are being warned to be vigilant

Eight out of ten dog owners admit they take their pet out for a walk – just to get some peace and quiet, it as emerged. The study carried out among 2,000 canine-keepers found as well as exercising their pooch, 73 per cent believe getting out and around with the hound is a vital de-stressing tool amid the hustle and bustle of life. Another eight in 10 said the time spent with mans’ best friend gives them valuable thinking time while almost three quarters see it as a chance to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Almost six in 10 even claimed the daily dog walk is the only point in the day they get out and about and enjoy some 'headspace', with almost half saying regular ‘me time’ is the best part of their walk. Some breeds need more exercise than others ( Image: SWNS.COM) It also emerged one in five dog owners have made a major life decision while out walking their pet, as it allows them to ‘mull over’ solutions to life's problems or dilemma. One third of … [Read more...] about Four out of five dog owners only walk their pet for peace and quiet, study finds