Health News
Meningitis at Princeton May Lead to New Vaccine Use
It is standard for many colleges to require vaccinations protecting students against meningitis. Now one US university is coping with a strain of the illness not protected by routine vaccines.
Dengue Spotted in South Texas
Dengue fever might be thought of as a far-removed, tropical disease, but officials of South Texas have reported several discovered cases.
Global Trends in Oral Cancers
It used to be that smoking and drinking alcohol were the biggest risk factors for cancers that develop in the mouth and throat. Those trends may be changing, according to a new study.
How Doctors Prescribe Antibiotics to Kids
In the past, it wasn't uncommon for kids to be prescribed antibiotics for almost any respiratory infection. Now doctors are more careful about prescribing them only when necessary.
Little Lungs May Struggle When Born a Little Early
It's already understood that babies born very early are at a higher risk for respiratory problems. Yet even being a week or two early might increase this risk slightly.
A New Type of Bird Flu
Bird flu is often talked about as if it's one disease, but there are a variety of avian influenza strains, some of which have been discovered in humans and some of which have only been seen in birds. The authors of a new study took a close look at the first reported human patient with the H6N1 bird flu strain.
Foodborne Infection May Be a Family Affair
Even with infections that don't spread easily , family members might still run the risk of developing the same infections, simply due to a shared environment. Researchers explored this issue for one infection in particular — toxoplasmosis.
E. Coli Scare Leads to Recalls
Certain types of the bacteria E. coli live in our intestines without causing trouble or harm. But other strains can cause serious illness. Two related California companies have recalled pre-packaged salads and wraps due to concerns about this type of the bacteria.
Decline in Staph Infections Among Vets
Staph infections are often serious and sometimes difficult conditions to treat. But the number of new cases and spread of this disease caused by a bacterium that does not respond to standard kinds of medicine have been declining among military veterans.
Flu More Dangerous for Some
The flu is a very common illness that affects all different types of people. But it may be more dangerous for some.