Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. In people, common symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue.
Much touted ‘depression risk gene’ may not add to risk after all — New look at data confirms strong association between depression and stressful life events. – Stressful life events are strongly associated with a person’s risk for major depression, but a certain gene variation long thought to increase risk in conjunction with stressful life events actually may have no effect.
Update on influenza a [H1N1] as on 17th JUNE, 2009 — new cases have been reported from Delhi. – Health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 21 International airports in India. 40815 passengers have been screened on 16.6.2009.
Topical application of chemotherapy drug may improve appearance of aging skin through wound-healing response – Topical application of the chemotherapy medication fluorouracil appears to reduce potentially precancerous skin patches and improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin.
H1N1: Origins and Evolution of the Current Epidemic — Swine flu transmission to humans occurred several months before outbreak. – A new analysis of the current swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus suggests that transmission to humans occurred several months before recognition of the existing outbreak.
Government is fully prepared to deal with H1N1, there is no need to panic: Ghulam Nabi Azad, The Health Minister. – Indian Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has assured the people of the country that the country is fully prepared to face the challenge of H1N1, which has been declared a phase 6 pandemic by the World Health Organization.
World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic, says WHO. – On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6.
Snoring pregnant women at higher risk for gestational diabetes – If you are pregnant and your mate complains your frequent snoring is rattling the bedroom windows, you may have bigger problems than an annoyed, sleep-deprived partner.
UCLA study details quality of life for prostate cancer patients 4 years out from treatment – A long-term study by researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that the three most common treatments for localized prostate cancer had significant impacts on patients’ quality of life, a finding that could help guide doctors and patients in making treatment decisions.
Genetically elevated levels of lipoprotein associated with increased risk of heart attack – A genetic analysis of data from three studies suggests that genetically elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, according to a study in the June 10 issue of JAMA.
Alzheimer’s disease: Newly found peptide offers hope of early test and better treatment – Researchers in Japan have detected a peptide in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that can show whether a person is developing Alzheimer’s disease. Measuring the level of this peptide could show that the disease process has started, long before any serious damage is done to the brain.
New accurate diagnostic test for swine H1N1 influenza using RT-PCR technology – A new, easy-to-perform method for detecting both seasonal influenza A virus and the emerging H1N1 swine-derived influenza A virus in human clinical samples offers a fast, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic test that runs on standard laboratory equipment.
H1N1 update as on 9th June 2009 – eleven have been tested positive for novel Influenza A [H1N1]. – In India health screening of passengers coming from affected countries is continuing in 21 International airports. 44489 passengers have been screened on 9.6.2009.
