Swine Flu

Swine influenza virus (SIV) is caused by Orthomyxoviruses that are endemic to pig populations. SIV strains isolated to date have been classified either as Influenzavirus C or one of the various subtypes of the genus Influenzavirus A. Swine flu, unlike bird flu, is able to pass from human to human contact. The 2009 swine flu outbreak is the spread of a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus that was first detected by public health agencies in March 2009. Local outbreaks of influenza-like illness were detected in three areas of Mexico, but the presence of this new strain was not discovered for a month. Following this discovery in the parts of United States bordering Mexico, its presence was swiftly confirmed in the local outbreaks in Mexico, and...

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Posted in: Flu,Swine Flu

Swine Flu Symptoms

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Posted in: Flu,Swine Flu

Cancer Treatment: A Beginner's Guide

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.comQuick summaryIf your parent has received a diagnosis of cancer, he'll soon be plunging into the complex world of cancer treatment. Typically, your parent's doctor will refer him to an oncologist, who plans a course of treatment. This may be a single process, such as chemotherapy, or more likely it will be a combination of different treatment types, such as surgery followed immediately by radiation, followed later by a course of chemo. Within each of these treatment categories, there are myriad distinctions to understand and decisions to make, which can leave you and your parent feeling overwhelmed.To help you and your parent sort through the maze of cancer treatments, here's a guide to the main types and how they work.Neoadjuvant therapy and adjuvant therapy for...

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Posted in: cancer

Can Losing Weight Help the Environment?

by Jessica at MSN HealthLiving in an environmentally conscious city like Seattle, I’ve become accustomed to talking and learning about climate change. It seems as if everyone is looking for ways to reduce his or her carbon footprint and help the environment. Drive less. Reduce water waste. Buy local. Recycle. But how does losing weight help reduce greenhouse gases?Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have found that watching your weight isn’t just about improving your health. It can have an impact on climate change.In their study, published in the April edition of the International Journal of Epidemiology, they found that maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) can lower greenhouse emissions. The researchers calculated that a lean population of a billion people...

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Posted in: Weight loss

25 Cancer Symptoms Men Are Most Likely to Ignore

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editorAnnual checkups and tests such as colonoscopies and PSA assays are important, but it's not a good idea to rely on tests alone to protect you from cancer. It's just as important to listen to your body and notice anything that's different, odd, or unexplainable. (You should also listen to those close to you, such as a wife or partner, because others sometimes notice things we're unaware of—or don't want to admit.) You don't want to join the ranks of cancer patients who realize too late that symptoms they'd noticed for a long time could have sounded the alarm earlier, when cancer was easier to cure. Here, some signs of cancer that are commonly overlooked: 1. Upset stomach or stomachacheOne of the first signs colon cancer patients remember experiencing...

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Posted in: cancer,Men's Issue

Can’t Sleep? 20 Natural Tips to Stop Tossing & Turning

Sweet dreams - got ‘em? Many of us don’t. For some, bedtime is a nightly battle of tossing, turning and exhausted frustration; believe me, I’ve been there myself. As with any of life’s imbalances, there’s usually an underlying reason for insomnia and although stress and tension are usually the root cause, there are natural solutions to help you get the rest you deserve. Try some of these ideas and see which ones work for you. Before going to bed, stretch out. The day’s tensions are held in your body, so a gentle, relaxing stretching session – even a brief one – can do you a world of good. Wear comfortable clothing - or none! You might be surprised to find that going to sleep in your birthday suit helps you get more relaxed. Or, simply...

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Posted in: Sleep