Fri, 09/3/10 – 4:14 | No Comment

Unfortunately, there is a real lack of studies comparing one triptan medication to another but in the absence of head-to-head studies, this is what we do know about triptans, one of the most commonly used …

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Who’s Getting the H1N1 Flu and Who’s Hospitalized: CDC Releases New Data
Wed, 09/2/09 – 4:01 | One Comment
Who’s Getting the H1N1 Flu and Who’s Hospitalized: CDC Releases New Data

Vaccinating children at high risk for H1N1 influenza
The CDC has released the latest statistics (as of 7/31/09) on who is getting sick and being hospitalized with H1N1 (Swine) flu. This data shows a striking difference …

Update on H1N1 Clinical Vaccine Trials and Vaccine Availability
Mon, 08/31/09 – 4:17 | 2 Comments
Update on H1N1 Clinical Vaccine Trials and Vaccine Availability

Jay Butler, MD, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 45-52 million doses of the new H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine will be available by mid-October followed by weekly availability for up to 195 …

What is a Virus?
Fri, 08/28/09 – 4:00 | One Comment
What is a Virus?

Surprisingly, a virus is not a living entity – it is just a collection of genetic material, either RNA or DNA, with a protein coat to protect it. It can be thousands of times smaller …

What To Do When Taking Care of a Relative With Influenza
Wed, 08/26/09 – 4:03 | No Comment
What To Do When Taking Care of a Relative With Influenza

It’s bound to happen this season – someone in your household will come down with the ‘flu, perhaps the H1N1 novel virus or any one of the other circulating influenza viruses. The CDC has published …

Why You Should Get Both the Seasonal ‘Flu and the H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Mon, 08/24/09 – 4:16 | One Comment
Why You Should Get Both the Seasonal ‘Flu and the H1N1 Flu Vaccine

Each year I talk to my patients about receiving the ‘flu vaccine. This year, I’ll be talking to them about getting BOTH the ‘flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine. Most of the deaths from the …

CDC Revises Time Out of Work for Flu-like Illness
Fri, 08/21/09 – 4:05 | One Comment
CDC Revises Time Out of Work for Flu-like Illness

This question and answer article explains the rationale behind the number of days people should stay home if they have a flu-like illness. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on August 5, 2009, revised the …

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccination Trials Underway
Wed, 08/19/09 – 4:00 | No Comment
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccination Trials Underway

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is responsible for testing and evaluating vaccines. Currently, NIAID is conducting clinical trials for a vaccine to protect …

H1N1 (Swine flu) Tests: How Effective Are They?
Mon, 08/17/09 – 4:02 | One Comment
H1N1 (Swine flu) Tests: How Effective Are They?

This year’s recent outbreak of H1N1 (Swine) flu has highlighted the need for tests that can quickly detect the presence of Influenza A. So how effective are the tests in picking up the presence of …

High Triglycerides Linked to Diabetic Amputations
Fri, 08/14/09 – 4:00 | No Comment
High Triglycerides Linked to Diabetic Amputations

Two studies recently reported on the connection between high triglycerides and diabetic related amputations. Published recently online in Diabetes (2009) and Lancet (2009), one linked high triglycerides to diabetic neuropathy, (the leading cause of amputations …

Coma After Cardiac Arrest: How To Know When To Withdraw Life Support
Wed, 08/12/09 – 4:07 | No Comment
Coma After Cardiac Arrest: How To Know When To Withdraw Life Support

When a loved one suffers a cardiac arrest and ends up in a coma (called “anoxic-ischemia encephalopathy), what if any, are the predictors of a good outcome? How much time should elapse before the decision …