Flu vaccines may do more than guard against infection. New research hints that the vaccine, which is recommended for all adults, may also help the heart.
Two new studies presented at the 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress suggest that heart patients who get flu vaccines have lower risks of heart attacks and strokes and fewer episodes of irregular heart rhythms.
Some cautions apply. Both studies were small and preliminary. Researchers agree that they should be repeated with more people and published in peer-reviewed journals before flu vaccines can be claimed to cut heart risks.
"The current body of evidence makes it difficult for us to know for sure whether influenza vaccination reduces cardiovascular events," says Jennie Johnstone, MD, an assistant professor in the division of infectious diseases at McMaster University in Toronto, Canada. She was not involved in the research.
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A cheap test which could detect even low levels of viruses and some cancers has been developed by UK researchers.
The colour of a liquid changes to give either a positive or negative result.
The designers from Imperial College London say the device could lead to more widespread testing for HIV and other diseases in parts of the world where other methods are unaffordable.
The prototype, which needs wider testing, is described in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
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Eight H1N1 cases have been discovered in Al-Amal hospital in Riyadh, Al-Hayat newspaper reported yesterday. The report said two of the cases were among hospital inmates and six in the psychiatry department.
The newspaper also mentioned that the hospital quarantined 27 suspected cases, in addition to four nurses who showed symptoms of the virus.
The medical team in the hospital administered tamiflu (H1N1 antivirus) to all the infected. The hospital also directed all its staff members to wear masks and use all precautionary measures when dealing with the inmates. The hospital canceled the annual Eid party and vacationing doctors were called back.
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RIYADH The Ministry of Health announced Sunday a new case of coronavirus affecting a Saudi national in Riyadh.
The patient, whose blood sample has been sent to a specialist laboratory abroad for further confirmation, received the appropriate treatment and has recovered. His health condition is reassuring and there is no cause for concern, a ministry statement said.
The ministry carried out precautionary measures in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the recommendations of the National Scientific Committee for Contagious Diseases.
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Health Official Assures Coronavirus is Non-transmissible Between Humans
RIYADH:A senior official from the Ministry of Health (MOH) stated on Monday that there is no cause for alarm regarding the detection of a coronavirus case in Riyadh, early this week.
Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health for Public Health Dr. Ziad Al-Memish told a news conference in Riyadh on Monday that people do not need to worry about the outbreak of coronavirus. He further added that the virus is not transmissible from one person to the other. However, people need to be made aware of the presence of the virus, to take preventive measures to safeguard themselves and their families.
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Scientists Halt Deadly MRSA Outbreak by Cracking Genetic Code and Tracking Down Carrier in Breakthrough that could Save Hundreds of Lives each Year
Hundreds of lives could be saved each year after British scientists worked out how to stop a potentially deadly outbreak of MRSA.
They have managed to crack the superbug's genetic code, enabling them to identify and destroy the source of the infection, stopping it in its tracks.
It led to them finding one member of staff at Rosie Hospital, in Cambridge, who may have unwittingly carried and spread the infection.
This is the first time such testing has been used to identify and halt an outbreak.
Read MoreA second person has died from a new respiratory illness similar to the Sars virus, according to the World Health Organization.
The WHO said three fresh cases had also been reported bringing the total to six.
All are linked to either Saudi Arabia or Qatar. However, one man has been transferred to the UK for treatment.
Doctors say the virus does not appear to readily spread from person to person.
Both reported deaths were in Saudi Arabia.
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Vomiting Virus Sweeps Britain: Hospital Wards Shut as Cases Soar 50 Per Cent to Five-year High
Britain is in the grip of a winter vomiting outbreak which has already seen many thousands fall victim to the debilitating virus.
Cases of the bug have surged to a five-year high and the health service has reported outbreaks at dozens of hospitals.
Front-line health workers are being struck down by the virus, leaving overstretched departments badly under-staffed.
Experts say the norovirus bug has arrived early this year and have warned the problem will worsen over the winter.
Figures from the Health Protection Agency show the number of confirmed reports of the virus where samples have been sent by hospitals or GPs to laboratories for tests is up 52 per cent on last year.
Read MoreMADINAH King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved a proposal by Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah to treat foreigners suffering from contagious diseases free of charge while ensuring their deportations are facilitated quickly.
Dr. Khaled Marghalani, Ministry of Health spokesman, said the Kingdom has always been committed to protecting citizens and foreigners from diseases.
He said the ministry would immediately implement the royal order.
Read MoreCDC Study: More Than 1 in 4 U.S. Women Aged 14-59 Has HPV Infection
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