Health News: Feared salmon virus arrived in BC waters ♦ Higher risk of leukemia linked to low sunlight, vitamin D ♦ .Flu virus hijacking tactics revealed

Feared salmon virus arrived in BC waters The European variant of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) was said to have arrived in British Columbia almost five years ago, but then the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it was not so after testing two suspect salmon. That was in 2011. But if British Columbia was ISAV-free then, it almost certainly is not now.

.Flu virus hijacking tactics revealed paving way for new treatments Scientists have discovered how flu viruses 'hijack' cell machinery when they infect the body. The findings may pave the way for more effective antiviral treatments for pandemics and for seasonal flu, which infects over 800 million people worldwide every year.

Higher risk of leukemia linked to low sunlight, vitamin D Persons residing at higher latitudes, with lower sunlight/ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, are at least two times at greater risk of developing leukemia than equatorial populations.

Cancer drug shows promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy A drug commonly used to treat leukemia is showing potential as a treatment that could slow the progression of the muscle-wasting condition, Duchenne

Cancer Research:Breast cancer detection rate using ultrasound is shown to be comparable to mammography ♦ New method for better treatment of breast cancer ♦ New target for potential blood cancer treatment

Simple shell of plant virus sparks immune response against cancer Shells of cowpea mosaic virus inhaled into a lung tumor or injected into ovarian, colon or breast tumors, not only triggered the immune system in mice to wipe out the tumors, but provides systemic protection against metastases.

New target for potential blood cancer treatment Mutations present in a blood cancer known as follicular lymphoma have revealed new molecular targets for potential treatments, according to researchers

New method for better treatment of breast cancer A novel imaging-based method for defining appropriateness of breast cancer treatment is as accurate as the current standard-of-care and could reduce the need for invasive tissue sampling, new research shows. The results suggest that the method might lead to more optimal treatment of individual patients

Breast cancer detection rate using ultrasound is shown to be comparable to mammography The use of ultrasound in detecting breast cancer has been shown to be comparable in its sensitivity to that of mammography and should be considered when testing for the disease.

Health News: Tainted rice wine kills 19, leaves 172 ill ♦ A dairyman fights FDA over ban on ‘raw butter’ shipments ♦ Virus hijacks protein machine, then kills the host

Tainted rice wine kills 19, leaves 172 ill in Cambodia Laboratory tests found the deaths were caused by the high methanol level in the wine, where residents have been falling ill since Nov. 19 after drinking the tainted alcohol, have ordered all local brewers and rice wine sellers to close temporarily

CA dairyman fights FDA over ban on ‘raw butter’ shipments Mark McAfee, founder and president of Organic Pastures Dairy, has “lawyered up” before once again taking on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), over the interstate ban on transporting raw butter.

Virus hijacks protein machine and then kills the host A research team has established how a virus exploits one of its host's proteins when the virus is about to replicate its genetic material during an infection. The discovery may potentially form the basis for the development of new methods for treating viral infections.

Guidelines for surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee released A new clinical practice guideline has been introduced for adults undergoing surgery to improve motion and relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee. The guidelines focus on the surgical procedure most commonly performed for this condition, total knee replacement.

Health Research: Shaking the nanomaterials out: New method to purify contaminated water ♦ Do you really need that MRI? ♦ Researchers report possibility of using unused human pancreata to build new organs

Shaking the nanomaterials out: New method to purify contaminated water Nano implies small -- and that's great for use in medical devices, beauty products and smartphones -- but it's also a problem. All these tiny particles get into our water and are difficult to remove. Now, researchers have a novel and very simple way to take the nanomaterials out.

Researchers report possibility of using unused human pancreata to build new organs Researchers have been working for years to develop an artificial pancreas in the lab to help the millions of people with type 1 diabetes. But what if the answer is to 'recycle' the more than 300 human pancreata from organ donors that aren't currently being used?

Scientists identify effective and novel mechanisms to block chikungunya virus Scientists looking at the antiviral mechanisms of two previously identified human monoclonal antibodies have found they potently inhibit chikungunya virus (CHIKV) at multiple stages of infection. These antibodies prevent CHIKV from both entering and exiting cells, an important finding that could lead to new approaches in therapeutics and vaccines to fight infectious diseases.

Do you really need that MRI? Too many tests at the doctor's office could cost you more than just dollars. In addition to the huge hit to your wallet, there's also the potential harm of false positives, and just because a test has traditionally been done for a condition doesn't mean it's the best way to treat it. One expert is helping lead a national push to determine what neurologic tests or services are performed more than they should be.

Health Research: Going barefoot' could prevent common injuries ♦ Good' mozzie virus might hold key to fighting human disease ♦ Mother's age at birth may influence symptoms of depression in daughters

Going barefoot: Strong 'foot core' could prevent plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and other common injuries Barefoot activities can greatly improve balance and posture and prevent common injuries like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, bursitis, and tendonitis in the Achilles tendon.

Good' mozzie virus might hold key to fighting human disease A new virus has been discovered that is carried by one of the Australia's most common pest mosquitoes. The new virus -- known as Parramatta River virus -- infects only mosquitoes and doesn't pose any direct health risks to people.

Mother's age at birth may influence symptoms of depression in daughters The daughters, but not the sons, of women who give birth at age 30 or older are more likely to experience symptoms of depression as young adults.

Researchers devise new diabetes diagnostic too Researchers have developed a new test to help diagnosis diabetes, which they say will lead to more effective diagnosis and patient care. The research shows how a genetic test can help doctors to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in young adults.

Health News: Idaho health officials link 8 food borne illnesses to raw milk dairy ♦ Algae virus can jump to mammalian cells ♦ Team-based treatment is better for first episode psychosis

Idaho health officials link 8 foodborne illnesses to raw milk dairy  Idaho health officials are investigating eight illnesses in the southwest part of the state likely associated with drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk from an Idaho dairy. As of Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, four people sickened by Campylobacter and four with E. coli 0157:H7 infections had reported drinking raw milk produced by the Natural Farm Fresh Dairy in Kuna, ID

New study explains why you bulk up with resistance training, not endurance training Resistance and endurance exercises activate the same gene, PGC-1?, but the processes stimulated for the muscles to adapt depend on the exercise type. A new study offers insight into why the physical changes from resistance exercise are so different than from endurance exercise.

People with sedentary lifestyles are at increased risk of developing kidney disease Being sedentary for too long during the day may be a risk factor for chronic kidney disease.

Team-based treatment is better for first episode psychosis Treating people with first episode psychosis with a team-based, coordinated specialty care (CSC) approach produces better clinical and functional outcomes than typical community care, new research shows. Investigators also found that treatment is most effective for people who receive care soon after psychotic symptoms begin.

Algae virus can jump to mammalian cells New research provides first direct evidence that an algae-infecting virus can invade and potentially replicate within some mammalian cells. It follows up a 2014 study that found signs of a chlorovirus in throat swabs of human participants

Health News:Questions about the safety of breast milk sold on line ♦ Toxic Food is Violation of Rights ♦ Mysterious disease may be tied to climate change,

BBC Report raises questions about the safety of breast milk sold on line The safety of breast milk purchased online throughout the United Kingdom from websites such as “Only The Breast” has been called into question by the BBC’s Inside Out investigative program. “Only the Breast” is a web-based system of classified ads that connects people buying and selling breast milk. The BBC reported Monday that some of the breast milk.

Toxic Food is Violation of Rights NEW DELHI:  Alarmed over the increase in the quantity of pesticides found in fruits and vegetables, the National Human Rights Commission, taking cognizance of several reports, on Friday issued a notice to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India The Union Agriculture Ministry’s findings show that in the past six years there has been a two-fold increase in the

Mysterious disease may be tied to climate change A mysterious kidney disease that has killed over 20,000 people in Central America, most of them sugar cane workers, may be caused by chronic, severe dehydration linked to global climate change. Genetic variation is key to fighting viruses Scientists have identified subtle genetic changes that can cause substantial differences to how we fight viral infections. The new work connects genetics to antiviral immunity while offering a new path for studying this relationship in other medical contexts RNA editing technique treats severe form of muscular dystrophy An RNA editing technique called 'exon skipping' has shown preliminary success in treating a rare and severe form of muscular dystrophy that currently has no treatment. The discovery stems from the persistence of a father, whose two sons were diagnosed with a rare and severe form of muscular dystrophy, and his search for and partnership with the genetic scientist who studies the disease. The therapy is being developed with the goal of clinical trials

Health News: Mexican cilantro sickened 546 people ♦ Company owner faces life sentence for food poisoning outbreak ♦ Alzheimer's drug could prevent bone fractures

CDC: Cyclospora outbreak linked to Mexican cilantro sickened 546 people The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the recent Cyclospora outbreak sickened 546 people from 31 states from May to August. The numbers of reported cases in the U.S. have returned to baseline levels, the agency noted. CDC stated that epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted in Texas, Wisconsin, and Georgia by...

Company owner faces life sentence for food poisoning outbreak Inside, Almer wrote: I did not know where to send this to since my mother is no longer alive, so I am sending it to you, the person who is responsible for where she is today. Shirley Mae Almer, 72, survived lung cancer and a brain tumor, but not one of America's favorite foods: peanut butter. Parnell's company, PCA, had manufactured the creamy stuff that she slathered on

Virus re-engineered to deliver therapies to cells Researchers stripped a virus of its infectious machinery and turned its benign core into a delivery vehicle that can target sick cells while leaving healthy tissue alone

Alzheimer's drug could prevent bone fractures The most common drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease increases bone mass in mice, according to a recent article. Researchers say this means the drug could also be used to treat bone loss diseases like osteoporosis and periodontitis, following further clinical research.

Health News: 45 Salmonella infections linked to Chipotle Restaurants ♦ New federal food rules result of deadly outbreaks ♦ New giant virus discovered in Siberia's permafrost

New federal food rules result of deadly outbreaks WASHINGTON – Food manufacturers must be more vigilant about keeping their operations clean under new government safety rules released Thursday in the wake of deadly foodborne illness outbreaks linked to ice cream, caramel apples, cantaloupes and peanuts. The rules, once promoted as an Obama administration priority, ran into long delays and …

45 Salmonella infections linked to Chipotle Restaurants  The Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday that officials were investigating 45 cases of Salmonella Newport infection reported in the state since Wednesday, Sept. 2. Since many cases of salmonellosis do not seek health care and get tested, the number of ill people that are part of this outbreak is likely to be larger than...

Discrimination during adolescence has lasting effect on body In both blacks and whites, everyday feelings of discrimination can mess with the body's levels of the primary stress hormone, cortisol, new research suggests. In African-Americans, however, the negative effects of perceived discrimination on cortisol are stronger than in whites, according to the study, one of the first to look at the biological response to the cumulative impact of prejudicial treatment

High rate of Texas bugs carrying Chagas disease A deadly parasite that causes Chagas disease is widespread in a common Texas insect, according to a new study. The finding suggests that the risk of Texans contracting the disease may be higher than previously thought.

New giant virus discovered in Siberia's permafrost A new type of giant virus has been discovered in the same sample of 30,000-year old Siberian permafrost from which Pithovirus had already been isolated. Microscopic, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metagenomic technologies have allowed the scientists to draw a detailed portrait of this new virus, dubbed Mollivirus sibericum.

Cancer Research: First successful study of virus attack on cancer ♦ Removing more tissue during breast cancer surgery reduces the need for second procedure

First successful study of virus attack on cancer It's a new weapon in the arsenal of cancer fighting treatments: utilizing genetically modified viruses to invade cancer cells and destroy them from the inside. Now scientists have found that stage IIIb to IV melanoma patients treated with a modified cold sore (herpes) virus had improved survival.

Regenerating lost taste buds: Key steps discovered Researchers have discovered a key molecular pathway that aids in the renewal of taste buds, a finding that may help cancer patients suffering from an altered sense of taste during treatment.

Practice-changing study offers new option for tough breast cancer cases A new phase 3 study in some of the most difficult-to-treat patients, women with endocrine-resistant disease, showed that the newly approved drug, palbociclib, more than doubled the time to cancer recurrence for women with hormone-receptor positive metastatic breast cancer.

Removing more tissue during breast cancer surgery reduces by half the need for second procedure Removing more tissue during a partial mastectomy could spare thousands of breast cancer patients a second surgery, according to a Yale Cancer Center study.

Discovery could improve radiotherapy for wide range of cancers Scientists have discovered how giving a class of drugs called AKT inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy might boost its effectiveness across a wide range of cancers, according to a new study

Health News: FBI investigating Johnson & Johnson ♦ Supermarkets with worst records on contaminated chickens ♦ Nearly indestructible virus yields tool to treat diseases

FBI investigating Johnson & Johnson The FBI is questioning makers of a surgical device that can spread cancer cells in female patients, asking Johnson & Johnson officials what the manufacturing giant knew about the tool before yanking it out of service in 2014. The FBI's Newark

Supermarkets with worst records on contaminated chickens THE CONTAMINATION of nearly three-quarters of supermarket chickens with a potentially deadly bug is now the biggest food safety concern in the UK, the Food Standards Agency said. The watchdog said it was putting pressure on supermarkets to take action after a year-long study found all the major retailers failed to reach industry targets for reducing rates of campylobacter

Nearly indestructible virus yields tool to treat diseases By unlocking the secrets of a bizarre virus that survives in nearly boiling acid, scientists have found a blueprint for battling human disease using DNA clad in near-indestructible armor.

Study identifies Ebola virus's Achilles' heel The molecular "lock" that the deadly Ebola virus must pick to gain entry to cells has been identified by researchers. The findings, made in mice, suggest that drugs blocking entry to this lock could protect against Ebola infection

Herpes offers big insights on coughing -- and potential new remedies Cough treatments could change dramatically after the herpesvirus helped researchers discover that the respiratory tract links to two different parts of the nervous system.

Health Research:How hospitals can improve outcomes of weekend surgeries ♦ Artificial virus fragment the key to a Chikungunya vaccine ♦ Hepatitis C virus infection

Alcohol use disorders - stronger predictor of mortality than chronic hepatitis C virus infection Scientists show that alcohol use disorders (AUD) have a serious, negative prognostic outcome with higher mortality risks in the general population and patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in particular.

How hospitals can improve outcomes of weekend surgeries Studies have shown that patients who undergo surgeries on weekends tend to experience longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates and readmissions. For the first time, a new study has identified five resources that can help hospitals overcome this 'weekend effect': increased nurse-to-bed ratio; full adoption of electronic medical records; inpatient physical rehabilitation; a home-health program; and a pain management program.

Is a small artificially composed virus fragment the key to a Chikungunya vaccine? The mosquito transmitted Chikungunya virus, which causes Chikungunya fever, is spreading continuously. No vaccine is so far available. Researchers have experimentally recombined segments of the virus surface protein E2, thus creating artificial proteins. The domain generated that way -- 'sAB+' -- was able to confer a protective effect against Chikungunya virus to the animal. An immunization by means of this small protein fragment could thus provide a suitable approach to developing a Chikungunya vaccine.

Whooping cough: A small drop in vaccine protection can lead to a case upsurge In 2012 the USA saw the highest number of pertussis -- whooping cough -- cases since 1955. New research finds that a likely explanation for this rise in disease is a drop in the degree of vaccine protection for each vaccinated individual.

Allergy drug inhibits hepatitis C in mice

An over-the-counter drug indicated to treat allergy symptoms limited hepatitis C virus activity in infected mice, according to a National Institutes of Health study. The results suggest that the drug, chlorcyclizine HCl (CCZ), potentially could be used to treat the virus in people. Results were published April 8 in Science Translational Medicine

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver inflammation and often leads to serious complications such as cirrhosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of HCV can prevent liver damage. Drugs are available to treat HCV, but costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars.

“Although hepatitis C is curable, there is an unmet need for effective and affordable medication,” said lead author T. Jake Liang, M.D., senior investigator at NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). “CCZ is a promising candidate for part of a treatment regimen for this potentially life-threatening disease.”

Conducted at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, the study found that CCZ blocked the early stage of HCV infection likely by impairing the ability of the virus to enter human liver cells grafted in the mice. The outcome was similar to that of commonly used antiviral drugs but without those drugs’ toxic side effects.

“Using an innovative high-throughput screening process, we identified CCZ as a potent inhibitor of hepatitis C,” said Anton Simeonov, Ph.D., acting scientific director of NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), which collaborated in the study. “Identifying already approved drugs from the NCATS Pharmaceutical Collection may offer a faster route to potential discovery of treatments for all diseases.”

The researchers will next study how the drug affects people. CCZ is currently used for the treatment of allergies, not for HCV. “People should not take CCZ to treat their hepatitis C until it has been demonstrated that CCZ can be used safely and effectively for that purpose,” cautions Liang.

“NIH research is vital to finding creative solutions for some of today’s most serious public health issues,” said NIDDK Director Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D. “The CCZ medication may eventually provide an affordable alternative to costly options, especially in low-resource communities where hepatitis C infection is widespread.”

HCV infection affects an estimated 185 million people worldwide. People with hepatitis C interested in participating in clinical research on CCZ may call 1-866-444-2214 (TTY 1-866-411-1010) or visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (Clinical Trial # NCT02118012) for information. Support for both studies comes from the intramural research programs of the NIDDK and NCATS and from Hiroshima University.

Health News: No Ebola virus threat from legally imported African Foods ♦ Association between migraine & carpal tunnel ♦ Genetic attack against schistosomiasis + More

E.F.S.A.: No Ebola virus threat from legally imported African Foods  Raw foods that legally reach Europe, including plants, fruits, and vegetables, pose no risk of Ebola virus transmission, No human has ever been known to become infected with the Ebola virus from consumption of legally important foods into the European Continue Reading

Association between migraine, carpal tunnel syndrome found  Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome are more than twice as likely to have migraine headaches, reports a new study. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have symptoms such as hand numbness and weakness, resulting from pressure on the median nerve in the wrist Continue reading

Profound, debilitating fatigue found to be a major issue for autoimmune disease patients in new national survey  Fatigue is a major component of autoimmune disease research found. Fatigue described as "profound," "debilitating," and "preventing them from doing the simplest everyday tasks," is a major issue for autoimmune disease patients, impacting nearly every aspect of their lives Continue Reading

Genetic discovery may offer new avenue of attack against schistosomiasis  Researchers have discovered a group of genes in one species of snail that provide a natural resistance to the flatworm parasite that causes schistosomiasis, and opens the door to possible new drugs or ways to break the transmission cycle of this debilitating disease. It's been called a neglected global pandemic Continue Reading

Rapid testing for gene variants in kidney donors may optimize transplant outcomes

Kidney transplantation outcomes from deceased African-American donors may improve through rapid testing for apolipoprotein L1 gene renal risk variants at the time of organ recovery, according to a new study Continue Reading

CDC and Partners Investigate Newly Discovered Virus

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is today reporting on the discovery of a new virus that may have contributed to the death of a previously healthy man in eastern Kansas in late spring 2014. A CDC study published today details the progression of the man’s illness and actions taken by CDC, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and University of Kansas Medical Center to treat and investigate the case.

The virus, named Bourbon virus for the county where the patient lived, is part of a group of viruses called thogoto viruses. This is the first time a virus in this group has been shown to cause human illness in the United States and only the eighth known case of thogoto viruses causing symptoms in people.

Since viruses in this group (thogoto viruses) have been linked to ticks or mosquitoes in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Bourbon virus might also be spread through tick or other insect bites. The Kansas man had received multiple tick bites in the days before becoming ill. After test results for many infectious diseases came back negative, a sample of the patient’s blood was sent to CDC for additional testing. Initial CDC testing showed evidence of an unidentified virus in the sample. CDC researchers then used Advanced Molecular Detection and determined that it was a new virus.

2/8/15 Health News: A phone so smart, it sniffs out disease ♦ Hydrogen sulfide helps lower blood pressure ♦ Biomaterial coating improves success of medical implants

A phone so smart, it sniffs out disease

Imagine a smartphone that not only finds the nearest five-star restaurant or hails a cab with a quick click, but also diagnoses illness. New technology would enable smartphones to screen their users' breath for life-threatening diseases, developers report. Continue Reading

Hydrogen sulfide could help lower blood pressure

A new compound, called AP39, which generates minute quantities of the gas hydrogen sulfide inside cells, could be beneficial in cases of high blood pressure and diseases of the blood vessels that occur with aging and diabetes, new research suggests. Continue Reading

Biomaterial coating raises prospect of more successful medical implants

A novel, bacteria-repelling coating material that could increase the success of medical implants has been created. The material helps healthy cells 'win the race' to the medical implant, beating off competition from bacterial cells and thus reducing the likelihood of the implant being rejected by the body. Continue Reading

Shared symptoms of Chikungunya virus, rheumatoid arthritis may cloud diagnosis

A mosquito-borne virus that has spread to the Caribbean and Central and South America and has caused isolated infections in Florida often causes joint pain and swelling similar to that seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Continue Reading

Only 3 in 10 Americans with HIV have virus in check

New study finds that two-thirds of Americans with virus not in check have been diagnosed,

HIV STAGES OF CARE

There is an urgent need to reach more people with testing and make sure those with the virus receive prompt, ongoing care and treatment.

Just 30 percent of Americans with HIV had the virus under control in 2011, and approximately two-thirds of those whose virus was out of control had been diagnosed but were no longer in care, according to a new Vital Signs report published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The new study underscores the importance of making sure people with HIV receive ongoing care, treatment, and other information and tools that help prevent transmission to others, as well as the need to reach more people with HIV testing.  Among those whose infection was not under control, more than three times the proportion (66 percent) were no longer in care as had never been diagnosed (20 percent).

The HIV epidemic continues to threaten the health and well-being of many Americans – with more than one million people living with the disease in the U.S. and 50,000 new infections each year.

When used consistently, antiretroviral medication can keep HIV controlled at very low levels in the body (known as viral suppression), allowing people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives and reducing the likelihood they will transmit HIV to others. Treatment has been shown to reduce sexual transmission of HIV by 96 percent, and U.S. clinical guidelines now recommend that everyone diagnosed with HIV receive treatment, regardless of their CD4 cell count or viral load.

"For people living with HIV, it’s not just about knowing you’re infected – it’s also about going to the doctor for medical care,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.  “And for health care facilities, it’s not just about the patients in your care – it’s every person diagnosed, and every person whose diagnosis has not yet been made.  Key to controlling the nation’s HIV epidemic is helping people with HIV get connected to – and stay in – care and treatment, to suppress the virus, live longer and help protect others.”

The new study estimates that of the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV in 2011, 70 percent did not have their virus under control. Among the nearly 840,000 people who had not achieved viral suppression:

• 66 percent had been diagnosed but were not engaged in regular HIV care,
• 20 percent did not yet know they were infected,
• 4 percent were engaged in care but not prescribed antiretroviral treatment, and
• 10 percent were prescribed antiretroviral treatment but did not achieve viral suppression.

The percentage of Americans with HIV who achieved viral suppression remained roughly stable (26 percent in 2009 vs. 30 percent in 2011).

CDC focus on stopping HIV transmission through treatment

CDC has increased the focus on diagnosing people with HIV, supporting linkage to ongoing care and treatment, provision of risk reduction information, and increasing medication adherence.  By making the most of these strategies for those who are HIV-positive, as well as other high impact strategies to protect those who remain uninfected but are at highest risk for HIV, CDC believes substantial progress can be made in reducing new infections.

“There is untapped potential to drive down the epidemic through improved testing and treatment, but we’re missing too many opportunities,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention. "Treatment is crucial.  It is one of our most important strategies for stopping new HIV infections."

Current initiatives to promote HIV testing and treatment include innovative partnerships to make HIV testing simple, accessible and routine; programs to help health departments identify and reach out to infected individuals who have fallen out of care; and public awareness campaigns to urge testing and encourage people with HIV to seek ongoing care.

These efforts are an essential component of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, launched in 2010.  Key goals of the strategy include reducing HIV incidence, increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.

Younger adults with HIV least likely to have virus under control

Today’s study also found that viral suppression increased with age, with young people significantly less likely than older age groups to have their virus under control – only 13 percent of people aged 18-24 were virally suppressed, compared to 23 percent among those aged 25-34, 27 percent among those aged 35-44, 34 percent among those aged 45-54, 36 percent among those aged 55-64, and 37 percent among those aged 65 and older. The researchers attribute the disparity in large part to the fact that fewer than half (49 percent) of 18- to 24-year olds with HIV have been diagnosed, underscoring the need for more HIV testing in this population.

“It’s alarming that fewer than half of HIV-positive young adults know they are infected,” said Eugene McCray, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.  “Closing that gap could have a huge impact on controlling HIV – knowing your status is the first critical step toward taking care of your own health and avoiding transmission to others.”

11/16/14 Health News: Nasal spray for migraine relief ♦ Should pregnant & breastfeeding women ♦ Tumor-Attacking Virus ♦ Time spent cooking at home linked to healthier diet

First-in-class nasal spray demonstrates promise for migraine pain relief

Researchers are developing a novel prochlorperazine nasal spray formulation as a potential new treatment for migraines. Of the 100 million people that experience headaches in the United States, 37 million of them suffer from migraines Continue Reading

To eat fish or not to eat fish: Pregnant, breastfeeding women ask the question

To eat fish or not to eat fish? That is the question for pregnant and breastfeeding women. An expert clarifies this complicated issue in a new article. Continue Reading

Tumor-Attacking Virus Strikes With 'One-Two Punch'

Cancer researchers developed a tumor-attacking virus that kills brain-tumor cells and blocks tumor blood-vessel growth. The research shows that viruses designed to kill cancer cells -- oncolytic ..Continue Reading

Time spent preparing meals at home linked to healthier diet Spending less than one hour a day preparing food at home is associated with eating more fast food and spending more money eating out, finds new research. Not having time available may be one of the most significant barriers to achieving a healthy diet. Continue Reading

Faster, Easier Cures for Hepatitis C

Transformative advances in drug treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration are giving the 3.2 million Americans with chronic hepatitis C a chance for a longer, healthier life without the virus. That’s welcome news for baby boomers—who make up three of four adults with the hepatitis C virus—and millions of other Americans, many of whom don’t yet know they are infected and carriers.

Hepatitis C can be cured, and today’s drug therapies are very effective and easier for patients to take, says Jeffrey S. Murray, M.D., the deputy director of the Division of Antiviral Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Murray is an internist who specializes in infectious diseases.

A Preventable and Curable Disease

Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) refers to a group of viral infections that affect the liver. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Each is caused by a different virus.

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States. There is no vaccine for this disease, but hepatitis C can be prevented by avoiding behaviors that can spread the virus—including sharing needles, syringes or other equipment to inject drugs.

A diagnosis of hepatitis C no longer means months and months of painful drug injections, which for decades were the only option. Science is making strides in therapies, giving patients new alternatives.

“Interferon-based injections often make patients feel ill and give them flulike symptoms,” Murray says. The treatment by interferon also lasts six months to a year, and cures only 40% to 50% of hepatitis C patients.

“Patients with very advanced liver disease couldn’t take the traditional treatment because often those injections could make them worse,” he adds. “Now, patients can treat their hepatitis C with only pills– drug combinations that are faster and have a higher cure rate.”

Today’s pills have double the viral cure rates—90% to 100%—in just in 12 weeks’ time. Reducing the treatment from a year to three months is a huge advantage for people with hepatitis C, especially because it’s easier to swallow a pill than to get an injection, Murray says.

The new regimens include Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), which is the first drug approved to treat certain types of hepatitis C infection without the need to co-administer interferon. In recent years, FDA has also approved three protease inhibitors—Olysio (simeprevir), Victrelis (boceprevir) and Incivek (telaprevir)—to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Olysio is a protease inhibitor that blocks a specific protein the hepatitis C virus needs to replicate. The drug is a component of a combination antiviral treatment regimen.

Baby Boomers and Hepatitis C

For most people, hepatitis is a silent disease until it causes substantial damage to the liver. That process may take several years, and can lead to liver failure, liver transplantation and liver cancer.

“Hepatitis C is a bit like smoking, the longer you’ve had it, the higher your risk of developing complications—in this case, liver cancer and end-stage liver disease. It’s a progressive disease that takes years, even decades, before the patient develops cirrhosis or cancer,” Murray says. “The good news is that when you cure hepatitis C, you also lower its risks, though you don’t completely erase the years of damage to your liver.”

Once infected with the hepatitis C virus, nearly 8 in 10 untreated people remain infected for life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Three in four patients with chronic hepatitis C are baby boomers (people born from 1945 to 1965), and many became infected before the virus was identified and the blood supply was tested for the disease. That’s why it’s important for baby boomers—there are 76.4 million of them, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—to take a simple blood test for hepatitis C.

“When it comes to hepatitis C, the outlook for the future is better, but the past is catching up with us—especially if you are a baby boomer,” Murray says. “Still, this is a fortuitous time because better hepatitis C treatments are becoming available just as the patient population at risk of long-term complications is about to peak. There are treatments for chronic hepatitis and many reasons to get tested now more than ever because of the availability of safe and effective therapies