In a hearing October 16, members of Congress criticized mistakes that may have allowed Ebola to spread at a Dallas hospital. Nurses Nina Pham and Amber Joy Vinson were diagnosed this week. Both took care of Thomas Eric Duncan at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. The Liberian man died last week. Pham checked herself into the hospital when she developed a fever. Vinson flew home to Dallas from Cleveland with a low-grade fever. Tests showed both had Ebola. Vinson was sent to a special unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta October 15. Pham was transferred the same day to a special National Institutes of Health unit in Maryland. In testimony before Congress, a hospital official apologized for mistakes made in Duncan’s case.
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Help choosing a healthier breakfast cereal
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Having a vasectomy is associated with a slightly higher chance of aggressive prostate cancer, according to a study.
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The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies overlap substantially, but some symptoms point more strongly to the latter kind of dementia. Treatment focuses on controlling the symptoms.
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Many studies link light to moderate drinking (up to two standard alcoholic drinks per day for a man) to better health, but the science remains uncertain. Older men might consider limiting themselves to one drink per day.
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A high-dose version of the flu vaccine protected older people from influenza infection better than the normal-dose version, according to a study.
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In people with high blood pressure who are at highest risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems, taking medication has nearly three times the impact as in those at low risk, according to a study.
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Osteoarthritis in the hands is treated primarily with medication, but seeing a certified hand therapist can also be very helpful for minimizing pain and remaining functional. Surgery is an option when conservative measures fall short.
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Taking aspirin regularly may reduce risk of colon cancer but also increases risk of internal bleeding. It is not possible yet to routinely determine who would be helped more than harmed by taking aspirin for colon cancer prevention.
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Preventive health screening tests marketed directly to the public are often unnecessary and carry hidden risks. The best way to decide if screening tests are warranted is to have a discussion with a primary care doctor.
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