MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'h1n1 flu'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:06:24 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501583&cid=t_238656_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftheres-still-time-for-a-flu-shot%2F2011.02.21 It’s not too late to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Influenza is about to enter its peak season in the United States. Now is the time to be vigilant in protecting against and preventing the spread of flu. Washing your hands, staying home from work or school, and covering your cough can be incredible steps. But the most effective way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated. If you haven’t had a flu shot, get one this week. Your child can be immunized if over six months of age, and remember that many children under age nine will need a second dose (booster shot). Find out how to determine if your child needs a second dose. 1o Things To Know About Influenza 1. Influenza peaks in February and March in the United States. Look at the CDC data that reflects ongoing in... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501583 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:38 +0100 4501583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3633444&cid=t_238656_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fh1n1-and-japanese-dried-plums%2F2010.06.06 Japanese dried plums may suppress H1N1 influenza viruses, report researchers. In Japan, umeboshi (literally, “dried plum”) is thought to convey good digestion and cure hangovers. It’s the Japanese version of “an apple a day.” Recently, Wakayama Medical University researchers added umeboshi extracts to cells infected with the H1N1 virus and found it inhibited viral growth by 90 percent after seven hours. Researchers think that a polyphenol in the food may suppress H1N1. By the way, Wakayama prefecture is the heart of Japan’s plum-growing region. (Hindustan Times, Wikipedia) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3633444 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:58:34 +0100 3633444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269742&cid=t_238656_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fir7ymCdys2Y%2F The H1N1 virus, the so-called swine flu, hit 57 million Americans and was the cause of 257,000 hospitalizations and 11,690 deaths in the United States. Fifty seven million: that’s more than the population of Spain (46 million) and Canada (34 million). The number of people hospitalized because of the H1N1 influenza is just slightly more than the entire population of Barbados, or equal to half the state of Wyoming. That’s a lot of people. The flu is still around and vaccines are still being given. The US winter Olympic athletes were vaccinated last month if they’d not already been, giving the vaccine enough time to be effective when the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics begin tonight. What was it about the H1N1 flu that got the world so concerned and should it have been? It&#8... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269742 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:36:00 +0100 3269742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3176134&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fin-news-is-h1n1-flu-pandemic-over.html H1N1 risk may have passedIt's unlikely 2010 will bring a feared third wave of the H1N1 flu, said Dr Yves Bolduc, Quebec's health minister. "Compte tenu du taux de vaccination contre la grippe A (H1N1) et étant donné que les personnes qui ont eu la grippe sont maintenant protégées, nous considérons fort peu probable l'arrivée d'une troisième vague," he told La Presse. ("Considering the vaccination rate against the H1N1 flu and given that people who've already had the flu are now protected, we consider a third wave very unlikely.") [La Presse]The national vaccination rate is between 40-45%, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. There are major variations among provinces, however: Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and the territories have all vaccinated greater than 50% of thei... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3176134 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100 3176134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146211&cid=t_238656_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fg1TfFi2DmLU%2F Nice to see you again. Hope the day is getting off to a good start. It is the middle of the week, though, and after the holiday break, this can only mean one thing - lots of meetings, deadlines and projects to prepare. So as you dig in, here are a few things to help you along. As for us, the time has come for a cup of stimulation. May your day go well… Europe Seeks To Reduce H1N1 Vaccine Inventory (SwissInfo.ch) Glaxo Centralizes HR Functions (EmployeeBenefits.co) WARF Wins Patent Lawsuit Over Enzyme (Chicago Tribune) FDA Cancels Panel Review For Cymbalta (Reuters) Glaxo’s Witty Succeeds Higgins As EFPIA Chief (PharmaTimes) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146211 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:50:31 +0100 3146211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056597&cid=t_238656_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fsanta-not-welcome-at-childrens-hospital%2F Bah Humbug might be the new motto at Ottawa, Canada’s 150-bed Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The powers-that-be have decided that having Santa visit was too risky considering the H1N1 flu virus that is making the rounds. Poppycock, rubbish, and every other non-offending word from me. This is not necessary – a visit from Santa has no more of a chance of increasing illness than the video link-ups with Santa that the hospital is planning – with immunosuppressed children being the exception. The administrators said that each child will be receiving a personalized video greeting from the man himself. It’s understandable that we want to keep our children safe. The spread of a virus like H1N1 is scary because of the severity of effects it can have on some childr... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056597 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:13:34 +0100 3056597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052402&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwhats-in-news-dec-3-whos-new-hiv.html WHO revises ART recommendationsThis week, the World Health Organization issued new recommendations on anti-retroviral therapy for adult and adolescent HIV patients. The new recommendations are a major departure from what had previously been in place. For instance, the WHO is now advising that physicians begin ART when the patient is presympomatic, at a CD4 count of 350 cells per cubic milliliter rather than 200 cells per cubic milliliter. The 200 figure was included in WHO recommendations in 2006, but research over the last three years found that earlier ART showed large enough improvements in reducing morbidity to be worthwhile. [World Health Organization news release] [Medscape]Some Canadian guidelines were ahead of the WHO's. In February 2009, the widely respected BC Centre for Excellen... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052402 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0100 3052402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3030105&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhats-in-news-nov-26-second-wave-of.html H1N1 flu newsAmid reports that the second wave of the H1N1 flu pandemic has peaked in most of Canada and the number of new cases seen each day has begun to plateau, there is now speculation about whether a third wave could sweep its way through the as-yet-unvaccinated population in early 2010. [Montreal Gazette] [Sudbury Star]GlaxoSmithKline, Canada's H1N1 flu vaccine supplier, last week recalled a batch of 170,000 doses from across the country after two deaths in Manitoba and several more severe adverse reactions. No causality was proven, but Glaxo asked doctors not to use vaccines from that batch in order to err on the safe side. [CTV News]The World Health Organization is investigating the emergence of a group of drug-resistant H1N1 flu cases in Wales [Reuters] and eight cases of H1N1 fl... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3030105 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100 3030105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015437&cid=t_238656_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2009%2F11%2F20%2Fh1n1-flu-thats-resistant-to-tamiflu%2F I just read about a strain of H1N1 flu that’s resistant to Tamiflu. Four of these cases have been reported at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.  I wondered if it has possibly infected people in the transplant clinic? A friend had her SCT at Duke one year when the flu was rampant in the transplant clinic.  She said that a few of the patients became quite ill.  She had the flu herself. She recovered and had a second stem cell transplant. “All four of the North Carolina patients were hospitalized and were very ill with underlying severely compromised immune systems and multiple other complex medical conditions, according to researchers from the Duke University Medical Center. Three of the four died. No details have been released about how the patients caught the re... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015437 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:52:45 +0100 3015437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012458&cid=t_238656_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FPDbm2kwjI2w%2F Children who have asthma are at higher risk of developing problems if they contract the H1N1 flu, more so than if they have the seasonal flu, say researchers. Researchers in Toronto, Canada, investigated the differences between 58 children with H1N1 who were admitted to the Hospital for the Hospital for Sick Kids, in Toronto, and 200 who had been admitted to the same hospital with complications from the seasonal flu, between 2004 and 2008. The researchers found that 22% of the children who were admitted because of H1N1 had asthma, while only 6% of those with seasonal influenza were asthmatic. In addition, about 50% of those children with H1N1 who had to be admitted to the intensive care unit had asthma (study). Other differences included: Older children were admitted with H1N1 than with t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012458 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:37:45 +0100 3012458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004098&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhats-in-news-nov-18-will-feds-permit.html Trying to make crack saferVancouver may get a supervised crack-smoking clinic. PHS Community Services, which also operates the supervised injection site Insite, would like to set up the crack-smoking clinic but federal officials would have to provide an exemption to the relevant drug-control laws. [Globe and Mail] Needless to say, the idea is a controversial one. [Vancouver Courier]Emergency military mental-health team formedThe Canadian Forces created an emergency mental-health squad to respond to soldiers' urgent psychological problems. Major Rakesh Jetly, mental health adviser to the Forces' surgeon general, said they will study soldiers' suicides to find out how to prevent more from occurring. [Toronto Star] This tacit admission by the military should go some way to appeasing members o... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004098 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100 3004098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984756&cid=t_238656_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fof-course-anti-h1n1-holy-water-dispenser%2F Necessity is the mother of invention and all that stuff, right? Maybe we can also say that desperate times call for desperate measures? Or how about, He will provide if we just ask? What am I talking about? An anti-H1N1 (Swine flu) holy water dispenser for church. Roman Catholics who enter a church usually dip their fingers into a small bowl filled with Holy Water. They make the sign of the cross and then proceed to enter the main part of the church. Many repeat this motion when they leave the church. Because of the H1N1 fears, many churches have removed their holy water, leaving some Catholics upset, unable to perform this important tradition or ritual. No matter, because an Italian inventor has come to the rescue with an automatic holy water dispenser. The set up is designed like touchle... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984756 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:33:07 +0100 2984756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974218&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Finterview-dr-bonnie-henry-h1n1-flu.html In this month's issue of Parkhurst Exchange, which should be arriving on physicians' desks across the country right about now, you'll find a short Q&A with Dr Bonnie Henry (right), the BC Centre for Disease Control’s director of Public Health Emergency Management the author of the new book Soap and Water & Common Sense: The Definitive Guide to Viruses, Bacteria, Parasites, and Disease (Anansi).Online, you can read the full version of the interview, in which we discuss the severity of this pandemic, the steps family physicians can take to make their waiting rooms safer, special billing codes for H1N1 flu consults, and the interesting and pertinent story behind how Canada decided to manufacture its own vaccines after the 1976 swine flu, among other things.Click here to read the ful... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974218 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2974218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967543&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fcanada-is-looking-out-for-your-health.html A selection of our favourite Canadian health advisories issued over the last few days.Solubilize, nebulize, dieWhen treating H1N1 flu patients, don't solubilize and then nebulize your powdered zanamivir (Relenza) and then put it in a ventilator. A pregnant woman died when the lactose in the powdered zanamivir combined with the liquid used to dissolve the powder and blocked her ventilator.You'll need a miracle, inshallahMuslim pilgrims should be vaccinated against influenza and other infectious diseases at least six weeks prior to the Hajj. The warning was issued four weeks before the beginning of the Hajj, which this year occurs November 25-30.(But perhaps all is not lost. Some supremely strange Islamic websites interpret the word "ma'arej" from the Qu'ran to mean "wormholes" and assert th... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967543 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:26:00 +0100 2967543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959092&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhats-in-news-nov-4-newfoundlands-first.html H1N1 flu newsNewfoundland and Labrador saw its first H1N1-flu death over the weekend. [St John's Telegram] [Halifax Chronicle-Herald]Ontario's health minister, Deb Matthews, was surprisingly blunt in blaming municipal planning in Toronto for the city's slow start to the vaccination campaign, calling the work "simply unacceptable." City officials, predictably, were displeased with her assessment. [Toronto Sun]Several PEI schools are suffering H1N1 flu outbreaks, and nearly half of students are absent from class in one school. [Charlottetown Guardian]Nova Scotia's government announced it will cover the cost of Tamiflu prescriptions for all residents, regardless of their private pharmaceutical insurance coverage. [Halifax Chronicle-Herald]An immunization campaign is underway in Ontario prison... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959092 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2959092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947148&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhats-in-news-oct-30-some-mps-decline.html Some MPs decline the H1N1 flu vaccineThe Hill Times has compiled a list of Members of Parliament who have stated they will not receive the H1N1 flu vaccine: "NDP MP Denis Bevington, Conservative MP Terence Young [the author of the 2007 book Death by Prescription: A Father Takes on His Daughter's Killer], NDP MP Don Davies, Conservative MP Brian Jean."Mr Davies told the newspaper, "I've never had a flu shot in my life. I'm 46 and I've never had any difficulties. In my time I've seen five separate pandemic scares that have come from legionnaires' disease in the 1970s, to other swine flues, and I generally think that they tend to be overstated, the fears.""I'm still thinking about whether or not this is a good thing for me," said NDPer Carol Hughes, a member of the Standing Committee on Healt... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947148 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:04:00 +0100 2947148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943954&cid=t_238656_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fcranham-on-swine-flu-and-infection-control%2F This is a personal interest for me since my son was premature and is at high risk for flu and illness. We’re always on top of these things. The Swine Flu has been a little blown out of proportion by the media in my opinion, but whatever strain of flu exists, it’s good for professionals to think at a high level for infection control – from how we wash hands to always wearing gloves to covering surfaces to sterilizing handpieces and lasers. It’s a great time to review these procedures that prevent disease transmission. We don’t need to go crazy, but we need to prioritize infection control. I think staff vaccinations should be a personal decision for each individual, not mandated by the government. For me, I get the vaccine, but I haven’t yet gotten the H1N1 vaccine because it’s... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943954 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:27:17 +0100 2943954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934956&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhats-in-news-oct-28-dal-med-school-on.html Dalhousie med school on probationDalhousie's medical school is on probation after it failed to attain accreditation from an American auditing body. The school (left) was marked non-compliant in 17 of 132 areas initially but managed to get seven of those overturned. The probation lasts up to two years, but the school is still accredited in the meantime. [Dalhousie Medical School news release] "It's a reputational black mark," Dr Tom Marrie, the school's dean, told the Canadian Medical Association Journal. "The program is still a good program. It’s still accredited." [CMAJ] [Saint John Telegraph-Journal]H1N1 flu vaccination campaign launch marred by logistics troublesThis week is the first full week of H1N1-flu vaccination in Canada and already there have been problems. Montrealers were su... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934956 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2934956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916449&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fcanada-approves-h1n1-flu-vaccine.html Arepanrix, GlaxoSmithKline's vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 flu, was today given Health Canada's stamp of approval. "This is a milestone in our efforts to fight the pandemic H1N1 flu virus," Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said in a statement. "Thanks to careful planning we now have a safe and effective vaccine being distributed to provinces and territories that they will be rolling out in a matter of days."The Public Health Agency of Canada's vaccination recommendations are as follows:All Canadians 10 years of age and older should receive one dose of adjuvanted vaccine;Children from six months and up to 10 years of age should receive the adjuvanted vaccine in two half-doses, administered at least 21 days apart;Children age 0-6 months – immunization not authorized; andPregnant women sh... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916449 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:18:00 +0100 2916449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901840&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhats-in-news-oct-16-h1n1-flus-second.html This month marks the beginning of what appears to be the anticipated "second wave" of the H1N1 flu pandemic in Canada, with clusters of cases appearing once again. [Toronto Star]As doctors anxiously await the arrival of the vaccine, health officials are busy trying to simultaneously push back against rumours that the vaccine might be dangerous or useless and (so far unsuccessfully, it seems) convince people to wash their hands and stop coughing on one another.Meanwhile, researchers around the world are still learning more about the virus and the disease it causes.American government researchers found that people killed by the H1N1 flu have often had bacterial coinfections in their lungs, including with the bacterium pneumococcus. That means the pneumococcal vaccine is an important element ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901840 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:11:00 +0100 2901840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899089&cid=t_238656_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-and-the-h1n1-swine-flu-vaccine%2F Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I do not play one on television and though I own a lab coat, I don’t even look good in it.  This post was compiled after consultation with doctors, researchers and the National MS Society about MS and vaccines in general as well as influenza and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccines.  As with any medical advice it is imperative that you speak to your doctor in reference to your particular situation. Flu season is upon us… There have been several questions raised in our blog over the past weeks about the H1N1 (Swine) flu virus and its new vaccination.  While I made every effort to get as many answers as I could, please know that this is a choice for you and your medical professionals to make. Each multiple sclerosis clinic will have its own standa... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899089 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:56:55 +0100 2899089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2858589&cid=t_238656_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fsleep-for-your-health-this-cold-and-flu.html The cold and flu season is quickly approaching. This year it is more important than ever to protect yourself not only from the seasonal flu, but also from the contagious H1N1 virus or “swine flu”.So what are the easiest ways to avoid contracting the flu?It may be as easy as practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face and avoid contact with people who are sick. The CDC also advises getting plenty of sleep to help your body maintain a strong immune system.A New York Times blog post found that if you are sleeping poorly you are more likely to catch a cold. Scientists think that this relationship highlights the importance of sleep to your health.A study published earlier this year in the journal Sleep shows that your immune system can be affected by sleep ... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2858589 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2858589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855667&cid=t_238656_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FmGuXEn8fmQ4%2F If you’ve been waiting for the H1N1 (swine flu) nasal flu vaccine, FluMist, it will be available next week in some parts of the United States, but in limited quantities as this is the first shipment. Different states have different strategies for who will be the first to be vaccinated, either by FluMist or the traditional injection. Some states, such as Illinois want to vaccinate their first responders, while others, such as Alaska, want to vaccinate the preschoolers first. Pennsylvania will be targeting it’s elementary school-age children first. The FluMist isn’t for everyone. Because it contains a weakened live virus, it is not for people with health problems, but for healthy people who are in high risk groups. Those who are chronically ill must wait for the injection, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855667 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:08:07 +0100 2855667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2852056&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhats-in-news-oct-1-gay-man-takes-on.html Gay man takes on blood-donor banA gay blood donor has begun a major and potentially majorly consequential legal battle with Canadian Blood Services over their prohibition on male homosexual donations. CBS is suing Kyle Freeman of Thornhill, Ontario, for lying about his status as an eligible donor and for donating blood in violation of its rules, and Mr Freeman is suing CBS, alleging their policy banning gay men from being donors is a violation of his Charter rights. [Ottawa Citizen] [Sun Media]Unpublished data dictate Canadian flu-vaccine policyMost provinces are now suspending their seasonal-flu vaccination programs after word circulated of several as-yet-unpublished Canadian studies that reportedly found the seasonal vaccine raises the risk of contracting the pandemic H1N1 strain. Only N... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2852056 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2852056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839177&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fwhats-in-news-sep-28-who-gets-treated.html Who goes first?Hamilton Health Sciences announces Canada's first priority-treatment plan for the H1N1 flu pandemic. [Hamilton Spectator] According to The Spectator, the priority list is as follows:1. Health-care workers and other essential services such as firefighters and police officers because they have the skills to save others once they're better.2. Those who caught the flu at work, particularly essential service workers, because they put themselves at risk to save others.3. Caregivers of children, disabled adults or the elderly to minimize societal disruption.4. Young people because they haven't had a chance to live their lives yet.5. Those most likely to survive that particular strain of flu.An HIV vaccine or another dashed hope?Thai researchers announced encouraging results from a ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839177 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2839177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828465&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fwhats-in-news-sep-24-new-brunswick-and.html MDs vs. NB conflict at at end?New Brunswick and its doctors have reached an agreement in principle on how to deal with the raise that was offered by the government and then rescinded when it became apparent that the recession would cause revenues to fall short of where they were predicted to be. The medical association's announcement, however, did not make clear whether the new agreement in principle would reinstate the raises or would grant the government some of its cuts. [New Brunswick Medical Society] [CMA News] The doctors' union was supposed to go court against the provincial government last week to try to force the government to honour a new collective agreement (including a significant raise) it offered and then refused to sign, but the two camps then came to an 11th-hour agreement... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828465 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2828465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828483&cid=t_238656_167_f&fid=37833&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnutrition.edublogs.org%2F2009%2F09%2F23%2Fpreventing-the-h1n1-flu%2F A Pandemic awareness video explaining what you can do to help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu virus from the Disaster Resistant Community Colleges of California Task Force. Things you can do to prevent getting the H1N1 flu: Wash your hands. Cover a cough with a sleeve. Don’t touch your face with your hands. Eat healthy foods. Get enough sleep. Stay away from people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick. Make sure you know what is going on with the flu on campus. Be watching for when the vaccines become available. More information: Dyer KA. How to Prevent Getting H1N1 Flu or Swine Flu. (Source: Nutrition and Wellness Biology 50) Nutrition and Wellness Biology 50 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828483 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:15:07 +0100 2828483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923427&cid=t_238656_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2009%2F09%2F20%2Fflu-preparedness-advice%2F This arrived in my inbox, and I wanted to share.  What preparations have you made?  I have a prescription for Tamiflu, but have not had it filled yet.  I haven’t had my seasonal flu shot yet, but will get that done soon. To: Duke University Health System Patients From: William J. Fulkerson, M.D. Senior Vice President, Duke University Health System Date: September 16, 2009 Re: Influenza Preparedness: Advice to our Patients Dear Duke Patients, As we approach the official beginning of autumn, we are entering the annual cold and flu season. This year’s flu season is expected to arrive early, stay late and be more intense than the flu seasons we have experienced in the recent past. The H1N1 influenza pandemic (aka “swine flu”) continues to intensify throughout the world,... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923427 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:18:19 +0100 2923427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807890&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fwhats-in-news-sep-18-latest-on-h1n1-flu.html Will the H1N1 flu vaccine be available too late to protect some Canadians? [Toronto Star]On the bright side, it appears that one dose of the vaccine, as opposed to the two doses that were inefficiently predicted to be required, will be sufficient to confer protection. [MedPage Today] [NEJM study] [Another NEJM study] [And yet another NEJM study]Dr Kumanan Wilson, the Canada Research Chair in Public Health Policy, at the University of Ottawa, discussed why young Canadians don't want the vaccine. [Globe and Mail]The current issue of the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology has several articles on the H1N1 flu of interest to clinicians, including one on treating kids, one on what we've learned so far about the pandemic virus, and one about the work that went into... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807890 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2807890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800694&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F09%2Ffederal-jokesters-mine-h1n1-flu-for-new.html Thanks to Maclean's reporter Aaron Wherry for subjecting himself to Question Period in the House of Commons yesterday so the rest of us didn't have to. He asks that we take note of one "particularly edifying exchange":Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the A (H1N1) flu is expected to hit even harder in October. Some 74 people have already died from this flu virus. We need to act now. The minister plans to reveal her priority list for the flu vaccine a little later this week, but we want to know now whether first nations and Inuit people are on that list, since they are at a much greater risk. My question is very simple. Can the minister tell us whether aboriginal people are on the government's list of priorities?Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (Minister of Health, CPC): Mr. Sp... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800694 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:27:00 +0100 2800694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923430&cid=t_238656_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2009%2F09%2F16%2Fh1n1-flu-prevention%2F Gov. Bev Perdue on Tuesday called on North Carolina residents to re-dedicate themselves to following good prevention practices as the number of influenza cases are expected to rise with the beginning of the school year and the arrival of flu season. “Parents, students and teachers can help prevent the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu from spreading by getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene and keeping themselves healthy,” Perdue said. “I don’t want folks to be scared about the flu, but I do want every North Carolinian to be vigilant and prepared.” Everyone should follow standard health precautions as a first line of prevention; Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough ... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923430 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:18:59 +0100 2923430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800495&cid=t_238656_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FAI8WuyYGRGk%2F FDA Approves Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Approval Provides Important Tool to Fight Pandemic The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks. “Today’s approval is good news for our nation’s response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus,” said Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “This vaccine will help protect individuals from serious illness and death from influenza.” The vaccines are made by CSL Limited, MedImmune LLC, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, and sanofi pasteur Inc. All four firms manufacture the H1N1 vaccines usin... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800495 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:36:04 +0100 2800495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2786282&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fget-ready-for-h1n1-flus-second-wave.html The good news is that the vast majority of the pandemic H1N1 flu cases in Canada have been mild and the number of fatalities has been held to fewer than 70 as of late summer. The bad news is that we probably haven't seen the worst of it yet.Dr David Butler-Jones, the nation's first Chief Public Health Officer, is leading the Public Health Agency of Canada's preparations for the anticipated second wave of pandemic H1N1 flu, expected to arrive this fall with the potential to cause far greater damage than the virus has caused so far. He spoke with Parkhurst Exchange about what physicians need to know.To read the online-only full version of the Q&A, click here.Photo: Public Health Agency of Canada Get Canadian Medicine news by email or in an RSS reader (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2786282 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2786282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879675&cid=t_238656_123_f&fid=39041&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrnabong.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fgetting-ready-for-h1n1-virus-fall-2009.html The World Health Organization(WHO) has raised the pandemic alert to Phase 6 in response to the global spread of H1N1. This just means it has spread all over but the severity of the disease remains the same. In order to prevent this from spreading the CDC recommends some of this practical guidelines.cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneezeinstruct children to cough on their sleeves and not on their hands to decrease transfer of the virusdo not leave used tissue all over the place, instruct minors to throw this in the trash canwash hands after coughing or sneezing with soap or water or any available hand sanitizersavoid touching your eyes, nose and mouthif you are sick try to say home from work or school and limit contact with others. Make sure you stay at home till ... Dr Nabong's Pediatric Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879675 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:48:00 +0100 2879675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709408&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fin-speech-to-cma-aglukkaq-skirts-reform.html In an address to the Canadian Medical Association on Monday morning, federal health minister Leona Aglukkaq spoke about crucial topics including the radioisotope shortage, the H1N1 flu pandemic and health promotion.But Ms Aglukkaq did not appear eager to respond to the CMA leadership's increasingly loud call for the government to implement major health-system reform and to reconsider some of the restrictions on private healthcare funding imposed by the 1984 Canada Health Act.Considering she was appearing at a conference titled “Health Care Transformation: We Can All Do Better,” doctors in attendance might have expected that Ms Aglukkaq would make at least passing reference to the state of health policy reform in Canada. CMA president Dr Robert Ouellet even appeared to invite her to do ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709408 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:24:00 +0100 2709408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681965&cid=t_238656_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F_zQLpRIMlI8%2F When we hear of illness outbreaks, we often also hear of school closings. This is done with the hope of containing contagious illnesses and minimizing the spread and impact. However, with a new school year dawning in the United States, this may not be the case with regards to the H1N1 virus, the so-called swine flu. There are a lot of issues to take into account when schools are closed en masse. Parents must scramble for child care, stay home and lose income, or leave their children unattended if they’re desperate enough. This can have a domino effect for the families, employees, and ultimately the community. After watching how the influenza is making its way across the other side of the world, the experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - with the information they have now ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681965 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:00:37 +0100 2681965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678695&cid=t_238656_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fewy1bBxNvqk%2F Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that the world seems to be on track for the first H1N1 influenza vaccines to be approved by September. The so-called swine flu has been making its way around the world and scientists have been working at developing a vaccine before the virus makes its second wave, affecting even more people. Developing a vaccine is intense work that can go in the wrong direction at any time. The many steps involved in developing the vaccine and ensuring  its safety and efficacy takes time. The WHO has outlined how this is done in their posting  Pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing process and timeline . It’s interesting to read how the development occurs. At this point, the process is in the clinical trial phase for some of the manufact... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678695 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:01:43 +0100 2678695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2674518&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fh1n1-flu-vaccine-is-eugenics-weapon.html Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.Quebec resident Ghislaine Lanctôt, who lost her medical licence in 1997 after publishing an anti-vaccination book called Medical Mafia and now goes by the name Ghis, is capitalizing on all the news about this fall's forthcoming H1N1 flu vaccine to once again air her views.In a pamphlet called Vaccination 101 (PDF) published late last month on her website, Ghis wrote:"The impending massive vaccination (2009) is the direct result of a pseudo-pandemic of swine flu (A-H1N1) officially declared by the UN. The long-term ploy of the global elite is to reduce the world population to 500 millions. The new vaccines contain an extremely vicious cocktail of avian, swine and human influenza viruses."Ghis garnered some attention from the conspiracy-theory website P... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2674518 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2674518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2671116&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fshould-h1n1-flu-vaccine-be-required-for.html That's one of the questions Parkhurst Exchange will explore in a Q&A with chief public health officer Dr David Butler-Jones (right), set to be published in the September issue.But in the meantime Canadian Medicine offers you this sneak preview of Dr Butler-Jones's comments on the matter:"We’ve kind of gone around that a few times and generally courts have not supported compulsory immunization for healthcare workers. It is, at the end of the day, an issue of choice. It is prevention, not treatment. That being said, I think every professional body encourages its members to be immunized. The reality is, if I am not immunized and I get flu, I kill my patients. I mean, that’s the reality. We’re the ones -- doctors and nurses -- who take it, by and large, into the nursing home, and spr... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2671116 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2671116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657922&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F07%2Facute-care-h1n1-flu-guidelines-updated.html With the H1N1 flu pandemic expected to return with a vengeance this fall, and with a vaccine not predicted to be ready until later in the season, the Public Health Agency of Canada has revised its guidelines for physicians and other health professionals working in acute-care clinics and emergency departments to try to keep the virus's spread under control.Most of the agency's recommendations will not come as a surprise: masks, gloves, hand-washing, hands-free trash cans, isolation of suspected cases, and so on all the way up to N95 respirators and the use of eye protection as "droplet precautions."But there is one stipulation, under the "source control" section of the guidelines, that bears emphasizing: "Remove magazines and toys from the waiting rooms to reduce potential contact exposure.... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657922 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2657922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657836&cid=t_238656_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fe4emjbTgm8E%2F Children, pregnant women get first jab of swine flu vaccine Don’t be deceived. Even though swine flu is no longer page one news doesn’t mean the threat is over. In fact, health experts believe the world is just in the early stages of this pandemic, and numbers of infections are expected to rise once children go back to school in September. And that’s why government agencies and pharmaceuticals are scrambling to produce vaccines against the H1N1 virus in time for fall. Based on information about how swine flu behaves, the Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices recommended the following should be the first in line for swine flu shots this fall: pregnant women children ages 6 years and older health care workers young adults And the number of people in this group are roughly 160... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657836 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:56:00 +0100 2657836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645477&cid=t_238656_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FP2hsoIJcAXk%2F Public health officials have always recommended that pregnant women should avoid exposure to the influenza virus because of complications of infection, including spontaneous abortion, pre-term labor and fetal defects. And that goes for any type of flu virus, be it the seasonal type or the pandemic H1N1 swine flu. Unfortunately, very few percentage of pregnant women get vaccinated and very few OB/GYN doctors recommend the vaccine. Unborn child at risk for swine flu complications. But recent studies may take that warning to another level if results were to prove true for humans. Neuroscientists found that the H1N1 changes the genes that control brain growth and development in the unborn child, and some of those genes are tied to the development of the hippocampus, a component of the brain i... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645477 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:22:00 +0100 2645477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634683&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fis-toronto-city-workers-strike-hurting.html The growing piles of garbage strewn across Toronto aren't the only detrimental effect of the city's public servants' ongoing strike, according to two recent, unsettling stories in the Toronto Star.Last week, the Star's Theresa Boyle recounted one infection-control expert's concerns that the prolonged absence of striking Toronto Public Health Unit are hurting the city's capacity to prepare to fight the expected resurgence of the H1N1 flu pandemic this fall."The bottom line is more people will die" if the striking workers remain on the picket lines, warned Dr Allison McGeer, a microbiologist and the head of Mount Sinai Hospital's infection control divison.Although pandemic planning is an essential service and therefore protected from the strike ("Planning for a pandemic in the context of the... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634683 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2634683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2556380&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F06%2Frecent-severe-cases-of-h1n1-worry.html In a teleconference with reporters this afternoon, federal health officials provided an update on the current state of the Canadian government's response to the H1N1 flu pandemic.Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq -- who has kept a fairly low profile in her time at the helm of Health Canada throughout the H1N1 response as well as the radioisotope shortage crisis -- was in attendance but said little besides mentioning that she'd be traveling to Mexico soon alongside foreign governments' delegates to discuss at a World Health Organization meeting how to deal with the expected resurgence of the H1N1 virus this fall.Dr David Butler-Jones, the government's Chief Public Health Officer (above right), said that although the vast majority of the 7,775 cases detected in Canada so far (see the map below ... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2556380 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:54:00 +0100 2556380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528187&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fwhats-in-news-jun-26-manitoba-first.html Manitoba First Nations declare H1N1 flu emergencyChiefs of Manitoba First Nations have declared a state of emergency as the H1N1 flu pandemic ravages their already-troubled communities.The chiefs lay the blame for the virus's quick spread on the federal and provincial governments, whom they say failed to act early enough."No one is taking responsibility," David Harper, of the Garden Hill First Nation, told the Winnipeg Sun. "We've crossed the line. We've had enough." [Winnipeg Sun]One point of contention is that deliveries of hand sanitizer were delayed because of concerns that the alcohol-based gels would be abused by First Nations patients trying to get drunk. A government official confirmed the reason for the delays. "The discussion was with the best interests of our clients in mind," A... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528187 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:11:00 +0100 2528187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513328&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fwhats-in-news-jun-19-progress-on-wait.html "Spotty progress" in latest Wait Time Alliance report cardThe 2009 report card by the Wait Time Alliance, its fourth annual one, shows small improvements on some measures in some provinces, but the authors of the report, entitled Unfinished Business, insist that is not enough. [Unfinished Business (PDF)]Unfortunately, the report card's accuracy is inherently limited by the lack of reliable data collected and disseminated by the provinces. That in itself is one of Canada's major hurdles in the struggle to reduce wait times, according to the report's authors. "People can go online and track the progress of a package they shipped from one end of the country to another, yet in many parts of Canada patients still cannot find out how long they can expect to wait for critical medical treatments a... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513328 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100 2513328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2474467&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fits-official-h1n1-flu-is-pandemic.html The World Health Organization has finally decided to raise its pandemic warning to the highest level, phase 6, indicating that the H1N1 flu has become the first full-blown pandemic since 1968.In a statement issued Thursday, WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan said, "We are in the earliest days of the pandemic. The virus is spreading under a close and careful watch." The 2009 pandemic is unusual in that it is the first to be subjected to such careful scrutiny from its very beginnings, she said. "No previous pandemic has been detected so early or watched so closely, in real-time, right at the very beginning. The world can now reap the benefits of investments, over the last five years, in pandemic preparedness."Dr Chan warned, however, that our "head start" doesn't mean we will be able to p... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2474467 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0100 2474467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442856&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fwhats-in-news-may-27-morgentaler-suit.html Morgentaler v New Brunswick suit to go aheadThe New Brunswick government was rebuffed in its efforts to have a legal challenge against its restrictions on publicly funded abortions, brought by Dr Henry Morgentaler (right), thrown out. The government had argued that Dr Morgentaler had no legal standing to challenge the government on abortion funding because he is not a woman, but the Court of Appeal has now ruled, in a unanimous decision, that the suit can go ahead."With respect," wrote Chief Justice Ernest Drapeau in dismissing the government's appeal and ordering them to pay Dr Morgentaler's legal costs, "neither the Province’s primary nor its alternative contention comes close to passing muster." [Morgentaler v New Brunswick decision, Court of Appeal of New Brunswick (PDF)] [CBC News]N... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442856 Wed, 27 May 2009 07:00:00 +0100 2442856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424524&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fwhats-in-news-may-20-ontario-docs-have.html Ontario MDs anxious about financial mattersRecession aside, two recent events have some Ontario physicians concerned about financial matters.The first matter of concern is the Ontario government's sudden decision last month to suspend new hiring in capitation-model practices such as Family Health Teams.The news prompted the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario (COFP) to release an "urgent notice" to all doctors in the province. "With the present freeze by Government, new doctors poised to enter the medical work force are being forced to put their plans on hold and reconsider their options. Likewise, established doctors, who have made significant financial investments in setting up as a FHN/FHT/FHO/FHG, now face uncertainty and potentially devastating losses." [COFP notice]Health minis... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2424524 Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:00 +0100 2424524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390447&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fwhats-in-news-may-6-chaoulli-defends.html Chaoulli strikes back at coronerAt a press conference in Montreal this morning, Dr Jacques Chaoulli (pictured left) rejected coroner Catherine Rudel-Tessier's recent accusations that he had acted improperly in the case of a man who died in the waiting room of a hybrid-public/private urgent-care clinic last year.Dr Chaoulli's press conference was announced to the media yesterday with the unsubtle title "Coroner Rudel-Tessier is Wrong."The coroner's report, released to the public in April, criticized Dr Chaoulli for not attempting emergency resuscitation on Jean-Jacques Sauvageau after he slumped over in his waiting-room chair, as Canadian Medicine reported last month.Today, Dr Chaoulli said that conclusion was incorrect. "It is not true that a doctor should start resuscitation procedures on... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390447 Wed, 06 May 2009 21:18:00 +0100 2390447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2387680&cid=t_238656_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsleep-h1n1-swine-flu-virus.html The H1N1 flu virus, or “swine flu,” has infected people in 20 countries. This includes people in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. How can you protect yourself from this new virus?The CDC advises you to get plenty of sleep. This will help your body to maintain a strong immune system.In January the Sleep Education Blog reported on a study linking sleep and the immune system. Participants were exposed to a “rhinovirus” – the common cold.People who reported sleeping less than seven hours per night were three times more likely to develop a cold. The AASM recommends that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.To keep from getting the flu, the CDC also recommends that you wash your hands often. Keep active, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid close contact with... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2387680 Mon, 04 May 2009 16:53:00 +0100 2387680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2387242&cid=t_238656_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fflu-news-dont-call-it-swine-flu-flu-in.html As of Friday afternoon the Public Health Agency of Canada's official count listed 51 confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu (more on the nomenclature later).All the cases have so far been mild and everyone who's been infected in Canada has recovered. The number of confirmed cases, however, has been rising every day.WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOWPhysicians trying to stay abreast of all the information about the virus may have read Canadian Medicine's summary earlier this week, "What Canadian doctors need to know about swine flu".Last night, the Public Health Agency of Canada released several sets of interim guidelines, including a document to help direct clinicians in ambulatory care settings. The guidelines include advice for doctors on screening, triage, infection control precautions, and safety guideline... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2387242 Fri, 01 May 2009 20:57:00 +0100 2387242