Tag: infection

Vaping may boost pneumonia risk: study

by Mariëtte Le Roux Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Vaping may help pneumonia-causing bacteria stick to cells lining the airways, likely boosting disease risk, researchers said Thursday. A study published in the European Respiratory Journal did not directly compare vaping’s effect to that of smoking tobacco cigarettes. But the findings did suggest that users of electronic cigarettes may be at higher risk of lung infection than people who do not vape, the research team […]

UPDATED: 34 people with “flu-like symptoms” test negative for H5N6; health dep’t awaiting results of tests on 7 more

(Eagle News) — There are no cases of bird flu transmission in humans in the country so far. This is according to Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, who held a press conference a day after Australian lab tests confirmed that the strain found in Pampanga farms where the bird flu outbreak took place could be transmitted to people. According to Ubial, the 34 people who were tested for H5N6 because they exhibited flu-like symptoms have tested […]

Britain’s Prince Philip, 96, in hospital with infection

by Robin Millard Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Prince Philip, the 96-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has been admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure” for treatment of an infection, Buckingham Palace said Wednesday. The infection arose from “a pre-existing condition,” the palace said. The Duke of Edinburgh, who is to retire from public duties later this year, was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday night. Prince Philip […]

Britain’s Prince Philip, 96, in hospital with infection

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Prince Philip, the 96-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has been admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure” for treatment of an infection, Buckingham Palace said Wednesday. The infection arose from “a pre-existing condition”, the palace said. The Duke of Edinburgh, who is to retire from public duties later this year, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night.

Yemen declares state of emergency over cholera outbreak

SANAA, Yemen (AFP) – Authorities in Sanaa, which is controlled by Shiite rebels, have declared a state of emergency over a deadly outbreak of cholera that has spread rapidly in the Yemeni capital. The Huthi-run health ministry said in a statement carried overnight by the rebels’ Saba news agency that cases of cholera had worsened and that it was “unable to contain this disaster.” It launched an appeal for help from international humanitarian organizations to deal with […]

Elton John caught ‘potentially deadly’ infection on tour

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British pop icon Elton John contracted a “potentially deadly” infection while on tour which saw him spend two nights in intensive care and has forced shows to be cancelled. The musician became “violently ill” during a flight from the Chilean capital Santiago, where his Latin America tour ended April 10, his public relations representatives Murray Chalmers said in a statement. On landing in Britain he was immediately admitted to hospital […]

Blood test may help prevent overuse of antibiotics

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — An inexpensive blood test could one day tell doctors whether an infection is caused by a virus or a bacteria, and help prevent unwarranted prescribing of antibiotics, researchers said Wednesday. The diagnostic test, described in the peer-reviewed journal Science Translational Medicine, is being developed by the Stanford University School of Medicine in California. “A lot of times you can’t really tell what kind of infection someone has,” said lead author […]

El Salvador confirms first Zika-linked birth defect

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AFP) — El Salvador on Tuesday confirmed its first case of microcephaly in a baby that was linked to a Zika infection in the mother. Microcephaly is a birth defect that causes an abnormally small head and deformed brain. Health Minister Violeta Menjivar said the infant was born in April to a family living in the country’s central La Paz province, and the Zika connection was proved “a short while ago.” […]