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THURSDAY, June 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials are urgently trying to reach people who've recently had medical procedures at clinics in Matamoros, Mexico, because they may be at risk of potentially fatal fungal meningitis. Those at risk had procedures done under epidural anesthesia between Jan. 1 and May 13 at River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3 in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.As of June 1, 14 people in the United States had been identified with these suspected infections, 11 with probable infections and two with confirmed infections. Among them, three died. Another 185 people in the United States may have been exposed, according to an agency news release.Patients could be in danger even if they don’t...

THURSDAY, June 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can scar your liver, cause your liver to fail and raise your risk for liver cancer, but there are a multitude of medications that can treat it.According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 2.4 million Americans live with hepatitis C. Effective treatments are crucial for combating this viral infection. Hepatitis C antiviral medications offer hope in managing the disease. Here, experts identify the most common hepatitis C medications, exploring their mechanisms of action and the potential side effects they may entail.Hepatitis C medicationsPer the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), antiviral medications play a vital role in managing hepatitis C. By suppressing...

THURSDAY, June 8, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who develop a devastating heart condition have new reason to hope after a study identified three men whose condition spontaneously reversed.The condition is called transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. It involves a buildup of sticky, toxic proteins that can lead to heart failure. About half of patients die from the progressive disease within four years of diagnosis.Until now, it was believed to be irreversible.Yet these three men, aged 68, 76 and 82, recovered. Not only did their symptoms improve, but cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans showed that the buildup of amyloid proteins in the heart had cleared, according to a new report.“We have seen for the first time that the heart can get better with this disease," said lead...

WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Pope Francis will be hospitalized for several days after a planned surgery to repair a hernia that is causing him “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms.The Vatican announced plans for the surgery and recovery from the laparotomy on Wednesday.This is the latest in a series of ailments that the 86-year-old has experienced in recent years, which included a March hospitalization for bronchitis, a fever that caused him to cancel appointments in May, knee troubles that have caused him to use a wheelchair, and surgery to remove half of his colon in 2021. Among his other health issues have been chronic sciatica pain, a surgery in 2019 to treat a cataract, and removal of part of one lung after severe pneumonia when he was young, CNN...