Latest Health News

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Though the risk appears small, a new review suggests that, in rare instances, monkeypox may trigger serious neurological complications, including seizures and brain inflammation.The finding is based on a look at 19 studies conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom and across Africa. All of the investigations worked with data collected before the recent monkeypox outbreak began in May. And the investigators cautioned it’s not clear how applicable past outbreak experiences are to the current one, as viral types, medical care and patient profiles may differ considerably.Still, the earlier research efforts collectively indicated that monkeypox patients face a 2% to 3% risk for being struck by at least one seizure, serious brain swelling...

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A single blood test that can screen for more than 50 cancers seems to work fairly well in the real world, a preliminary study reveals.Researchers found that of over 6,600 apparently healthy people aged 50 and older, the blood test detected a possible cancer "signal" in roughly 1%. When those individuals had more extensive testing, cancer was confirmed in 38%.Experts called the findings an "important first step" in seeing how the so-called multi-cancer early detection test could fit into real-world care."This is not ready for prime time," stressed study co-author Catherine Marinac, a researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.But if further studies confirm the blood test's usefulness, she said, it could become a "game changer."The...

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched a new suicide hotline using just the numbers 988 in July, and now new data shows calls climbed 45% compared to the same time last year."Our nation's transition to 988 moves us closer to better serving the crisis care needs of people across America," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement released Friday. "988 is more than a number, it's a message: we're there for you. The transition to 988 is just the beginning. We will continue working towards comprehensive, responsive crisis care services nationwide to save lives."The lifeline call center received a total of 361,140 calls, chats and texts last month, according to performance data for August. It took an average of 42 seconds...

MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state emergency after finding evidence of continued community spread of poliovirus.Public health officials have detected the virus in a fourth county, Nassau in Long Island, which follows cases detected in Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties. That sample was linked genetically to the first Rockland County case, which suggests more community spread. The Nassau County case was found in a sample collected last month. The emergency declaration will allow EMS workers, midwives and pharmacists to administer polio vaccines. Doctors can also issue standing orders for the vaccine. "On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice," said state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett in a statement on the latest sample....