US swine flu victims had chronic health problems By MIKE STOBBE – 7 hours ago ATLANTA (AP) — Health officials have released details about the chroni

US swine flu victims had chronic health problems
By MIKE STOBBE – 7 hours ago ATLANTA (AP) — Health officials have released details about the chroni

With mostly mild cases of swine flu in the United States, swine flu fears are lessening. But viruses have a way of re-appearing. While nobody has a crystal ball, here are some thoughts about what the 2009 H1N1 virus might do in the months to come.

Don't pack your face masks just yet. Public health officials expect the 2009 H1N1 virus to linger a while.

1. Is the swine flu outbreak in the United States winding down?

Not yet. Health officials expect to see more cases.

However, there are two reasons to think the 2009 H1N1 outbreak will wind down in the coming weeks. First, cases of influenza tend to dwindle when the weather gets warmer. Second, the 2009 H1N1 virus outbreak in Mexico has reached its peak, and numbers there are going down. It is expected that same pattern could happen in the United States. For the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here. Look at a map of swine flu cases »

2. So does this mean 2009 H1N1 will be gone for good?

No. Andrew Pekosz, associate professor of immunology and microbiology at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, says it's important to keep in mind that the 2009 H1N1 virus is new, which means no one has immunity to it. He points out that the three outbreaks in the last century that were caused by new viruses -- in 1918, 1957 and 1968 -- started with a mild wave followed by more severe waves months later. Scientists dig for lessons from past pandemics

3. If swine flu comes back, when would it return?

"H1N1 flu could die down soon and return later again this fall when the flu season enters back in full swing," says Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "This is always a concern with a new strain of a flu virus." Watch more answers to your swine flu questions »

Napolitano adds that public health officials will be keeping a close eye on the Southern Hemisphere, where flu season starts soon. "We'll be working very closely with the international community to understand what happens to this virus over the next few months as flu season begins in the Southern Hemisphere," she says. "That will tell us a lot about whether the virus is changing, whether it's becoming more severe and what measures we might want to take in the fall." For the latest comments from Napolitano, click here.

US swine flu victims had chronic health problems

US swine flu victims had chronic health problems
By MIKE STOBBE – 7 hours ago

ATLANTA (AP) — Health officials have released details about the chronic health problems suffered by the two people who died from swine flu in the United States. The Mexican toddler who died in Texas suffered from chronic muscle weakness, a heart defect, a swallowing problem and lack of oxygen. The 33-year-old Texas woman had asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, a skin condition and was 35 weeks pregnant.

The details were included in a study done by scientists at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was released Thursday by the New England Journal of Medicine.

The elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses are at greatest risk for severe illness from the flu.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

Site last updated May 6, 2009, 11:00 AM E

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The ongoing outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) continues to expand in the United States. CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks.

CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the expanding outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce spread and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.

CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.

School Guidance

This includes updated interim guidance for schools and childcare facilities on preventing the spread of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when sick, and good cough etiquette and frequent hand washing. Decisions about school closure should be at the discretion of local authorities based on local considerations.

Increased Testing

CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing capacity is likely to result in an increase in the number of reported confirmed cases in this country, which should provide a more accurate picture of the burden of disease in the

Questions and Answers about Arthritis and Exercise

Questions and Answers about Arthritis and Exercise

What Type of Strengthening Program Is Best?

Date updated: August 23, 2007
Content provided by: National Institutes Of Health

This varies depending on personal preference, the type of arthritis involved, and how active the inflammation is. Strengthening one's muscles can help take the burden off painful joints. Strength training can be done with small free weights, exercise machines, isometrics, elastic bands, and resistive water exercises. Correct positioning is critical, because if done incorrectly, strengthening exercises can cause muscle tears, more pain, and more joint swelling.

Are There Different Exercises for People With Different Types of Arthritis?

There are many types of arthritis. Experienced doctors, physical therapists, and occupational therapists can recommend exercises that are particularly helpful for a specific type of arthritis. Doctors and therapists also know specific exercises for particularly painful joints. There may be exercises that are off-limits for people with a particular type of arthritis or when joints are swollen and inflamed. People with arthritis should discuss their exercise plans with a doctor. Doctors who treat people with arthritis include rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, general practitioners, family doctors, internists, and rehabilitation specialists (physiatrists).

How Much Exercise Is Too Much?

Most experts agree that if exercise causes pain that lasts for more than 1 hour, it is too strenuous. People with arthritis should work with their physical therapist or doctor to adjust their exercise program when they notice any of the following signs of strenuous exercise:

• Unusual or persistent fatigue
• Increased weakness
• Decreased range of motion
• Increased joint swelling
• Continuing pain (pain that lasts more than 1 hour after exercising)

Should Someone With Rheumatoid Arthritis Continue To Exercise During a General Flare? How About During a Local Joint Flare?

It is appropriate to put joints gently through their full range of motion once a day, with periods of rest, during acute systemic flares or local joint flares. Patients can talk to their doctor about how much rest is best during general or joint flares.

Fitness | Exercise

Muscle strengthening with free weights

In the following exercises, soup cans, water bottles, or books can be used in place of weights. Try to use a weight that makes your muscle feel tired when you have repeated the exercise 8 to 12 times.

Bench fly

Illustrations copyright 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

1. Lie on a bench and hold the weights straight up over your chest. Do not lock your elbows. You can keep them slightly bent if that is comfortable for you.
2. Slowly lower your arms, keeping them extended, until the weights are level with your chest, or slightly lower.
3. Slowly raise your arms until you are in the original position.
4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
5. Rest for a minute and repeat the exercise.

Lateral raise

Illustrations copyright 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
2. Hold the weights at your sides at thigh level.
3. Slowly lift the weights out to the sides to shoulder level, keeping your elbows slightly bent. Keep your shoulders down and relaxed as you lift. If you find you are shrugging your shoulders up toward your ears, your weights may be too heavy.
4. Slowly lower the weights back to your sides.
5. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
6. Rest for a minute and repeat the exercise.

Upright row

Illustrations copyright 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
2. Hold the weights side by side at thigh level, keeping your palms toward your thighs.
3. Slowly bring the weights up to your collarbone, until your elbows are about shoulder height. Keep your shoulders down and relaxed as you lift. If you find you are shrugging your shoulders up toward your ears, your weights may be too heavy.
4. Slowly lower the weights to the original position.
5. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
6. Rest for a minute and repeat the exercise.

Curls

Illustrations copyright 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

1. Sit leaning forward with your legs slightly spread and your left hand on your left thigh.
2. Hold the weight in your right hand and place your right elbow on your right thigh.
3. Slowly curl the weight up and toward your chest.
4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
5. Rest for a minute and repeat the exercise.
6. Do the same exercise with your other arm.

Skin Protection

Sun protection

Protecting your skin from the sun is important because the sun emits ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Over time, UVR exposure causes many changes in the skin, including wrinkles, discoloration, freckles or age spots, benign (non-cancerous) growths, and precancerous or cancerous areas. In fact, most skin cancers are related to sun exposure.

UVR consists of two main subtypes: UVB and UVA. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and tanning. UVA rays are believed to be responsible for photoaging the damage that occurs to the skin from many years of exposure to the sun. Both UVA and UVB promote skin cancer. Regular use of broad spectrum sunscreens blocking UVA and UVB is very, very important. Additionally, sun protection recommendations emphasize certain behaviors including:

• Avoiding midday sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wearing wide-brimmed hats and long sleeved shirts and pants
• Using a generous amount of sunscreen and reapplying it frequently (every 2-3 hours)
• Using sunscreens that have a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15 and that have UVA and UVB coverage
• Avoiding tanning beds
• Incorporating the use of a daily facial moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher each morning

Facial skin care for acne prone skin
If you are prone to acne, choose a cleanser specially formulated for acne. These products often contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which help to clear acne sores. Clean your face gently, as trauma to the acne breakouts may worsen the acne or cause scarring. Try to minimize your use of facial moisturizers. If you need to use a moisturizer, use only light, non-comedogenic moisturizers, which do not aggravate acne. Also, women should use an oil-free foundation, as heavy makeup or other cosmetic products that block pores may cause a flare-up of acne.

Facial skin care for mature skin
Roughness, wrinkling, irregular pigmentation (coloration), inelasticity, enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands, precancerous and cancerous lesions sometimes occur with aged and photoaged skin. Sunscreens and sun protection are important to prevent further progression of photoaging. Furthermore, smoking has been shown to accelerate aging of skin, so stopping smoking is important for good skin health. In addition, a well-balanced diet with or without a multivitamin helps the skin get the nutrition it needs to help repair ongoing damage from the sun and other environmental elements. Many topical non-prescription and prescription products are currently available for anti-aging purposes, including:

Tretinoin (Retin-A and Renova) Retin-A is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1971 to treat acne. It was discovered, however, that the drug also improved skin texture and color when used over an extended period of time. Tretinoin exfoliates (removes a layer of skin cells) the skin, helps even out pigmentation and minimizes fine lines. Many people can benefit from using tretinoin or related products at bedtime followed by a cream or lotion containing glycolic acid and using a sunscreen in the morning. Side effects of tretinoin include redness, peeling, tightness and swelling. You may be able to minimize these side effects by initially using tretinoin every other night and then over the first month gradually increasing the frequency to nightly. Tretinoin also makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, a broad-spectrum sunscreen must be used in the morning.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) Over-the-counter products containing alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids) have become increasingly popular over the last five years. In the United States alone, there are approximately 185 manufacturers of products containing AHAs. Creams and lotions with AHA may help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots, and may help decrease enlarged pores. Side effects of AHAs include mild irritation and sun sensitivity For that reason, sunscreen also should be used every morning.

Beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) Salicylic acid also has been studied for its effect on photoaged skin. It exfoliates skin and can improve the texture and color of the skin. It penetrates oil-laden hair follicle openings and, as a result, also helps with acne. There are many products available that contain salicyclic acid. Some are available over-the-counter and others require a doctor's prescription.

Hydroquinone Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that is used to remove hyperpigmentation, such as age spots and dark spots related to pregnancy or hormone therapy.

Basic Skin Care Tips

Dry skin care

Dry skin is defined as flaking or scaling which may or may not be itchy when there is no evidence of dermatitis, or inflammation, of the skin. Flaking, however, also may be a sign of underlying dermatitis requiring more specific therapy and potentially prescription medicines. Some examples of dermatitis that may cause dry, itchy, flaking skin include:

• Seborrheic dermatitis This type involves a red, scaly, itchy rash on various areas of the body, particularly those areas that contain many oil glands. Seborrheic dermatitis can occur as scaling on the scalp, eyebrows, and sides of the nose.
• Allergic contact dermatitis This occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance that causes an immune reaction, such as poison ivy. Allergic contact dermatitis of the hands often causes scaling on the fingers. This type of dermatitis persists until the underlying allergen is removed.
• Atopic dermatitis This is a long-lasting type of dermatitis that often runs in families. It also may cause excessively dry, itchy skin.
• "Ringworm" and athlete's foot Both are caused by a fungal infection of the skin. Scaling of the affected area is very common.

Dry skin that is not caused by dermatitis most often occurs on the shins, hands, and sides of the abdomen. It is more common during the winter months, when humidity is low.

Some people also have a genetic, or hereditary, tendency to develop dry skin. In addition, elderly people tend to have more trouble with dry skin due to the natural changes in skin that occur with age.

Treatment is important because extensively dry skin can lead to dermatitis, or eczema. Dry skin may be prevented or treated by:

• Taking lukewarm baths or showers
• Limiting baths/showers to 5 to 10 minutes
• Applying a moisturizer right after drying off from a shower or washing your hands
• Using a moisturizing body soap and hand soap
• Using heavier creams or ointments during the winter months and lighter lotions in the summer

Applying a moisturizer several times a day, if necessary, is the most important part of maintaining dermatitis-prone skin and avoiding the need for prescription medicines.