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☆ But How Does the Worm Get in Your Brain?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Dana G. Smith | Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s disclosure that a doctor apparently found a dead worm in his brain has sparked questions about what brain parasites are, the damage they can cause and how, exactly, they get there. Brain parasites encompass far more than worms. There are “legions” of organisms that can affect the brain, said Scott Gardner, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who specializes in parasites. In addition to worms, common brain parasites include single-celled organisms such as Toxoplasma gondii and some amoeba. The damage varies depending on the type of parasite and where it ends up in the brain.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Scott Gardner, ”, Daniel Pastula Organizations: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, University of Colorado Medicine

The same bacteria that commonly cause food-borne illnesses, like salmonella, E. coli and listeria, can fester in raw milk. Between 1998 and 2018, researchers linked over 200 outbreaks, which sickened 2,645 people and led to 228 hospitalizations, to raw milk. Can you catch bird flu from raw milk? Researchers and health officials are not sure whether bird flu can spread from raw milk to humans. “There’s not a tremendous amount of studies showing the infectivity related to this virus and raw milk products,” Dr. Prater said.

Persons: I’m, ”, Dean Blumberg, isn’t, Darin Detwiler, Rosemary Sifford, “ There’s, Dr, Prater Organizations: UC Davis Health, Food and Drug Administration, College of Professional Studies, Northeastern University, Department of Agriculture

Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling English author of the “Shopaholic” book series, revealed on social media on Wednesday that she had been undergoing treatment for an aggressive and often fatal form of brain cancer. Kinsella said that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022, but waited to make the diagnosis public so her children could “ hear and process the news privately and adapt to our ‘new normal.’” She added that her condition was stable after a successful operation and ongoing chemotherapy and radiation at University College Hospital in London. Kinsella, whose real name is Madeleine Wickham, has written a string of hit novels, starting with “Confessions of a Shopaholic” in 2000, about a financial journalist in New York City with a serious shopping addiction. About a decade later, a movie starring Isla Fisher based on the original novel and a sequel was released. Since the smashing success of the first novel, nine sequels following the life of the protagonist Rebecca Bloomwood have been released, earning Kinsella, 54, a loyal following and a reigning position among authors of romantic comedy books.

Persons: Sophie Kinsella, Kinsella, glioblastoma, Madeleine Wickham, Isla Fisher, Rebecca Bloomwood Organizations: University College Hospital Locations: London, New York City

☆ Are Milk and Eggs Safe as Bird Flu Spreads?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A strain of avian influenza that has killed millions of birds in recent years has now been detected in dairy cows in several states, prompting concerns about the safety of the U.S. dairy supply. Scientists know that bird flu can spread to humans when they come into contact with infected animals, including dead ones, without wearing protective gear, which seems to have been the case with a person recently infected in Texas. So far, there isn’t any evidence to suggest that humans can contract bird flu by consuming food that has been pasteurized or cooked, said Benjamin Chapman, a professor and food safety specialist at North Carolina State University. “That’s not to say it couldn’t happen,” he said. “It’s just that we have a pretty robust history of it not happening.

Persons: “, Benjamin Chapman, “ That’s, ”, “ It’s Organizations: Federal, North Carolina State University Locations: Texas

☆ F.D.A. Authorizes New Drug to Protect High-Risk Patients From Covid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Food and Drug Administration has greenlit a new medicine to protect some of the people most at risk from Covid. The agency granted emergency use authorization for Pemgarda, a monoclonal antibody infusion, in immunocompromised people ages 12 and older. The drug is intended to protect against Covid for people who are not likely to mount an adequate immune response after vaccination. This includes those who have received stem cell or organ transplants and cancer patients taking medications that suppress the immune system. But, he said, it’s a vital group to protect: the people who most feel left behind at this stage in the pandemic.

Persons: It’s, ”, Michael Mina, Harvard epidemiologist, Ziyad Al, Aly Organizations: Drug Administration, Harvard, Veterans Affairs, Louis Healthcare

☆ U.S. Measles Cases Surpass 2023 Levels, C.D.C. Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

There have now been 64 measles cases in the United States this year, surpassing the total of 58 cases in all of 2023, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But health experts said the milestone is a distressing reminder that even though there is an effective vaccine against the virus, measles remains a persistent threat to public health. What’s driving the spread of measlesDoctors say there are several factors contributing to the spread of measles, cases of which have climbed across the globe in recent years. Many cases reported in the United States this year were linked to international travel, according to the C.D.C., as travel destinations such as Britain, Austria and the Philippines have had outbreaks. Many of the people in the United States who have been infected have been unvaccinated children age 12 months and older.

Persons: ”, Demetre Daskalakis Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, National Center Locations: United States, Britain, Austria, Philippines

☆ How to Recognize the Most Common Form of Skin Cancer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, but it can be easy to miss, or mistake for another skin issue. Doctors often discover the cancer during a routine skin check, said Dr. Melissa Piliang, chairman of the dermatology department at Cleveland Clinic. In a Facebook post this week, the health and fitness personality Richard Simmons announced he had been treated for basal cell carcinoma. It was only after seeing a dermatologist that Mr. Simmons was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. While it can be difficult for patients to identify, basal cell carcinoma — which is estimated to affect several million people in the United States each year — is very treatable.

Persons: Melissa Piliang, Richard Simmons, Simmons Organizations: Cleveland Clinic Locations: United States

☆ Oprah Takes on Weight Stigma in the Ozempic Era
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Oprah Winfrey, a longtime figure in the national conversation about dieting and weight bias, devoted an hourlong prime-time special on Monday to the rise of weight loss drugs. Her goal, she said, was to “start releasing the stigma and the shame and the judgment” around weight and weight loss — starting with her own, she said. “For 25 years, making fun of my weight was national sport,” Ms. Winfrey said in the show, titled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution.”Shame has become a focal point in that conversation as new drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which are widely used for weight loss, shift how people think about treating obesity. When Ms. Winfrey disclosed in December that she was taking a medication to manage her weight, she said she was “done with the shaming” that had followed her through decades of dieting. Many patients who start taking these medications say they have felt shamed for struggling with their weight, and then shamed for taking weight loss drugs, said Dr. Michelle Hauser, the obesity medicine director of the Stanford Lifestyle and Weight Management Center, who was not involved with the special.

Persons: Oprah Winfrey, Ms, Winfrey, Michelle Hauser Organizations: Stanford, Management

☆ Health Misinformation Is Evolving. Here’s How to Spot It.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday in a case that involves the Biden administration’s efforts to communicate with social media sites about posts officials believed made false or misleading claims about Covid-19 vaccines and the pandemic. While the case primarily focuses on a debate around free speech, it also spotlights the potential harms of medical misinformation — which experts say has become increasingly complex and difficult to identify. “It’s all changing really fast, and it’s even harder for the average person to filter out,” said Dr. Anish Agarwal, an emergency physician in Philadelphia. Health hacks not backed by science have spread widely on social media platforms. And rapid developments in artificial intelligence have made it even harder for people to tell what’s true and what’s false online.

Persons: Biden, ”, Anish Agarwal, Tara Kirk Sell Organizations: Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Locations: Covid, Philadelphia

☆ Faye Webster Hates Attention. But Her Songs Keep Getting Bigger.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Faye Webster was trying to get out. Her mother had a hat, a cobalt blue ball cap with “haha” stamped across it, merch from Webster’s last album. Webster, 26, hates attention. This, she realizes, is inconvenient for any artist, much less an up-and-coming indie star with a new and fervid TikTok following. Over two meandering video calls from Australia, where Webster was touring, she remained off camera for one of them.

Persons: Faye Webster, —, Barack Obama, Webster Organizations: Variety Playhouse Locations: Atlanta, Webster’s, Webster, Australia

☆ Amid Florida’s Measles Outbreak, Surgeon General Goes Against Medical Guidance
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As a cluster of measles cases grew in an elementary school in southern Florida, the state’s surgeon general sent a letter to parents that contradicted widespread medical guidance about how to keep the disease from spreading. Doctors and health officials typically recommend that children who are not vaccinated for measles isolate for 21 days after they have been exposed at school. However, the state Department of Health “is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance,” the letter, sent to parents at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Fla., continued. Dr. Ladapo added that these recommendations might change in the future and stressed that children with measles symptoms should not go to school. As of Friday, there were six confirmed cases at the school, according to Broward County Public Schools.

Persons: Joseph Ladapo, of Health “, Ladapo Organizations: of Health, Manatee Bay Elementary, Broward County Public Schools Locations: Florida, Weston , Fla, Broward

☆ Wendy Williams Has Frontotemporal Dementia and Aphasia, Representatives Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Amanda Holpuch | Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Wendy Williams, the former daytime talk show host, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, a disorder that makes it difficult or impossible for a person to express or comprehend language, according to a statement from her representatives. Ms. Williams, 59, who hosted “The Wendy Williams Show” on Fox for more than a decade, was officially diagnosed last year after “undergoing a battery of medical tests,” according to a statement released on Thursday. The tests show that Ms. Williams has primary progressive aphasia, a type of frontotemporal dementia, her representatives said, adding that she was receiving the necessary medical care. “Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information,” the statement said, “and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.”

Persons: Wendy Williams, Williams, “ Organizations: Fox

Women going through menopause raise concerns about weight and body changes almost as often as they do about hot flashes and night sweats, said Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for the Menopause Society and a director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health. Some estimates suggest that roughly 70 percent of women gain up to 1.5 pounds per year during the menopause transition, which can last as long as a decade. This weight gain can affect women’s self-esteem and quality of life and can also increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Excess weight is also correlated with more hot flashes and night sweats; the Menopause Society recommends weight loss as an effective nonhormonal treatment for those symptoms. Now, some women going through menopause are seeking drugs like Ozempic, despite the steep costs: Without insurance coverage, the drugs can run around $1,000 a month.

Persons: sweats, Stephanie Faubion, “, they’re, ”, “ We’re, Faubion, Daniela Hurtado Organizations: Mayo Clinic’s Center, Women’s Health, Mayo Clinic Locations: United States

When Ms. Coombes, 41, sat down to eat very small portions, an interrogation broke out at the Thanksgiving table. “There was a lot of ‘Why aren’t you eating?’ or ‘Why isn’t there more on your plate?’” she said. That reality has sent many people who take Ozempic and similar drugs into preparation mode. Dr. Scott Hagan, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington who studies obesity, said patients ask him if they can skip doses of Ozempic or similar drugs before a food-focused event like Thanksgiving. He advises them not to, for a few reasons: For people with diabetes, missing a dose of Ozempic and then consuming a high-carb meal could lead to a blood sugar spike.

Persons: Coombes, ”, Amy Bentley, Bentley, Scott Hagan Organizations: New York University, University of Washington

☆ Measles Cases Climb Across the Globe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The report captures the continued burden of measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases. In 2022, there were an estimated nine million measles cases and 136,000 deaths, according to the report. Vaccination is highly effective at stopping the spread of measles, and preventing people from getting sick if exposed to the virus. The measles vaccine, which experts say is ideally delivered in childhood, also includes protection against two other infectious diseases, mumps and rubella. Low-income countries had the lowest vaccination rates, with only 66 percent of children receiving their first dose, and the highest risk of death from measles.

Persons: Cynthia Hatcher Organizations: World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Africa, Southeast Asia

☆ Wegovy Is Shown to Reduce Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes in Some Patients
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A pivotal new study suggests that the weight loss drug Wegovy cut the risk of heart attack, stroke or death from cardiovascular issues by 20 percent among overweight or obese people with heart disease — a striking benefit that could change the standard of care for these patients. “We’ve just identified a new best practice,” said Dr. Clyde Yancy, chief of the division of cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, who was not involved with the study. Drug companies see potential for the medicines that extends far beyond obesity. Outside of statins, she said, no medication has so dramatically reduced cardiovascular risk among people with heart disease. “The uptake of this drug is going to be skyrocketing in the next couple of years,” she said.

Persons: “ We’ve, ”, Clyde Yancy, Yuan Lu Organizations: Northwestern Medicine, American Heart Association, Yale School of Medicine Locations: Philadelphia, statins

☆ It’s Covid Season. What Are the New Rules for Staying Safe?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That means it might be time to take stock (yes, again) of how you can minimize your risk. As the holiday season approaches, here is a quick refresher on how to navigate the pandemic. You’ve heard it before, you’ll hear it again: Masks can help you protect yourself and others from becoming sick. So can washing your hands thoroughly and not touching your face with unwashed hands, said Dr. Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonary and critical care doctor at Cleveland Clinic. The updated Covid vaccines can also reduce your chances of being infected, and especially cut down on your risk of serious illness, said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the chief of research and development at the V.A.

Persons: ”, Peter Chin, Joseph Khabbaza, Ziyad Al, Aly Organizations: University of California, Cleveland Clinic, Louis Healthcare Locations: San Francisco, St

☆ Covid Can Disrupt Your Sleep
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At this point, many of us recognize the hallmark symptoms of a Covid infection: an aching throat, a clogged nose, a persistent cough and an overwhelming sense of blah. But lying awake at night, during the peak of sickness or in the weeks or months following an infection, some people discover another downside: They can’t sleep. “We see it all the time,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the chief of research and development at the V.A. Here’s why Covid can be so disruptive to your sleep, along with tips for getting enough rest. This means that even if people linger in bed for eight hours, they may not be getting deep, restorative sleep, Dr. Al-Aly said.

Persons: ”, Ziyad Al, Aly, Peter Chin, Al Organizations: Louis Healthcare, University of California Locations: St, San Francisco

☆ You Won’t Lose Weight on Ozempic Forever
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But doctors say some people seek out these drugs to lose as much weight as possible — and are dismayed and disillusioned when they stop. When they do, they tend to regain the weight they lost. Medications like Ozempic mimic a naturally occurring hormone and slow the emptying of the stomach, so that we feel fuller, faster and for longer. In clinical trials of semaglutide, the compound in Ozempic and Wegovy, people with diabetes have tended to lose less weight, less quickly, than people who did not have the condition, Dr. Hagan said. A small proportion of those who take these drugs won’t lose weight at all, he added.

Persons: ” Ms, Meinecke, Scott Hagan, Hagan, Andrew Kraftson Organizations: University of Washington, Michigan Medicine

☆ I Drink Alcohol Regularly. What Can I Do to Mitigate the Risks?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Q: I drink alcohol regularly. Chan School of Public Health — meaning no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. There’s no surefire way to offset the consequences of alcohol, said Mariann Piano, a professor and researcher at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing who studies the effects of alcohol use. It’s not like you can “run around the block one more time” to negate a night of heavy drinking, she said. If you do drink, though, it may be particularly important to prioritize other aspects of your health.

Persons: Eric Rimm Organizations: Harvard, of Public, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Locations: Chan

☆ A Decongestant in Many Cold Medicines Is Ineffective
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Pseudoephedrine, which is found in behind-the-counter products like Sudafed, is effective at clearing congestion, Dr. Dykewicz said; just keep in mind that it can come with side effects. After that, you run the risk of rebound congestion: when the mucosal surfaces in your nose swell, making you feel even more clogged up than before. There are some sprays that you can use for longer stretches, without the rebound risk, namely steroid sprays that contain ingredients like fluticasone (Flonase) or triamcinolone (Nasacort), which are available over-the-counter. Can I treat congestion without medication? In many cases, you can treat a stuffed-up nose by standing in a steamy shower or using a humidifier to help clear your nasal passages, Dr.

Persons: ”, Jennifer Le, Dykewicz, Allegra, Mark Aronica, Le, Andrew Lane, Johns Organizations: Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Cleveland Clinic, Sinus Locations: San Diego

☆ What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

What is peptic ulcer disease? Around 5 to 10 percent of the general global population will develop peptic ulcers at some point in their lives, but many patients are asymptomatic. What causes peptic ulcer disease? A bacteria called Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of peptic ulcer disease cases. Another common cause of peptic ulcers is medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like those that bring down a fever or relieve joint pain — think aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen.

Persons: Scott Gabbard, Harold J, Boutte, Gabbard, It’s, Amy Oxentenko, Mark Pochapin Organizations: Cleveland Clinic, Northwestern Medicine, Mayo Clinic, gastroenterology, NYU Langone Health

☆ Is It Time to Wear a Mask Again?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As new Covid variants gain traction, reinfections become more common and cases climb in certain areas, a few schools and businesses are reinstating mask requirements. Here’s a refresher on where, when and how to mask. When should you wear a mask inside? Everyone’s risk tolerance varies, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said. “Certainly every time you add another person to the room, particularly people who are within three to five feet of you, that increases your chance of getting infected, exponentially,” Dr. Pekosz added.

Persons: reinfections, ”, Andrew Pekosz, William Schaffner, Pekosz Organizations: Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

☆ Wait, Is That Rapid Test Really Expired?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

If a test is delivered to you on a sweltering day, for example, the agency recommends bringing the package inside and waiting at least two hours before opening it. And always make sure the control line — which typically appears next to the “C” — shows up when you use a rapid test; otherwise, the test may be damaged or faulty. If you have Covid symptoms and someone you had been spending time with is now positive, test immediately. says to wait at least five days before testing because swabbing too early can give you a false negative. “Especially people who have been recently boosted,” he said, “if they get infected, they might become symptomatic 24 hours post-exposure, 48 hours post-exposure — really fast.”

Persons: Peter Chin, Sala, . Chin, Hong, Michael Mina, Harvard epidemiologist, ” Organizations: University of California, Harvard Locations: San Francisco

☆ How Bad Is a Second (or Third or Fourth) Case of Covid?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Reinfection and long CovidThe chances you will get long Covid from a reinfection are fairly unpredictable — several experts interviewed for this story used the metaphor of Russian roulette. The milder your symptoms, the less likely you are to get long Covid, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. But every time you get infected, no matter the severity, there is always a chance that you can develop longer-term symptoms. Dr. Sala said he frequently sees patients who were more or less fine after their first couple of infections wind up with long Covid in the wake of a third or fourth infection. Still, it’s not a foregone conclusion that reinfection definitively raises the risk of long Covid, said Fikadu Tafesse, a virologist at Oregon Health & Science University.

Persons: Peter Chin, Ziyad Al, Aly, Sala, that’s, ”, it’s, reinfection, Fikadu Tafesse, “ Organizations: University of California, Nature Medicine, U.S . Department of Veterans Affairs, Louis Healthcare, Oregon Health & Science University Locations: San Francisco, St

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