Let Human Testing Begin!!!

August 10th, 2009

Swine flu vaccines are now beginning the trial stages. It is time for volunteers to step into line.

The Swine flu Swine flu also referred to as H1N1 has been classified as a pandemic situation. Several bio-pharmaceutical companies have been creating a vaccine . Emory University’s Hope Clinic appears to be starting human testing today.

Approximately 25 volunteers will be seen and evaluated today. Each will receive an injection of the vaccine. This will continue for the next 5 days. Another 25 volunteers will be seen each of the additional 5 days.

The goal is to test the safety of this vaccine. They will also be concerned regarding the number of doses needed. Full immunity is the goal of this trial.

Many researchers and medical providers are concerned that the Swine flu will return this fall with increased resistance and swiftness of illness. This alarming concern has many willing to be ready to accept the Swine flu vaccine.

Sanofi Pasteur and others

French drug maker Sanofi Pasteur will begin testing on 2,000 individuals this week in the United States. This will make them the third company initiating testing.

Novartis AGwill be starting their testing this week as well in Great Britain, Germany and in the United States. They will be testing around 6,000 volunteers

CSL from Australia stared testing its vaccine last month

Adjuvants will be added to dosing from Sanofi Pasteur and Novartis

Aethlon Medical

Is a medical company that will be initiating testing on a medical device called the Hemopurifer
This device will apparently absorb viruses and toxins from the blood stream. Currently this device has been used capturing a reconstructed Spanish Flu virus and the avian influenza virus (Bird flu)

CDC guidelines

Last week – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning or
guideline for school closures and cleaning

It appears that the CDC would like to focus on cleaning and prevention of the Swine flu rather then complete school closures. An although this may be an option for some schools it appear that it will not be the standard. But when a child does become sick they should miss school and they should be allowed to return to class as early as 24 hours following the absence of a fever.

August 7th numbers

In the United States – at least 6500 hospitalizations from Swine flu

436 deaths attributed to the Swine flu

Over 1 million Americans have been affected with the disease

The Future

Many believe that a large amount of new cases will be seen starting this fall. The hopes are that a new mutation won’t be seen but it appears to early to tell.

Medical providers and such appear to be in line for the first available approved vaccine.

Originally posted at InterActive Health

Recent questions regarding Vitamin D

Blog Question #1:   Is there a way to get vitamin D through out diet???

Answer:

The skin is the primary mode of synthesis of Vitamin D a form of cholesterol is in the skin and it is affected by UV light – therefore sun light acts as a catalyst for this reaction. Dietary intake is also a form of attaining this vitamin. In many countries certain foods are fortified in vitamin D:

Such food as: milk, yogurt, breakfast cereals, some breads and oils  Other natural sources include: Fish (Fatty fish), cod liver oil, egg, and beef liver.

Another problem – fortified milk does not have enough of the recommended daily dose

Blog Question #2:  Does sunscreen help or not????

Answer

Sunscreen typically helps protect the skin against UV light – therefore it prevents production of vitamin D.    Typical need for sunlight is around 20 minutes – place sunscreen after 20 minutes – just don’t forget. Too much sun can be quite a problem as well

Questions originally posted on Vitamin D blog

Where is the Vitamin D?

An alarming increase of a deficiency of Vitamin D is being seen in children, adolescents and young adults. Recently a study was released showing the low levels of this important vitamin.

Vitamin D has an essential role in the health of many organs. In addition, this vitamin helps with the absorption of other nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus. The immune system is also boosted by the presences of this and other vitamins

Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to serious consequences such as Rickets, Osteomalacia and Osteoporosis.

Rickets is a condition that affects children and is often seen in developing countries. Symptoms of this condition includes bow-legged problems, growth changes, and bone pain.

Osteomalacia is a similar condition to rickets but is seen in the adult population.

Osteoporosis is when the density of the bones decreases substantially. Often seen in women following menopause – but can be seen in men due to age as well as the Vitamin D deficiency.

The Numbers

Almost 8 million children, adolescents and young adults have Vitamin D levels low enough to be considered deficiency

Another 51 million are insufficient in the amount of Vitamin D.

Girls appear affected more commonly than boys. Darker skin also appears to be more commonly affected.

Potential reasons for low Vitamin D levels

1.) More time watching TV by children

2.) Increase amount of sunscreen use

3.) Playing inside rather than outside

4.) Increased amount of “soda consumption”

5.) Less consumption of Milk and other foods fortified by Vitamin D

6.) More sedentary lifestyles

What is so concerning?

In addition to the findings regarding low levels of Vitamin D – other increased risk factors are seen as well.

An association was found between low levels of Vitamin D and increased risk for disease such as Hypertension [High Blood Pressure], High blood sugar, Diabetes, Metabolic syndrome and increased risk for heart disease.

This means that increased number of children and young adults are becoming more at risk for several serious diseases.

Are we overreacting

This may be a possibility – Several additional studies are currently being conducted to further understand these findings as well as some additional guidelines. Daily consumption of Vitamin D still seems to be in debate. Many believe that milk with fortified vitamin D and 20 minutes of sunshine should be adequate. This is being heavily researched

Others believe that we don’t have enough data to adequately determine the risks that low Vitamin D may be associated with further risk factors.

It is certain that several issues and risks are surfacing again and again that points to a worsening nutrition value and overall physical health for those with unhealthy lifestyles that include junk food and sedentary lifestyles.

Additional information:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32265598/ns/health-more_health_news/

Original post at health blog

Is Medicaid really that important?

Medicaid began in 1965 under the Social Security ACT under Title XIX

Harry Truman initiated the idea of a national health insurance plan in 1945. Many worried about a “socialized health care” transformation and it wasn’t until 1965 that President Lyndon Johnson signed this plan into law. – Medicaid was initiated along with Medicare.

The purpose initially was to help families who would be classified as “low income“. These families would get help with their health care. the plan would typically cover hospital visits, doctor’s visits, medications , prenatal care, and other necessary treatments.

Other possible eligeble individuals that could qualify would include: foster children, adopted children, certain protected individuals, disabled individuals, and other pregnant or underage children.

Children who are U.S citizens are eligible even if the parents are not.

Medicaid is the largest resource of federal money that is spent on HIV/AIDS. Qualification to this program depends on T-cell count of less than 200 before qualification is often granted.

The area that is quickly becoming oversaturated with medicaid needs deals with nursing home residents. As the shift continues towards a larger portion of individuals who require this type of care, an increased strain will be seen on this program

The individuals applying for this program may have a small amount of insurance, however the insurance does not adequately cover the family or more commonly, no medical insurance at all.

This is a very expensive program and is often the second most funded program in each state behind education. It is believed that each states spends between 15% and 22% of their budget on medicaid alone.

Medicaid is funded by a joint governing body of federal and state programs.

The United States appears to have always placed some importance in the health care of the lower income status. It is administered by each states and guidelines may be subjective from each state.

Some 50+ million people take advantage of this program with some $200 billion or more spent on it annually.

Participation on a state level is strictly voluntary, but all states have been a party to this program since 1982

*** The concerning aspect of this program is that up to 60% of those who have fallen below the poverty line will not qualify for medicaid.

The need for this program appears to be evident in the number of those who attempt to get qualified.

Certain individuals however, are not so sure that this program is being effective. The strictness or restrictiveness of this program is currently under fire. Many argue that those who really need the program are not the ones on the program. Standards for this programs are state sponsored but a basic framework has been in place.

Who benefits from Medicaid?

Often payment while on medicaid does not go to the individual themselves but rather to the provider that is seeing them. A co-pay in some states is often required. Additional payment for services is done by the government.

Medical providers themselves are paid on a much lower basis per person on medicaid than an individual on private insurance. So they, in essence, take a loss of income when seeing a medicaid patient.

Each states “Medicaid Report Card” is different, with many states failing the quality of care and several large disparities may be seen. Therefore, specific states are at risk while other states are consistently in the top performance for their category.

In our world today, insurance is practically required with expounding medical concerns and cost. This program affords a large amount of people who would otherwise be without medical insurance or without an option for medical treatment.

The burden without this program would be so overwhelming that emergency rooms and other doctor’s offices would be forced to treat patients with little or no hope of recuperating any money from their visits. And although this still occurs in many cases – adding another 50 million insurance-less patients would be overwhelming to say the least.

Therefore – Is medicaid a good program – the answer has to be yes…but it is far from perfect.

As a result — health care reform may be better suited to improve the current program of medicaid then change the system and require an additional 50 years of pitfalls and problems that will most likely be seen with any new program.

This blog was originally posted at InterActive Health