Health

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - Florida health officials say a child is the first to die during this year's flu season. The Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Epidemiology said in a report that the unidentified child tested positive for influenza B and died between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6. The report did not say where the child died but did say the child was otherwise healthy before getting the flu. More Headlines What's best for kids: Flu shot or flu spray? How you can get paid to get a flu shot Flu season deaths top 80,000 last year, CDC says The child had not been vaccinated. In the first week of the flu season, the state had only two flu or flu-like outbreaks. One was an unspecific strain and the other was strep throat. The Tampa Bay Times reports both strains hit schools in Hillsborough County. State officials said those outbreaks did not cause the child's death. No other details were released. Dr. Ravi Raheja, a Jacksonville-area pediatrician, said while … [Read more...] about First child flu death reported in Florida this season

Experts say that children below the age of 12 should not be given decongestants by their parents - following a new medical review. In a new article, published in The British Medical Journal, experts from Australia and Belgium made a series of recommendations based on systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. They said that the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of the medicines is "limited" reports Mirror Online. Children have around six to eight colds per year and adults have two to four, they said; stressing that the common cold is usually self-limiting and symptoms should clear up in around a week. Youngsters carry the highest burden for the common cold, but trials to test the effectiveness of treatments are lacking, they said. "A small number of trials report contradictory results for decongestants and antihistamines on nasal symptoms and safety in children," they wrote. "Some products that contain decongestant may improve nasal symptoms in children, but their … [Read more...] about Why children with a cold should not be given decongestants

It is a simple gesture that could mean so much. People are being asked to light a candle on Monday, October 15 to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. The event coincides with International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It is all part of the global Wave of Light event which takes place every year at the culmination of Baby Loss Awareness Week. People across Hull and the East Riding are being asked to light a candle from 7pm to 8pm in homes, groups and communal spaces to remember all the babies who have died. Those who take part in the virtual Wave of Light are asked to post a photo of their lit candle on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #WaveOfLight at 7pm. There have been a series of events taking place across the region as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, including illuminating some of Hull's most recognisable buildings in pink and blue to remember babies who have died too soon. According to Tommy’s charity, one in four women will experience a miscarriage in their … [Read more...] about The special reason you are being asked to light a candle tonight

From November 1 doctors will be able to prescribe patients medical cannabis, the government has announced today. The new law will apply to England, Wales and Scotland. It means those suffering from epilepsy, nausea and chronic pain - due to chemotherapy, could be given the option of getting the drug from a doctor. The government has said that the prescriptions will be the responsibility of specialist doctors, and not GPs. A statement on the government website explains further: "These doctors focus on one field of medicine such as neurology or paediatrics and are listed on the General Medical Council’s specialist register. "They must make decisions on prescribing cannabis-based products for medicinal use on a case-by-case basis, and only when the patient has an unmet special clinical need that cannot be met by licensed products." The new law follows several high-profile cases, including those of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell. Billy was given the first … [Read more...] about Medical cannabis will be available on prescription from next month

Parents have been told not to give their child decongestants following a new review by medical experts. Experts have said that evidence surrounding the effectiveness of the medicines is "limited". And they have stressed the common cold is usually self-limiting and that symptoms should clear up in around a week. Children have around six to eight colds per year and adults have two to four, said the experts. In a new article, published in The British Medical Journal, experts from Australia and Belgium made a series of recommendations based on systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. Youngsters carry the highest burden for the common cold, but trials to test the effectiveness of treatments are lacking, they said. The authors of the paper said that children under 12 should not be given decongestants, reports The Mirror. They wrote: "A small number of trials report contradictory results for decongestants and antihistamines on nasal symptoms and safety in children. "Some products … [Read more...] about If your child has a cold this is why you shouldn’t give them decongestants