Flu Wiki - Main - Flu Wiki

Flu Wiki - Main - Flu Wiki: "The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps cope with a possible influenza pandemic. This is a task previously ceded to local, state and national governmental public health agencies. Our goal is to be:
- a reliable source of information, as neutral as possible, about important facts useful for a public health approach to pandemic influenza
- a venue for anticipating the vast range of problems that may arise if a pandemic does occur
- a venue for thinking about implementable solutions to foreseeable problems "

The Flu Vaccine�a Shot in the Dark?

The Flu Vaccine�a Shot in the Dark?: "Recently doctors at the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration, a respected, international organisation that conducts and publishes systematic reviews into the effectiveness of medical treatments, set out to find the answer to a simple question: how effective are flu vaccines for healthy people under the age of 60? They reviewed 25 good quality, clinical trials, published in medical journals between 1969 and 2002, in which healthy people between the ages of 14 and 60 years had been randomly given either an actual or placebo vaccine. Their conclusion? Only six per cent fewer vaccinated people got flu, compared to the unvaccinated people. In addition, the influenza vaccine did not reduce the number of working days lost, nor did it reduce the incidence of flu-related complications, deaths or hospitalisations."

Investigators Challenge CDC Flu Statistics As Season Draws To Close - Health Supreme

Investigators Challenge CDC Flu Statistics As Season Draws To Close - Health Supreme: "I have previously reported that the actual CDC flu-death stat for the year 2000 was 1765. It's in small print, not in the CDC press releases that trumpet that ridiculous canned 36,000 figure.
So, working with the 1765 figure, I read through the various tables. It was easy to find how the CDC came up with that number. Table 1 lists 60 deaths from flu 'with influenza virus identified.' Table five lists 1705 deaths from flu with 'virus not identified.' Add up the two totals and you get 1765 deaths from the flu.
But wait a minute. All these stats are based on reports turned in from the field---which means doctors out there making diagnoses all over the US. If 1705 deaths from the flu NEVER HAD AN IDENTIFICATION OF A VIRUS THAT THE CDC CLAIMS ACTUALLY CAUSES THE FLU, WHAT ARE WE LEFT WITH?"

This article is worth a complete read. I had previously heard about the flu-death stats being inflated with pnuemonia stats. Whta I hadn't heard about was verified flu-death stats being inflated with non-verified flu-death stats. Like, if someone dies of something, wouldn't you test to be sure what they died of?

Investigators Challenge CDC Flu Statistics As Season Draws To Close - Health Supreme

Investigators Challenge CDC Flu Statistics As Season Draws To Close - Health Supreme: "I have previously reported that the actual CDC flu-death stat for the year 2000 was 1765. It's in small print, not in the CDC press releases that trumpet that ridiculous canned 36,000 figure.
So, working with the 1765 figure, I read through the various tables. It was easy to find how the CDC came up with that number. Table 1 lists 60 deaths from flu 'with influenza virus identified.' Table five lists 1705 deaths from flu with 'virus not identified.' Add up the two totals and you get 1765 deaths from the flu.
But wait a minute. All these stats are based on reports turned in from the field---which means doctors out there making diagnoses all over the US. If 1705 deaths from the flu NEVER HAD AN IDENTIFICATION OF A VIRUS THAT THE CDC CLAIMS ACTUALLY CAUSES THE FLU, WHAT ARE WE LEFT WITH?"

This article is worth a complete read. I had previously heard about the flu-death stats being inflated with pnuemonia stats. Whta I hadn't heard about was verified flu-death stats being inflated with non-verified flu-death stats. Like, if someone dies of something, wouldn't you test to be sure what they died of?

Bromoderma image

Bromoderma - looks like a lot of teenagers' faces I've seen.

Bromoderma definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms

"Bromoderma: A skin eruption brought on by chronic exposure to bromine. Essentially an allergic reaction to bromine. There are diverse sources of bromine exposure including brominated vegetable oil, a commonly used emulsifier and flavor carrier in food products. Bromoderma is a form of bromism."

Bromism definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms

Bromism definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms: "Bromism: A disease caused by chronic exposure to bromine or one of its compounds. Bromism is characterized by mental dullness, memory loss, slurred speech, tremors, ataxia and muscular weakness, a transitory state resembling paranoid schizophrenia, and a skin eruption (bromoderma). Once a common problem, bromism was generally due to chronic ingestion of proprietary bromide preparations. Also called brominism."

Entrez PubMed

Entrez PubMed: "We have previously reported that normal Wistar rats fed during 105 days with standard laboratory chow, supplemented with 0.5g of brominated vegetable oil (olive, sunflower) per 100 g of diet showed a significant increase of triglyceride and cholesterol content in both heart and liver."

Bromine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bromine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "A halogen element, bromine is a red volatile liquid at room temperature which has a reactivity between chlorine and iodine. This element is corrosive to human tissue in a liquid state and its vapors irritate eyes and throat. Bromine vapors are very toxic with inhalation."

Brominated vegetable oil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brominated vegetable oil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is vegetable oil that has been mixed with the element bromine. Brominated vegetable oil is used as an emulsifier in citrus-flavored soft drinks such as Mountain Dew to help natural and artificial citrus flavors stay suspended in the drink. The bromine is mixed with the vegetable oil so that it will have a density identical to the water in the drink."

200. Brominated vegetable oils (FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series 48a)

200. Brominated vegetable oils (FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series 48a): " Brominated vegetable oils were considered at the Ninth FAO/WHO Expert Committee meeting of Food Additives (FAO/WHO, 1966) but not evaluated because of lack of suitable data. Attention was then drawn to the necessity for providing evidence on cumulation and subsequent release of bromine in body lipids. Recent evidence has demonstrated accumulation of bromine in the body lipids of the rat, pig and man (particularly children). Despite the absence of any definite pathological effects in man, it seems undesirable that lipid-bound bromine should accumulate in the tissues of man. Progressive cardiac lesions have been noted in the rat at comparatively high levels of intake. No long-term studies are available to define a no-effect level."

BVO is found in Mountain Dew. I've been wondering what BVO does. What I'm wondering is now is whether or not the payoff is there to risk it, considering the elements of it's safety that are unknown.

Food Additives ~ CSPI�s Food Safety

"Alginate, an apparently safe derivative of seaweed (kelp), maintains the desired texture in dairy products, canned frosting, and other factory-made foods. Propylene glycol alginate, a chemically-modified algin, thickens acidic foods (soda pop, salad dressing) and can stabilize the foam in beer."

This site doesn't seem to think the stuff is too bad. And the site has a good list of food additives, with a rating.

Hidden Valley� Fat Free French Style Dressing - Travel Size Food Products - Minumus.biz

"1.5 oz pouch with honey Ingredients: water, sugar, corn syrup, distilled vinegar, tomato paste, salt, honey, less than 1% of garlic, onion, spices, modified food starch, natural flavor, hydrolyzed corn gluten, autolyzed yeast extract, partially hydrogenated soybean & cottonseed oil, oleoresin paprika, xanthan gum, propylene glycol alginate, sodium benzoate & potassium sorbet (preservatives). Calcium duodenum delta (to protect flavor). A trivial amount of fat is added by the oils."

How much of this product is actually free glutamates (evil like MSG)? Hydrolyzed and autolyzed anything is code for that. And you know what propylene glycol is ...

From the horse's mouth

The Journal of the American Medical Association assesses the effect drug-companies' gifts to students in med school might have on prescribing habits.

Gullibility

This is a pretty cool (and informative) test.

Burl theory of cancer

People have been saying it ... but nobody is listening.

Here's a blurb on redwood burls. Here's another from the Trees of Mystery, somewhere Rob and I went on our honeymoon.

Adelle Davis quote

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper."

Book list

Hard to Swallow: The Truth about Food Additives
by Doris Sarjeant



Foods That Heal
by Maureen K. Salaman, James F. Scheer (Editor)



All Your Health Questions Answered Naturally
by Maureen Kennedy Salaman



Eat Right for Your Type
by Peter J. D'Adamo, Catherine Whitney (Contributor)



The Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently : Reset Your Genetic Code : Prevent Disease : Achieve Maximum Physical Performance
by Barry Sears, Bill Lawren



Rare Earth Forbidden Cures
by Joel Wallach, Ma Lan


Back to Eden
by Kloss



Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit
by Adelle Davis

Feds Try to Deny Viagara to Sex Offenders

""We are going to make every effort to see what the states or federal government can take to address this problem without harming people who have a legitimate need for this drug, such as men who had prostate cancer and diabetes," she said. "We want to see what remedies there are to address this problem."" - Associated Press

 

This statement makes it sounds as if Viagra is used for anything other than erectile dysfunction, which it isn't. So, if the perceived problem is government funding of a chemical which could increase risk of or facilitate sex reoffenses, why would it matter whether the dysfunction is physically or mentally sourced?

Drug Used for Symptoms Attacks Disease Too

"But the big surprise was that signs of the genetic mutation fueling the disease diminished in 81 patients and vanished in 51.

"The chromosome abnormality completely disappeared [my emphasis added], something we've never seen before" from a drug aimed just at boosting red blood cells, List said." - Associated Press

What are the implications for all disorders with a chromosomal component? They've been treated as irreversible because they're genetic. While we know environmental factors can cause genetic mutation (e.g., radiation), perhaps we haven't paid enough attention to the idea that there might be substances that could cause genetic healing. Or just plain healing. Perhaps having a chromosomal variation that fits with variations held by others is just a marker for having the disease, one that will go away if the disease is successfully cured. How many people are left untreated for genetic diseases, such as Down or Williams syndrome, only being given care for the symptoms that are deemed manageable within the bounds of current medical knowledge?

And what are the implications for the variety of addictive behaviours that have been suggested to be genetic, particularly alcoholism?

CDC's words, not mine

I am reposting, as their website says I can, some of the CDC's charts and statistics for this flu season. Pay close attention:









For more information or a closer look at these graphs, go to this CDC website.

"There have been 31 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to CDC this season [2004--05]."

Keep this in mind when you look at the number of pediatric deaths from last season:

"During the 2003--04 influenza season, 153 pediatric deaths associated with influenza infection were reported from 40 states, whereas only nine such deaths have been reported so far this season [posted in November]." - MMWR Weekly, March 4, 2005

So the pediatric death rate is slashed by 80% during the year there is a vaccine shortage. Hmmm.

Uncertainties Dominate Flu Vaccine Summit

"GlaxoSmithKline is seeking U.S. approval of its Fluarix vaccine, and an FDA inspection of its plant in Dresden, Germany, went well, company official Dr. Vincent Ahonkhai said. U.S. licensing would add about 10 million doses to the market, he said." - Associated Press

 

However, according to this CDC report, the U.S. government has already invested in 1.2 million doses of this as of yet unapproved (by the FDA) vaccine.

 

"In response to this season's influenza vaccine supply shortage, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has purchased 1.2 million doses of 2004--05 inactivated influenza vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The GSK vaccine is produced, licensed, and distributed globally but is not licensed for use in the United States; therefore, it will be administered in the United States under an Investigational New Drug (IND) protocol." - CDC

Gay Men Respond Differently to Pheromones

Sure. And walk a smoker into a smoky bar, see how they respond to the smell of cigarettes as compared to a non-smoker. Perhaps I was born a smoker. Ah, science.

Scientists Boycott Kan. Evolution Hearings

I wondered what the deal was with all the evolving animals making "news" this past week. Then I saw this story.

South Africa Defends AIDS Progress

Keep an eye on how the media prefers to report word-for-word the statements of people whose views they wish to ridicule, when those statements contain grammatical errors.

""Raw garlic and a skin of the lemon - not only do they give you a beautiful face and skin, but they also protect you from disease," she said, adding that beet root was also a vital ingredient in any diet." - Associated Press

Custard Customer Refuses to Let Finger Go

This happened just north of us.

Documents Show Vioxx Sales Tactics

I've been saying this, yet I can't believe I'm reading it:

"Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., the committee chairman, said the new documents raise questions about Merck's handling of Vioxx. But he said he was not prepared to criticize the company without more information, noting that Merck made public results of its own studies that raised the concerns - data subsequently widely published, in medical journals and newspapers.

"A wide-awake physician would have obviously known about this?" Davis asked.

"That is correct," Erb responded.

But another witness, Dr. Michael Wilkes, vice dean for medical education at the University of California-Davis, said physicians are busy and look for shortcuts to get information. "Doctors don't read the medical literature," he said, and often rely on the salesman they meet in their office." - Associated Press

Laos Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1998

This is from a report made by the U.S. Department of State:

 

"The Government allows citizens to marry foreigners, but only with its prior approval. Although the Government routinely grants permission, the process is burdensome."

 

Sound like the story of anyone you know?

 

"Marriages to foreigners without government approval may be annulled, with both parties subject to fine."

 

They won't annull our marriage. But it has cost us many $K to keep me here so far. And I've filed hundreds of pages of documents, just trying to get the right to stay here with my American citizen husband.

An unlikely crusader fights to save the voodoo soul of Haiti

"Unesco has contributed $20,000 (£14,000) towards indexing and photographing the collection, but UN officials estimate that a further $30,000 is needed to prepare a complete inventory." - Guardian Unlimited

 

Holy crap. So this is what UN officials do. 

FDA OKs Lizard-Derived Shot for Diabetes

I was just amused by the extracting of the saliva of Gila monsters. I wonder what eye of newt does.

Birds May Be Behind Exploding German Toads

Is this the first time crows have ever done this kind of thing? Because, while I feel better about it not being some kind of freaky contagious disease, I'm still a little disconcerted by crows suddenly (and selectively) plucking the livers out of specific frogs in a manner which seems to have taken biologists by surprise. Maybe we should be looking into the chemicals found in these livers and the diseases in these crows, as animals do self-medicate.

CDC Pushing New Mosquito Repellents

Woohoo! GOOD NEWS! Finally! Oil of lemon eucalyptus gets its official props!

Mother charged with fatally stabbing 9-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter

I'm waiting to see how long the media takes to find out which SSRI anti-depressant meds she was taking.

A randomised controlled trial of vitamin E in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea

Woohoo!

 

200IU twice a day, beginning 2 days prior, reduction of need for ibuprofen, cutting cramping time to 2 hours ... it's about time.

Exploding Toads Puzzle German Scientists

Is there even a comment needed for this story?

Man Uses Video Camera to Catch Speeders

As a pedestrian who has been nearly picked off on a number of occasions, I salute this dude.

Probe Looks at Foster Kids in Drug Trials

Taken from homes where their human rights are suspected to be compromised and placed in a system where we know their rights are compromised?

Study: Processed Meats May Up Cancer Risk

Novel idea, that it isn't the meat that's dangerous but the junk done to it.

"The study showed no heightened pancreatic cancer risk with eating poultry, fish, dairy products or eggs - nor did overall intake of total fat, saturated fat or cholesterol cause additional risk.

"The results suggest that carcinogenic substances related to meat preparation, rather than their inherent fat or cholesterol content, might be responsible for the association," lead investigator Ute Nothlings said. "From our study, it seems it's not the fat."

Processing of the meats causes chemical reactions, which could produce carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, scientists said." - Associated Press

Somewhere, Dr. Atkins is grinning.

Alley, Preston Oppose Psychotropic Drugs

If anybody knows about any clinical testing (e.g. blood, urine, saliva) that can be used to diagnose a mental disorder related to brain chemistry, let me know.

CDC: Most Flu Virus Samples Destroyed

Apparently there are still 36 labs staffed by people who don't catch the news.

British Court Rules to Allow Baby to Die

It doesn't seem to be about respecting the wishes of the person or of the next of kin. What's weird about this article is its use of the word "doctors", in the same way that one would use the word "police". Compare the following statements:

"Police believe a city woman who was kidnapped on Thursday is in extreme danger, and they are asking for the public’s help in trying to find her." - Union Leader

"Rejecting a bid by the parents, a British judge on Thursday upheld a court order allowing doctors to let a critically ill baby die if she stops breathing - a move doctors say is the only humane way to end the child's suffering." - Associated Press

As if there is only one, nationally unified body of doctors in Britain and when they speak, they speak for all doctors.

National Cancer Institute Halts Drug Trial

Let me get this straight ... Iressa has been shown to not be helpful for lung cancer patients but you're hoping it will still "be a useful drug"? Useful for what? Getting another $389 million next year from hopeful lung cancer sufferers?