Respiratory

FDA issues alert on tussionex, a long-acting prescription cough medicine
Children's health 21 Mar 2008

FDA issues alert on tussionex, a long-acting prescription cough medicine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert today on the safe and correct use of Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension in response to numerous reports of adverse events–including death–associated with the misuse and inappropriate use of this potent cough medication. Tussionex is a prescription cough medicine containing hydrocodone, a…
Skin prick tests identify asthma risk for toddlers with eczema
Children's health 21 Mar 2008

Skin prick tests identify asthma risk for toddlers with eczema

Toddlers with eczema who have a positive skin prick test for allergy have almost triple the risk of developing asthma than those with a negative test, says an Australian study. The study, led by the University of Melbourne, is the first to clearly demonstrate that skin prick tests can be…
Kicking the habit on national youth tobacco free day
Children's health 20 Mar 2008

Kicking the habit on national youth tobacco free day

Young people all around Australia are being asked to quit smoking today, on National Youth Tobacco Free Day. Smoking habits can start in the early teens, so refusing to take up the habit before it develops is the key. "Tobacco smoking is responsible for the premature death of about 19,000…
Treatment for mild asthma improves lung function
Children's health 20 Mar 2008

Treatment for mild asthma improves lung function

A study by the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney is the first to demonstrate that in patients with very mild or well-controlled asthma, regular treatment with low dose ICS leads to significantly better day–to-day lung function. The study published in this month’s edition of Primary Care Respiratory Journal…
Data show a decline in cystic fibrosis since introduction of prenatal carrier screening
Children's health 03 Mar 2008

Data show a decline in cystic fibrosis since introduction of prenatal carrier screening

A brief report in the February 28, 2008, New England Journal of Medicine, led by researchers at the New England Newborn Screening Program (NENSP) of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), indicates a declining incidence of a genetic disease, providing what may be the first demonstration of a link…
Cockroaches a major health concern in schools and at home
Children's health 03 Mar 2008

Cockroaches a major health concern in schools and at home

Cockroaches spread nearly 33 different kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. As cockroaches crawl through decaying matter or sewage, they turn into disease-carrying pests by picking up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies. The National Pest…
Arsenic threatens global health
Blood 19 Feb 2008

Arsenic threatens global health

As many as 100 million people worldwide are facing slow poisoning and risk of death from arsenic in their drinking water and food supply. That is the conclusion of scientists at the CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) following a global review of the health…
Organ and Tissue Donation
Blood 15 Feb 2008

Organ and Tissue Donation

Organ and tissue donation: Organ donation is a procedure in which one person receives organs or tissues from another person. These organs are transplanted into…
Lung Transplantation
Cancer 13 Feb 2008

Lung Transplantation

Lung transplant is a surgical procedure in which one or both lungs are replaced with donor lungs. It is used to treat severe lung or…