Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 2nd Week of January 2021
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Cancer Passed Mother To Child Via Vaginal Delivery
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/ZFWgbAtZs9A
In two cases, cancers in a mother’s cervix were passed to their newborns during a vaginal delivery. These reports from Japanese pediatric oncologists appeared in a recent New England Journal of Medicine.
One mother was belatedly diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell-neuroendocrine cervical cancer 3 months following her delivery, and her child developed a neuroendocrine carcinoma just prior to a second birthday. The second mother was found to have a cervical adenocarcinoma, and her child developed a lung adenocarcinoma at age 6. Genetic studies demonstrated link between maternal and child cancers.
Pregnant women with known or suspected cancerous or precancerous cervical or vaginal lesions should opt for c-sections.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2030391
#cancer #cervical #vaginal #transmission
cancer, cervical, vaginal, transmission
Insider Info About the mRNA Vaccines
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Area-r3AMeQ
Will you soon have a chance to get either the Moderna or the Pfizer mRNA vaccine? If so, here are some nitty-gritty things that you will want to know about these 95% protective vaccines courtesy of the CDC.
Each vaccine consists of a small fragment of RNA specially formulated so that your body won’t produce an immune response to it. This RNA is packaged in a fatty nanoparticle that permits your white cells to swallow it up and begin producing pure and non-infectious CoVid spike protein. Your lymphocytes then produce antibodies to that spike protein. These antibodies prevent infectious CoVid virus from entering your cells.
The RNA in a fat ball must be stored at subzero temps in freezers and transported in dry ice. An antifreeze, polyethylene glycol (PEG) prevents damaging ice formation. It’s this antifreeze, similar to that used in cars, that some people have a deadly allergic reaction against.
Each vaccine requires two doses for optimal immunization. For the Pfizer, 30 ug in 0.3 milliliters is given and repeated in 3 weeks. For the Moderna, 100 ug in 0.5 milliliters is injected and repeated in 1 month. You must receive the same vaccine twice; you can’t mix and match.
Vaccination is safe for those who have CoVid. Those with only a positive CoVid test, vaccination may begin 10 days after that positive test. For those with symptoms, vaccination should be delayed about 3 weeks.
If you have just been exposed to CoVid, wait until your 14 day quarantine period is over to begin vaccination. Beginning CoVid vaccinations will not prevent CoVid if the virus has just entered your body.
Persons who are immunocompromised including those with HIV may be vaccinated. Persons with stable HIV were included in vaccine trials, but effectiveness data about this group is not available. Those with autoimmune diseases may receive the mRNA vaccines.
The mRNA vaccines are considered safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women. They may also be given to adolescents 16 years and older.
After vaccination, there is an 80-90% chance that you’ll experience pain, swelling, redness at the side and/or swollen glands in your armpit. There is a 50-80% chance you’ll get a fever, headache, fatigue, chills, muscle aches, or joint pains. Most symptoms are mild to moderate and occur within 3 days of vaccination. Reactions are more common after the second dose. You can take Tylenol, acetaminophen, for pain and fever control.
A severe allergic reaction may occur in .001 percent of cases or 11 in one million which is a very low risk but 10 times higher than with the flu vaccine. 81% of those developing such post-vaccination reactions with the mRNA vaccine from Pfizer had a history of severe allergies. All recovered with prompt medical therapy.
Those with a history of a severe allergic reaction to a previous mRNA vaccine or another vaccine, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or polysorbate, should not receive these mRNA vaccines. Just recently, the FDA reported that 3 individuals who had undergone injection of so-called facial filler material to erase wrinkles suffered severe allergic reactions to the Moderna vaccine.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html
https://www.statnews.com/2020/12/17/moderna-vaccine-fda-panel/
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7002e1.htm
#covid #vaccine #mRNA #peg #polyethyleneglycol #polysorbate
covid, vaccine, mRNA, peg, polyethyleneglycol, polysorbate
Home Decontamination Of Filtration Facemasks
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/GOEHV368bss
With the CoVid pandemic raging and shortages of PPE once again occurring, you will want to know how to effectively recycle your N95, KN95, or HEPA masks. From NY’s Columbia University come do-it-yourself methods that safely and economically eliminate virus while maintaining mask integrity, fit, and filtration parameters.
The investigators found that placing masks in breathable paper bags in a Cuckoo rice cooker with a stable temperature of 70˚C (160˚F) for one hour worked better than immersing masks protected by waterproof ziplock bags in water at 160˚F or in boiling water.
If you have an oven or toaster oven that maintains a stable temperature, use that.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.05.20248590v1.full.pdf
#masks #heat #recycling #fit #filtration #covid
masks, heat, recycling, fit, filtration, covid
The Immunocompromised Recover From CoVid As Well As Normals
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/pa5lAcnIG04
Those taking drugs to prevent transplanted organ rejection or the scourge of autoimmune diseases do as well during hospital treatment for CoVid as non-immunosuppressed patients. Researchers at Johns Hopkins report this finding after studying 2121 patients.
The immunosuppressed patients compared with non-immunosuppressed controls had similar outcomes including lengths of stay, rates of ventilator use, and mortality rates. A larger, nationwide study is now underway to assess the effects of various immunosuppressant medications.
This good news for patients with immune system handicaps does not preclude their need to take all precautions to avoid contracting the virus including mask-wearing, distancing, hand-washing, and, when available, CoVid vaccination.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107135651.htm
#immunocompromise #immunosuppression #covid #hospitalization
immunocompromise, immunosuppression, covid, hospitalization
Angiotensin Blood Pressure Meds Safe During Pandemic
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/9ws7humxWQQ
Early in the CoVid pandemic, concerns arose about using ACE inhibitors and angiogensin receptor blockers (ARBs) since the ACE2 receptor is the entry point for the CoVid virus into human cells. A just published study from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that these drugs are safe and perhaps even helpful.
Penn investigators studied 152 CoVid patients being treated with various blood pressure meds. Their data showed that discontinuing those drugs had no positive effects on need for ventilation, incidence of organ failure, or death rate.
If you are on anti-hypertensive drugs in the ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocking classes, don’t stop taking them if you develop CoVid.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30558-0/fulltext
#covid #aceinhibitor #arb
covid, aceinhibitor, arb
Couch Potatoes Risk Later Psoriasis
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/I4IFhivphIM
If you rarely exercise your body, you run the risk of itchy, scaly skin as you age. This the conclusion of a just-published Swedish study that followed nearly 1.2 million men over a 31 year average followup period.
The men were divided into 3 groups according to their levels of cardiovascular fitness. The data showed that those with the highest level of fitness have a 55% lower risk of developing psoriasis and a 63% lower risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.
Study after study shows the benefits of regular exercise to hone your cardiovascular fitness. The pandemic makes it more challenging to exercise, but do use your ingenuity to get your body moving.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243348
#exercise #fitness #psoriasis
exercise, fitness, psoriasis
Zombie Moviegoers May Weather The Pandemic Better
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/om5xW8bg7EE
If you love post-apocalyptic films and tv, your psyche may be better prepared for the emotional turmoil of the CoVid pandemic. Penn State psychologists in collaboration with two Danish experts on the psychology of horror surveyed 310 persons concerning their psychic resilience during CoVid.
Each participant was also polled about preparedness for the pandemic stress and about their preferences for entertainment featuring zombies, horror, the supernatural, alien invasion, crime, and pandemics vs comedy and romance.
The results: fans of horror films maintained better psychic resilience; and fans of so called-“prepper” genres including aliens, apocalypses, and zombies were both more resilient and better prepared. Power up your Netflix and Prime Video.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920305882?via%3Dihub
#covid #stress #pandemic #horror #zombies #resilience
covid, stress, pandemic, horror, zombies, resilience
Lavva Blueberry Plant-Based Yogurt On Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/axpIPBdm8mE
The FDA and EVR Foods, Inc. are issuing a recall on Laava Blueberry Plant-Based Yogurt Lot #022121with an expiration date of 2/21/2021. This particular product batch may have mold contamination. If you have this yogurt in your fridge, don’t consume it but return it to the place of purchase for a refund. You may direct questions to Laava at 1-833-885-2882.
#yogurt #blueberry #laava #mold
yogurt, blueberry, laava, mold
Recall on Weis, Klein’s Nelson’s Ice Cream
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/VsILcxYUypY
The FDA and Weis Markets announce the recall of 10,869 containers of Weis Quality Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, 502 3 gallon bulk containers of Klein’s Vanilla Dairy Ice Cream, 665 3 gallon bulk contains of Klein’s Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, and 286 3 galloon containers of Nelson’s Graham Slam Ice Cream. These products are contaminated with metal pieces from the filling equipment. This foreign body material may cause a choking risk. If you have any of these products, don’t consume them but call Weis Customer Service at 1-866-999-9347 to discuss how to obtain a refund.
#icecream #weis #klein #nelson #foreignbodies
icecream, weis, klein, nelson, foreignbodies
Dole Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Is Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/vZslvVUwfRk
The FDA and Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc have recalled Dole Sesame Asian Chopped Salad. This product has undeclared egg. Anyone with a severe egg allergy ingesting it could suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction. This product was sold in: AK, CA, ID, KS, MO, OK, OR, TX AND UT. If you have the product, do not consume it. Discard it retaining the packaging, and call Dole at 1-800-356-3111 for a refund.
#salad #dole #egg
salad, dole, egg
Recall On Soho Fresh Rubbing Alcohol
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/uUsZvYgxNZY
The FDA and Essaar, Inc. are recalling Soho Fresh 70% Rubbing Alcohol. This product is contaminated with poisonous methanol. Exposure to this product can trigger nausea and vomiting, headache, blurred vision, blindness, seizures, coma, and permanent nervous system damage. Do not open the package and use this product. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Additional questions may be addressed to Essaar at 1-201-647-7606.
#alcohol #essaar #methanol
alcohol, essaar, methanol
Summit Alpha and Sigma Camping Pots Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/h5Jv9aP_yz4
The CPSC and Sea To Summit have recalled Summit Alpha and Sigma Camping Pots. The nylon latch can disengage from the pot and cause the handle to detach, posing burn and scald hazards. A total of 16,200 were sold in the US through REI and 2050 sold in Canada. If you own these pots, stop using them and return them to the place of purchase. For additional info, call Summit at 1-888-201-4977.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Sea-to-Summit-Recalls-Camping-Pots-Due-to-Burn-and-Scald-Hazards
#pots #summit #burns
pots, summit, burns
Janod Toy Confetti Trumpets Are Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/rYPuZ6GtsJU
The CPSC and Juratoys have recalled Janod Toy Confetti Trumpets. The small plastic pieces inside the toy trumpets can come loose and can be ingested by children, posing a choking hazard. If you own this toy, don’t permit your child to use it. Dispose of the trumpet and contact Juratoys at 1-855-665-9287 for a refund.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Juratoys-Recalls-Toy-Trumpets-Due-to-Choking-Hazard
#trumpet #janod #choking
trumpet, janod, choking
Recall on Belkin Wireless Charger Stand
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/q0hT3qnVGz0
The CPSC and Belkin announce the recall of the Belkin Portable Wireless Charger + Stand Special Edition. A manufacturing defect in the power supply unit can cause the charger to malfunction and overheat, posing fire and shock hazards. If you own this unit stop, stop using it. Contact Belkin at 1-800-223-5546 to obtain information about safe disposal of the product and a refund.
#charger #belkin #shock #fire
charger, belkin, shock, fire
Massimo Percussion Massage Guns On Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/xJ0MuDK6630
The CPSC and Massimo Motor Sports have recalled the Massimo Percussion Massage Guns. The lithium ion battery may overheat causing a burn and fire hazard. Immediately stop using these guns and contact Massimo at 1-877-881-6376 for a refund.
#massagegun #massimo #battery #fire
massagegun, massimo, battery, fire
Rust-Oleum Aerosol Paint is on Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/VsK54q7042s
The CPSC and Rusdt-Oleum have recalled Rust-Oleum Professional Bright Galvanizing Compound Spray Paint. The bottom of the pressurized container can detach unexpectedly, posing an injury hazard. If you have this paint, stop using it and contact Rust-Oleum at 1-800-908-4050 for a refund.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Rust-Oleum-Recalls-Aerosol-Paint-Due-to-Injury-Hazard
#spraypaint #rustoleum #packaging
spraypaint, reutoleum, packaging
Academy Sport + Outdoors Bicycles On Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/nJa_a4wU-Fc
The CPSC and Academy Sports + Outdoors are recalling the Academy Sport + Outdoors Ozone 500 Density Bicycles. The locking hardware on the front wheel can become loose resulting in front wheel instability, posing fall and injury hazards. If you have one of these bicycles, stop using it and contact the company at 1-888-922-2336 for a free repair or replacement hardware.
#bicycle #faultyhardware
.bicycle, faultyhardware