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Rapid flu testing developed for pandemic MILWAUKEE (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say they have developed a rapid, automated system to differentiate strains of influenza. Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Children's Research Institute and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin say during a pandemic, such as the present H1N1 influenza outbreak, rapid automated tests allow for quick and effective public health decisions. Dr. Kelly J. Henrickson of the Medical College of Wisconsin and colleagues developed rapid semi- and fully automated multiplex real-time RT-PCR assays to detect influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. An assay is a procedure in molecular biology used in testing and/or measuring activity. These assays can successfully detect human H1N1, H3N2 and swine-origin H1N1 viruses, as well as distinguish these from influenza B and RSV infections. These assays could test large numbers of samples over a very short time, allowing for a significant decrease in both technician and assay time, said Henrickson, the study leader. "This outbreak demonstrates the importance of having rapid, reliable, sensitive and specific assays that allow clinicians and public health officials to react quickly and effectively during viral outbreaks," the researchers said in a statement. The findings are to be published in the January issue of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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Retiree group pans Senate healthcare bill WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The Senate healthcare reform bill does not protect the earned post-retirement healthcare benefits of millions of workers, a U.S. retiree advocacy group says. Paul Miller, executive director of ProtectSeniors.Org, says the Senate bill actually penalizes companies that provide retiree prescription drug benefits. The House version would prohibit employers from making post-retirement cuts or doing away with people's earned health benefits after they retire. "It is a disgrace that the Senate bill does absolutely nothing to protect the right of retirees who for decades took less in wages and paid time off from their employers to be assured of healthcare coverage in their golden years," Miller said in a statement. "These people earned this benefit during their working years and now the Senate is willing to simply throw them under the bus. They are not asking for a handout, just that corporate America treat these people fairly and live up to their responsibility." Miller says if just half of the estimated 18 million retirees who receive healthcare benefits through their former employers had those benefits reduced or eliminated it would overwhelm an already overburdened government healthcare system. There are many healthcare costs that Medicare does not cover, creating the need for supplemental plans, Miller explains. Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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Easy ways to achieve health resolutions ATLANTA (UPI) -- Eating healthier and becoming more physically active is on the top of many people's resolutions, but it need not be difficult, U.S. health officials say. The CDC advises to: -- Eat breakfast every day. When you don't eat breakfast, you are likely to make up for the calories by eating more later on in the day. -- Choose a quick, healthy breakfast option such as yogurt with fruit or toast with sliced banana and a bit of peanut butter. -- Make water more appealing by keeping it cold in the fridge or adding a slice of fruit for flavor. Choosing water keeps people from drinking something else that may be loaded with calories and sugar. People who drink sugary drinks tend to consume more calories. -- Eat smaller food portions. When eating out, save some of the meal and take it home to make another meal. -- At home, put only the amount you want to eat in a small bowl and don't go back for more. People eat more when confronted with larger portion sizes. -- Prepare a healthy lunch at home and take it to work. -- Regular physical activity is an important part of maintaining weight loss. If you need extra encouragement, exercise with friend or relative or start an activity interesting to you, such as gardening or bicycling. Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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Designated driver may not always be sober ATLANTA (UPI) -- The effectiveness of naming a designated driver may be determined by how the designated driver is defined, U.S. health officials said. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the varying definition of a designated driver is among the challenges facing researchers who study the effectiveness of designated driver programs. The most common definition requires that the designated driver abstain from alcohol, be assigned before anyone in the group starts drinking and drive group members to their homes at the end of the event or gathering. However, another definition is based on the concept of risk- or harm-reduction -- the designated driver needs only to maintain a blood alcohol content limit that is under the legal limit. In practice, many people may apply the designated driver concept in ways that are unsafe such as choosing the person in the group who is least drunk to be the designated driver, the researchers said. Federal health officials advise: -- Always designate a non-drinking driver before any holiday party or celebration begins. -- Don't let friends drive if they are impaired. -- If you're hosting a party, remind guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver. Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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