SAN DIEGO–An additional influenza death was reported in San Diego county, bringing this season’s total to eight, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency. A 70-year-old San Diego man died Dec. 19 from influenza A Pandemic H1N1 and had underlying medical conditions. Also, the percentage of people with influenza-like illness at local emergency […]

(Newswise)–Over many years, exposure to the levels of ozone and other forms of pollution found in most U.S. cities and some rural communities can take a toll on a person’s health. Two studies led by Johns Hopkins researchers describe the impact of pollution on lung disease, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in the U.S. […]

(Newswise)–A UC Davis study found that the damaged gut lining (known as leaky gut) in monkeys infected with chronic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), an HIV-like virus, was rapidly repaired within five hours of receiving Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria.   The study, published in the PNAS, linked chronically inflamed leaky gut to the loss of PPARα signaling (a […]

(Newswise)–In a recent study using mice, lab-grown human retinal cells and patient samples, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they found evidence of a new pathway that may contribute to degeneration of the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The findings, they conclude, bring scientists a step closer to developing new drugs for […]

ESCONDIDO–Pre-fabricated walls were put in place for Palomar Health’s new Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), a major step in fulfilling Palomar Health’s promise to serve North County’s most vulnerable population.  The new CSU delivers several improvements over the existing facility: It doubles the number of patients who can be served at any given time from eight […]

(Newswise)–Veterans who simultaneously take opioids for chronic pain and benzodiazepines for anxiety and insomnia are at an increased risk of unintentional overdose and death as well as suicide. Nearly 20 veterans kill themselves each day in the United States, a statistic that has led the Department of Veterans Affairs to make suicide prevention its highest […]

(Newswise)–Science hasn’t yet caught up with electronic cigarettes, leaving health care providers and users with many unknowns. But a new review of the research so far finds growing evidence that vaping can harm the heart and blood vessels.  “Many people think these products are safe, but there is more and more reason to worry about […]

SAN DIEGO–Flu activity saw a slight decline in the county this week with 30 lab-confirmed cases, six less than the number of cases reported last week. That brings the 2019-20 flu season total to 362 cases, compared to 130 at this time last year. County public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of getting […]

SAN DIEGO–With 300 lab-confirmed cases of influenza in San Diego this season, compared to 88 at this time last year, county health officials are emphasizing the importance of getting the flu vaccine. There have also been two deaths, reported earlier, compared to none at this point last season. “More San Diegans getting sick is a […]

SAN DIEGO–Two influenza deaths have already been reported in the San Diego region this season. The number of lab-confirmed flu cases is more than double the past three-year average for this point in the season, and it’s on par with the 2017-18 season, which was severe. That’s why County Health and Human Services Agency officials […]