A shampoo to protect against the H1N1 virus? A dietary supplement that does the same? How about a spray that claims to leave a layer of ionic silver on one’s hands that kills the flu virus? 

The are all among the quack cures that have come to the attention of the Food and Drug Administration.

The federal [...]

As many as 5. 7 million people nationwide had symptoms of the swine flu from the time the pandemic started in the April until July, according to a new article in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Using computer models based on reported cases of the illness, scientists [...]

Nyack Hospital will hold its annual diabetes symposium from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 4. The event will include educational and motivational speakers,  the latest information on diabetes management.

Participants will  learn how to enjoy eating out,  find food facts of favorite recipes, pick up pointers from a personal trainer on how to get in [...]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 years to 17 years. Previously, this vaccine, which contains inactivated influenza A and B viruses, had been approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older.

The safety and effectiveness of Fluarix for use in children [...]

 
The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and the India Cultural Society of Rockland will sponsor the 5th Annual Health Fair from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 1 in the Palisades Center Mall, 4th Floor.  Local physicians will offer tests to determine blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, lung function, eye [...]

Support Connection Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Services is holding a teleconference  discussion  about Parenting While Going Through Breast Cancer.

The discussion will take place November 18 at 8 p.m. It is a topic-focused session of an ongoing breast cancer telephone support group that meets monthly. The unique advantage of a telephone support group is that [...]

One in every 91 children, or one percent of youngsters between the ages of 3-17 have autism, according to a new study. The findings show an increase in rates of the disease, which experts had long estimated occurred in one of every 150 children.

The report, entitled “Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among [...]

Healthcare reform will take a musical turn at a rally Sunday in Nyack.

Folk singer Pete Seeger wil perform at the “Health Care For All” rally at Memorial Park. The free event, which runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., advocates for universal health care and progressive health care reform. Health Care for All Now is [...]

People with tattoos are now eligible to donate blood. Community Blood Services, which provides  blood to more than 30 hospitals in New York and New Jersey, has reversed a policy that required donors to wait a year after getting a tattoo before donating blood.

Such donors can donate immediately after getting a tattoo as long as [...]

CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta will have some first-hand experince to add to his reporting on swine flu. The doctor writes on his blog that he caught the flu during a trip to Afghanistan. “I am not someone who gets sick, really ever. And this was the sickest I have ever been.”

A vaccine should be [...]