Reuters - Health Report

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Monday, February 5, 2018

U.S. flu outbreak worsens; hospitalizations highest in nearly a decade: CDC

(Reuters) - The U.S. flu outbreak worsened over the past week as more people headed to doctors' offices and emergency rooms, with hospitalizations at the highest in nearly 10 years, U.S. health officials said on Friday.

Florida nurse's choice words to avoid flu: 'Wash your stinking hands'

(Reuters) - A Florida nurse has offered some frank advice for people whose lax hygiene is contributing to a deadly flu outbreak, including "wash your stinking hands!"

More evidence links advanced maternal age to preterm births

(Reuters Health) - The higher risk of preterm births for women over 40 may not be completely explained by their greater use of reproductive technology or medical interventions like induced labor or planned cesarean deliveries, a Canadian study suggests.

Indiana to impose Medicaid work requirements

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Indiana said on Friday it will require its Medicaid recipients work or do some other form of community engagement, becoming the second state to make this fundamental change to the 50-year-old health insurance program for the poor.

Omega-3 supplements may not cut heart disease risk

(Reuters Health) - Omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements may not help reduce the risk of heart problems in people already at high risk, a research review suggests.

Sun safety may not be a top priority in daycare

(Reuters Health) - Kids in daycare may not always learn about sun safety because their teachers are more focused on lessons about healthy food choices, brushing teeth and getting plenty of exercise, a U.S. study suggests.

Allergan completes restructuring, pushes hard in China

PARIS (Reuters) - Botox-maker Allergan has embarked on a big push in China where it plans to hire 200 additional staff this year and will also be on the lookout for potential acquisitions in the country, a senior executive told Reuters on Friday.

Exclusive: Merck's consumer health sale at risk as Nestle bows out - sources

LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The sale of Merck KGaA's consumer health unit has been thrown off track after Nestle has pulled out, leaving the race to buy the maker of Seven Seas vitamins without its main contender, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

High levels of cellphone radiation linked to tumors in male rats: U.S. study

(Reuters) - Male rats exposed to very high levels of the kind of radiation emitted by cellphones developed tumors in the tissues around their hearts, according to a draft report by U.S. government researchers on the potential health risks of the devices.

Philippines says anti-dengue vaccine may be connected to three deaths

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines said on Friday the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia may be connected to three deaths in the country, according to a government-ordered inquiry, and that the drug is not ready for mass immunisation.