November  23, 2003                  

Soldiers to sue over new Gulf War syndrome - The Guardian, Uk - "Multiple vaccinations given in the run-up to the conflict are being blamed for chronic pains, stomach problems, rashes, swelling, fever, depression and anxiety...Lawyers and medical experts say the symptoms are identical to those which affected thousands of veterans after the 1991 Gulf conflict."

Mumps cases at highest level for a decade - The Independent, UK - "Public health doctors have warned that in some areas, one child in five starting primary school this year was not protected against the disease. The massive rise in mumps cases is a cause of huge concern for health officials who have seen the take-up of the triple measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination drop alarmingly because of health scares."

Cuba Produces Key Synthetic Vaccine for Children - Reuters Health via Yahoo!

China will begin testing experimental SARS vaccine next month  - Canadian Press via www.canada.com
 

China planning Sars vaccine tests - BBC

China to Test SARS Vaccine by End-2003 - Reuters

Cuban Vaccine to Help Poor Kids - Wired News

Diphtheria & Tetanus Toxoids With Acellular Pertussis Adsorbed, Hepatitis B (Recombinant) & Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccines (pdf) - www.immunofacts.com

My Autistic Child in the Balance - The Washington Post - "At 14, my son has reached a major crossroads in his life -- but he doesn't even know it. While other boys his age prepare for high school and ultimately college, he is now being channeled into a strictly vocational track, to a world of lowered expectations and dim hope -- and is losing his academics altogether."
 

Hope for Aids cure as prostitutes defy virus in the slums - John Carlin reports from Nairobi on the inspirational doctor who turned his back on Oxford and dedicated his life to the desperate search for a drug that will spell the end of a continent's holocaust - The Guardian, UK

The Doctors and the Drug Makers (6 Letters) - The New York Times - "Arnold S. Relman portrays how the pharmaceutical industry influences drug costs through its sponsorship of education programs for doctors (Op-Ed, Nov. 18). But as long as health care in this country remains primarily pharmaceutically based, these problems will continue regardless of what program is being financed."

Citizens use law to pursue drug firms  - Citing unfair competition and weak FDA oversight, consumer coalition sues giant pharmaceutical companies - San Francisco Chronicle

Food-Borne Illness From Produce on the Rise - The New York Times

Pennsylvania Hepatitis A Outbreak Nearing End - The Los Angeles Times (requires subscription)

Hospitals find new medication controls - www.boston.com - "Even though it would have been faster, Dr. David Osborne did not write an order for Ramos's emergency asthma medications. Instead, he logged on to a computer in the middle of the urgent care bay, and ordered Albuterol and Prednisone using software programmed to warn him if Ramos, 38, had dangerous drug allergies. A tiny box popped up: 'No known allergies.'"

Endless battle against hospital bugs: Dirty tools only half the problem - Safer today than yesterday: Expert – Toronto Star

Two Nations Fight AIDS - The New York Times

Painkillers 'cause kidney damage' - Taking too many painkillers can damage some people's kidneys permanently, scientists claim. - BBC

Comment: And what if, as some believe, HIV has nothing to do with AIDS? 

Clinics attract new clients — with insurance - AP via The Seattle Times - "But as the sluggish economy pushes more people out of jobs, community clinics here and across the country face added pressure to keep their doors open. One solution — though few will say it aloud — is to attract more paying patients like Meyer."

Redflagsdaily.com - www.redflagsweekly.com