The World Health Organization and the US-CDC reported last week an outbreak of a novel hepatitis in nine children, all under age 10, in a hospital in Alabama, who had severe liver injuries between October 2021 and February. The symptoms of hepatitis include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pains, yellowish eyes and skin discoloration. None had a compromised immune system, none had COVID-19 infection, and none tested positive for Hepatitis Virus A, B, C, D, E. All the Alabama children survived but 3 had acute liver failure and 2 had liver transplants. First reported in the UK, it is now in dozen countries, including the United States, Canada, and Japan. In the USA, North Carolina and Illinois have also reported cases. So far, nearly 200 cases and 17 liver transplants have been reported and one death, besides the death of a child in Wisconsin with this mysterious hepatitis, which is suspected to be linked to the common cold adenovirus. Children having symptoms of hepatitis should be medically evaluated without delay. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are strongly recommended for children.
E. Coli in beef
About 120,000 pounds of beef were recalled by the Lakeside Refrigerated Services because of probable E. Coli (fecal) contamination. The ground beef was produced from February 1 to April 8, 2022, and distributed to various retailers in the USA. The brand names involved include Thomas Farms, Marketside Butchers, SE Grocers, Tajima, Weis, and Nature’s Reserve. Those who have any of these in their freezer should discard them. Infection with E. coli could be serious, even life-threatening.
Vax “killed” nurse
The nurse (Tiffany Dover, RN) who fainted on live TV following COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 reportedly died and the rumor swirled endlessly on social media. She actually recovered 20 minutes later and was back on TV, but the false news still continued, courtesy of the anti-vaccine conspiracy perpetrators to scare the public with this fake news and other misinformation. This discouraged people from getting the vaccines and countless numbers had gotten infected and died. Disinfo/misinformation, like political correctness, kills. NBC News, in a podcast, will feature Tiffany and the full story about this conspiracy. Compared to getting COVID-19, getting the vaccines is a hundredfold safer.
Keto diet and sex
There is a claim that the Keto diet improves male sexual prowess by increasing testosterone levels. The Keto diet consists of super-low carbohydrates, a moderate amount of protein, and a high volume of fat. While this could help people lose weight, a 2021 study shows the Keto diet to be associated with heart scarring. As for the testosterone level, studies have been limited and the impact on sex drive inconclusive.
While the three popular Erectile Dysfunction (ED) pills (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) are safely prescribed by physicians, extreme caution should be taken with many advertised “natural/herbal libido” pills and potions for potential adverse reactions and side effects. Consultation with a physician is prudent.
Caution: CBD gummies
CBD (Cannabidiol Oil) gummies and other over-the-counter products with cannabinoids from Cannabis plants have been marketed for brain health, as pain reducers, and as a remedy for some common illnesses. These substances have quality and safety questions, and they could interact with prescribed medications. They can also cause uncomfortable dry mouth, reduced appetite, nausea, fatigue, and drowsiness, especially dangerous when driving or operating machines. The same with recreational marijuana, which could be addictive and has many harmful side effects that could ruin lives. Talk to your physician before taking this or any other drug or substances.
Avian Flu in human
The first Avian Flu (caused by AH5 or Bird Flu H5) in a human was detected in a Colorado Poultry Farm in the United States on April 29, 2022, only the second in the world. The first was detected last December on a bird farm in the United Kingdom. The CDC tracked the health of 2,500 individuals exposed to birds infected with H5N1 and found only one case of human infection in Colorado. This virus usually infects birds and not humans. The first case of H5N1 in birds was discovered in late 2021. Millions of birds have been culled in the past to control the spread of this avian killer.
COVID-19 updates
As of Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the 7-day daily average COVID-19 cases in the United States was 60,953 with 16,495 hospitalization and 391 deaths. The number of cases was 55 percent higher than in the previous 2 weeks. The vaccination is still low, around 66 percent of the entire US population. Almost 60 percent of people in the United States have been infected with COVID-19. Worldwide: Total Cases – 514,254,906, deaths – 6,264,024 (39,079,097 active cases); USA: 83,170,407, deaths -1,021,089 (1,391,894 active cases); and, The Philippines: 3,686,216, deaths – 60,412 (4,125 active cases). Stats going up.
Vax in RP
The National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard of the Department of Health in the Philippines reported on May 1, 2022, that the total doses administered in the country (population 111,461) was 147,935,968 (First dose: 65,719,128, Second dose: 67,971,140, and Booster: 14,245,700. About 61.9 percent of the people have been fully vaccinated and around 12 percent had their first booster shot. The second booster (4th shot) is recommended after 4 months of the last shot for people who are 50 and older, especially those with co-morbidities, and those who are immunocompromised.
Still too risky!
As Shanghai is in a lockdown because of severe waves of COVID-19, New York City has entered a new high, about 2500 cases a day, Los Angeles County cases shot up by 40 percent last week, and California, after months of decreasing COVID-19 cases, is now showing a nearly 30 percent increase last week with a small rise in hospitalizations. Experts fear it is headed into new waves. They attributed the increase to the loosening of restrictions on masking and distancing mandates and on vaccination verification rules, on top of emerging new subvariants of Omicron. The top four states with the highest numbers since the pandemic started are California – 8,587,271, with 89,145 deaths; Texas – 6,734,179, with 86,533 deaths; Florida – 5,925,668, with 73,948 deaths; and, New York – 5,127,560, with 68,061 deaths. As long as there is a significant number of unvaccinated (34 percent in the USA), and people unmask and let their guard down prematurely, COVID-19 will continue to linger and kill more people. Getting the vaccines, masking, and distancing minimize COVID-19 and save lives.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: [email protected]
