Mystery parasite leaves Americans battling ‘explosive diarrhea’ as CDC investigates

Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 145 cases of cyclosporiasis across 17 states as of mid-June 2026, all linked to infections acquired in the U.S.

The culprit is Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite known to cause cyclosporiasis.

DEADLY ‘FOX TAPEWORM’ LINKED TO LETHAL DISEASE DETECTED IN WEST COAST WILDLIFE

The hallmark symptom of the infection is watery, often "explosive" diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.

Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.

The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.

Cases have cropped up in states ranging from Texas to Alaska. New York has been hit the hardest so far, reporting between 31 and 80 cases, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each reported between 11 and 30 cases.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. Out of the 145 confirmed cases, 20 patients have required hospitalization, per the CDC.

No deaths have yet been reported. Patients range from 5 to 86 years old, though the median age is 42, and women make up 61% of the reported cases, data shows.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multi-state clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.

"There is currently no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking all cases," the CDC noted in its surveillance report.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/8oaKezB

Read More

5 of America's greatest medical breakthroughs revealed as the nation marks 250 years

America has been at the forefront of medical innovation since the nation's founding in 1776.

From groundbreaking surgeries to cancer breakthroughs, U.S. physicians have helped transform nearly every field of medicine.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, experts are highlighting some of the most influential medical innovations in the nation's history.

John Uribe, MD, orthopedic surgeon and system chief executive at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Florida, said he believes the greatest breakthrough in orthopedics is the evolution of joint replacement surgery, particularly of the hip and knee.

AMERICA'S LIFESPAN HAS DOUBLED SINCE 1776 — EXPERTS REVEAL WHAT CHANGED

"A generation ago, severe arthritis or joint damage often meant a lifetime of pain, limited mobility and loss of independence," he told Fox News Digital.

"Today, orthopedic surgeons can replace a damaged joint with highly durable implants, use advanced imaging and navigation, and increasingly rely on robotic-assisted technology to personalize implant positioning and improve precision."

Today, patients can walk the same day after joint replacement, return home sooner and recover with less disruption than in the past, according to Uribe.

WOMAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S REGAINED SPEECH AND MEMORIES AFTER TAKING MAGIC MUSHROOMS

"Hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic procedures, advanced fracture care and spine treatments have allowed patients to stay active longer and maintain independence as they age," the doctor said. "The biggest impact is that orthopedic care can give people back parts of their lives they thought they had lost."

"For many patients, the goal is no longer just to relieve pain; it is to restore movement, independence and quality of life."

For most of America’s 250 years, mental illness was largely treated indirectly with medication, or not at all when medication was ineffective, according to Dr. Russ Voltin, a West Virginia-based practicing psychiatrist and medical consultant at BrainsWay.

The biggest breakthrough, Voltin told Fox News Digital, has been neuromodulation therapies like deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which are "clinically proven to non-invasively target the brain circuits involved in conditions such as depression and OCD, helping rebalance neural activity at its source."

"Mental health is brain health, and for the first time, we have treatments designed to address it that way."

A generation ago, a patient who didn't respond to medication had very limited options, he said.

"Today, a clinician can offer noninvasive brain stimulation in an outpatient chair – no anesthesia, no sedation, none of the prominent side effects of medication, and all with limited lifestyle interruption."

The FDA recently expanded clearance for an accelerated Deep TMS protocol that shortens the initial phase of depression treatment from about four weeks of daily visits to just six treatment days.

"For someone in a depressive crisis, this is the difference between waiting and getting better," the expert said.

In clinical trials, roughly 78% of patients reached remission and more than 80% were still in remission a full year later.

"As a clinician, that last figure is the one that matters most: People going back to work, repairing relationships and re-entering their own lives, not just scoring better on a questionnaire," Voltin said.

"The biggest shift is that for people who once cycled through medication after medication with no relief, durable recovery is now a realistic goal rather than a hope."

Cancer care has advanced dramatically over the past 250 years, with breakthroughs in prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment transforming patient outcomes.

Leonard Kalman, MD, acting system chief executive at Baptist Health Cancer Care and acting executive medical director at Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute in South Florida, said one of the most important breakthroughs in oncology is the understanding that "at its core," cancer is a genetic disease.

"Cancer can be driven by inherited germline mutations or by somatic mutations that occur in normal tissue and lead cells to become malignant," he told Fox News Digital. "That discovery has transformed how we understand, diagnose and treat cancer."

Today, physicians can cure certain leukemias and lymphomas that were "once far more difficult to treat," the doctor noted.

NEW BLOOD TEST DETECTS 90% OF AGGRESSIVE PROSTATE CANCER CASES, BEATING CURRENT SCREENINGS

"We can also extend life while preserving quality of life for many patients with metastatic cancers — including diseases such as lung cancer, melanoma and prostate cancer, where treatment options were much more limited a generation ago," Kalman said.

Many of those advances have shifted cancer care toward more individualized treatment, allowing physicians to tailor therapies based on a patient's specific disease.

"Advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, molecular testing and supportive care allow physicians to better personalize treatment, manage side effects and help patients live longer with a better quality of life, even when cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor," the doctor said.

Tom Nguyen, MD, system chief executive at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and chief medical executive at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute in South Florida, highlighted the ability to diagnose heart disease earlier and treat "even the most complex conditions" with safer, more precise and less invasive therapies.

"Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but patients who once might have died in their 40s or 50s are now routinely living into their 80s and 90s with an excellent quality of life," he told Fox News Digital.

Procedures like open-heart surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary stents, catheter-based valve replacement, advanced imaging and robotic heart surgery have "completely transformed what is possible," according to Nguyen.

"Robotic heart surgery is a powerful example of how far the field has come," he said. "For appropriately selected patients, surgeons can now perform highly complex heart procedures through much smaller incisions using robotic technology that provides exceptional visualization, precision and control."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The biggest achievement, Nguyen said, is not only helping people live longer, but also helping them "live better."

"Today, heart and vascular specialists can perform procedures that would have seemed almost unimaginable just one generation ago," he said. "Patients are surviving heart attacks, valve disease, rhythm disorders and complex vascular conditions at rates that would have been difficult to imagine decades ago."

Success isn't measured only by survival, Nguyen added. "Our ultimate goal is to help patients feel better and return to the lives they enjoy."

Michael McDermott, MD, system chief executive of Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care and chief medical executive at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, said the ability to safely operate on the brain is the greatest advancement in American neuroscience.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Less than a century ago, a craniotomy was an extraordinarily risky operation, and survival itself was far from guaranteed," he told Fox News Digital. "Today, advances in anesthesia, electrocautery, imaging, surgical navigation, brain mapping and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring have transformed brain surgery into a highly precise and much safer procedure."

The ability to treat acute stroke in real time has been "equally transformative," McDermott noted.

"Using advanced imaging and mechanical thrombectomy, physicians can now remove a clot from the brain and restore blood flow before permanent damage occurs in many eligible patients," he said. "At the same time, innovations such as high-intensity focused ultrasound for essential tremor demonstrate how neuroscience has become increasingly precise and less invasive."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Today, neuro experts can accomplish tasks that "would have been difficult to imagine just one generation ago," McDermott noted.

"We can remove blood clots from the brain during an active stroke, implant deep brain stimulation devices for Parkinson's disease, and perform highly sophisticated brain and spine surgery using advanced imaging, navigation and artificial intelligence," he said.

Advances like image-guided surgery, intra-operative brain mapping, neurophysiologic monitoring and radio-surgery allow surgeons to remove tumors more safely while protecting areas of the brain responsible for movement, speech and other critical functions, he said.

Beyond brain tumors, other advances across neuroscience, like corrective spine surgery, have allowed doctors to restore posture and mobility in patients with severe spinal deformities. Meanwhile, focused ultrasound can "significantly reduce tremors that interfere with everyday activities such as writing, eating or drinking," McDermott noted.

"Increasingly, our goal isn't simply to help patients survive – we're helping them maintain their independence, preserve function and return to the lives they want to live."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/U6TOSIW

Read More

West Nile virus detected in southern state as health officials warn residents about mosquitoes

Health officials in Nashville are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes for the first time this year.

The Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) announced the virus was found in a mosquito pool collected near Cass Street in North Nashville, marking the city's first detection of West Nile virus in 2026 and the earliest positive mosquito sample of the season.

The detection comes after health officials reported elevated West Nile virus activity in mosquito pools during 2025, when one human case of the virus was confirmed.

"We can all play a role in reducing the presence of mosquitoes in our community, making our outdoor areas both more pleasant and safer from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus," Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of health at the Metro Public Health Department, said in a statement to Fox 17.

MEASLES-INFECTED TRAVELER MAY HAVE EXPOSED PASSENGERS AT LAX AND NEARBY HOTEL, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN

"As our team educates those in the area where West Nile virus was found, we hope the rest of our community does what they can to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes this summer."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms, but about one in five experience fever, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Fewer than 1% develop a serious neurological illness that can affect the brain or spinal cord, with older adults and people with weakened immune systems facing the greatest risk.

Public health officials routinely trap and test mosquitoes throughout the summer to monitor for West Nile virus activity. A positive mosquito sample does not necessarily mean people in the area will become infected, but it serves as an early warning that the virus is circulating locally.

In response to the positive test, MPHD said crews are distributing educational flyers in the affected neighborhood, increasing mosquito trapping, monitoring standing water and applying larvicide where needed to help reduce mosquito populations. The department said it does not spray insecticide to kill adult mosquitoes.

POTENTIALLY SEVERE MOSQUITO-BORNE VIRUS SURGES IN US ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS

Residents can also request a free backyard inspection from the department's Pest Management team to identify areas where mosquitoes may be breeding.

Health officials recommend eliminating standing water from bird baths, flowerpots, buckets, old tires, children's toys and other outdoor containers where mosquitoes lay eggs. Trimming overgrown vegetation around homes can also help reduce mosquito activity.

To help prevent mosquito bites, the health department recommends using EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors during peak mosquito hours around dusk and dawn, and making sure window and door screens are in good repair.

Officials said reducing mosquito breeding around homes can help lower the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses throughout the community.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/l0RyumQ

Read More

Big Medicare change slashes weight-loss drug costs for eligible seniors

Millions of Medicare beneficiaries struggling with obesity could soon see the cost of weight-loss drugs plummet, as a new federal pilot program launching July 1 expands access to GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound for eligible seniors.

Through a new trial called Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, the federal government is now offering a selection of the brand-name medications to certain Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries for $50 a month, The Associated Press reported.

The covered medications include drugmaker Eli Lilly’s Foundayo tablets and Zepbound KwikPens and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy injections and tablets, all of which have been FDA-approved for weight loss, according to the report.

OZEMPIC USERS MAY BE MAKING A MAJOR WEIGHT-LOSS MISTAKE, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

The temporary program is set to run until the end of 2027.

This is the first time GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) will be covered by insurance when used solely for weight loss.

Prior to this new Medicare pilot, seniors who wanted to access GLP-1s for obesity alone paid about $1,350-$1,650 per month for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) and about $1,086 monthly for Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide). However, both manufacturers offered some cash-pay options that significantly reduced those prices for eligible patients.

GLP-1 WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS ARE RESHAPING THE BRIDAL INDUSTRY AS SHOPS RUSH ORDERS AND REQUIRE NEW WAIVERS

There are some parameters surrounding the coverage — older adults must have had a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher when they started GLP-1 therapy, or a BMI of 27 or higher alongside another health condition, such as a past heart attack or stroke or prediabetes.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Those who already have insurance coverage for other diseases, such as diabetes and sleep apnea, are not eligible for the program.

There are more than 70 million Americans currently enrolled in Medicare, 10 million of whom are overweight or obese, according to Juliette Cubanski, vice president and director of the program on Medicare policy at the healthcare research nonprofit KFF.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"For many older Americans living with obesity, this is a moment they and their families have been waiting for," Jamey Millar, Novo Nordisk’s executive vice president of U.S. operations, said in a press release.

"The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program offers a new, affordable path to an FDA-approved treatment that was previously not covered."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said he hopes the program can help his agency collect data to potentially work toward longer-term coverage, while providing immediate relief to cash-strapped older Americans, AP reported.

"The sheer cost of these medications is a huge barrier to access," he said in a call with reporters. "That ends today."

Oz told reporters that CMS plans to "carefully track participation and outcomes" to see whether an extension of the Bridge program or another solution is the best way to move forward. He told AP a federal law permanently allowing the coverage is "not essential right now" but something "for Congress to debate amongst themselves."

"We can’t decide what’s going to happen long term with Bridge until we see some of the data," he said, adding that there are ongoing talks with drug companies to lower costs.

One potential concern is that older patients tend to have more adverse effects to medication in general , according to Dr. Micah Eimer, a clinical assistant professor of cardiology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

"Specifically, in our research, older patients on blood pressure medications were more likely to experience hypotensive side effects, such as fainting and dizziness, after starting a GLP-1," he said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/eCGsOXA

Read More

American vaccines that transformed public health over 250 years: 'Outweighs harm'

Before the first successful vaccine was developed in 1796, Americans had little protection against deadly infectious diseases like smallpox, measles and diphtheria.

Over the next 250 years, vaccines helped eliminate or dramatically reduce many vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, preventing millions of illnesses, infections and deaths.

"There is a reason that vaccines are widely considered to be the greatest public health tool after sanitation," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital.

LATEST COVID VACCINE MAY HAVE UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFIT, STUDY SUGGESTS

"They are designed to ‘fool’ the immune system into thinking it has seen a disease, creating an ‘immune memory’ to provoke an immune response to the pathogen when it actually does appear."

"True vaccines have side effects, and there is the risk of vaccine injury — but overall, the benefit to the individual and society vastly outweighs any harm," Siegel added.

As the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary, the following vaccines stand out among the most significant medical achievements in the country's history.

Smallpox, a highly contagious viral disease caused by the variola virus, was one of the world's deadliest diseases before vaccination, killing about 30% of those infected, according to CDC data.

The infectious disease had no cure and spread through close person-to-person contact, causing fever, fatigue and a distinctive rash that led to pus-filled blisters. Survivors were often left with permanent scarring or blindness.

AI-DESIGNED 'UNIVERSAL VACCINE' PASSES FIRST HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL, COULD PREVENT FUTURE PANDEMICS

The first successful vaccine, developed by English physician Edward Jenner in 1796, eventually transformed public health in the United States.

Jenner's smallpox vaccine ultimately led to the global eradication of smallpox, according to the World Health Organization. The vaccine is no longer given routinely to the public and is mainly used for select military, laboratory and emergency-response needs.

"The first vaccine against smallpox eradicated a disease that killed 5-10% of all humans who had ever lived for almost all of human history," Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, told Fox News Digital. "Then the drumbeat began of relentless progress right at the eve of the 20th century."

A viral disease that attacks the brain and nervous system, rabies spreads through the saliva of infected mammals, most commonly through the bites of dogs, bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.

Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Although there is no cure, vaccination immediately after exposure can prevent the disease. It can also be given before exposure for people at high risk.

Researcher Louis Pasteur created the first rabies vaccine in 1885, according to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Today, prompt vaccination after exposure remains the standard way to prevent an otherwise almost universally fatal disease.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause a thick coating in the throat. It was fatal for some, and survivors could face serious complications, including heart damage, paralysis and breathing problems, according to the CDC.

Before the vaccine's introduction in the 1920s, diphtheria was one of the leading causes of illness and death among youth in the U.S. During that decade, there were 100,000 to 200,000 cases and 13,000 to 15,000 deaths recorded each year, mostly affecting children.

The diphtheria toxoid vaccine was introduced in the 1920s. Diphtheria is now extremely rare in the U.S. due to widespread vaccinations, per the CDC.

The vaccine remains part of the routine childhood immunization schedule as part of the DTaP series, with boosters recommended for teens, adults and pregnant women.

Tetanus is a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani, which enters the body through cuts or wounds, according to the CDC. The infection can cause severe muscle spasms, "lockjaw" and death.

Before vaccination, tetanus was often fatal because severe muscle spasms could make it impossible to swallow or breathe. Although the disease is not spread from person to person, hundreds of Americans died from tetanus each year, records show.

NEW WAYS TO PREVENT FLU REVEALED IN 'ACCIDENTAL' LAB BREAKTHROUGH, STUDY FINDS

The tetanus toxoid vaccine was developed in the 1920s, according to CHOP. Tetanus vaccination remains part of the routine childhood immunization schedule, with boosters recommended every 10 years and as needed following certain wounds.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits, often making it difficult to breathe, eat or sleep. Infants are at highest risk, as they can develop pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or even death.

Before widespread vaccination, the U.S. recorded more than 200,000 pertussis cases and thousands of youth hospitalizations each year, the CDC states.

The first pertussis vaccine was introduced in the 1910s, followed by the combination DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine in the 1940s.

After widespread vaccination, cases fell by more than 90% and deaths from the disease became uncommon. The pertussis vaccine remains part of the routine U.S. immunization schedule for children, teens and adults, and doctors recommend vaccination during pregnancy to pass protective antibodies to newborns.

This contagious viral respiratory illness can cause serious complications, hospitalization and death, CDC data shows.

Before the vaccine was available, seasonal flu epidemics caused widespread illness and death every year. During the 1918 influenza pandemic ("Spanish flu"), an estimated one-third of the world's population was infected and at least 50 million people died worldwide, including about 675,000 Americans.

'I THOUGHT I HAD THE FLU': MOM NEARLY DIED AFTER DISMISSING DEADLY SEPSIS SYMPTOMS

The first U.S. flu vaccine was licensed in 1945, helping launch routine seasonal influenza vaccination programs.

Widespread vaccination has significantly reduced the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receives a seasonal flu vaccine each year, with rare exceptions. The vaccine is updated annually to target changing strains.

Polio (poliomyelitis), a highly contagious viral disease caused by poliovirus, spreads mainly through contact with contaminated food, water or stool, per the CDC.

For some, the virus can attack the nervous system, causing permanent paralysis, breathing difficulties and death. During the early 1950s, more than 15,000 cases of paralytic polio were reported each year in the U.S.

In 1955, Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was introduced in the country, greatly reducing case counts. In 1979, the U.S. was declared free of wild poliovirus, according to the World Health Organization.

Injected polio vaccination is still part of the routine childhood U.S. immunization schedule.

Before vaccines, measles, mumps and rubella were common childhood diseases that infected millions of Americans and could cause serious complications.

Prior to the measles vaccine, nearly all American children contracted the highly contagious viral disease by age 15, according to the NIH. About 400 to 500 Americans died of measles each year, while about 1,000 experienced brain swelling and 48,000 were hospitalized, records show.

RARE TICK-BORNE VIRUS TURNS DEADLY FAST AS US CASES REACH RECORD HIGH, EXPERTS WARN

Before the first mumps vaccine, about 186,000 cases were reported in the U.S. each year, and the disease was a common cause of children's meningitis, per the NIH.

Rubella epidemics also regularly occurred in the U.S. before vaccination. Between 1964 and 1965, about 12.5 million Americans were infected, resulting in approximately 2,100 newborn deaths and 20,000 babies born with congenital rubella syndrome, causing blindness, deafness, heart defects and developmental disabilities.

The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, followed by mumps in 1967 and rubella in 1969. In 1971, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine became available, protecting against all three contagious viral diseases in a single shot. Prior to the combined vaccine, children typically had to receive three separate shots, the CDC noted.

Widespread vaccination has reduced cases of all three diseases by more than 99% in the United States, per NIH data.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, meaning it was no longer spreading continuously within the country. Routine vaccination also led to endemic rubella being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2004.

Hepatitis B, a viral infection that attacks the liver, is spread through contact with infected blood and other body fluids, according to the CDC.

Some people develop chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

HEPATITIS B IN THE SPOTLIGHT: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRAL INFECTION

Before vaccination, hepatitis B was a major public health threat in the U.S. In the early 1980s, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Americans contracted the infection each year, the NIH states. Infants infected at birth were at particularly high risk, with about 90% developing chronic infection.

The hepatitis B vaccine was licensed in 1981, and the CDC began recommending universal infant vaccination in 1991. Since then, acute hepatitis B cases have declined by more than 80% in the U.S., and infections among children and adolescents have fallen by more than 95%, per the NIH.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, bloodstream infections and severe throat swelling, per the CDC.

Severe cases can lead to hearing loss or brain damage.

Hib was once the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in young children in the U.S., with around 20,000 serious infections and 1,000 deaths reported each year in those 5 and younger.

The first Hib vaccine was licensed in 1985, with routine immunizations reducing invasive disease by more than 99%, according to CDC data. The infection is now rare in the U.S.

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus that causes an itchy, blister-like rash, fever and fatigue, according to the CDC.

In some people, it can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and bacterial skin infections.

Before the first chickenpox vaccine became available in the U.S. in 1995, about four million Americans were infected each year, with around 100 to 150 deaths and up to 13,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC and NIH.

Since routine two-dose childhood vaccination began, hospitalizations and deaths have declined by more than 90%, and severe complications have become rare, CDC data shows.

A highly contagious viral liver infection, hepatitis A spreads mainly through contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person, per the CDC.

While it does not cause chronic liver disease like hepatitis B, it can cause weeks or months of illness and, in rare cases, liver failure.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Before vaccination, outbreaks led to as many as 30,000 infections each year.

The first hepatitis A vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1995. Since routine childhood vaccination began, infection rates have dropped by more than 95%, according to the NIH.

Pneumococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, bloodstream infections, ear infections and sinus infections, the CDC states.

Before vaccination, pneumococcal disease caused thousands of cases of meningitis and bloodstream infections and hundreds of deaths among young children, per the NIH. Older adults also faced a high risk of hospitalization from bacterial pneumonia.

The first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was licensed in 2000. Routine childhood vaccination has dramatically reduced disease rates, and newer vaccines have been developed to protect against emerging bacterial strains.

The most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., the human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar and oropharyngeal cancers, according to the CDC.

The HPV vaccine was licensed in 2006, becoming the first immunization designed to prevent multiple types of cancer.

SHINGLES VACCINE CONNECTED TO ‘EXCITING’ HEALTH BENEFITS IN LARGE STUDY

Since the vaccine became available, HPV infections, precancers and genital warts have declined significantly, CDC data shows.

HPV vaccination is now part of the routine U.S. immunization schedule, with two doses recommended for those younger than 15 and three doses for those 15 and older.

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects infants and young children, causing severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

Before the vaccine became available in 2006, nearly every child contracted the virus by age 5, often leading to severe dehydrating diarrhea, the CDC states. Up to 70,000 children were hospitalized and 20 to 60 died each year in the U.S.

Since routine rotavirus vaccination began, hospitalizations, emergency room visits and severe illness have declined significantly. Infants receive two or three oral doses as part of the routine immunization schedule.

Shingles is a painful rash caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox, per the CDC. It can cause severe nerve pain lasting months or even years.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Before the vaccine was available, about one million Americans developed shingles each year, with adults over age 50 at highest risk.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The first shingles vaccine was licensed in 2006, and the more effective Shingrix vaccine was introduced in 2017, greatly reducing the risk of shingles and long-term nerve pain, according to the CDC and FDA.

Experts recommend two doses for adults 50 and older and for certain immunocompromised adults ages 19 and older.

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide in 2020, there was no vaccine to prevent severe illness from the infection, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

In the U.S., the contagious virus caused millions of hospitalizations and more than 1.2 million deaths, according to data from the CDC and NIH.

The first COVID-19 vaccines received emergency authorization in December 2020. Multiple studies have shown that the vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death, particularly among high-risk groups.

"COVID vaccines saved millions of lives around the world during the COVID pandemic," Siegel said.

Although the CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination, specific guidance varies by age, risk level and previous vaccination history.

Glanville, whose company is currently working to develop a universal flu vaccine, among others, summed up the impact of these and other vaccines in America.

"To truly understand the impact that vaccines have had in the last 100 years, read through the list of pathogens along the timeline until they become familiar to you, until they include things you or your family may have been infected by in your own life," he advised. "You may barely even recognize most of the pathogens in the first half of the list – because vaccines pushed them out of the human experience. That is the power of vaccines."

People should contact a doctor to discuss individual recommendations for vaccines, which can vary by age, health status, medical history and risk factors.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/8Q1HdpG

Read More

America's national parks could add years to your life — here's how they boost health

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, many Americans are taking extra notice of all the things the country has to offer.

One such case is our access to vast wilderness. Today, the nation's national parks are bustling tourist attractions, but they may also serve as vital resources for public health, experts say.

The most immediate health boost comes from physical movement.

HIKERS FACE URGENT GRAND CANYON HEAT WARNING AFTER TEEN’S DEATH ON POPULAR TRAIL

Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that regular physical activity is crucial for reducing obesity, improving sleep quality and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses.

The nation's public lands include parks, trails and open spaces that encourage outdoor recreation and physical activity.

A review by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) found that implementing park, trail and greenway infrastructure directly increases physical activity across communities.

AMERICA'S LIFESPAN HAS DOUBLED SINCE 1776 — EXPERTS REVEAL WHAT CHANGED

When people walk, hike or bike through national parks, they are actively lowering their blood pressure, boosting immune function and reducing overall mortality, data shows.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Beyond physical fitness, national parks may contribute to documented mental health benefits.

Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.

This research also shows that natural environments boost attention span, combat mental fatigue and improve cognitive performance.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Parks also act as natural venues for mindfulness and social connection.

Research shows that practicing mindfulness in quiet outdoor spaces lowers stress and mitigates feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Additionally, because parks protect cultural and historical resources, they can inspire lifelong learning.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

According to the data, engaging in educational activities and lifelong learning preserves brain function, improves memory and helps stave off age-related cognitive decline.

The National Park Service was established in 1916 to conserve the nation's natural and historic resources for future generations, according to the organization.

Today, that mission has expanded, as parks are recognized not only for their scenic and cultural value, but also the opportunities they provide for recreation and physical activity.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/8pdtJSl

Read More

Americans are giving up multivitamins for a different daily health habit, study finds

Americans are popping more supplements – and fewer multivitamins – than ever before, a new study found.

Research published in JAMA Network Open, led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, looked at 25 years of U.S. dietary supplement use data from 1999 to 2023.

This included more than 63,000 adults over the age of 20 who reported their supplement usage.

AGING COULD SLOW DOWN WITH ONE COMMON DAILY HABIT: 'LIVE LONGER AND BETTER'

When tracking patterns over time, the analysis revealed that overall supplement use increased from 51% of U.S. adults to 60%. The largest rise – from 62% to 78% – was identified in adults 65 and older.

Supplement use was found to be more common in women, people with a higher income or education, and those with insurance.

During the same period, multivitamin use decreased from 35% to 31%, while intake of vitamins and minerals outside of multivitamins increased.

Some of the largest increases in intake were seen in vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 and turmeric. Other emerging supplements include ashwagandha, elderberry, collagen, hyaluronic acid, probiotics and prebiotics, according to the research.

'WILD WEST' PEPTIDE CRAZE SURGES BEYOND GLP-1S AS FDA FACES PRESSURE TO EASE ACCESS

The later post-pandemic period saw an influx of immune support-based products, like zinc and vitamin D (outside of multivitamins).

The rise in supplement use aligns with the longevity movement, as more people seek products tailored to specific health goals, such as immune support, inflammation, gut health, skin health and joint health.

The study only shows that people are taking more supplements, but does not prove that they're effective for these uses, the researchers noted.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein gave her take on the emerging supplement movement.

"I love that people are getting more educated and more intentional – I just wish they were being advised by more doctors and dietitians and less by ‘wellness influencers’ who are likely not doing the due diligence on the quality and efficacy of the supplements they’re promoting," she said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Muhlstein expressed concern that all-in-one-multivitamin use has "slipped," despite the rise in GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

"A multivitamin is where I think people should start as the foundation to help bridge nutrient gaps, especially for people on a GLP-1 who are eating about 15% to 30% less, and therefore likely consuming 15% to 30% less vitamins and minerals," she said. "I recommend that everyone on a GLP-1 medication [should] take a multivitamin daily."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

A daily probiotic, magnesium and vitamin D3 are also "smart for many of us," the nutritionist added. She also recommends elderberry as an effective supplement for boosting the immune system when fighting a cold.

Collagen has also been shown to benefit the skin and joints, which Muhlstein said is "worth considering as we get older."

"My real concern is the unregulated market," she cautioned. "I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve received over the years of people pitching me new supplements ... because the margins are high and the market is huge."

"That’s why I’m extremely picky about what I take and what I recommend to my family and clients."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Muhlstein warned against taking a supplement that hasn't gone through third-party testing for safety and quality.

"The best ones go further and test for pesticides, arsenic and heavy metals, especially for protein powders," she said. "If a product has many ingredients, I like to see that they do testing on each individual ingredient."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/9uVnTGA

Read More