Health Headlines - February 13

New York Warns of Fast, Resistant Strain of HIV

One day after the discovery of a drug-resistant, fast-developing AIDS case in New York prompted city health officials to announce an alert, leading experts said on Saturday there may be little cause for alarm.

People Can Change Some Stroke Risk Factors

High blood pressure is a big risk factor for stroke, but people with normal blood pressure can have a stroke. In a new study, researchers have identified other key determinants of this debilitating neurologic problem.

Health Agency Chief Seeks Conflict Summit

The head of the U.S. National Institutes of Health said he wants government and academic leaders to meet to address conflicts of interest in medical research, the Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday.

Brain-Damaged Woman Talks After 20 Years

For 20 years, Sarah Scantlin has been mostly oblivious to the world around her - the victim of a drunken driver who struck her down as she walked to her car. Today, after a remarkable recovery, she can talk again.

FDA Studying Safety of Arthritis Drugs

Vioxx and other pain-relieving drugs have given many people with chronic pain the chance to resume normal lives. But an increase in heart attacks among users of the popular arthritis drug led the manufacturer to pull it from the market.

Worry Spreads Over GI Drug Side Effects

Some current or former troops sent to Iraq claim that Lariam, the commercial name for the anti-malarial drug mefloquine, has provoked disturbing and dangerous behavior. The families of some troops blame the drug for the suicides of their loved ones.

Health Experts Worry on Czech Drinking

Drinking is a national pastime in this beer-loving country, and health experts worry they have trouble on their hands: A growing number of underaged youths, some as young as 10, are hitting the bottle regularly.

Rare Drug-Resistant HIV Found in NYC

City health officials are working to track down sex partners of a man diagnosed with a rare strain of highly drug-resistant HIV that progressed rapidly to AIDS.

Amgen Will Stop Providing Parkinson's Drug

Amgen Inc. said it would stop giving an experimental drug for Parkinson's disease to 48 people who received it as part of a trial because tests found it worked no better than a placebo.

U.S. allows Adderall, as Canada suspends drug

U.S. drug regulators will allow sale of Adderall to treat hyperactive children and attention deficit disorder, although Canada has halted sales amid concerns about its safety.