Health Headlines - December 12

Aventis, Chiron to Test Bird Flu Vaccine on Humans

Aventis-Pasteur and Chiron Corp are due to start human testing of a vaccine against bird flu as early as this month, a World Health Organization official said on Saturday, to try to prevent a pandemic that could kill millions of people.

Most School-Aged Children Have Imaginary Friends

Approximately 65 percent of young children befriend imaginary companions, and nearly one-third continue to play with them through age 7, new research shows.

More 'Superbug' Infections Seen in ER Patients

Among patients treated at urban public hospital emergency rooms for skin and soft-tissue infections, more and more often the cause appears to be the antibiotic-resistant 'superbug' known as MRSA, new research shows.

Kids with Epilepsy Don't Usually Die of Seizures

Children with epilepsy have a moderately increased risk of dying early, but the cause of death is not usually related to seizures, investigators report. Rather, the increased risk appears to be more closely related to severe underlying conditions.

Anorexia Consequences Need Vigilant Monitoring

Because adolescent girls with anorexia frequently develop hormonal, blood and bone density abnormalities, they require intensive clinical monitoring, according to a new report.

Abnormal Pap Smears Common in Women with Lupus

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are more likely to have an abnormal Pap test result than other women, according to a new report. This is important because abnormal smears can be associated with cervical cancer.

Test Predicts Who Will Benefit From Chemo

A genetic profiling test already on the market accurately predicts which breast cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy and which won't, giving women a powerful tool to help decide whether to undergo the ordeal, scientists report.

Mobile Gadgets Measure Meals on the Go

The most popular dieting brands are now weighing in with calorie counters and nutritional guides designed for personal digital assistants and combination PDA-mobile phones. Just in time for the season of bountiful temptation.

Firms Want to Sell OTC Cholesterol Drugs

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said on Friday it will ask federal regulators to allow it to sell its cholesterol-lowering medicine, Pravachol, without a prescription.

Fewer Teens Engaging in Sex, Study Finds

Fewer teens are engaging in sexual activity than in the past, and those that do are more likely to use contraceptives, the government said Friday.

Hospitals Cover Up LiveStrong Bracelets

A hospital chain is taping over patients' LiveStrong wristbands because they are yellow — the same color as the "do not resuscitate" bands it puts on patients who do not want to be saved if their heart stops.

Some Babies at Greater Risk for SIDS

A baby's lack of experience sleeping on his or her stomach may be linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a new study claims.