Posts Tagged ‘cold’

The Procter & Gamble Company announced a voluntary recall of 700,000 units of Vicks Dayquil cold medicine today due to the lack of child-proof packaging. The product (which is not recommended for children under 12 years of age) is advertised as being contained in child-resistant packaging, but no child-proof backing was applied to the blister packs. The recall affects all DayQuil Cold & Flu 24-Count LiquiCaps Bonus Packs containing the UPC code 3 23900 01087 1. These packages can be identified by the by the yellow flag located in the top right corner of the box that advertises a “Bonus of 20 Percent More”. No other DayQuil or Vicks products are affected. Those who purchased these items can contact Procter and Gamble Company for either a refund or replacement coupon by calling 1-800-251-3374. Information is also available at www.vicks.com. [via HealthNews]

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A team of researchers from University of Wisconsin and the University of Maryland reported that they have sequenced the genomes of all 99 cataloged human rhinoviruses, the viruses that cause the common cold. Knowing the sequences of the viral genomes will allow us to understand the virus, its evolution, structure and vulnerabilities. Eventually, this may pave the way for development of drugs that will

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The recent cold snap in America’s Midwest has prompted inquiries to the Iowa Department of Public Health regarding the length of time it takes for skin to freeze in the predicted winter chill today – some areas are predicting temperatures as low as 40F below zero with the wind chill factor. In these conditions, exposed skin could freeze within 10 minutes, causing frostbite. Frostbite most often affects parts of the body that are most difficult to maintain warmth including the fingers, nose, ears, toes, cheeks, and chin. When frostbite occurs it can cause tingling, numbness, and grayish discoloration in the affected area.  It can also permanently damage the skin, causing scarring, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

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Is it true that up to 45 percent of your body heat is lost through your head? Apparently not. The British Medical Journal reports this week that this myth has be debunked by researchers at Indiana University. The medical myth was traced back to advise published in a US Army Field Manual from 1970 which was based on flawed interpretation of US Military experiments in which subjects dressed in arctic survival suits (without hats) were exposed to cold temperatures. Since their heads were the only part of their bodies left uncovered, scientists wrongfully assumed that the head was the source of the majority of heat loss when, in fact, heat loss can occur through a variety of thermoregulatory mechanisms – conduction, convection, radiation. If the myth were true, they say, humans would be just as cold if they went without a hat as if they went without pants. The actual amount of heat loss depends roughly on the body surface area that is exposed.

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It was just last week when the FDA rejected an immediate ban on cold and cough medications for young children, citing concerns that parents would instead give adult medicines to their kids, which could lead to serious side effects. Today, in a voluntary concession to pediatricians, drug companies are advising that children under 4 should not be given over-the-counter cold and cough drugs, in addition to antihistamines. These drugs can cause side effects ranging from hives, drowsiness, to unsteadiness. Leading pediatrics groups have been advocating the ban of these drugs because there is no evidence that they work for children under 6. US families spend over $286 million each year on these remedies, which lead to 7,000 emergency room visits per year due to side effects. Read more. Share your perspective.

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