Health
Is COVID still a threat? Here is a worldwide update on the coronavirus pandemic
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The UK medicines regulator (MHRA) has given the primary approval of a variant-adapted vaccine by U.S. drug firm Moderna that targets each the unique and Omicron model of the virus.
Demise and Infections
* Eikon customers, click on on COVID-19: MacroVitals for a case tracker and abstract of stories.
CORONAVIRUS MAP | FOX NEWS
Asia-Pacific
* About 2.3 million folks within the Philippines had been pushed into poverty between 2018 and 2021, rising to a complete of virtually 20 million, or 18.1% of the inhabitants, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) mentioned.
* China’s monetary hub Shanghai mentioned on Sunday it could reopen all faculties together with kindergartens, main and center faculties on Sept. 1 after months of closures.
* Greater than 60,000 folks thronged Sydney’s streets on Sunday for an annual highway operating occasion and mass celebration that returned for the primary time because the COVID-19 pandemic started.
* North Korea has dropped a face masks mandate and different social distancing guidelines as chief Kim Jong Un declared victory over COVID-19 this week, state media mentioned on Saturday, three months after its first acknowledgement of the virus outbreak within the remoted nation.
* Mainland China reported 2,478 new COVID circumstances for Aug. 14, of which 770 had been symptomatic and 1,708 had been asymptomatic, the Nationwide Well being Fee mentioned on Monday.
* Shanghai reported 5 new domestically transmitted asymptomatic circumstances for Aug. 14, the identical as a day earlier, whereas one native symptomatic case was reported, up from zero the day earlier than, the town authorities mentioned on Monday.
DEATH RATES SOAR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AS COVID-19 WAVE SPREADS
America
* U.S. CDC says Omicron subvariant BA.5 represents 88.8% of complete circumstances within the nation, as of week ended Aug. 13.
Financial Affect
* China’s central financial institution reduce key lending charges in a shock transfer to revive demand as information confirmed the financial system unexpectedly slowing in July, with manufacturing unit and retail exercise squeezed by Beijing’s zero-COVID coverage and a property disaster.
* Asian shares turned combined on Monday after China’s central financial institution trimmed key lending charges after financial information missed forecasts, underlining the necessity for extra stimulus to assist the world’s second largest financial system. [MKTS/GLOB]
* China’s financial system unexpectedly slowed in July, with exercise indicators from industrial output to retail gross sales lacking forecasts by massive margins, pointing to a shaky restoration as Beijing reveals no signal of easing its zero-COVID coverage.
* New financial institution lending in China fell greater than anticipated in July whereas broad credit score development slowed, as recent COVID flare-ups, worries about jobs and a deepening property disaster made firms and customers cautious of taking over extra debt.
* Japan’s financial system rebounded at a slower-than-expected tempo within the second quarter from a COVID-induced droop, information confirmed on Monday, highlighting uncertainty on whether or not consumption will develop sufficient to bolster a much-delayed, fragile restoration.
* Thailand’s financial system expanded on the quickest tempo in a 12 months within the second quarter as eased restrictions boosted exercise and tourism.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC TRIGGERED ‘ECONOMIC CONTAGION,’ COSTING WORLD’S ECONOMY $3.8T AND LEAVING 147M UNEMPLOYED
Medical Affect
* Round 25 million kids world wide missed out on routine vaccinations that defend in opposition to life-threatening ailments in 2021, the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Well being Group (WHO) discovered. The 2 organizations mentioned the shortfall was the results of disruption to well being care globally throughout the pandemic.
* Novavax mentioned it had submitted an software with the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration looking for authorization for booster doses of its vaccine.
* India’s Bharat Biotech has accomplished scientific growth for Section III trials and booster doses for intranasal vaccine.
NOVAVAX COVID-19 VACCINE FOR ADULTS ENDORSED BY CDC
Health
Supercharge your immune system with these 10 foods
Did you know that some foods can help boost your immune system naturally and work to keep you healthy? In this article, learn how to incorporate the best immunity-boosting foods into your diet – and why these foods in particular help protect your health.
Nature’s best illness fighters
Many foods you’ll find at your local grocery store can help keep you healthy throughout the year. These 10 common foods top the list.
1. Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain selenium, deficiency of which may cause increased susceptibility to contracting a virus, as found in a study published in Nutrients journal. The riboflavin and niacin found in mushrooms are also important for a healthy immune system.
FIGHT COLD AND FLU WITH THESE 10 IMMUNE-BOOSTING RECIPES FROM A TEXAS REGISTERED DIETITIAN
Try adding a handful of mushrooms to your pasta sauce, scrambled eggs and omelets, or throw them on top of a homemade pizza. Mushrooms are also delicious, simply sautéed or roasted with a little olive oil and salt and pepper.
2. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes and other orange foods like carrots, squash and pumpkin contain the antioxidant beta-carotene. This is a form of vitamin A that is essential for keeping your skin strong and able to fight off bacteria and viruses.
“Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and protects you from infections by supporting immune system cells and barriers that keep the bad stuff out,” said Kara Lydon, a dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and author of the e-book Nourish Your Namaste: How Nutrition and Yoga Can Support Digestion, Immunity, Energy and Relaxation. “One sweet potato has over 380% of the daily value for vitamin A.”
Try cutting sweet potatoes into strips and baking them coated in a little olive oil, salt and pepper to make a healthy homemade version of French fries.
Or, for a major time-saving hack, learn how to cook a sweet potato in the microwave, then simply top it with a little butter and cinnamon for an easy side dish.
3. Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E, another antioxidant responsible for supporting the immune system. Grab a handful – 1/4 cup – to get 50% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin E.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt contains live and active cultures called probiotics. These can help stimulate the immune system and keep our gut and intestinal tract healthy and free of disease-causing bacteria.
Any yogurt with a Live and Active Cultures seal contains some beneficial bugs. You can see them in the ingredients list as well.
Dairy products, like yogurt, also tend to be good sources of vitamin D; a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of contracting a cold or the flu.
5. Leafy greens
Leafy greens like spinach and kale are rich in a whole host of nutrients, including fiber, antioxidants and folate, which is especially important for immune function, as per a study in The Journal of Immunology.
Both spinach and kale leaves are great tossed into a salad with another lighter, crunchier green, like romaine, for texture variance. Spinach leaves are also an excellent replacement for less nutrient-dense iceberg lettuce on a sandwich.
You can also use spinach and kale in fruit smoothies – just be sure to use only the leaves of the kale, not the bitter stems.
If you’re more a fan of savory, crunchy snacks, give a baked kale chips recipe a try – they are easy to make and surprisingly delicious.
6. Tea
Green and black tea contain polyphenols and flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help fight disease. In addition, an amino acid that’s responsible for an immune boost, L-theanine, is abundant in both black and green tea. Decaf versions have it, too.
Drink several unsweetened cups per day to reap the benefits. To get more antioxidants from your tea bags, bob them up and down while they brew.
7. Cabbage
This inexpensive winter vegetable is a source of glutamine, which has been noted by many studies, including one in Nutrients journal, to strengthen the immune system. Try it in your winter soups and stews, or throw shredded raw cabbage into your wraps or salads to add a nice crunch that won’t change the flavor profile of the meal.
8. Garlic
In addition to warding off vampires, garlic also contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria with its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Minced garlic is great sautéed with spinach and a little olive oil for a simple side dish, and minced garlic is also a delicious addition to homemade salsa. Tip: buy garlic pre-minced to save time and mess.
9. Barley and oats
These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities that have been found to stimulate the immune system. According to a study published in Physiology & Behavior, beta-glucan can help prime the immune system and support resistance against invading pathogens.
Barley is a great addition to soups and salads thanks to its wonderfully chewy texture, and oats can make an easy and nutritious breakfast.
If you’re looking for a breakfast that’s ready for you when you wake up, give overnight oats with almond milk a try – a few minutes of quick prep the night before will have breakfast ready and waiting by morning.
10. Fish
Selenium, which is especially plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs and clams, helps white blood cells produce cytokines-proteins that help clear flu viruses out of the body.
In addition, salmon, mackerel and herring are rich in omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation and increase airflow, protecting lungs from colds and respiratory infections.
Mix canned salmon with half a mashed avocado, a spoonful of Dijon mustard, and a spoonful of mayonnaise to make a flavorful and nutrient-dense salmon salad that’s great in a wrap, on a sandwich or simply with crackers.
Takeaways
Boosting your immune system with the foods that you eat is more accessible than you might think – and more important, too.
“Research shows that various nutrient deficiencies – vitamins A, C, E, B, D, selenium, zinc, iron, copper and folic acid – can increase your susceptibility to disease,” said Lydon. “In fact, malnutrition is the most common cause of immune-deficiency in the world, so making sure you’re eating adequately is key for immune health.”
Stock up on these natural illness fighters – mushrooms, sweet potatoes, almonds, yogurt, leafy greens, green and black tea, cabbage, garlic, barley and oats and fish – on your next trip to the grocery store.
Health
These medications could make driving dangerous, the FDA warns
It’s become common knowledge that drinking and driving don’t mix — but should you get behind the wheel after popping a pill?
It depends on the type of medication, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
While most medicines are safe to take on the go, some may cause side effects that can interfere with the ability to operate a vehicle or heavy machinery, the agency warned in a notice on its website.
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These side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, lack of coordination, nausea, inability to focus or pay attention, and excitability, the FDA noted.
“Some medicines can affect your driving for a short time after you take them,” the notice stated. “For others, the effects can last for several hours and even into the next day.”
Some medicines come with a warning to not operate a vehicle or operate heavy machinery for a certain period of time after taking them.
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“Many different types of medications — such as antipsychotics, anti-epileptic medications, stimulants, muscle relaxants, opioids, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, some antidepressants, and even over-the-counter medications like antihistamines — can cause side effects that impair mental and motor functions, including fatigue, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, delayed reaction times and visual impairment,” Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company, told Fox News Digital.
“These side effects significantly reduce alertness and clear vision, which are crucial for safely driving and performing everyday tasks,” she added.
Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, noted that central nervous system depressants can be particularly dangerous for driving — as these medications exert their effects by calming the brain.
“Side effects associated with this calming include sleepiness, loss of focus and fuzzy thinking,” she told Fox News Digital.
WHEN SHOULD OLDER DRIVERS HAVE TO STOP DRIVING?
“Common examples of this class are medications for muscle spasms (muscle relaxants), pain (opioids), seizures (anti-seizure medications) and anxiety (benzodiazepines).”
Two other classes of medications that have sedating effects are antihistamines used for allergy control and anticholinergics used for bladder control and chronic pain, Johnson added.
Medications that don’t mix with driving
The FDA website includes the following list of medications that could make it dangerous to drive.
- Antipsychotic medicines
- Anti-seizure medicines (antiepileptic drugs)
- Diet pills, “stay awake” medicines and other stimulants, including caffeine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
- Medicines that treat or control symptoms of diarrhea and urine or bladder control
- Medicines that treat or prevent symptoms of motion sickness
- Muscle relaxants
- Opioids, including some cough suppressants containing codeine and hydrocodone
- Prescription medicines for anxiety (for example, benzodiazepines)
- Sleeping pills
- Some antidepressants
- Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies and allergy medicines that contain antihistamines, nighttime sleep aids or cough medicines
- Products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD
Taking sleep medicines at night can sometimes cause impaired driving the next day, the FDA warned.
“If you take sleep drugs, talk with your health care professional about ways to take the lowest effective dose, when to take the medicines before bedtime, and when it would be safe to drive again after taking a sleep medicine,” the agency advised.
WHY SOME SENIORS SHOULD SIGN ‘DRIVING CONTRACTS’ AND AGREE TO HANG UP THEIR CAR KEYS
Allergy medications may contain antihistamines that can also impede driving ability, the FDA added.
“Antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don’t feel drowsy.”
Johnson said the impact of medications on driving abilities may vary from person to person.
“One person may feel no sleepiness with an antihistamine, while another may feel sleepy the whole day,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Seeing how a medication affects you is important to know before driving on it.”
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In her practice, Johnson said she tells her patients to try a new medication when they don’t have plans to drive — so they can see how it affects them and avoid a dangerous situation.
“The risk of medications impairing driving increases if you are on multiple medications with sedating side effects and with older adults,” she added.
Preventing impaired driving
For those who are taking medications, it’s recommended to consult with a health care professional for guidance related to driving.
For over-the-counter medicines, the agency recommends always following directions for use and reading the warnings on the Drug Facts label.
For prescription medications, the agency recommends following the directions and warnings on packaging, as well as reading the FDA-approved labeling.
“Your health care professional might be able to change your dose, adjust the timing of when you take the medicine, or switch the medicine to one that causes fewer side effects for you,” the FDA stated.
It’s also important to tell your doctor about other medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking, as it’s possible that they could impact any side effects.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Health
Your Guide to Ozempic and the New Weight-Loss Drugs: Top Experts + Real Women Tell All
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