Three Things You Should Know About the Medical World...This Week

The Flu Shot is less effective this year
by: Sam B

 

Every year the the flu virus goes around and makes many sick. Most people get the Flu Vaccine so they have a less likely chance of getting sick. The Flu shot is known to help prevent people from getting sick. However this year that is not the case. The center for disease control said that the flu shot is not as effective as it has been in the past because the current strain of the virus has mutated. This means that since the virus has changed you are still able to get it because your body is fighting off  a different form of the virus through the vaccine. Dr. Tom Frieden said, "we could have a season that is more severe than most with more hospitalizations." When they tested some on the samples of the virus 22 out of 85 were collected and were tested and found out to be different than the original virus.

Since we are more likely to get the virus now that the flu shot we have gotten this year may not match the flu virus going around everyone should be careful and try to stay away from anyone who may have the flu.

Paul Allen Pledges $100 Million for Cell Science
by: Sam B



Paul Allen is a big contributor to cell science. In the Allen Institute of Cell Science names after Paul Allen they are creating Models of IPS cells or skin cells that form the inner lining of the organs or skin. What they are trying to do is see what goes wrong in diseased cells and potentially for growing replacement tissues. This research and testing is all about timing. If they can see what is going wrong and then test for these diseased early enough than they may be able to help. With this research they can also predict what therapies will work best to counter diseases or even how to get rid of the disease in the first place.

This could effect any one of our lives on the future. This could help same a loved ones life or even out own.

Reducing Deaths from Lung Cancer
by: Sam B



Through the Affordable Care Act and if draft recommendations are adopted soon through Medicare we can reduce the number of deaths from lung cancer. Lung cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Americans today and it is found in both men and women. There is 16% that are diagnosed that live 5 years after the original diagnosis. The problem is that when people are diagnosed it is already to late. 70% are diagnosed in the advanced stages and only 30% are lucky enough to get diagnosed in stages 1 or 2 when there is time to treat it. Since there are so many people who are diagnosed to late there will be many that will be eligible for free CT exam that will hopefully help catch more cases in the earlier stages when they will have a chance.

This is so important to hear about because everyone who is able to should get one of these tests. It could be the difference between life and death. Also encourage people to go get tested because you or your loved ones life could be effected.