A potentially deadly germ has made its way to the U.S. Gulf Coast, health officials warned this week. So far, three cases of infection from the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria causes melioidosis, which can be fatal if left untreated. “It is an environmental organism that lives naturally in the soil, and typically freshwater in certain areas around the world. Mostly in subtropical and tropical climates,” said Julia Petras, an epidemic intelligence service officer with CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. The most recent case was reported in Mississippi in January, following two previous cases in the same county in Mississippi in July 2020 and May 2022. Melioidosis is now considered endemic to the U.S. Gulf Coast and infections may be seen from Texas to Florida, Petras said. But because most people exposed to B. mallei don’t have symptoms of the infection and develop antibodies against it, many more people have most likely been infected, she said. All three patients who were infected responded to treatment and recovered, Petras said. The most common ways the bacterium infects people is through open wounds or by being inhaled during a severe storm with high winds. It can also be ingested by drinking contaminated water, she noted. Those most at risk for a…  read on >  read on >

(HealthDay News) – Smokers in Canada will soon see health warnings on each and every cigarette they light up.. The country will be the first in the world to print these warnings directly on individual cigarettes. “This bold step will make health warning messages virtually unavoidable, and together with updated graphic images displayed on the package, will provide a real and startling reminder of the health consequences of smoking,” Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said in a Health Canada news release announcing the new labeling. “We will continue to do whatever it takes to help more people in Canada stop smoking and help young people to live healthy, tobacco-free lives.” Tobacco use kills about 48,000 Canadians each year, Bennett noted. The changes are intended to help adults quit smoking and to protect youth and non-tobacco users from nicotine addiction. Retailers and smokers will start to see these new messages on cigarette packaging by the end of April 2024. They will appear on individual king-size cigarettes by late July 2024 and on regular cigarettes, little cigars with tipping paper and tubes by the end of April 2025. Messages will include such phrases as “tobacco smoke harms children” and “poison in every puff,” the Associated Press reported. The regulations will support Canada’s Tobacco Strategy, which has set a target of reaching less than…  read on >  read on >

Kids who devote some of their free time to volunteer work may not only help others, but also themselves. That’s according to a new study that found U.S. kids who spend time in community service are often thriving, physically and mentally. Overall, kids who’d volunteered in the past year were in better physical health, had a more positive outlook on life, and were less likely to have anxiety, depression or behavioral problems than their peers who did not do volunteer work. The findings, published May 30 in the journal JAMA Network Open, do not answer the chicken-and-egg question, researchers noted: Kids who were already high on the well-being scale may have been more apt to volunteer. “We can’t say this is cause-and-effect,” said lead researcher Kevin Lanza, an assistant professor at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. That said, Lanza thinks the findings set the stage for a study that follows kids over time, to see whether volunteerism promotes better physical and mental well-being down the road. There are, of course, already plenty of reasons to encourage volunteerism, Lanza pointed out. But if it also benefits young volunteers’ well-being, then it would be a “win-win,” he said. “There could be a great opportunity to promote volunteering as a public health measure,” Lanza said. Many studies over the years have linked volunteerism to better physical and…  read on >  read on >

Large, uncontrolled wildfires in Nova Scotia are creating unhealthy air in the Northeast region of the United States, including parts of Connecticut. This significant smoke plume is likely to cause elevated levels of fine particulate matter, the American Lung Association warned in its alert. Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The lung association also offered tips for everyone — but especially children, older adults and people with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — to stay well despite the poor air quality. Start by staying indoors. If you live close to these areas where there is fire and a lot of smoke, stay inside to avoid breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution in the area. Keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut, preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting. Watch your symptoms. With higher smoke levels, breathing can be more difficult. Call your doctor if you experience these symptoms. Protect your children and teens, who are more susceptible to smoke. They breathe in more air — and more pollution — into their developing lungs for their size than adults do. Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed…  read on >  read on >

When most men think about their prostate, it’s to worry about whether they have prostate cancer or not. But another condition is far more common and plenty painful. Prostatitis involves inflammation of the prostate gland and sometimes the areas around it. Not only is prostatitis highly treatable, but it is highly prevalent among men. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, it is the leading cause of urinary tract infections in men, resulting in approximately 2 million doctor’s visits each year in the United States. In fact, it’s estimated that half of all men will experience prostatitis at some point. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics further reveals that about 25% of men who seek medical attention for urological problems exhibit symptoms of prostatitis. Here, experts give the rundown on prostatitis, including its various types, causes, common symptoms and available treatments. What is prostatitis? Prostatitis, a condition characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland, is known for its frequent and often debilitating pain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is a complex condition that can lead to various symptoms, including infection, inflammation and pain. Two types of prostatitis are associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), while the remaining types may not have an infectious origin. Regardless of the type, prostatitis is commonly recognized for the intense pain its sufferers feel, which can significantly impact…  read on >  read on >

When it comes to mental health, men don’t always seek help when they need it. But maybe they should. June is Men’s Mental Health Month, so here are the most common mental health conditions men experience, the symptoms that may differ in men vs. women and what resources are available for those seeking treatment options. Common mental health conditions in men According to Mental Health America, the most common men’s mental health conditions are: Depression and suicide Anxiety Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Psychosis and schizophrenia Substance abuse “It’s a sign of strength to talk about these issues with your health care provider, counselor or a supportive family member or friend,” Piedmont Healthcare family medicine physician Dr. Siraj Abdullah said in a recent story. “As men, we tend to let stress build up until it affects our mental and physical health. Talking about your mental health is a way to take care of your body.” How men’s mental health symptoms may show up differently from women The reasons that mental health symptoms can be different for men and women are complex, according to Kathryn McHugh, chief of psychology at McLean Hospital in Boston. She noted in an article that “biology is not the only piece of the puzzle. There are also many social and cultural factors that play a role in mental health and wellness, such…  read on >  read on >

You’re due for a prostate exam, but you don’t know what to expect. So, what is this exam like? Regular check-ups are essential for maintaining your health, and a prostate exam is crucial to preventive care for men. Not only is it a screening test for early signs of prostate cancer, but it also helps detect other potential health issues. Here, experts walk you through what a prostate exam entails, when to consider scheduling one, how to prepare, and what the results might mean for you. So, dive in and learn more about this medical examination that every man should get at some point in his life. What is a prostate exam? Per the Cleveland Clinic, a prostate exam is a screening method to detect early signs of prostate cancer. Typically, the exam involves two main components: a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a digital rectal exam. The PSA blood test measures the levels of PSA in the bloodstream. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PSA is a substance produced by the prostate gland, and higher levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, it’s important to note that elevated PSA levels can also be caused by other prostate-related conditions and factors such as age and race. Medical procedures, medications, an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection can all…  read on >  read on >