Health trends

First child-meningococcal vaccine approved

The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of Menactra in children as young as nine months for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. Menactra already is approved for use in people ages two through 55 years. Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening illness caused by bacteria that infect the bloodstream (sepsis) and the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of meningitis in young children.

Even with appropriate antibiotics and intensive care, between 10 and 15 per cent of people who develop meningococcal disease die from the infection. Another 10 to 20 per cent suffer complications such as brain damage or loss of limb or hearing. Although the rates of meningococcal disease are low in the United States, infants and toddlers are more susceptible to getting this serious illness. Meningococcal disease is particularly dangerous because it progresses rapidly and can cause death within hours. Early symptoms are often difficult to distinguish from influenza and other common illnesses.

- Source: The US Food and Drug Administration

Painkillers affect antidepressants

Common over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, according to a mouse and human study from The Rockefeller University in New York City.

SSRIs - which are the most common antidepressants and are used by millions of people - include such popular drugs as Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. The potential interaction between these drugs and the painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be a reason that some people don't respond to SSRIs, the researchers report.

"In one study, we found that anyone who reported use of an anti-inflammatory or analgesic agent had a much poorer treatment outcome compared to people who didn't report any use of NSAIDs," said study lead author Jennifer Warner-Schmidt.

- Source: HealthDay News