Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Tue, Jul 14 1992 Date: Tue, 14 Jul 92 05:08:58 EDT Message-ID: 07-14 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update July 14, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network OYSTERS, WINE GOOD COMBINATION: Chasing raw oysters with a glass of wine or a cocktail reduces the risk of contracting hepatitis A by 90%, a study in the July Epidemiology shows. Researcher J.A. Desenclos of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta found that the alcohol in a single glass of wine or a cocktail was enough to reduce the risk, regardless of the number of oysters eaten. FATE OF PILL IN JUDGE'S HANDS: America's abortion-rights controversy Tuesday moves to a New York federal court where a judge is to decide whether to allow a French abortion pill into the USA. The first court challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ban on the pill, RU-486, is being brought by Leona Benten, a pregnant, unmarried, unemployed social worker whose 12 pills were confiscated at Kennedy Airport. WELD WILL SIGN CANCER BILL: Massachusetts Gov. William Weld says he will sign two bills to improve breast cancer detection services in the state. One - included in the fiscal year '93 budget - provides $3 million to pay for breast cancer detection tests for poor women who have no insurance. The other bill requires clinics that perform mammographies to meet state licensing standards. SURGE IN WHOOPING COUGH CASES: Health officials have detected eight cases of whooping cough in St. Louis County, Mo., in the past three weeks, apparently confirming speculation that teens and adults can outgrow their vaccination protection. Cited: All eight people had been fully vaccinated. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS IDENTIFIED: Infant walkers, fireplaces and coffee tables frequently cause serious injury to infants and young children, according to the director of emergency services at Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center. Joseph E. Simon, M.D., director of emergency services at Scottish Rite, said over 20,000 infants nationally sustain walker-related injuries every year. PEAK ACCIDENT TIMES GIVEN: Dr. Joseph E Simon says there are accident prone times for kids. These times are before meals when hunger increases risk-taking behavior, before bed or naps when fatigue causes the same behavior and when the child is emotionally upset. Studies show the uncoordinated child is not necessarily accident prone because they generally tailor their behavior to fit their abilities. ASBESTOS MAKERS LOSE CASE: A Baltimore jury Monday found six companies negligent in the nation's largest asbestos trial. Pittsburgh Corning Corp., GAF Corp., Keene Corp., AC&S Inc., MCIC Inc., and Porter-Hayden Co. were found negligent in installing, manufacturing or supplying asbestos products in Maryland from as early as 1938 to the 1970s. The four-month trial involved 8,555 plaintiffs. DAMAGES TO BE ASSESSED: The asbestos trial - two years in the making - is far from over. Jurors must put a dollar value on damages for six key plaintiffs and decide what each company will pay. Damages for the other 8,549 plaintiffs will be set at minitrials. Matthew Leaf, 69, says the ruling won't bring back his brother, Lawrence, a key plaintiff who died in 1986 of cancer. CLUE SEEN IN ALZHEIMER'S: Researchers looking for candidate genes responsible for triggering late-onset Alzheimer's disease are concentrating their efforts on chromosome 19, not previously suspected of playing a role in the disease. Data were presented at the Third International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders by Allen D. Roses, M.D., of Duke University, Durham, N.C. AIDS VICTIM GETS AWARD: A New York judge has awarded $4.3 million to a Utica area nurse diagnosed with the HIV virus after being stuck with an contaminated needle during a 1988 struggle with an AIDS-infected inmate. The judge blamed inaction of state prison guards for the nurse's infection. The state also must pay another $1 million to the woman's husband for his related suffering. TAKING THE STING OUT OF THE BITE: People can stop the pain of a jellyfish sting by dousing affected skin with household vinegar. Prevention magazine reports vinegar paralyzes stingers and detoxified the venom. A liberal drenching is necessary. For dramatic pain relief, experts from Australia also suggest applying dry cold packs. DENTAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED: There's help for people with dental problems. People can get questions about their teeth and gums answered by calling the Academy of General Dentistry's consumer hotline Tuesday. The number is 1-800-275-1314. Health Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM