>> Treatments frozen
>> Illnesses spreading
>> New approaches with medications
>> Havoc with your Rx
The Med & Mic™ 2.19.24 – 2.23.24
A medical news blog post
from the author of “Scoop, MD”
This Week In Medical News
In medicolegal news…
Court Rules on Frozen Embryos
Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos are children. The ruling came from a Wrongful Death of a Minor lawsuit brought by a group of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients who lost their frozen embryos in December 2020 when a patient removed the embryos from frozen storage and dropped them. Previously, embryos had been considered property by the courts. This raises questions for providers and patients, such as whether embryos created as part of fertility treatment may be frozen, donated, or destroyed. Doctors are frustrated by the criminalization of standard medical care. The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Alabama Fertility Services have paused their IVF services. Frozen embryos, as well as embryos that end up being lost because they aren’t implanted, are part of IVF. Infertility affects one in six couples. In the U.S. 2% of all babies are conceived through IVF. (Sources: The Hill, J. Choi, 2.19.24 | AP, K. Chandler, 2.21.24 | STAT News, A. Merelli, 2.22.24 | The Guardian, J. Glenza, 2.23.24)
In public health news…
High Levels of Respiratory Illness
According to the CDC, 25 states have high levels of respiratory virus activity. Flu activity is high nationally with increases in the mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, and the Great Plains. COVID hospitalizations remain steady but lower than at this time last year. (ABC News, M. Kekatos and Y. Benadjaoud, 2.16.24)
Measles in a Dozen States
Health authorities have issued warnings about rising cases of measles after an outbreak in Florida and a flare-up in nearly a dozen states. Broward County Florida has six confirmed cases of the highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral illness. While students could receive continuous learning at home, the Florida Surgeon General is deferring the decision to parents. (USA Today, K.Kobal, E. Cuevas, C. McCloud, 2.21.24)
In medical advancement news…
New Drug for Severe Allergic Reactions
The FDA has approved a medicine to reduce the severity of severe accidental allergic reactions to food, such as peanuts, milk, egg, and wheat. The drug, Xolair, was approved in 2003 for the treatment of moderate to severe allergic asthma. It is injected every two to four weeks. In studies, 68% of the people who took the medication were able to eat a single dose of peanut protein without symptoms compared to only 6% of the placebo group. (CNN, A. Musa, 2.16.24)
New Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma
The FDA approved a new strategy called TIL therapy for metastatic melanoma for people who have tried other therapies that have not worked. TIL therapy involves boosting the number of immune cells inside tumors. This is the first cellular therapy approved to treat solid tumors. (NBC News, E. Edwards, A. Thompson, M. Kopf, 2.16.24)
In tech news…
Cyber Attack Disrupts Pharmacies
Hackers gained access to a unit of UnitedHealthcare and interfered with pharmacies filling prescriptions. The attack resembles ransomware attacks that have disrupted hospital networks in the past several years. (CNN, D. Goldman and C, Alvarado, 2.23.24)
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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.