Flu virus:
One of the leading Irish experts on the flu virus, Dr Jeff Connell of the Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD, says there is a good match between the influenza strains circulating worldwide and the virus strains selected for this year's influenza vaccine. This increases the chances of the vaccine preventing an influenza epidemic in Ireland this year. The three strains in this year's vaccine are Influenza A/Panama, Influenza A/New Caledonia and Influenza B/Yamanashi.
Schizophrenia:
A recent review of medication for schizophrenia has come out in favour of the continued use of older "anti-psychotic" agents as the treatment of first choice. This is despite the development of newer agents, which were thought to be both more effective and carry fewer side-effects. The controversial review found patients valued the lower incidence of side-effects associated with the newer drugs. An accompanying editorial makes the valid point that potential side-effects must be explained to the patient, and that the ultimate choice should be the patient's. (British Medical Journal)
Eating distress:
Due to the extra strain that Christmas puts on sufferers of eating disorders and their families, the Eating Distress helpline operated by the Marino Therapy Centre is on call even on Christmas Day. Family members, friends or sufferers can telephone 01-8333063 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. throughout the holiday period.
CJD toll:
The number of people dying from CJD in Britain could be greater than reported, because doctors are afraid of carrying out post-mortems following high-profile scandals. "People might die of dementia, but we might not know what the cause of that dementia might be - is it Alzheimer's disease or is it CJD?" asks Dr Roland Salmon, of the communicable diseases surveillance centre in Cardiff. (BBC Health News)
Cancer:
Precious Times is a new booklet to help parents care for a child with terminal cancer at home. It is written by the liaison nurses and social workers in the Oncology Unit at Crumlin Hospital, Dublin, and sponsored by the Irish Cancer Society. The booklet is available from the Irish Cancer Society, tel: 01 6681855.
New Year resolution?
"How to Stop Smoking: The Creative Power Within" is the title of a 12-week course starting on January 2nd, run by Joe Armstrong at the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co Meath. Registration from 7.30 p.m. Cost £120. For more information, tel: 046-49285
lifelines@irish-times.ie