Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/G072TYNDQ88   The Ikea Kullen 3 drawer chest, the Safavieh 3 drawer chest, and the Home Depot 4 Drawer Whitewash chest are all unstable unless anchored to the wall.  They could fall over an injure or kill at child.  Stop using them and contact IKEA at 888-966-4532, Safavieh at 866-422-9070,  or Home Depot at 800-466-3337 to arrange for a pickup and a full refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/IKEA-Recalls-KULLEN-3-Drawer-Chests-Due-to-Tip-Over-and-Entrapment-Hazards-Consumers-Urged-to-Anchor-Chests-or-Return-for-Refund https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Safavieh-Recalls-Chests-of-Drawers-Due-to-Tip-Over-and-Entrapment-Hazards https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Home-Depot-Recalls-4-Drawer-Whitewash-Chests-Due-to-Tip-Over-and-Entrapment-Hazards   #recall #chest #tipping #ikea #kullen #safavieh #homedepot

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/-ywvOcjJ7Es   A floor lamp sold by this national chain is a fire hazard.  The lamp’s foot switch can overheat and pose a fire hazard.  Owner should immediately stop using the lamp and contact the company for a full refund by calling 844-623-7500.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/RH-Recalls-Floor-Lamps-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Recall-Alert   #restorationhardware #floorlamp #fire  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/QtsSGfjFjpk   These pjs and robes have been recalled since they fail to meet the flammability standards for children’s nightwear.  Parents should immediately stop using these garments and contact the company at 800-583-9559 for a refund.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Joules-USA-Recalls-Childrens-Pajamas-and-Robes-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standard-Burn-Hazard   #joules #pajamas #robes #children

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7UoQv20mlu0   ECHO is recalling its PB-8010 Backpack Blower and shoulder straps due to projectile risks.  The shoulder straps, plastic buckles, and the anti-static ground wire may be sucked into the blower fan and pieces expelled at high velocity with resulting lacerations and penetrating injuries.  Contact the company at 800-432-3246 for next steps and to arrange a repair.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/ECHO-Recalls-Backpack-Blowers-and-Replacement-Shoulder-Straps-Due-to-Laceration-and-Impact-Hazards#   #echo #blower #backpackblower  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/QJlBNLJgyi0   The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its 2013 recommendation and now calls for testing of those 18 to 79 years of age for Hepatitis C virus.  This virus is the most common virus circulating in the blood of Americans and is responsible for more deaths than the top 60 other reportable infectious diseases combined.  Cases of HepC had skyrocketed nearly 4 times over the past 10 years.  Ask your doctor about arranging the test.   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762186   #hepatitisc #screening  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/P8V4d3XQpQ4   The FDA has ordered an upgrade of the warnings for montelukast, branded as Singulair and sold as a generic product as well.  This drug can trigger dangerous mind-altering side effects including suicidal thoughts and actions.  This drug is used by children and adults for management of allergies and asthma.  It is used for seasonal allergic rhinitis for those 2 years and older and for exercise-induced asthma for those 6 years and older.     The FDA recommends that parents and patients using this drug be aware of the risks and speak with doctors about alternative medications.  Those with pre-existing psychiatric illness should not use the drug.  Please report any and all adverse effects while using montelukast Singuair to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/singulair-montelukast-and-all-montelukast-generics-strengthened-boxed-warning-due-restricting-use   #warning #suicide #depression #singulair #montelukast #aller

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bz00qLdGx3M   Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. has recalled its Tuscan Herb Chopped Salad Kit due to undeclared allergens including peanut, wheat, and tree nuts.  Eating this product could produce life-threatening allergic reactions.  Do not use this product and call Dole at 1-800-356-3111 for a refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-inc-announces-voluntary-limited-recall-h-e-b-branded-tuscan-herb-salad-kit-due   #recall #dole #choppedsalad #peanuts #wheat #treenuts  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/UOovkM8gKHY   Whole Foods is recalling it Green Chile Chicken Tamales due to undeclared milk. This is a danger to those with milk allergies.  Return the product to the store with your proof of purchase for a refund.  For more info, call 1-844-936-8255.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-issued-undeclared-milk-green-chile-chicken-tamales-sold-whole-foods-market-stores   #recall #wholefoods #tamales

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7NJGQaWopTE   Vita Food Products of Chicago is voluntarily recalling its Vita Wild Herring in Wine Sauce.  The product may contain undeclared sour cream, a risk for those with milk allergies.  Lot # 03609 is contaminated.  Contact the company at 800-989-8482 to ask questions or request a refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vita-food-products-issues-voluntary-recall-mislabeled-vita-wild-herring-wine-sauce-containing   #recall #wildherring #vita

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/rjHHFKVY7d8   UV light is often unable to penetrate all areas of the CPAP hoses, masks, and connectors, and disinfection will fail.  The use of UV light products can also lead to accidental exposure to the light if improper shielding is used.  Such exposure can produce eye injuries and skin burns.   Cleaners that employ ozone for disinfection often leak releasing the gas at unsafe levels into the air.  Also, the gas levels may remain at unsafe levels in the CPAP machine, hoses, and masks even after the recommended waiting periods following the cleaning cycle.   The FDA recommends that you refer to your CPAP machine manuals for recommended cleaning instructions.   https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/potential-risks-associated-use-ozone-and-ultraviolet-uv-light-products-cleaning-cpap-machines-and   #cpap #uv #ozone

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/8Z05fifoFNY   The first lower cost generic albuterol inhaler is now available for use by children and adults ages 4 years and over.  This type of metered inhaler has been difficult for generic manufacturers to duplicate.  Now that a safe and effective alternative to the branded Pro-Air inhaler is available, the price competition may take place.   https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-generic-proair-hfa   #asthma #pediatrics #albuterol #proair  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/luevwJ5UWtQ   Excess weight triggers the same degenerative changes in our cells, organs, and entire body as aging.  A new review article from Canada’s Concordia University analyzed more than 200 studies that examined this linkage.   Both obesity and aging trigger cell death in the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.  Both conditions limit our body’s ability to flush away damaged cells leading to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.  Then too, obesity speeds up the aging of our body’s systems including our immune system.  With altered immunity, humans are more susceptible to disease including viral illness such as the flu and CoVid19.   To remain young and alive in so many ways, control your weight.    Bjorn T. Tam, Jose A. Morais, Sylvia Santosa. Obesity and ageing: Two sides of the same coin. Obesity Reviews, 2020; DOI: 10.1111/obr.12991   #obesity #aging #immunity #cancer #heartdisease #dementia  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ZcBAZGaj-5U   Caffeinated drinks help you think faster and focus better, but they can’t help you think outside the box.  University of Arkansas psychologists draw this conclusion following their study of 80 volunteers half of whom received 200 mg of caffeine, the amount in a strong cup of coffee.   Those receiving the caffeine showed improved problem-solving, better focus, and enhanced alertness.  Caffeine did not improve the subject’s creative thinking or memory.   So down that coffee, tea, or energy drink to help you finish your taxes or that math worksheet.  If you’re writing the world’s next great novel, though, caffeine will push you to the finish line but it won’t improve your plot.    Darya L. Zabelina, Paul J. Silvia. Percolating ideas: The effects of caffeine on creative thinking and problem solving. Consciousness and Cognition, 2020; 79: 102899 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102899   #caffeine #creativity #problemsolving

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/NYEsUk9CufM   You’re worried you have CoVid19.  You’re feeling warm.  You have throat soreness.  You have a cough.  What to do?     Take your temperature follow it daily as you track your symptoms.  If your oral temp is consistently above the normal 98.6˚F and your symptoms are persistent or escalating, call your doctor or the hospital and ask next steps.   When you do, they will have you came to the hospital or an isolation unit for a checkup and testing.  If  CoVid19 is suspected, isolate yourself.  If you’re with others, wear a mask or make one from your scarf.     Even if an official CDC viral test isn’t available, professionals can test you.  A chest cat scan for pneumonia  has a diagnostic sensitivity of 97% for viral pneumonia.   A white blood count revealing low eosinophils occurs in 79% of CoVid positive pneumonia patients but in only 36% without the virus.   Expect to have a workup and close observation at the facility or at home if you’re well enough.  Studies of patien

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/zhAmBseKJ4w   Here are the latest CDC travels warnings.  None but essential travel to China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy.  None but essential travel for older persons or those with chronic disease to Japan.     Considering the Chinese epidemic experience, you can predict that these destinations will likely not be suitable recreational travel destinations for another 4-6 months or more.  Should you recover from a verifiable case of CoVid19, you will likely be immune to further infection.  That is, if the virus fails to mutate into other forms capable of reinfecting you, you could then safely travel to these zones earlier.  Stay tuned for information about CoVid19 mutations.   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/   #covid19 #coronavirus #epidemic #pandemic

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/wc_ai6Ni73Q   Preventing CoVid19 from harming you and your family will involve personal and community efforts.  Personally, you must guard against contracting the virus and passing it on to others.  That involves keeping your fingers and hands from your face, repeated soap and water handwashing or use of alcohol hand sanitizers, avoid touching surfaces likely to harbor contaminated secretions like door handles and your phone, cough and sneeze into tissues, and stay home from work if you feel sick.   Stay away from crowded places if you can, and take special precautions in subway and rail stations as well as airports.  If you can, shop at odd hours.  Walk any walkable distances, and use your automobile for longer travel where feasible.   The Chinese instituted an early warning system for personal infection: a mandatory daily temperature check.  This is easy enough for all of us to do.  There are even electronic thermometers that link to your phone for as little as $11.    At the fi

  Vidcast: https://youtu.be/-rdbcwd4MlM   Efforts to stem the spread of CoVid19 have been successful in China.  The measures include: entertainment venues closed; public gatherings canceled; intra-city transit, mass and personal, halted; travel to and from the city prohibited;  and entire city shutdown and lockdown.     Chinese cities that proactively employed similar measures before a first case report, enjoyed 37% fewer cases in the first week after that case report.  The most effective measures were stopping intra-city transit and closure of public entertainment and gathering.   Transmission Control Efforts: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.01.30.20019844v3.full.pdf https://gizmodo.com/china-orders-mandatory-coronavirus-checks-in-wuhan-and-1841498598   #covid19 #epidemic #pandemic #coronavirus

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Q9a4NQc35xI   According to pre-published data online, as of late February there are 75 registered studies of CoVid19 disease underway.  97% are headed by Chinese organizations.  Only 11 trials have begun patient recruitment.  Trials include those testing Western medicine, Eastern medicine, and combinations.     Two already initiated studies focus on the anti-viral nucleotide analog remdesivir: one involving those with mild/moderate disease and the other on those with severe disease.  In each 60 patients were treated with active agent and 60 were control receiving conventional supportive therapy only.  Studies are expected to end on 4/27/2020.  The expectation that this drug will help is based on test tube results that show it has a marked anti-viral effect.     Other studies employing Western medicine are testing various other anti-viral agents alone and in combination.  Once more information about them is available, I will bring it to you.   Clinical trials: https://www.medrxiv.

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/81G-oRa44pU   The CoVid19 virus is moderately contagious. The CoVid19 reproductive number, number of vulnerable  persons expected to be infected from a single infected person, is 2 -3.  This number may be as high as nearly 7.  In comparison, the number for measles is 12-18, diphtheria  6-7, HIV 2-5, the flu 2-3 and Ebola 1.5-2.5.     The incubation period is 2-14 days with a 5-6 day average.  The cases in each affected area double every 2 days.  The institution of travel and mass gathering restrictions has had a profound positive impact on the reproductive number and viral spread according to unpublished data on the MedRxiv site.   You can track the spread of CoVid19 around the world and through the US on the excellent Johns Hopkins CVid19 web page:   Johns Hopkins Live Coronavirus Stats: http://coronaviruslivestats.com Reproductive rate of CoVid19: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.07.20021154v1.full.pdf Incubation period: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/20

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Nz60NienuxM   Chinese mathematicians studying the CoVid19 disease dynamics predict that the hardest hit area, Wuhan, will see new cases trail off in April.  That’s a full 4 months after the beginning of disease transmission.  Their online, as yet unpublished data predicts, that for less hard hit Beijing and Shanghai, cases will cease about now in early March.  That’s about 3 months from the onset.  CoVid19 will decline in remainder of China by mid-March, that’s about 2 months from the beginning.     So once CoVid19 arrives in a region, it will be a 4 month threat.  To be on the safe side, double that for elective travel plans if you are in a CoVid19-vulnerable group due to age or health.   Length of epidemic:  https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.16.20023465v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #epidemic #pandemic