Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of
HealthDay:
Don't Combine HIV Antiviral Drugs: FDA
Combining two widely used HIV antiviral drugs can trigger
potentially deadly irregular heartbeats, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration warned Thursday.
The agency said fainting, lightheadedness and even death can
occur if patients combine Roche's Invirase and Abbott Laboratories'
Norvir, the
Associated Press reported.
The companies have been ordered to add information about this
risk to the drugs' warning labels and to provide information
pamphlets to patients, the FDA said.
Invirase is often combined with Norvir to improve its
effectiveness, the
AP reported. The drugs are used to control HIV, the virus
that causes AIDS.
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Health Officials Close Texas Food-Processing Plant
A vegetable and fruit processing plant in San Antonio, Texas has
been closed by officials investigating 10 listeriosis cases,
including five deaths.
The Department of State Health Services also ordered the recall
of cut fresh fruit and vegetables in sealed packages that were
distributed by the SanGar Produce & Processing Co. plant to
schools, hospitals and restaurants, the
Associated Press reported.
Six of the 10 listeriosis cases have been linked to chopped
celery at the SanGar plant, according to state health officials.
Listeriosis bacteria can cause muscle aches, fever, vomiting and
diarrhea.
A statement released by SanGar president Kenneth Sanquist Jr.
said that "independent testing showed the produce was absolutely
safe," the
AP reported.
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4 Deaths Prompt Graco Strollers Recall
Entrapment and strangulation hazards have triggered the recall
of about two million Graco strollers, the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission said Wednesday.
The agency has received four reports of stroller-related infant
deaths between 2003 and 2005, along with five reports of entrapment
in the strollers, resulting in cuts and bruises,
MSNBC reported.
The recall includes Graco Quattro Tour strollers and travel
systems made before November 2006 and MetroLite stroller and travel
systems made before July 2007. For a complete list of recalled
strollers and travel systems, go to the Graco Web site at
www.gracobaby.com.
Consumers with the recalled strollers can contact Graco at
877-828-4046 or to go the company's Web site to obtain a free
repair kit,
MSNBC reported.