Deadly Rugby Virus

Spreads In Sumo Wrestlers
ScienceDaily (Sep. 29, 2008) — Rugby players may get more than just the ball out of a scrum – herpes virus can cause a skin disease called "scrumpox" and it spreads through physical contact. Researchers have studied the spread of the disease among sumo wrestlers in Japan and have discovered that a new strain of the virus could be even more pathogenic, according to a new article.

"Scrumpox", or herpes gladiatorum, is a skin infection caused by the herpes virus, which can cause coldsores. It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact so it is common among rugby players and wrestlers. Symptoms can start with a sore throat and swollen glands and the telltale blisters appear on the face, neck, arms or legs. The disease is highly infectious, so players who are infected are often taken out of competition to stop the virus from spreading... more

Surgery is 'only means to healthy weight loss'

By Steve Connor, Science Editor

Tuesday, 9 September 2008

PA

This Morning presenter Fern Britton had a gastric band fitted two years ago, which enabled her to lose 5 stones

The number of Britons undergoing drastic stomach surgery to treat obesity will have to soar in the coming years because it will be the only way that many people are able to maintain the weight loss necessary for a healthy life, scientists have said.

Dieting and other lifestyle changes can lead to substantial weight loss. But many people, the scientists said, find it hard to maintain the loss because hormone levels change, making the body want to produce more fat.

"Once you start losing weight by decreasing calorie intake, your body interprets this as starvation and goes into emergency status, fighting to lay down fat deposits where possible," explained Rachel Batterham of University College London. "Therefore you are fighting against your body when losing weight."

Stomach surgery such as gastric bypass operations should not only be carried out on severely obese people, but offered to overweight men and women as a form of disease prevention, in much the same way statins are offered to prevent heart disease, they said. Read full story

Girls to have cervical cancer jab

The vaccine does not reduce the need for women to have smear tests. Every Year 8 schoolgirl in Wales is to be offered a vaccination against the virus which causes most types of cervical cancer, from this month. Some 20,000 secondary school girls aged 12 and 13 will be offered the vaccine against the human papillomavirus(HPV). The jab protects against two viruses responsible for about 70% of cases. Wales has around 170 cases a year. Read more