Health Buzz: WHO Raises Alert Level for Swine Flu and Other Health News

Swine Flu Update: WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level

As concern about the swine flu spreads around the globe, the World Health Organization raised its influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5 yesterday. All countries should activate their preparedness plans for pandemics, and they should be on the lookout for any unusual spread of severe pneumonia and flulike illness, said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. Countries should step up surveillance efforts, strive for early detection and treatment of illness, and try to maintain infection control measures in healthcare settings. The higher level of alert is meant to encourage governments, including ministries of health and other services, the pharmaceutical industry, and the business community in general to prioritize taking steps to limit the spread of the outbreak and to be prepared to treat those who become ill.

More rapid diagnosis of swine flu is needed in order to help contain the outbreak, says U.S. News's Bernadine Healy. Also, consider these 14 things you need to know to protect yourself from the swine flu, and read about how schools around the country are closing as a precaution.

Autism and Your Child's Genes

While researchers have long suspected that genes play a role in autism, they still haven't figured out how much, Deborah Kotz reports. Research reported this week, however, suggests that it may be greater than expected. A set of gene variants that occur up to 20 percent more often in autistic children may be responsible for about 12 to 18 percent of cases of autism, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature. This altered piece of DNA lies near a gene that's responsible for the transmission of signals between the brain's nerve cells.

Autism is at the top of President Obama's medical to-do list, and research on the safety of vaccines is sorely needed. A recent theory looks at whether too little vitamin D might cause autism.

How to Shake Up Your Strength Routine

If you haven't already done so, check out U.S. News's 10-week workout routine. Those of you already following our calendar are beginning the strength-training element this week. If you've never done resistance training or a strength routine, simply learning the exercises is plenty, Katherine Hobson reports. But once you've mastered the basic moves, you'll need to shake things up in order to progress. Here are 7 tips for doing that from Rachel Cosgrove, a personal fitness coach and owner (with her husband) of Results Fitness in Santa Clarita, Calif. Her first book, The Fit Chick Body, will be published by Rodale in October.

Your exercise routine doesn't have to suffer just because you're on a budget. Consider these 8 ideas for building a $100 home gym and these 5 ways your workout can weather the recession.

— January W. Payne

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