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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
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Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Nov. 3, 2006
/ 12 Mar-Cheshvan, 5767
Federal advisory committee recommends shingles vaccine But is inoculation right for you?
By
Drs. Michael A. Glueck & Robert J. Cihak
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that
Americans 60 and older receive the recently approved Merck vaccine against
herpes zoster (shingles). Zostavax is described as a "souped-up version" of
Merck's chickenpox vaccine for children, containing a live virus that is 14
times more potent.
But should all seniors over 60 rush to inoculation?
HERPES ZOSTER
Herpes zoster is an acute, localized infection with varicella-zoster virus,
which causes a painful, blistering rash. Shingles, is caused by the same
virus that causes chickenpox. After an episode of chickenpox, the virus
becomes dormant in the body. Herpes zoster occurs as a result of the virus
re-emerging after many years. Post-herpes nerve root pain may last for years.
Herpes zoster may affect any age group, but it is much more common in adults
over 60 years old, in children who had chickenpox before the age of one
year, and in individuals whose immune system is weakened. The disorder is
common, with about 600,000 to one million cases in the U.S. per year. There
are an estimated 45-50 million Americans over age 60.
TO INOCULATE OR NOT
In their October 28, 2006 news release on the shingles vaccine the
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) decided not to take a
pro or con stance on this issue but rather a Fox News like approach of
here are the facts you make the decision.
In a study of 38,000 persons, half of whom received the vaccine and half of
whom received placebo, "people who got the shot developed shingles at only
half the rate of those who got the fake vaccine," reported the Associated
Press (Arizona Daily Star 10/26/06).
The actual number of shingles cases was 315 (1.6%) for the treatment group
and 642 (3.3%) for the placebo group (Oxman MN et al. N. Engl. J. Med.,
2005; 352:2271-2284).
The price of $150 is expected to hurt demand for the vaccine. Medicare is
supposed to start paying for the vaccine in January, but it will be treated
as a prescription drug, and Medicare will not pay physicians an
administration fee. Pharmacists are being urged to add Zostavax to the menu
of vaccines they administer to adults (San Francisco Chronicle 9/26/06).
Joel M. Kauffman, Ph.D., reviewed the adverse affects sub-study performed on
one-sixth of the Zostavax study subjects. Extrapolating the results to the
entire study population, he noted that the treatment group had 132 more
cases of serious adverse events, and 4,677 more cases of one or more adverse
events than the placebo group.
Recalling early reports of successful treatment of symptomatic shingles with
intravenous Vitamin C, Kauffman notes, "Since intravenous sodium ascorbate
is known to be quite safe, treating only those patients who develop clinical
manifestations of shingles would seem to be a far better approach, both
medically and financially, than mass vaccination with a large number of
adverse effects, if this treatment is as effective as has been stated"
(Kauffman, J.M., J. Am, Phys. Surg., 2005:10:117).
Jane Orient, M.D., Tuscon, Arizona, reported successful treatment of
shingles with high doses of Vitamin C, ("Treating Herpes Zoster with Vitamin
C: Two Case Reports,") in the J. Am. Phys. Surg., Spring 2006.
TO C OR NOT TO C
This raises another interesting point for curious minds. If high doses of
Vitamin C have been effective against Herpes zoster might they also be
effective against Herpes simplex (genital herpes)? Genital herpes is a
highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. The cause is a strain of the
herpes simplex virus. Genital herpes may be extremely painful and
embarrassing.
We may never get the answer as drug companies are unlikely to fund a double
blind study with vitamin C since they already market Acyclovir, and it's
anti-viral derivatives that are far more profitable.
IN SUM
For the readers we suggest you weigh the facts and check with your personal
physician (Family Practitioner or Internist) and make an informed decision
that is right for you.
Editor's Note: Michael Arnold Glueck, M.D., wrote this week's commentary
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Michael Arnold Glueck, M.D., is a multiple award winning writer who comments
on medical-legal issues. Robert J. Cihak, M.D., is a Discovery Institute
Senior Fellow and a past president of the Association of American Physicians
and Surgeons. Both JWR contributors are Harvard trained diagnostic radiologists.
Comment by clicking here.
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