Odactra is an allergy immunotherapy designed to treat allergic rhinitis, also commonly known as hay fever. This is caused by house dust mites. Odactra comes in the form of small tablet that easily dissolves under the tongue, also called sublingual administration and helps the immune system to build tolerance to allergies over time.

With many things new in the US health section, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the use of Odactra to include children aged 5 to 11 years. Previously, it was only approved for older patients. This expansion provides a new treatment option for the younger patients who are suffering from dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis, with or without conjunctivitis.

Clinical Trial and Its Findings

The FDA's approval came after the phase 3 trial that involved 1,460 children aged 5 to 11 who had persistent allergic rhinitis. Their symptoms were not relieved despite using medications. The key findings from the trial included:

• Children who received Odactra had 22% reduction in total combined rhinitis scores as compared to the children who received placebo
• 4 children experienced severe side effects, including oral and ear itchiness, burning or tingling sensation in the mouth, lip swelling, and abdominal pain
• There were no cases of anaphylaxis or adverse reactions requiring epinephrine were reported

Why Is This Approval So Important?

According to experts, this approval is an important step in the pediatric allergy treatment. Dr Jackie Eghrari-Sabet, who is an allergist and immunologist at George Washington University, told a media outlet that its convenient sublingual administration and its ability to reduce allergy symptoms and medication dependence make it a valuable option for the younger patients.

What Are Dust Mites?

One of the most prevalent pests in your bed is dust mites. We shed over 500 million skin cells every day, giving these minuscule beings an unlimited meal. Dust mites by themselves are not very dangerous, but their droppings can cause eczema, asthma, and allergies, especially in sensitive people. These microscopic intruders feed on the skin cells you lose during the night and flourish in the warmth of your mattress, pillows, and bedding.

Your Beds Are Not Safe

Additionally, bed linens offer dangerous bacteria the ideal environment for growth. According to a 2013 study from the Institut Pasteur de Lille in France, Staphylococcus germs, which are frequently found on human skin, were abundant in filthy hospital bed linens. Some Staphylococcus strains, such as S. aureus, can cause severe skin infections, acne, and even pneumonia, especially in patients with compromised immune systems, even though the majority are benign.

"People carry bacteria as part of their skin microbiome and can shed them in large numbers," says Manal Mohammed, a scientist at the University of Westminster. If these germs get into the body through open wounds, which is more likely to happen in hospitals where patients are more susceptible, they can become harmful. In fact, a 2018 study found that unclean hospital bed linens included E. coli and other dangerous germs that can lead to sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections.

Researchers found in 2022 that when patients with monkeypox (now known as mpox) changed their bed sheets, they dispersed virus particles into the air, potentially increasing the chance of transmission. Certain bacteria cannot be completely eliminated, even by hospital protocols that guarantee linens are cleaned at extremely high temperatures.

Even at high temperatures, the bacterium that causes severe diarrhea, Clostridium difficile, or C. difficile, is difficult to eradicate. However, strict laundry procedures at medical facilities have reduced infection rates.

Liliana “Lili” Castaneda thought she was experiencing her first period at the age of 14, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, she was excited, but her monthly bleeding soon turned into daily bleeding. The flow became so heavy that she would soak through pads in just 15 minutes and feel dizzy when standing up. When she first visited her doctor, she was told it was likely stress related to the pandemic.

Teen’s Heavy Bleeding Dismissed As Pandemic Stress

Dario Roque, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine, said in a statement that in his 15 years of practice, Liliana was the youngest patient he had ever seen with clear cell carcinoma, a disease he typically treats in women in their sixties.

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Her radiation oncologist, Jonathan Strauss, MD, explained that the tumour was roughly the size of a golf ball when it was found. “It was too large to remove surgically at the time of diagnosis, so we relied on both external and internal radiation to shrink it. Eliminating the tumour required extensive radiation along with chemotherapy,” he said.

What Is Clear Cell Carcinoma?

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Symptoms may include pain, blood in the urine, unexplained weight loss, or a lump in the affected area, though sometimes the cancer is discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated issues. Diagnosis is typically confirmed with imaging scans and a biopsy. The National Cancer Institute describes it as “a rare type of cancer in which the cells look clear when viewed under a microscope.”

Clear Cell Carcinoma Symptoms

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Persistent fatigue
• Fever
• A lump on the affected kidney
• Pain in the side or flank
• Unexplained weight loss

What Causes Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma?Most kidney cancers, including ccRCC, develop without a clear cause. Certain factors, however, may increase risk, such as:

• Tobacco use, including smoking and vaping
• Being overweight or having a BMI over 25
• High blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
• Exposure to workplace toxins like trichloroethylene
• Long-term use of pain relievers such as acetaminophen.

With obesity now affecting 41.9% of adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medications like semaglutide have gained enormous attention. Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help the body release more insulin, lower blood sugar levels, and send signals to the brain to reduce appetite.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several versions of semaglutide for diabetes and weight management. Wegovy and Ozempic are available as injections, while Rybelsus comes in tablet form. A new study now suggests that a daily pill containing semaglutide could be even more effective for weight loss than the injectable versions.

Ozempic Pills For Weight Loss More Effective Than Injections?

Currently, semaglutide injections such as Ozempic and Wegovy are taken weekly, with doses of up to 2.4 milligrams administered under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or arm. While effective, many patients avoid them because of the discomfort of injections. The trial results, part of the OASIS-4 phase 3 study, highlight that a pill form could be a needle-free, more convenient alternative if approved by regulators.

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Researchers also noted other advantages. Pills don’t require refrigeration, unlike injections, which could make treatment more accessible in places where storage and transport of injectable drugs are difficult.

How Ozempic Works

Ozempic vs. WegovyWhile both Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, there are key differences:

• Dosage and delivery: Wegovy is usually prescribed at a slightly higher dose than Ozempic. Both are available as injection pens, but Ozempic pens contain multiple doses, while Wegovy pens are single-use.
• Conditions treated: Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for long-term weight management, whether or not a person has diabetes. Ozempic, on the other hand, is officially approved for type 2 diabetes, though doctors often prescribe it “off-label” for weight loss.

Ozempic Pill vs. Injection for Weight Loss: Which Is Better?

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Still, there are important points to note. The FDA has approved Wegovy for weight loss in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, but neither Ozempic nor Rybelsus (the current oral version of semaglutide) has official FDA clearance for this purpose. These drugs are only approved for type 2 diabetes, though doctors can prescribe them off-label for weight management if they see fit.

A recent report revealed that the number of infections from drug-resistant "nightmare bacteria" has jumped significantly in the US. The numbers of cases increased by almost 70% from 2019 to 2023. This information comes from a new report by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US. These bacteria are becoming a major concern because they are harder to treat, making common infections potentially dangerous.

What Is Nightmare Bacteria?

According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), "nightmare bacteria" are extremely dangerous germs because they have become resistant to almost all antibiotics, making them nearly impossible to treat. Some examples include VRSA (Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Candida auris, and CRE (Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales). The CDC also estimates that more than 23,000 Americans die each year from infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

What Makes This Bacteria Immune To Drugs?

A big reason for this increase is a specific type of bacteria that has the NDM (New Delhi metallo beta lactamase) gene. This gene makes the bacteria resistant to most antibiotics. According to the CDC researchers, only two antibiotics can fight these infections, and they are expensive and have to be given through an IV (intravenous drip).

These bacteria with the NDM gene were once very rare in the U.S., usually found only in people who had received medical care in other countries. However, the number of U.S. cases has increased more than five times in recent years. Experts called this rise a "grave danger" and "very worrisome."

The CDC scientists also warned that many people might be carrying these drug-resistant bacteria without even knowing it, which could lead to them spreading easily in communities. This means that infections that have always been simple to treat, like a urinary tract infection (UTI), could become a long-term problem.

How Many Cases of Nightmare Bacteria Have Been Reported?

The researchers gathered data from 29 states that have the necessary systems to test for and report these drug-resistant bacteria. In 2023, they counted 4,341 cases of carbapenem-resistant infections in those states. Out of these, 1,831 were caused by the NDM-type bacteria. The report didn't mention how many people died from these infections.

The rate of carbapenem-resistant infections went from just under 2 per 100,000 people in 2019 to more than 3 per 100,000 in 2023, which is a 69% increase. Even more alarming, the rate of NDM cases shot up from about 0.25 to 1.35 per 100,000, an incredible 460% increase.

Experts believe this rapid increase is likely connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. They noted that there was a huge spike in antibiotic use during the pandemic, which probably led to the rise in drug resistance.

How Do You Contract Nightmare Bacteria?

APIC explains that you can only get sick from nightmare bacteria if you are exposed to them. They are most common in healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes. Patients who have devices like catheters, tubes, or drains may be at the highest risk.

Symptoms of these infections can vary.

• You might have a wound that won't heal or a serious bloodstream infection that leads to sepsis.
• It's also possible to carry these bacteria without showing any symptoms at all.

How Do You Prevent Getting Infected With Nightmare Bacteria?

Since these infections are so difficult to treat, prevention is key. Since these infections are so difficult to treat, prevention is key.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Ask others to clean their hands before they touch you or your surroundings.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently been cared for in another country or medical facility.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can reduce your risk of infection, especially if you have a chronic health condition.
• Learn about antibiotics so you know when it's appropriate to take them, which helps prevent the spread of resistant germs.