Transcript:
Welcome to Your Weekly Dose, a quick recap of some of the health related headlines that caught my attention this week.
On Wednesday the Department of Transportation issued a landmark $50 million penalty against American Airlines for numerous violations of the laws protecting airline passengers with disabilities. The investigation uncovered cases of unsafe physical assistance that at times resulted in injuries, repeated failures to provide prompt wheelchair assistance, and mishandling of wheelchairs by damaging them or delaying their return.
Also on Wednesday the FDA announced a recall of thousands of bottles of duloxetine (otherwise known as Cymbalta). Recalled capsules are in 20mg strength with the lot number 220128 and expiration date of December 2024. The pills contained higher levels than are permitted of N-nitroso-duloxetine — which can be toxic if swallowed in elevated concentrations. So check your prescription so make sure it is not part of the recall.
As flu season is fast approaching, the FDA has authorized the first home flu and COVID-19 combination test outside of emergency use called the Healgen COVID-19 Flu A&B Antigen Test.
Last week the CDC announced that there has been a spike in mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections especially in young children. The peak seems to have been in late August, but cases are still high. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are generally mild and mostly present as a chest cold but may also present as pneumonia. Symptom onset is typically gradual and can include fever, cough, and a sore throat. When an infection progresses to pneumonia, it’s typically a less severe form of bacterial pneumonia commonly referred to as “walking pneumonia.”
This week The Everylife Foundation’s Rare Artist just announced their 2024 finalists. I highly recommend taking a look at these amazing artists from children to adults.
In our creator spotlight this week I want to bring your attention to a 4th year med student named Joel Bervell who makes content to bring to light the racial disparities in medicine. If you are interested in learning more about the inequities in medicine, please give him on follow on all major platforms.
Thank you for joining me for Your Weekly Dose, this is my first time doing this so let me know what type of news you want to know. See you next week.
Story Source Links:
DOT American Airlines Fine: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-issues-landmark-50-million-penalty-against-american-airlines-its-treatment
Cymbalta Recall: https://abcnews.go.com/amp/GMA/Wellness/thousands-bottles-popular-antidepressant-recalled-3-things/story?id=115061455
FDA First Home Flu and COVID-19 Combination Test Outside of Emergency Use Authorities: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-marketing-first-home-flu-and-covid-19-combination-test-outside-emergency-use?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Spike in mycoplasma pneumonia in children: https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/mycoplasma-pneumoniae-infections-have-been-increasing.html
Rare Artist Nominees: https://rareartist.awardsplatform.com/gallery/knBJvPda
Creator Spotlight – Joel Bervell: https://beacons.ai/joelbervell?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabV_Tb7ElsiDmx2k_iaYNy-2InRlkh_3x16ww7vIxRwMkWqgFBT_hQ_6AY_aem__8kfoGJhjAult79bVV4Q4A