Your Health: Feb. 25, 2002

GOOD NEWS

ON STAPH It's still experimental, but scientists have developed the first vaccine against staph. The news comes none too soon: staph is one of the commonest--and deadliest--infections patients pick up in the hospital. In tests so far, the vaccine cut in half the incidence of staph among dialysis patients. Researchers hope that eventually all patients undergoing major surgery will be inoculated.

SEX? NO SWEAT Although there have already been more than 100 cases of men suffering heart attacks while on Viagra, studies funded by Pfizer had determined that its erection drug posed no risk to men with stable hearts. Now the first independent study, using stationary bicycles to simulate the exertion of sex, has confirmed Pfizer's results. Caution: stay off the pill if you've had a recent heart attack, your heart disease is severe or you're on medication containing nitrates.

BAD NEWS

HOT FLASH The news on hormone-replacement therapy just got worse. A study shows that women who take hormones for five years or more increase their risk of developing all types of breast cancer 70% and triple their risk of lobular tumors, a rare form of the disease. HRT was thought to help prevent heart disease, but two other studies have challenged that. It may be time to re-evaluate the therapy's risks and benefits.

--By Janice M. Horowitz

Sources: Good News--New England Journal of Medicine; J.A.M.A. Bad News--J.A.M.A.