Health Highlights: April 6, 2023​

‘Morning after’ antibiotics might prevent common STDs. Taking a common antibiotic within 72 hours of unprotected sex cut the chances of a sexually transmitted bacterial infection in high-risk groups, researchers found. Read more

Immune system may hold key to living to 100. Researchers noted key genetic differences in immune cells taken from the blood of centenarians, when compared to those of other people. Read more

Race could matter when it comes to Parkinson’s severity. On a scale where the lower the number, the higher the quality of life, white patients scored 23, while Black patients scored 29, Hispanics scored 27 and Asians scored 25. Read more

In clinical trials, new RSV vaccine shows promise for young & old. The shot is 86% effective in protecting older adults and 82% effective in protecting newborns whose mothers received it. Read more

Genes or lifestyle? How a person becomes obese could affect heart risk. Being obese because of lifestyle carried higher risks than it did if the extra weight was due to genetic predisposition, researchers found. Read more