In Case You Missed It: The flu, new BCM magnet middle school, concussions and arthritis

May 11, 2013 Arthritis, Audrey M. Marks, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan, Community, Concussions, Dr. Melvyn Harrington, Events, Houston Art Car Parade, Houston Independent School District, immune system, In Case You Missed It, influenza, Orthopedic surgery, saliva

We hope your weekend is off to a great start. Take a moment to catch up on news, announcements and events you may have missed.

If you are heading out this weekend consider taking an umbrella if you head outdoors as scattered storms are part of the Houston area forecast. And don’t forget if there is standing water in the roadways turn around and don’t drive through it.

What’s in a name?

Ever wonder how influenzas get their N’s and H’s? NPR breaks down the three basic types of influenza and what the humagglutinin and neuraminidase mean in the names of the various flu viruses. Confused yet?

Read NPR’s explanation, complete with Venn diagrams.

Apply to Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan

Know a current 5th grader in Houston Independent School District interested in health and science? Encourage them to apply to Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan for the 2013-2014 academic year. Applications are available to download. May 16 is the deadline for applications.

Read more about the new magnet middle school:

Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan: Q&A with Dr. Nancy Moreno.

BCM, HISD to create Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.

Concussions, athletes and treatment

With so much media attention on traumatic brain injuries, especially in young athletes, the New York Times reported this week on the increased concerns parents have about the lasting effects of concussions and youth sports. With the fallout of professional athletes’ brain damage from contact sports catching the attention of parents, the article notes there has been a rise in outpatient youth sports concussion clinics opening.

Check out our infographic with information about recognizing risk factors and knowing concussion symptoms.

In March the American Academy of Neurology stressed new guidelines to handling sports concussions with an emphasis on treating individual athletes on a case by case basis for physicians, coaches, parents and the athletes.

Arthritis myths debunked

Think arthritis only occurs in older adults? Think again. Dr. Melvyn Harrington, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, breaks down other common misconceptions and myths for BCM Momentum.

Harrington will serve as the Medical Honoree for the June 1 Houston Arthritis Walk, in association with the Arthritis Foundation. Join Harrington and the Arthritis Foundation at the Quillian Center, 10570 Westpark Drive, for a one- or three-mile walk.

Check out all the details about the walk and join Harrington’s team, the BCM Walkin’ Warriors.

–By Audrey M. Marks