Health notes: First swine flu vaccines arrive as Washtenaw County officials prep to vaccinate priority groups

The first vaccines for the swine flu, or novel H1N1 flu virus, have arrived in Michigan.

But H1N1 vaccine shots for the public priority groups likely won’t be available for at least another week, Washtenaw County health officials say.

The Michigan Department of Community Health has said more than 36,000 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray to vaccinate health care workers arrived in Michigan last week, as reported by the Detroit News.

County epidemiologist Laura Bauman said Washtenaw County was expected to begin receiving the nasal spray shipments by the end of last week.

The number of people expected to become ill with the swine flu, or novel H1N1 flu virus, is two to three times higher than the typical seasonal flu season, the University of Michigan says in an H1N1 update posted today.

The information reiterates previous recommendations that the general public focus on disease prevention by covering coughs, avoiding those who are sick and getting the vaccination. Those who are ill should try to avoid others and call their doctor if they have concerns.

Learn about teen substance abuse Tuesday

An educational workshop about how to respond when a teen substance abuse problem is suspected will be held at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center Tuesday.

Called “Teens Using Drugs: What to Know and What to Do,” the event will feature a recovering teen speaker. It is part two of an ongoing workshop about teen sustance abuse.

Part one, which offers tips on recognizing teen substance abuse, is repeated the first Tuesday of every month between October and June every year. Part two is held the second Tuesday of every month between October and June. It is held at the center at 5305 Elliott Drive in Ypsilanti.

For more information, call 734-973-7892, e-mail teensusingdrugs@gmail.com or visit www.teensusingdrugs.org.

U-M scientists find link between HPV and rare head and neck cancer

University of Michigan researchers believe they’ve found a link between the development of a rare form of head and neck cancer and HPV.

Researchers had previously linked HPV, or the human papillomacirus, with an epidemic of tonsil cancers.

In the study published in the journal Head & Neck, researchers looked at tissue samples of patients with tonsil cancer or nasopharyngeal cancer, a tumor that grows behind the nose and top of the throat. Out of nearly 90 patients, five had the nasopharyngeal cancer. Of those five, four of the patients were positive for HPV.

Researchers proposed a multi-center trial to further investigate the link.

Candy buyback planned by local dentist

An Ypsilanti dentist's office is planning to buy back Halloween candy from children early next month.

The Dental Spa, 1900 Packard Road in Ypsilanti, will purchase wrapped candy between 3 and 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Kids between the ages of 2-12 can get $1 per pound for up to 5 pounds of candy, which will be donated to troops overseas.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.