Health Report: Jul. 25, 1994

THE GOOD NEWS

— AIDS patients undergoing therapy with the drug AZT who were also given the antiviral agent acyclovir had a survival rate 44% higher than those who took just AZT, according to a new study.

— Spinal problems such as “slipped” disks do not necessarily cause pain or require surgery, according to new research. The finding suggests that some doctors who detect mild abnormalities may be too quick to perform back operations.

— New federal guidelines recommend less aggressive early treatment for children with inner-ear fluid buildup, as the condition often clears up without any treatment.

THE BAD NEWS

— Weight and height can play a significant role in the transition from school to work. A study of more than 12,000 young Britons found that obese girls and short boys at age 16 earn far less than others when they reach age 23. The researchers were unable to determine if the cause was job discrimination or internal factors like low self-esteem.

— Something else for snuff fans to chew on: more than half of 91 National League baseball players who use some form of smokeless tobacco have precancerous lesions. The American Dental Association has called for a ban on chewing tobacco at major-league ball parks.

Sources — GOOD: Annals of Internal Medicine; New England Journal of Medicine; U.S. Public Health Service, Associated Press

BAD: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; Journal of the American Dental Association