Group backs HPVshot recommendation for boys

Boys 11 years and up should get vaccine to protect them against HPV infections, which can cause genital warts as well as oral, penile and anal cancers, recommended by U.S. vaccine advisers and updates the previous stance of the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP).

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least half of all sexually active people will catch genital HPV at some point.

The infection usually does not cause any symptoms and goes away on its own. But certain types of the virus may cause genital warts and, rarely, cancer.

Sleeping pills linked to increased death risk

Sleeping pills used by many people appear to be linked with a higher death risk, doctors warn. The American study in BMJ showed that death risk among users was about four times higher, although the absolute risk was still relatively low.