AP – The first rigorous study of behavior treatment in autistic children as young as 18 months found two years of therapy can vastly improve symptoms, often resulting in a milder diagnosis.

AP – People infected with the virus that causes AIDS should start treatment earlier than currently recommended, the World Health Organization said Monday.

AP – Big businesses are spending serious time and money trying to limit the swine flu pandemic’s impact on operations, from bankrolling video on good hygiene to training employees to cover for co-workers with critical jobs.

AP – When her husband fell ill with AIDS, doctors at the hospital turned him away, fearing they would catch the virus.

AP – Maybe you’ve been reading the health care bill in your spare time. Then perhaps you can answer this question:

AP – When her husband fell ill with AIDS, doctors at the hospital turned him away, fearing they would catch the virus.

AP – Millions of Muslim pilgrims, many wearing surgical masks, jostled together shoulder-to-shoulder furiously casting pebbles at stone walls representing the devil Saturday — the hajj ritual of highest concern to world health authorities watching for an outbreak of swine flu.

AP – The estimate was startling, and made headlines around the country: Almost half of all U.S. kids will be on food stamps at some time during childhood.

Reuters – Bulgarian villagers have named their home-made rakia brandy “Borisovka,” playing on the name of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov to thank him for stopping parliament from raising taxes on alcohol.

AP – The World Health Organization says isolated cases of drug-resistant swine flu in Britain and the United States have not changed the agency’s assessment of the disease.

AP – There’s no evidence that the swine flu vaccine is causing any serious side effects, U.S. health officials said Wednesday, in their first report on the safety of the new vaccine.

Reuters – Irish workers caused traffic jams on Tuesday as hundreds made use of a one-day public sector strike to do some Christmas shopping in the cheaper stores across the border in Northern Ireland.

Reuters – Brazil’s coffee industry is engaged in a tireless battle against rogue roasters who cut corners and costs by bulking up their products with corn, soy or even wood, the ABIC industry association says.

AP – The virus that causes AIDS is now spreading fastest in China through heterosexual sex, a trend demanding new strategies to stave off a rebound in the epidemic after years of progress in containing it, a United Nations report said.

AP – Helped by a therapist, Rom Houben’s outstretched finger tapped with surprising speed on a computer touchscreen, spelling out how he felt “alone, lonely, frustrated” in the 23 years he was trapped inside a paralyzed body.

AP – China has detected eight cases of swine flu mutation, a health official said Wednesday, amid longstanding concerns among scientists that the virus could change into a more dangerous form.

AP – Formerly conjoined twin sisters Trishna and Krishna are enjoying a favorite DVD and trying new foods as they continue their recovery from marathon separation surgery, doctors said.

AP – Let us give thanks — and pass the Purell.