The Calvert County investigation into the flu deaths of 3 family members in Lusby, Maryland, found two of them–a 58 year-old brother and his 56-year-old-sister died of serious lung infections, a complication of seasonal flu. The CDC already has confirmed the siblings died of influenza A. The strain is still unknown. Their 81-year-old mother, who was being cared for by her three children died at home Thursday of complications from the flu. The surviving sibling, a 51-year-old woman, remains in guarded condition at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., where she is responding to treatment. Dr. David Rogers, Health Officer of Calvert County, says the investigation into the flu deaths of the three family members in Lusby, Maryland, is continuing.  Rogers told CNN while unusual, these were isolated cases and the community at large should not be overly concerned or alarmed. "This is extremely rare. I think what happened here is that we had an elderly woman who got flu, then she suffered a complication of flu, a severe bacterial pneumonia. Three kids came to provide bedside care and came in close contact. They may not only have caught flu from her but the serious lung infection that she had." Rogers said. "This is a very isolated situation where you have four people in a home, in close contact. This happens not infrequently in elderly people." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 90% of seasonal flu related deaths and more than 60% of flu related hospitalizations in the United States each year are in people 65 or older. The sister of the deceased 81-year old woman is now also being treated for flu like symptoms at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Janis Orlowski, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, says the woman was admitted last night and is in fair condition. "We don't yet know what this is about," Orlowski said. "She has a fever and a cough. They were all together at a funeral last week. Individuals could easily have caught the flu–a large gathering of people, hugging, consoling, possibly sharing a meal." "If the individuals had the flu at that time it is quite likely that others are showing signs of the flu," says Orlowski. 'If I was in that family and felt ill, I would seek medical attention early." Orlowski  also treated the brother, who passed away at the hospital Monday night. She says the bacterial infection they had was a staphylococcal (staph) infection, which she calls a super infection. Cultures on the surviving sister are not back yet. The source of the staph is still unknown, but Orlowski says the bacteria is naturally on the body. On  skin, in the nose. Most people, she says, don't catch it from someone else. "The question is did the mother have the staph where it went to the hands of the children and they got infected or did each end up becoming super infected with their own bacteria and we don't know the answer to that. It's likely we will never know." And rare enough that they looked for other sources. "We did look for poison, carbon monoxide in the house, did they all ingest something?" Orlowski asks. "It's astonishingly rare, such that we are all looking that other explanations." Orlowski says over the last several days the hospital emergency room filled with nearly 400 patients. Most had chronic illnesses like heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) and liver disease made worse by a bout of flu. "It's flu season in the mid-Atlantic area so I urge the public to get vaccinated if you have not been, wash your hands, and if you are ill, don't go to school or work. We don't want you to spread the illness." Filed under: Flu Tagged: Saundra Young – CNN Medical Senior Producer

There are definitely some weight-loss rules you can bend a little and still drop pounds . On the other hand, if you’re serious about dropping pounds, here are five strict rules that we feel really shouldn’t be broken if you want to see the number on your scale decrease. Source: Thinkstock View Slideshow ›

Heart Risk in the Family: A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that a detailed family history of heart disease could help physicians better identify the patients at risk of the disease themselves, the WSJ reports . It can be tough to gather relevant details, though, especially given the time crunch faced by primary-care doctors when they see patients and a lack of complete information about what ailed family members, the paper says. Food in Schools: In the next few weeks, the Obama administration is expected to propose nutritional rules for foods that kids can purchase in school vending machines, student stores and other out-of-the-cafeteria venues, the New York Times reports . The proposed standards are expected to be controversial, with the food industry warning they might be too restrictive. …And in the Hospital: Hospitals are increasingly tailoring their menu offerings to meet the needs of diabetic, cancer, gastric-bypass and other patients who have different nutritional requirements, the WSJ reports . While the costs of providing healthier ingredients and specialized meals can be more expensive initially, food waste was reduced significantly, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s director of food and nutrition services. Hepatitis C Deaths: A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds that in 2007, there were 15,000 deaths associated with hepatitis C infection, with three-quarters occurring in people aged 45 to 64, the Associated Press reports . The research, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comes as federal public-health officials weigh whether to recommend a routine blood-test to screen for hepatitis C among people born between 1945 and 1965, the A.P. says. Image: iStockphoto

Even though we’re still in Winter mode, you deserve to do your body good with hearty recipes that won’t break the calorie bank. It’s time to give those buttons and shiitakes another chance. Learn more about the nutritional properties of mushrooms and try out these five savory, rich mushroom recipes that are sure to make you change your mind about them for good. View Slideshow ›

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many of you will be heading out of town to visit friends and family. While there, it’s likely that you’ll be eating traditional Thanksgiving fare – all 4,500 calories of it ! Since my gym and bike can’t come with me (and because I am not a runner), I usually pack fitness gear to take with me over the holiday. My usual bundle includes workout DVDs, fitness clothing, and resistance bands. I also go on a long walk once Thanksgiving dinner is over; it helps with digestion, but mostly keeps me from falling asleep on the couch! When traveling, it’s easy to get off track when it comes to diet and fitness. To not totally abandon your goals, pack these healthy items with you before leaving. Of course, one of the fun things about going away is being able to relax and leave your normal routine, which may also mean ditching the fitness regimen for a while. Do You Pack Fitness Gear When Traveling? Yes No

Your mind is a powerful tool that can make or break your quest to slim down, and the combination of a positive attitude and realistic goals goes a long way when it comes to reaching your goals. Avoid these sabotaging thoughts that often lead to weight gain. “I just got married so to heck with dieting and exercise. It’s time to celebrate!” You worked hard in the months leading up to the big day and it showed when you walked down the aisle. But saying your vows and slipping on that wedding band shouldn’t give you the green light to throw all your hard work out the window. Definitely take time to celebrate, but don’t overdo it. Keep up with your exercise routine and healthy diet so you can continue to look and feel good in your amazing body. “I worked out this morning so I can eat whatever I want.” A typical 30-minute workout burns about 300 calories, so you do the math. Does that mean you can eat two slices of pizza, a bag of potato chips, a cupcake from a co-worker’s birthday, and a huge burrito? In order to lose a pound a week, you need to cut out or burn a total of 500 calories a day. If you splurge at night just because you hit the gym in the morning, the numbers on the scale will end up rising. “That girl over there is eating a sundae, and she looks skinny, so I can have one too.” Unfortunately, there are people who can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound. If you know in your heart you’re not one of those people, don’t try to convince yourself that you are. “I’ll always have a weight problem, so I’m not even going to try to lose weight.” You can’t give up before trying! If you’ve always struggled with your weight, figure out how to stop the cycle. Whether you need to meet with your doctor, join a weight loss program, hire a personal trainer, or take cooking lessons, making that first positive change toward your journey to a healthier and more fit you is the hardest part. What other thoughts do you have that get in the way of reaching your weight loss goals?

Fitness styles have had their ups and their downs, but just like striped leg warmers, all decent fitness trends need a comeback. Here are some workouts I wish would show up on my gym schedule again and be as cool now as they were back then. Source: Thinkstock View Slideshow ›

During the 40 weeks of pregnancy, exercise may be the last thing on your mind; however, a frequent exercise program can make your pregnancy easier. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercises during pregnancy helps prepare your body for labor and delivery. Women who are in shape can actually handle the trauma associated with giving birth. Is It Safe? The American College of Obstetricians and Genealogy recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity daily during pregnancy. The obvious caveat is if you are having complications during pregnancy, you will need to consult with your obstetrician. Moreover, if you didn’t exercise before pregnancy, don’t overdo it by starting too strenuous of a program. Benefits Exercises during pregnancy offer a variety of benefits. In addition to the typical advantages of exercise, here are some added bonuses for pregnant women: Prevents excess weight Increases stamina, which helps prepare your body for labor Relieves and helps to prevent back pain Helps you sleep better Helps keep your muscles strong Increases your energy May help to prevent gestational diabetes Helps to decrease the chances of postpartum depression The bottom line is that regular physical exercise will help you have a more comfortable pregnancy, notes the National Health Information Center in Washington, D.C. Safe Exercises during Pregnancy Most low impact exercises are safe during pregnancy. The following exercises during pregnancy will help you stay in shape and are fun to do at the same time: Swimming Swimming will allow you to get an effective cardiovascular workout, while taking the pressure off your joints. Swimming is a whole body workout that challenges many muscles in your body. The added benefit of swimming while pregnant is that the water supports your weight. This will give you temporary relief from the additional pregnancy pounds. Some of the activities that you can do in the pool are: aerobics, deep water running and of course swimming laps. Walking This low impact activity is easy to do and also helps to improve your cardiovascular fitness. Keep a pace that is comfortable for you. A good rule of thumb is to slow down if you are unable to carry on a conversation. Also, remember to invest in some high quality shoes and always stretch prior to walking. Low Impact Aerobics There are a wide variety of instructional videos on the market that have aerobic routines designed for pregnant women. These videos will allow you to follow a guided workout in the comfort of your own home. During your aerobic routine, avoid high kicks, jumps and any movement that may cause you to lose balance. Yoga Prenatal yoga and stretching can help keep you flexible, strong and will allow you to gain control of your breathing. This can be invaluable during labor and delivery. If you are healthy during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to participate in yoga throughout the duration of your pregnancy. Similar to aerobics, you can find a variety of prenatal yoga DVDs and many health clubs offer classes as well. Pilates This exercise helps to correct your posture, which can be crucial to preventing back pain. Pilates assist in developing and elongating the abdominal muscles. This helps to maintain a strong core and can act as a foundation for stronger post-pregnancy body. Avoid movements that put you in an inverted position or that are too difficult for you to do while you’re pregnant. Bicycling A stationary bike can be a comfortable way to burn calories, particularly if you’re suffering from back pain. The bucket like seat will help take the pressure off your back. A stationary bike will also allow you to create a custom workout that fits your goals. You can also adjust the tension and preset programs to a variety of settings. Considerations There are certain exercises that you should avoid during pregnancy, these activities include: Heavy weightlifting Jumping Skipping Sprinting Contact sports, such as volleyball, football, basketball and softball Activities such as waterskiing, horseback riding and snowboarding Deep knee bends Along with avoiding these high-risk sports, stay away from exercising to the point of exhaustion. Also, make sure to not over do it in hot weather and remember to drink plenty of fluids during exercise. Safe, well planned exercises during pregnancy will ultimately lead to a healthier pregnancy and can also lead to a quicker post-pregnancy recuperation time.

In a new interview with Teen Vogue , Nicole Richie admits to owning 200 pairs of sunglasses. While I figured she owned her fair share (she’s rarely photographed without a pair of oversized shades), I had no idea her collection numbered in the hundreds . Other celebs with shopaholic tendencies include Sarah Jessica Parker , Victoria Beckham , and Jennifer Lopez . And while their shopping runs usually include stops to places like Manolo Blahnik or Barneys, life is different for a fit girl. Case in point: I own seven pairs of athletic shoes and have multiple drawers devoted to my workout capris and tanks. As any shopaholic will tell you, different shoes for different moods; in my case, hiking, climbing, and running – and of course I want things to match! How about you; how many pairs of athletic shoes fill your closet?

Three perfect nude nail colors for your skin tone How to get your arms picture-perfect for the big day Inspiring makeovers: 11 reupholstery projects that will impress you The Hunger Games locks in Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth Celeb-inspired wedding trends to look out for Video: Robert Pattinson attempts a country accent for Reese Witherspoon Designer brands make you look better, study shows How to create a hacker-proof password in 5 easy steps Beauty product junkies: Wet n Wild haul Beware of the ballpark beer scam Modern baby shower elements to consider Get a glimpse at celebrity engagement rings! 10 bloomin’ cute kitties ICYMI, pictures from Michael Vartan’s weekend wedding! PopSugar City LA: We go shopping alongside Glee’s Naya Rivera at A Current Affair