Hypnotic: The American Lung Association of Ohio will offer group hypnosis sessions for weight loss or smoking cessation Saturday:

• A weight-loss session begins at 9 a.m. at the Drake Center, 151 W. Galbraith Road, Hartwell, with the smoking-cessation program at 10 a.m.

• A weight-loss session begins at noon at the Clermont County United Way Building, 2085 Front Wheel Drive, Batavia. A smoking-cessation program begins at 1 p.m.

Cost: $50 per session.

Registration: (513) 985-3990.

Screenings: LifeLine vascular and bone-density screenings will be available at two upcoming events:

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Norwood Senior Center, 1810 Courtland Ave.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at Trinity United Church of Christ, 3850 Galbraith Road, Deer Park.

Screenings are available for the carotid artery, leg arteries and abdominal aorta for $45 each or $109 for all three. An osteoporosis screening is available for an extra $20.

Reservations: (800) 324-1851.

Benefit: A dinner/auction to benefit the Community Pharmacy of St. Vincent DePaul will be held from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Madison, 700 Madison Ave., Covington. $50. Reservations: Regina Grau, (859) 689-2242.

Help wanted

Bone up: The University of Cincinnati Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center is recruiting men ages 25 to 80 who are not being treated for osteoporosis for a study comparing weekly Fosamax with a new IV-administered drug given once a year. Information: (513) 475-7415.

Tips

Bug bites: The October issue of American Baby offers pointers for parents on how to tell colds or stomach viruses from more serious viral infections:

• Bronchiolitis looks like a cold for the first three to five days, but instead of getting better, the baby's dry cough gets worse and his breathing becomes rapid. Asthma medications help, along with fluids and a humidifier.

• Influenza symptoms include a fever of 101 or higher, chills, muscle aches, dry cough and fatigue. Babies a year or older can take rimantidine or amantadine to shorten symptoms. Give plenty of fluids and a fever reducer. Babies 6 months to 2 years should get flu shots.

• Rotavirus symptoms include sudden, relentless vomiting and diarrhea that lasts up to a week. Keep the baby hydrated with an electrolyte solution. Young children should not be given anti-diarrheal medications: They don't work and can have serious side effects.

To help prevent the spread of viruses, wash hands often, breast feed, disinfect surfaces, don't let kids share cups, throw out used tissues and keep newborns out of crowds.

Shelf help

Test guide:: Medical Tests That Can Save Your Life (Rodale; $14.95) by David Johnson and David Sandmire offers guidelines on how to get your doctor and your insurance company to sign off on 21 tests.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: (513) 768-8510; fax: (513) 768-8330; E-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com.