Category: Infectious Disease
COVID-19 vaccination and boosting during pregnancy benefits pregnant people and newborns
The researchers found that pregnant women who received the COVID-19 vaccines generated antibodies against specific types of SARS-CoV-2. These antibodies crossed the placenta and were also found in the cord blood of vaccinated participants. This likely conferred some protection in the newborns against infection immediately after birth—a critical time when they are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease but are too young to be vaccinated.
Ringworm fungal infections are common in the US and are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment – 6 questions answered
Ringworm infection is a common infection of the skin caused by a fungus. It’s estimated that at any given time about 20%-25% of Americans will have an active ringworm infection.
Vaccination in pregnancy greatly reduces risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, and protects babies up to 6 months after birth
Extensive evidence shows COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy are safe, when given at any time during the pregnancy.
Mpox update from Public Health — Seattle & King County:
WHY A SECOND VACCINATION IS IMPORTANT NOW
Cytomegalovirus lies dormant in most US adults and is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, but few have heard of it
“Why didn’t anyone tell me about this virus?” is a frequent response I hear from parents upon learning their newborn is infected with cytomegalovirus, or CMV. Although more than half of the U.S. population will be infected with CMV by the age of 40 and the disease is common worldwide, few people have ever heard of it.
Going long: Viruses linger with lasting impact
Herpes, HIV, Epstein-Barr and other viruses hang around, causing potential long-term health woes. Should ‘long COVID’ surprise us?
Obesity in children is rising dramatically, and it comes with major – and sometimes lifelong – health consequences
Without intervention, many obese adolescents will remain obese as adults. Even before adulthood, some children will have serious health problems beginning in their preteen years.
FDA’s approval of the world’s first vaccine against RSV will offer a new tool in an old fight – 4 questions answered
The new vaccine has been shown to be 80% effective at protecting against RSV-related disease and 94% effective at protecting against severe disease.
The Federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ends May 11. What does that mean for you?
This Thursday, the Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration will end, which means there will be changes to how some people receive COVID-19-related care, like testing, treatment, and vaccines.
Risk of rehospitalization in younger women after heart attack nearly double that of men
Higher rates of risk factors such as obesity, heart failure, and depression among women most likely contributed to the disparity.
Q & A on recent Klebsiella outbreak at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Center
As of April 28th, 31 people who were treated at the hospital have have fallen ill with the bacteria and 7 have died.
Oral sex is now the leading risk factor for throat cancer
Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the west, to the extent that some have called it an epidemic. This has been due to a large rise in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer (the area of the tonsils and back of the throat). The main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are also the main cause of cancer of the cervix. Oropharyngeal cancer has now become more common than cervical cancer in the US and the UK. HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practise oral sex.
Why you need to stop scrolling in the bathroom
Research has also found that even if you clean your phone with antibacterial wipes or alcohol it can still be recolonised by microorganisms, indicating that sanitisation must be a regular process.
COVID origins debate: what to make of new findings linking the virus to raccoon dogs
While this latest data is one additional piece of the puzzle that supports an origin of the pandemic linked to Wuhan’s animal trade, it is unlikely to provide irrefutable evidence.
Frozen Organic Strawberries and a Tropical Fruit Blend Recalled Because of Hepatitis A Risk
Several brands of frozen organic strawberries and one tropical fruit blend are being recalled following a hepatitis A outbreak that’s sickened at least five Washington residents.