Category: Infectious Disease
As bird flu continues to spread in the US and worldwide, what’s the risk that it could start a human pandemic? 4 questions answered
An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza that started in 2021 has become the largest bird flu outbreak in history, both in the U.S. and worldwide. In the U.S. the virus has led to the destruction of millions of commercially raised chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, and has killed thousands of wild birds. Many virologists are concerned that this virus could spill over to humans and cause a new human pandemic.
Despite the incredible success of the COVID vaccines, and other public health efforts to bring outbreaks largely under control, the pandemic isn’t yet past tense. We are, however, moving out of the emergency response phase.
Seattle group reports TB vaccine advance
Temperature-stable TB vaccine is safe and provokes immune response By Brian Doctrow, Ph.D., National Institutes of Health. An experimental tuberculosis vaccine that can be stored at room temperature was safe and provoked an immune response in a Phase 1 clinical…
How do you make a universal flu vaccine?
University of Washington School of Medicine microbiologist Deborah Fuller explains the challenges, and how mRNA could offer a promising solution
Where are we at in King County with COVID-19?
A conversation with Seattle King County-Public Health’s Dr. Jeff Duchin, the county’s health officier and chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization Section.
Masking requirements in healthcare, long-term care, and correctional facilities to end April 3 in Washington state.
DOH infection prevention and control guidance continues to recommend masks for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors in healthcare settings. Licensed healthcare facilities are required to have infection prevention policies and programs consistent with CDC guidance.
Beware of Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines and Treatments—FDA warns
The FDA is particularly concerned that these deceptive and misleading products might cause people to delay, skip or stop appropriate medical treatment for COVID-19, leading to serious and life-threatening harm. It’s likely that the products do not do what they claim, and the ingredients in them could cause adverse effects (bad reactions) and could interact and potentially interfere with medications to treat many underlying medical conditions.
One easy way to fight antibiotic resistance? Good hand hygiene
Hygiene and antibiotic use interact. Antibiotic use had less of an effect on the evolution of antibacterial resistance as hygiene levels increased. This is because evolution toward resistance depends on variation in bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics. By affecting the distribution of resistant and sensitive bacterial strains across patients, hygiene limits the bacterial diversity needed to evolve resistance.
The fungus zombies in ‘The Last of Us’ are fictional, but real fungi can infect people, and they’re becoming more resistant
Many of the people watching The Last of Us are likely there for the zombies. I love the zombies too, but I’m really there for the fungus.
Science Falls Behind as Syphilis Stages Another Comeback
Despite being one of the oldest known sexually transmitted infections, with possible origins in the 14th century — as well as intense public health initiatives over the past many decades — syphilis receives little attention from researchers.
Act fast if you feel you have COVID symptoms, Medicare urges
Feeling sick? If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, act fast!COVID-19 antiviral treatments can help reduce your symptoms and keep you out of the hospital, but you must take them as soon as possible.
We can learn a lot about long COVID from years of diagnosing and treating chronic fatigue syndrome
While some long COVID symptoms are unique (microclots, lung scar tissue, or organ damage due to acute infection), most resemble the clinically very similar disorder myalgic encephalomyelitis, more commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome.
Three in five long COVID patients have organ damage a year after infection
From this first set of scans, we found 331 participants (62%) had organ damage. Impairment of the liver, pancreas, heart and kidneys were most common (affecting 29%, 20%, 19% and 15% of participants respectively). These 331 participants were followed up six months later with a further MRI scan.
We found that three in five of the original study participants (59%) had impairment in at least one organ a year after infection, while just over one in four (27%) had impairment in two or more organs. So, for the vast majority of participants who had organ damage at six months, it was sustained until at least 12 months.
While in some cases participants with organ damage were no longer experiencing symptoms, organ impairment was associated with a higher likelihood of persistent symptoms and reduced function at 12 months.
We got some key things wrong about long COVID. Here are 5 things we’ve learnt
It can take months to recover lung function – and some people never do. COVID can increase the risk .of or worsen chronic diseases. Long COVID isn’t a single disorder. COVID shouldn’t be dismissed as a psychological problem
Black and Hispanic Americans found to experience more long Covid symptoms
Black and Hispanic Americans appear to experience more symptoms and health problems related to long COVI , a lay term that captures an array of symptoms and health problems, than white people, but are not as likely to be diagnosed with the condition, according to new research funded by the National Institutes of Health.