Tag: infectious

According to psychologists, in addition to our physiological immune system, we also have a behavioral one: an unconscious code of conduct that helps us stay disease-free, including fear and avoidance of unfamiliar – and so possibly infected – people. When infection risk is high, this "parasite stress" behavior increases, potentially manifesting as attitudes and even

To make the vaccination process simpler and faster, researchers are working to develop the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines, namely in pill and nasal spray forms. Historically other vaccines, such as those for polio, started as injections but oral vaccines were developed. More research is needed to find out if these oral or nasal spray

Preliminary results from Pfizer’s late-stage vaccine trial suggest the vaccine can prevent COVID-19. This promising development comes as the United States reached another grim milestone of 10 million coronavirus cases, with over 238,000 deaths. The company plans to seek emergency use authorization from the FDA this month. Drugmaker Pfizer said on Monday that an early

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the antiviral remdesivir, even after one study by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed limited benefit. A preliminary study from the WHO Solidarity trial of more than 11,000 participants found that remdesivir had little effect on how long people stayed in the hospital and no effect on death.

Parents who regularly disregard COVID-19 safety measures may unknowingly be influencing their children to do the same with the example they set. As children return to in-person learning at school, following safety guidelines is a requirement they’ll need to embrace in order to participate. Students resisting safety measures in school may result in undue stress

President Donald Trump is among at least 30 people in the White House circle who have tested positive for COVID-19 since Wednesday. Experts say the White House relied too heavily on testing and didn’t enforce rules on mask wearing, physical distancing, and large gatherings. Experts say they aren’t sure the president’s illness will change people’s

People in the West now have to protect themselves not only from the novel coronavirus, but from wildfire smoke as well. Health experts say an N95 mask is your best bet for protecting yourself from both the novel coronavirus and wildfire smoke. Research shows KN95 masks are just as effective. The wildfires raging across the

A group of experts outlined several criteria that could be used to decide if a COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for children. Several COVID-19 vaccines are in late-stage clinical trials, but so far none have been approved in the United States for widespread public use or even emergency use. Experts say mandating a vaccine early on

Experts say it’s likely that people can get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. They say that can cause serious health issues since both viruses produce respiratory illnesses. They also note that a “twindemic” of the flu and COVID-19 could overwhelm hospitals and other medical facilities. Early on, some politicians said the novel

During the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, the WHO said people shouldn’t take ibuprofen if they had COVID-19. A new report found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen aren’t linked to any adverse effects in people who were positive for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 is a multi-system disease

Researchers say certain types of neck gaiter face coverings aren’t effective in stopping the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Gaiters made of cotton and triple layered are the most effective according to experts. They add that whatever face covering you wear, it’s still important to maintain physical distancing and to avoid mass gatherings. Neck gaiters

Experts say schools can be the perfect setting for a “superspreader” event of COVID-19. They note that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among children is rising across the United States. They say schools need to put in preventive measures such as masks, physical distancing, staggered class schedules, and ventilation. They add that the

A growing number of businesses are putting into place policies requiring the use of face masks. This movement is in response to a call from the National Retail Federation urging a nationwide mask policy. Experts applaud these policies, saying that they can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. They also recommend steps such as physical

Medical experts say bars are places with a high risk of easily spreading COVID-19. Among other factors, this is primarily due to the fact that they’re spots where large numbers of people gather indoors with little ventilation over long periods of time. When people are drinking in a bar, they can often become too relaxed,

The American Psychological Association reports that 27 percent of U.S. adults say they eat to manage stress. Family history, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes are risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Young Americans who are overweight and living with health conditions like diabetes have an increased risk for complications from COVID-19. For most of my

New research has found that people with diabetes and poorly managed hyperglycemia who are hospitalized for COVID-19 have a death rate and longer length of hospital stay that’s four times higher than people without these conditions. Forty-two percent of those without a prior diagnosis of diabetes before being admitted, and who developed hyperglycemia during their

Of course, the best time to shop for a pandemic is before it begins. But there are many things you can do during a pandemic to prepare yourself. Having nonperishable foods and water on hand will prepare you for any sort of natural disaster, including a pandemic. Don’t forget nonfood items, like medications and paper

The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the rise of COVID-19. There are distinct differences between an outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic. A pandemic is an epidemic that’s spread over several countries or continents and affects a large percent of the population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared COVID-19 — the

Infectious mononucleosis, or mono, sidelines high school athletes every year. Kids who play sports aren’t more susceptible to the disease. Instead, adolescent competitors are at a greater risk for one of the illness’s serious complications—splenic rupture. Mono starts with fatigue, sore throat, fever and swollen glands. By then, it’s invaded the lymphatic system, which can

Often referred to as the “kissing disease,” mononucleosis is a common ailment caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that is transmitted through saliva. While you can get the virus through kissing, you also can be exposed through a cough or sneeze, or by sharing cups or utensils with someone who is infected. According to the Centers