Tag: cat_infectious_diseases

It is safe to have an influenza vaccine at the same time as a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a study. The coadministration of the two vaccines did not affect the immune response. Only a few people reported mild side effects, such as fatigue or soreness at the injection site. The United

Fasting and fasting-based therapies are gaining recognition and acceptance as popular tools for promoting health. However, research is inconclusive regarding their value for fighting infections. Now, a new study in mice finds that fasting can neutralize Salmonella infections. It appears the beneficial bacteria in the gut outcompete Salmonella for scarce nutrients during a fast. There

Previous research has linked vitamin D deficiency to a higher risk of getting COVID-19 and experiencing more severe disease, especially among Black and Hispanic individuals. A new observational study suggests that even “sufficient” vitamin D levels, as guidelines currently define them, are associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 for Black people. Current guidelines for

A new study investigates the relationship between COVID-19 and skin rashes. The authors found a significant association between skin rashes and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. More than 1 in 5 people with a SARS-CoV-2 infection reported skin changes as the only symptom of infection. As we pass the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists

Face masks reduce the spread of the new coronavirus and may also lessen the severity of COVID-19. The present study finds that masks increase the humidity of the air that a person breathes. The researchers propose reasons that explain why increased humidity may reduce the severity of COVID-19 cases. Researchers have found that wearing a

In a recent review, a team of allergists offer reassurance and guidance regarding allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines. The authors, led by allergists at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, conducted a detailed review of issues relating to allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. They conclude that reactions to vaccines are rare, and

A study has found that 32% of people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were still experiencing at least one symptom 6 weeks after their tests. The most common of these symptoms were fatigue, shortness of breath, and a loss of taste or smell. People with relatively mild COVID-19 usually recover within 2–3 weeks of the

Researchers recently found that some people who recovered quickly from COVID-19 continued to have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 for several months. This discovery suggests the potential for long-term protection among those with a strong initial immune response. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been more than 9 million confirmed COVID-19

A new study has found that a COVID-19 vaccine candidate is highly effective in protecting rhesus macaque monkeys from the disease. Developing a safe and effective vaccine is central to stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. While emergency measures that authorities put in place to promote physical distancing and protect those

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, marginalized racial groups and those who wore face masks reported an increase in discrimination from people who thought they might have the virus. The online survey of people living in the United States suggests that between March and April 2020, the percentage of people who experienced discrimination related to COVID-19

Transfusions of plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19, the illness that SARS-CoV-2 causes, appear to be safe for severely ill patients and may speed their recovery, according to a preliminary study. For more than 100 years, doctors have used convalescent plasma (a component of blood) from people who survived life threatening infections to

Have you ever heard that taking vitamin D supplements or following a ketogenic (keto) diet will protect you from the new coronavirus? In this Special Feature, we explain why these and other persistent myths are not grounded in science. Even before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a “pandemic,” their director

The current outbreak of infections with a novel type of coronavirus has sparked global anxiety and concern that the virus might spread too far and too fast and cause dramatic harm before health officials find a way to stop it. But what are the realities of the new coronavirus outbreak? We investigate. In December last