If you’re vaccinated and get COVID-19 anyway, which variant you have and whether you’ve been boosted make a difference. Symptoms last longer when breakthrough infections are caused by the Delta variant and not the more contagious Omicron variant, according to European researchers who are reporting other differences in how SARS-CoV-2 variants affect vaccinated patients. They…  read on >  read on >

Two-thirds of U.S. community water systems have detectable levels of uranium, and the highest levels are in Hispanic communities, according to a new study. “Previous studies have found associations between chronic uranium exposure and increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and lung cancer at high levels of exposure,” said researcher Anne Nigra, assistant…  read on >  read on >

Insomnia is widespread in heart disease patients and significantly boosts the risk of heart attack, stroke or other major heart event, a new study says. The findings show the need to check for and treat sleep problems in heart disease patients, according to researchers. “Our study indicates that insomnia is common in heart disease patients…  read on >  read on >

When implanted heart devices get infected, doctors recommend surgery to remove them, but many patients ignore that advice, a new study reveals. More than eight in 10 patients with an infected implant (such as a defibrillator or pacemaker) choose antibiotic treatment instead, though it puts their life at risk. Having the devices removed carries a…  read on >  read on >

Urinary tract infections are common and usually simple to treat. But for people who become sick enough to land in the hospital with one, an experimental antibiotic may soon offer a new treatment option — taken by mouth instead of delivered by IV. In a clinical trial, researchers found that the pill, called tebipenem HBr,…  read on >  read on >

(HealthDay News) – Outlining a daunting timeline for development of any updated coronavirus vaccine for next fall, federal health officials told an expert advisory panel on Wednesday that clinical trials of potential candidates would have to begin by next month, and a final formula chosen by June, to meet that tight deadline. The assessment came…  read on >  read on >