More U.S. kids are getting a recommended vaccine that protects against several cancers — but there is still much room for improvement, a new study finds. At issue is the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain strains of HPV are sexually transmitted, and some of those are “high risk” — meaning that if the immune… read on >
COVID-19 can damage the kidneys and increase patients’ risk of needing kidney dialysis, researchers report. The study authors also warned that doctors should prepare for a significant rise in chronic kidney disease cases due to the pandemic. For the study, the investigators analyzed data from nearly 4,000 COVID-19 patients, aged 18 and older, hospitalized at… read on >
A portable generator may power up your home after a hurricane or storm knocks out your electricity, but it also poses the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, one expert says. Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer because it’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. “Never use a generator in your home or garage, even if… read on >
You’re feeling pretty darned sick — headache, fever, fatigue, a cough — but your COVID-19 test came back negative. What do you do now? Well, chances are good that you don’t have COVID-19 if that’s what the test says, according to experts. Labs that are testing for COVID-19 rely on what’s called a PCR test,… read on >
The coronavirus pandemic silenced choirs around the globe, but researchers in Sweden say it may be safe to sing with others if you take precautions. “There are many reports about the spreading of COVID-19 in connection with choirs singing. Therefore, different restrictions have been introduced all over the world to make singing safer,” said Jakob… read on >
A lot has been made of the so-called “quarantine 15.” Now, a new study suggests certain people are more likely to binge eat during the coronavirus pandemic than others. Most often they are young adults who faced social stigma about being overweight before COVID-19 swept the globe. The researchers found this group had higher levels… read on >
If your favorite feline has ever deposited a dead bird or snake on the front porch, your reaction to this “gift” may be far different from your best friend’s. A survey in Britain found that cat owners have wide-ranging views about their pets’ hunting habits. Some — the “conscientious caretakers” — are concerned about cats’… read on >
New research may have people with asthma breathing a little easier: Doctors found the airway disease doesn’t raise the risk of being hospitalized due to COVID-19. The researchers also noted that people with asthma weren’t more likely than people without it to need a ventilator to help them breathe. “A lot of people with asthma… read on >
People with lupus aren’t at increased risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 due to steroidal medications they take to reduce immune system activity, a new study finds. And a related study found that people with inflammatory forms of arthritis — such as rheumatoid arthritis — aren’t more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people without… read on >
Face masks and hand-washing are a good start, but to protect your kids from the coronavirus you’ll need to up your game on the road, too, a leading pediatricians’ group says. There are a number of things parents should do to protect children from COVID-19 infection when they’re traveling in cars or using other types… read on >
