Think your prior bout of COVID shields you enough from another encounter with the coronavirus? New research suggests that adding in vaccination is still your best bet. A combination of vaccination and prior infection offers the most optimal protection against infection with COVID-19, a new government study shows. Researchers analyzed data on infections in New… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Heart Function Rebounds for Kids With COVID-Linked MIS-C
A rare and serious inflammatory condition called MIS-C can strike kids weeks after they’ve recovered from their COVID infection. But now there’s good news for parents: Children tend to recover completely from any heart injury within three months of falling ill, a new study from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) shows. “Although it can… read on > read on >
WHO Says Worst of Pandemic Could Ease This Year if Vaccine Inequities Erased
If COVID-19 vaccines and medicines are shared equally worldwide, the pandemic could ease this year, a top World Health Organization official said Tuesday. However, if wealthier countries don’t share their resources with poorer countries, there will continue to be high rates of deaths and hospitalizations, warned Dr. Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO. “What… read on > read on >
No Evidence Breastfeeding Can Transmit Coronavirus
Breastfeeding moms can rest easier: New research finds no evidence their milk transmits the virus that causes COVID-19 to their babies. “Breast milk is an invaluable source of nutrition to infants,” said lead author Dr. Paul Krogstad of the University of California, Los Angeles. “In our study, we found no evidence that breast milk from… read on > read on >
No Side Effects From Your COVID Vaccine? Don’t Worry, It’s Still Working
Even if you don’t have side effects from your COVID-19 vaccine, it’s likely still working to protect you, a reassuring new report shows. Many people who receive the mRNA COVID vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna experience body aches and fatigue that indicate the vaccine is triggering their immune system to recognize and fight the coronavirus.… read on > read on >
Too Soon to Tell if Omicron Will End Pandemic: Fauci
It’s too soon to determine whether Omicron’s rapid spread will turn a pandemic virus into an endemic disease, America’s top infectious disease expert says. That “would only be the case if we don’t get another variant that eludes the immune response to the prior variant,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said this week during the Davos Agenda,… read on > read on >
Vaping Might Worsen COVID-19 Symptoms
If you vape and catch COVID-19, you may feel a whole lot worse than people who come down with the virus but don’t use electronic cigarettes, researchers say. When compared to folks with COVID-19 who didn’t use e-cigarettes, those who did were more likely to report chest pain, chills, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea… read on > read on >
Which Kids Are Most Vulnerable to Severe COVID-19?
As a record number of American kids are being hospitalized with COVID-19, a new study helps clarify which ones are at the highest risk for serious complications. The study tracked over 3,200 children and teenagers who landed in an emergency room with COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive. It found that older kids — between the… read on > read on >
Her Arm Got Caught in Family’s Treadmill. It Could Have Been Worse.
It can happen so fast. One moment, a family is eating dinner together like usual. Soon after, they go off to do other things before being brought back together by a child’s scream. That is what unfolded in the Beckman home in State College, Pa., one October evening three months ago. The youngest of the… read on > read on >
At-Home COVID Tests Accurate for Kids: Study
Despite earlier concerns that at-home COVID-19 tests might be less accurate than PCR tests, new research in U.S. children and teens adds to evidence that the rapid tests are highly accurate. The scientists said the accuracy of the tests — which can be used at home and in schools and provide quick results — is… read on >