Residents of nursing homes have been a particularly at-risk group throughout the pandemic, and the advent of the fast-spreading Omicron variant has them facing another wave of infections and deaths, new data shows. During the week ending Jan. 9, U.S. nursing homes reported more than 32,000 COVID-19 cases and 645 deaths among its residents, according… read on > read on >
Flu vaccines protect children against serious illness, even when the vaccine doesn’t match the circulating flu virus, according to a new study that reinforces the importance of flu shots. Flu viruses are constantly changing, and the effectiveness of flu vaccines can be influenced by the similarity between the viruses used in vaccine production and the… read on > read on >
Parents struggling with infant feeding issues may have another reason to persevere: New research ties feeding problems with an increased risk of developmental delays. For the study, the mothers of nearly 3,600 children were surveyed about feeding problems at 18, 24 and 30 months of age, such as gagging, crying during meals or pushing food… read on > read on >
Unvaccinated pregnant women are putting themselves and their baby at risk for serious complications of COVID-19, according to new research out of Scotland. For women who have the virus within 28 days of their delivery date, those complications include preterm births, stillbirths and newborn deaths. Infant deaths are four times higher among unvaccinated women, the… read on > read on >
As the Omicron variant rages across the United States, an expert outlines how to reduce your risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Be cautious when it comes to social activities and consider the amount of risk you’re willing to accept in order to get together with others, said Dr. Michael Lin, an infectious disease specialist… read on > read on >
One in 10 people with COVID-19 could still be infectious beyond 10 days, and some could remain so for as long as two months, a new study suggests. U.K. researchers reported that a new test can detect whether the coronavirus is potentially still active. They used it to analyze samples from 176 people who had… read on > read on >
Face masks are touted as a key tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and a new study offers more proof that they work. Florida researchers found face masks cut the distance that airborne pathogens such as the coronavirus can travel by more than half. The findings suggest that some COVID-19 social distancing guidelines could… read on > read on >
Transgender people get greater mental health benefits if they start gender-affirming hormone treatment when they’re teens instead of waiting until they’re adults, a new study finds. “This study is particularly relevant now because many state legislatures are introducing bills that would outlaw this kind of care for transgender youth,” said study lead author Dr. Jack… read on > read on >
While COVID-19 has taken the lives of many children and caused serious illness for many more, it is generally agreed that the virus is much less likely to inflict severe damage in the young. But new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed a concerning trend: The rate of COVID-19-linked… read on > read on >
Is your teen staring at their smartphone all day? There’s many things parents can do to protect kids from the potentially negative effects of social media, experts say. While there are positive aspects to social media, there’s evidence it can pose risks to teens’ mental health due to issues such as bullying, body image concerns… read on > read on >
