When you have COVID-19, when are you most infectious? Researchers are getting closer to an answer, with a new study finding that folks exhale the highest amounts of virus during the first eight days of their illness. Scientists found that patients exhale quite a bit of virus during the first several days — as many… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Yet Another Mosquito-Borne Threat: The ‘Jamestown Canyon Virus’
You’ve probably heard of West Nile virus, but mosquitoes spread various other illnesses, too, including the little-known Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), which is garnering attention across the United States. For example, health officials in Connecticut have so far identified mosquitoes carrying JCV in 12 towns across the state. Although no confirmed human cases of the… read on > read on >
City Living Means More Coughs, Colds for Kids
Two new studies looked to explain an increased risk of respiratory infections like coughs and colds in babies and young children, finding city living to be among the culprits. Young children who grow up in towns and cities instead of the countryside suffer more respiratory infections, according to research presented Monday at a meeting of… read on > read on >
People Infected With Hepatitis C May Need the Hepatitis B Shot
Patients with hepatitis C should consider being vaccinated again for hepatitis B, because their immune response to the initial shot may be inadequate, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School urge those who have hepatitis C to be checked for hepatitis B immune protection. If none is present, they should… read on > read on >
Melatonin for Kids: Is it Safe? How to Help School Children Get Good Sleep
SATURDAY, Sept. 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Lots of parents are giving their children the supplement melatonin to help with sleep, but is it safe? In a new survey, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) found that 46% of parents — what it called a “shocking number” — have given melatonin to children under… read on > read on >
Global Warming Could Make Pregnancies More Dangerous
Global warming has been linked to higher rates of asthma, heart disease and other health concerns. Now, new research suggests that rising temperatures across the planet may place pregnant women at greater risk for severe pregnancy-related illnesses, especially in their third trimester. And this is likely to get worse in the near future, said study… read on > read on >
Combo of Certain Birth Control Pills, Painkillers Could Raise Women’s Clot Risk
It’s well known that certain forms of birth control carry a small risk of blood clots. Now a large new study suggests that some common painkillers can magnify that risk. The study, of 2 million Danish women, found what numerous others have before: Women who used birth control pills or other estrogen-containing contraceptives had a… read on > read on >
Were You a Big Baby at Birth? Your Infant May Be Also, Study Finds
If you were a big baby — or your spouse or partner was — your baby has a good chance of being big, too. New research shows parents who were large babies are more likely to give birth to a large baby. Knowing this has the potential to improve prenatal care and interventions by identifying… read on > read on >
Making Sure You Don’t Get RSV This Winter: An Expert Offers Tips
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common viral infection that affects people of all ages, with infants and older adults being particularly vulnerable to severe complications. Preventing the spread of RSV requires a multi-pronged approach that includes vaccination, good hygiene practices and public health initiatives. You may have seen recent reports about newly approved vaccines… read on > read on >
Study Confirms Effectiveness of Mpox Vaccine
While it doesn’t prevent infection altogether, new research shows the mpox vaccine does reduces the severity of disease in those who fall ill from the virus. An international team of scientists found that those people who had either mpox vaccination or a previous infection in 2022 had less severe disease. The researchers studied 38 mpox… read on > read on >