In a recent study published in PNAS, researchers explained how airborne transmission arises through the inhalation of aerosol droplets exhaled by an infected person and is now thought to be the primary transmission route of COVID-19. Their assumption is that the respiratory droplets are mixed uniformly through an indoor space. The study discusses a theoretical model that quantifies the extent …
Older adults account for almost one-half of hospitalizations due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Providing post-acute rehabilitation for frail older adults recovering from COVID-19 remains a significant challenge as nursing facilities, one of the most common settings for post-acute care, have become overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the post-acute period is an essential window of opportunity for recovery, having …
Facial paralysis can be observed in the context of many conditions, such as viral infections, traumatic injury, cancers, or hormonal changes during pregnancy. Idiopathic causes, also known as Bell palsy, are unilateral, generally reverse spontaneously, and cause partial or complete acute weaknesses of the face. Isolated facial paralysis after vaccination has been reported as case reports for decades with almost …
In a recent article published in MedPage Today, medical experts at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting discussed COVID-19 vaccines and “long hauler” symptoms. “The question of vaccines and different neurological conditions has been studied over the years” said Walter Koroshetz, MD, director o the National institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “We don’t have any real …
Youth and summer camps can play an important role in the lives of children, including supporting their social, emotional, and physical development. Camps provide opportunities for children to try new activities, develop relationships and social skills, and be physically active. In addition to allowing for free play and unstructured learning, many camps also incorporate educational content, which can help prevent …
In a news release from EurekaAlert, researchers at Columbia University say that they found no signs of virus inside the patients’ brain cells but saw many brain abnormalities that could explain the confusion and delirium seen in some patients with severe coronavirus and the lingering “brain fog” in those with mild disease. The study, which the authors called the largest …
A MedPage Today article reports that as Great Britain continues to stretch out the interval between the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to 12 weeks, data out this week seems to support doing so, but concerns remain. A study published in The Lancet showed that the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine provides sustained protection of 76% during the 12-week interval …
Recent studies have suggested that to reach immunity, immunocompetent SARS-CoV-2 seropositive adults may only require 1 dose rather than 2 doses of an mRNA vaccine, however, these studies did not include older adults. Older adults living in nursing homes are at higher risk for severe COVID-19, and the immune response to the vaccine may differ from that of younger, healthier …
A study of about 200 COVID-19 patients last year found that nearly half reported a loss of taste or smell. While most of them regained their senses within four weeks, roughly 10% reported their condition had been unchanged or worse. Doctors are still learning about this COVID-19 related symptom and what possible treatments could be helpful. Some physicians have begun …
Clinical trials suggest high efficacy for COVID-19 vaccines, but evaluation of vaccine effectiveness against severe outcomes in real-world settings and in populations at high risk, including older adults, is needed. In a multistate network of U.S. hospitals during January-March 2021, receipt of Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines was 94% effective against COVID-19 hospitalization among fully vaccinated adults and 64% …
