In a highly anticipated study that compares rapid antigen and laboratory PCR approaches for COVID-19 serial screening, researchers affiliated with the National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative reported that both testing methods were equally effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection when tests were given on a regular cadence every three days. While individual PCR tests are more …
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that it will publish a notice in the Federal Register to extend the comment period for the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS) to August 20, 2021, to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment. More information can be found …
Ivermectin is a widely prescribed medication for the treatment of COVID-19 although there is some question as to the clinical efficacy of the drug. We are all acutely aware of the devastation COVID-19 has brought around the world and therapeutic approaches are needed to improve outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Several countries have included ivermectin in their treatment guidelines, leading …
It is known that viral, bacterial, and protozoal infections of the gastrointestinal tract are a risk factor for development of functional disorders including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and chronic fatigue. It is plausible that SARS-CoV-2 infection could be a trigger for longer-term gastrointestinal symptoms, especially given the previous evidence linking infections and IBS symptoms, or postinfectious IBS, said …
We hear a lot about “long-haulers” and “long-COVID,” but what are the frequency and variety of persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection? A study published in JAMA Network Open found that COVID-19 symptoms “commonly persisted beyond the acute phase of infection, with implications for health-associated functioning and quality of life; however, methodological improvements are needed to reliably quantify these risks.” Health …
In a recent study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine Network, the use of psychotropic medications among nursing home residents in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic was discussed. The study examined the monthly proportion of nursing home residents who were prescribed psychotropic drugs as a proportion of the monthly number of residents filling a prescription for any drug from …
COVID-19 is a global pandemic with significant case fatality, often due to respiratory failure. Few treatments have improved morbidity, and the only pharmacologic intervention reported to improve survival is use of glucocorticoids in hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen. The National Institutes of Health recommends maintaining oxygen saturation levels at 92%-96 for COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients often have unrecognized hypoxemia …
An ABC News article published May 27, 2021 examined the need for and importance of a booster COVID-19 vaccine shot. Many long-term advocates are concerned about how long immunity will last compared with the standard procedure for FDA approval for a booster shot. The long-term care residents were among the first to receive COVID vaccines and likely will then be …
The below information is sourced from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s “SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests:” Genetic Variations: Background and Considerations The SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated over time, resulting in genetic variation in the population of circulating viral strains over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular, antigen, and serology tests are affected by viral mutations differently …
During 2020, mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 largely depended on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, universal masking, isolation, and quarantine. Contact tracing and quarantine of exposed contacts are intended to limit the number of infected contacts and lessen the risk of transmission. Contact tracing is a resource-intensive, multi-step process with many potential steps at which persons with COVID-19 or …
