Scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington University have conducted a study to estimate the incidence rate and predictors of fatigue after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
The study is published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Study: Estimates of Incidence and Predictors of Fatiguing Illness after SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Image Credit:p.ill.i/ Shutterstock
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a multifactorial disease characterized by a range of mild-to-severe respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and neuropsychological symptoms. The disease is also associated with long-term consequences, commonly known as long-COVID.
A CDC-conducted survey in January 2023 has shown that up to 15% of US adults experience long-COVID symptoms and that fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom by both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Another recent study has identified fatigue as a common symptom among 85% of patients with long-COVID.
Post-COVID fatigue demonstrates many similarities with an illness called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, which is an unexplained syndrome characterized by functional limitations that impair the daily life activities of patients.
In this study, scientists have estimated incidence rates of fatigue and chronic fatigue in patients with and without COVID-19 and determined the factors associated incident fatigue.
The study was conducted on 4,589 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses between February 2020 and February 2021. A total of 9,022 patients without a COVID-19 diagnosis during the same period were included as controls.
Electronic health records of the patients were collected from three US hospitals and more than 300 primary care and specialty clinics and analyzed to estimate the incidence rates of postCOVID-19 fatigue and chronic fatigue and to quantify the additional incident fatigue caused by COVID-19.
The mean follow-up periods were 11.4 months for COVID-19 patients and 11.5 months for controls. The follow-up time was calculated as the duration between the first COVID-19 diagnosis and the detection of the first incident event (fatigue) for patients with an event. For patients without an event, the follow-up time referred to the duration between the first COVID-19 diagnosis and the last follow-up date.
The study estimated that about 9.5% of COVID-19 patients included in the study had incident fatigue during the study follow-up period. This gave rise to an incidence rate of 10.2/100 person-years.
Regarding factors associated with incident fatigue, the study found that the incidence rate increases with advancing age and is higher among women than men. A comparatively lower incidence rate was also observed among patients without comorbidities and among patients who were not hospitalized for acute COVID-19.
Considering patients without COVID-19 (controls), the incidence rate was estimated to be 6.0/100 person-years. This indicated that the risk of incident fatigue is 68% higher among COVID-19 patients compared to that among controls.
According to the study estimations, the incidence rates of chronic fatigue among COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients were 1.82/100 person-years and 0.42/100 person-years, respectively.
Similar to fatigue, the risk of developing chronic fatigue was significantly higher among COVID-19 patients compared to that among non-COVID-19 patients. The difference in chronic fatigue incidence rate between COVID-19 patients and controls continued to increase even after 12 months of disease diagnosis.
Cumulative incidence of fatigue (A) and chronic fatigue (B) among 4,589 COVID-19 cases and 9,022 nonCOVID-19 controls in study of fatiguing illness after SARS-CoV-2 infection, Washington, USA, February 2020February 2021. Shading around data lines indicates 95% CIs.
The analysis conducted after adjusting for age and comorbidities revealed that women are 39% more likely to develop incident fatigue than men. After adjusting for sex and comorbidities, a non-significantly higher risk of incident fatigue was observed for older adults compared to that for young adults (18 29 years).
Patients with comorbidities showed a significantly higher risk of incident fatigue than those without comorbidities. Among 36 diseases that were diagnosed 18 months before COVID-19, 21 showed significant associations with incident fatigue after adjusting for age, sex, and number of comorbidities. Specifically, patients with hypertension, gastritis, and duodenitis showed 27% and 93% higher risks of incident fatigue, respectively.
Regarding clinical outcomes, the study found that about 25.6% of COVID-19 patients with incident fatigue were hospitalized more than once during the post-acute period. In contrast, only 13.6% of patients without incident fatigue were hospitalized during the post-acute period. Moreover, patients with fatigue showed a significantly higher risk of death compared to those without fatigue.
The study finds that COVID-19 is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing fatigue and that patients with incident fatigue have far worse clinical outcomes than those without fatigue.
The high incidence rate of post-COVID-19 fatigue observed in the study highlights the need for public health actions to control SARS-CoV-2 infection and to develop effective treatments for post-COVID-19 fatigue.
In a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, a team of scientists examined how prevalent self-reported cognitive symptoms were in individuals with post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) condition as compared to individuals who had prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections but had not developed post-COVID-19 condition. They also evaluated the impact of these cognitive symptoms on mood, function, and employment status.
One of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been post-COVID-19 condition, commonly referred to as long coronavirus disease (long COVID), where the symptoms of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections persist or remerge months after recovering from the initial infection. The condition consists of wide-ranging symptoms affecting numerous organ systems, with fatigue, shortness of breath, and post-exertional malaise being the most common symptoms.
Changes in mood and cognitive impairments have also been reported, with studies confirming the long-lasting impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on neurological health. These persistent physical and neurological symptoms continue to have a significant impact on the functioning and quality of life of the patients long after they have recovered from the initial infection. Understanding how this condition impacts the individuals productivity or employment status is essential to forming effective treatment mechanisms and public health strategies.
In the present study, the researchers used data from a survey conducted across the United States (U.S.) during two COVID-19 waves among individuals who had reported post-COVID-19 condition symptoms and those who reported complete recovery after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data was collected between December 2022 and January 2023 and then again from April to May 2023 across 50 U.S. states.
The participants were above 18 years of age, and the study population was balanced for demographic factors such as gender, age, race, and ethnicity. A validated measure for patient-reported outcomes was used to design the questions on cognitive symptoms, which largely included questions on how often patients experienced specific symptoms over the previous week with replies on a five-point scale.
The questions addressed the prevalence of symptoms such as trouble remembering, trouble starting tasks, slowed thinking, finding multitasking difficult, decision-making problems, and needing to pay extra attention to avoid errors. The number of symptoms and presence of these symptoms based on an occurrence rate of at least once a day were recorded for each patient.
A nine-item questionnaire was also used to assess depressive symptoms in patients. Additionally, the patients were asked to describe how these cognitive post-COVID-19 symptoms interfered with their daily activities. The employment status of the participants was also recorded and categorized as full-time, contract, part-time, self-employed, homemaker, student, retired, or unemployed.
Sociodemographic information collected from the participants included self-reported race and ethnicity data. The initial SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-COVID-19 condition were defined based on self-reported symptoms from the participants, such as reports of positive test results for COVID-19.
The results showed that cognitive symptoms were prevalent in individuals experiencing post-COVID-19 conditions, and these symptoms were associated with functional impairments and a lower likelihood of holding full-time employment. The severity of depressive symptoms was also greater for individuals with cognitive post-COVID-19 symptoms.
The number of individuals with post-COVID-19 condition who reported experiencing cognitive impairments was significantly higher than those who reported cognitive symptoms but did not have post-COVID-19 condition. Furthermore, women, younger individuals, and people with lower income levels showed a higher prevalence of cognitive symptoms than those in other sociodemographic groups.
The researchers believe that the higher prevalence of cognitive impairments reported among younger individuals could be due to the notable change from the baseline measurements before the COVID-19 pandemic. Among older individuals, who might already be experiencing cognitive decline associated with age, the cognitive impairments due to post-COVID-19 condition might not be as apparent as in younger individuals.
The study also suggested that the association between increased prevalence of cognitive impairments among individuals from lower-income households could reflect the influence of economic stress on the vulnerability to cognitive symptoms of post-COVID-19 conditions.
Overall, the study found that cognitive decline was highly prevalent among individuals with long COVID or post-COVID-19 conditions, especially among younger individuals, women, and those from low-income households.
Furthermore, the probability of full-time employment was found to be lower among individuals experiencing cognitive impairments due to long COVID, highlighting the need for public health strategies and treatment measures to improve the quality of life and functional abilities of individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 condition.
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It is not too late to get the flu vaccine and other vaccines such as COVID-19 and RSV.
January 16, 2024
CINCINNATI, OH The Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) conducts ongoing monitoring of untreated wastewater in Cincinnati to learn about potential viruses circulating among the population in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati.
Recent results showed the consecutive detection of Influenza A viral genes copies in the untreated wastewater collected from the Mill Creek wastewater treatment plant, said Maryse Amin, Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Health Commissioner, Division Director for Community Health and Environmental Health Services with the Cincinnati Health Department. Detection of influenza virus in wastewater can indicate higher transmission within a community, so it is important to take precautions to minimize the negative impact of the flu and other viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses typically circulate during the fall and winter during whats known as the flu season.
To date this season, 57 influenza hospitalizations have been reported among Cincinnati residents of all ages. Only 14% of those who have been hospitalized were currently vaccinated. Both Type A and Type B influenzas have been detected in Cincinnati residents, and those that were sub-typed appear to be familiar viruses that are included in this years seasonal influenza vaccine: A(H1-2009), AH3, B(Victoria).
Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable, but local indicators suggest that Cincinnati has not yet peaked.
Given that we are at the height of the flu season, CHD encourages everyone who have not yet received the flu vaccine to consider getting it as soon as possible. It is not too late.
In addition to the flu vaccine, CHD encourages people to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine and the RSV vaccine for those who are 60 and older. People are encouraged to check with their physician regarding their individual situation as well as timing and type of vaccine they should receive.
CHD offers vaccines at all its health clinics, including for people who are uninsured. However, uninsured patients will be responsible for copay and/or administration fee. Like for other medical services, CHDs clinics use sliding scale fees for the insured.
We appreciate the Cincinnati Health Department and Metropolitan Sewer District for their work on surveillance in our community, said Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner. Its respiratory virus season so its not unusual to find this type of activity. This should serve as a reminder to get vaccinated the best choice for avoiding severe disease.
A mystery dog illness that spread across the U.S. last year and can lead to serious or fatal respiratory problems is still under investigation, but cases are starting to slow, experts say.
The illness, which started to spread more widely in the summer and fall of 2023, causes coughing, sneezing and fatigue, among other symptoms, and can progress quickly to pneumonia. The dogs suspected to have it test negative for all of the typical causes of respiratory symptoms and often don't respond to treatment.
In a statement to TODAY.com, the American Veterinary Medical Association says that based on "conversations with various sources ... the number of cases are declining," adding that an "ebb and flow" of respiratory illness in dogs over the course of the year is common, similar to cold and flu season in humans.
The statement also explains that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has so far not seen that the rise in respiratory illness in dogs is linked to a new virus or bacteria.
A statement from the Animal and Plant Inspection Service, part of the USDA, confirms to TODAY.com that the state-led testing that the agency is helping coordinate "has not indicated the presence of a novel pathogen or single infectious cause among these cases."
Numerous veterinary diagnostic labs across the country are investigating the outbreak, from Oregon to Kansas to New Hampshire.
The APHIS spokesperson adds that the illness is not regulated by APHIS and therefore the branch doesn't have data on case numbers.
The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association also shared in an Feb. 14, 2024, update that "cases seem to be waning, if not back to normal," citing veterinarian Dr. Scott Weese'sWorms and Germs blog.
At last count, at least 19 states had reported cases of the illness, according to various expert groups. The AVMA explained in an earlier statement that the mystery dog illness is difficult to track because there's no national surveillance system.
In November 2023, veterinarians in critical care settings told TODAY.com that they'd seen dozens of cases since the fall.
Late last year, multiple groups including the Colorado and Oregon departments of agriculture, the AVMA, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued warnings about the mystery illness in dogs.
We dont know what is causing this situation, where dogs are presenting at veterinarians with what private veterinarians would call kennel cough, Rhode Island's state veterinarian Dr. Scott Marshall told NBC affiliate WJAR. Whats different about this situation is that dogs are presenting with little bit more severe signs, not responding to usual treatments, and unfortunately had a small number, still a number, of dogs that have succumbed to them.
It seems to happen very, very quickly to go from this cough thats just wont go away ... and then all of a sudden they develop this pneumonia, Dr. Lindsey Ganzer, veterinarian and CEO at North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, toldTODAY.com. She said she treated over a dozen dogs with what she believes is the condition between October and November 2023.
If your dog develops a cough, do not panic, the AVMA advises. But stay vigilant about its progression and your pet's overall health, and contact your vet right away if anything seems off.
Dogs with this mystery illness usually have coughing, sneezing, eye or nose discharge, are abnormally tired, and do not test positive for any common causes of canine respiratory illness, the Oregon Department of Agriculture noted in a Nov. 9 press release.
Typically, dogs with respiratory illnesses have a cough for seven to 10 days, but some vets saw an uptick in dogs with coughs lasting weeks to months that don't respond to treatment, the Colorado Department of Agriculture said in a Nov. 22 statement.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this mystery illness outbreak was the high number of dogs who developed pneumonia. One Colorado vet, Dr. Michael Lappin, director of the Center for Companion Animal Studies at the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, told NBC News the number of canine pneumonia cases in the state rose by 50% between September and November 2023 compared to 2022.
Marshall estimated that Rhode Island saw at least 35 cases of the mystery respiratory illness, but it's hard to know exactly how many because not all cases are reported.
Dogs are most likely to contract it by being in close contact with numerous other dogs so places like doggy day care, dog parks, groomers or boarding kennels, Ganzer said. The illness seems to affect dogs regardless of age, size or breed, though dogs with snort snouts, like bulldogs and pugs, may be at higher risk.
Between mid-August and mid-November, the Oregon Department of Agriculture received reports of over 200 cases of the illness from veterinarians in the state but has had no additional cases to report since.
A Dec. 1 statement from the Washington Department of Agriculture said the state has received 16 reports of unusual canine respiratory disease. Two cases were confirmed as such.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture also shared in November that veterinarians in the state were seeing "double the number of cases than what is typically seen during a canine infectious respiratory disease outbreak."
The Wisconsin State Journal reported that between late October and December, clinics around the state saw six to 12 cases each, according to Dr. Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at University of Wisconin-Madison.
Dr. Amanda Cavanagh, head of urgent care services at Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins, Colorado, told TODAY.com that this past summer she started seeing cases of dogs with coughs lasting several weeks or longer, and the trend continued into the fall. She estimated her caseload of coughing dogs doubled from October to November.
While dogs with a contagious cough are common in veterinary settings, Cavanagh noted that she normally sees cases decrease in the fall as temperatures drop and fewer dogs are gathering at parks. "But this year, the spike has stayed high," she explains.
In its original press release, the Oregon Department of Agriculture noted that the illness can progress in three ways:
Cavanagh witnessed all three scenarios play out at her hospital. Last fall, she said she saw more dogs than usual with a long-lasting upper respiratory infection who then developed pneumonia from a secondary bacterial infection.
Of the dogs she treated, she said most who developed pneumonia responded to antibiotics, and many with the long-lasting cough recovered with time and never got pneumonia. But of those who developed the severe pneumonia, some died or had to be euthanized.
"That really bad pneumonia, historically, is very, very rare. Maybe I would see one case a year," but last fall alone, Cavanagh saw a "handful," she said.
Because most states are not tracking case numbers, it's not known exactly how many dogs have died from the illness.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture tells TODAY.com that it does not know how many dogs have died from the illness in the state.
However, it is confirmed that some dogs in the U.S. have died from the mystery illness.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture said in a statement that "in rare cases, the canine patients progress quickly from pneumonia to death." Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences also said the illness has resulted in "some fatalities."
Ganzer and Cavanagh both have had several canine patients die from what they believe to be the condition. Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association President Shelly Pancoast told WJAR that she's seen five to 10 dogs die from the mystery illness.
We still dont have a great handle on how exactly we should be treating these dogs, Pancoast said. A vast majority of them are making full recovery, its just unlike anything weve seen in previous years with kennel cough."
According to various expert groups, cases that match the description of the mystery dog illness have been reported, officially or anecdotally, in:
This above list of states comes from the AVMA, the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association, the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Symptoms of the mystery dog illness include:
Related: What does coughing in a dog sound like? Vet explains in viral video
For many dog owners, the signs of coughing can be difficult to recognize, Dr. Michele Forbes, Dr. Michele Forbes, owner of Compassionate Care Hospitalin Ann Arbor, Michigan, says.
"Rarely do (dog owners) identify a cough until it becomes an overt problem and its clearly coming from the chest, Forbes explained in a now-viral TikTok.
As a result of owners not noticing coughing or confusing it for something else, like throat-clearing or gagging, some dogs are arriving at vet facilities in more advanced stages of the condition, which can make it more difficult to treat, Forbes told TODAY.com.
Some tips to help identify signs of coughing in dogs:
Other signs that your dog should see the vet, per the AVMA, include:
Dogs are most likely to contract the illness when in close contact with other dogs, so previous guidance was to keep dogs away from other dogs. But case rates have essentially returned to normal, Weese noted in his blog.
To keep your dog safe and healthy overall, the AVMA recommends keeping up to date with vaccinations. "While the existing vaccines may not specifically target this unknown infection, maintaining overall health through routine vaccinations can help support a dogs immune system in combating various infections," it said.
The AVMA stressed the following vaccines: Bordetella, Adenovirus type 2, and parainfluenza combined with the injectable influenza H3N2 vaccine.
Be sure to give your dog two weeks after vaccination before interacting with other dogs so they can build up immunity.
If your dog is sick, consult a vet as soon as possible, as early testing can help with treatment, and keep the dog away from other dogs to avoid spreading the illness, experts advise.
While it's unlikely a humans can get sick with the respiratory illness, because the cause is still unknown, the AVMA suggests thoroughly washing hands after handling any dogs.
Caroline Kee contributed reporting.
Maura Hohman is the senior health editor for TODAY.com and has been covering health and wellness since 2015.
SAN ANTONIO Chances are we all know someone who is sick right now, whether it's yourself, a family member, or friend.
"Wash your hands, you can't underestimate how these viruses are spread, usually through droplets," Dr. Pollyanna Pitt, Teladoc Health Physician said.
According to the latest CDC data, Texas is experiencing high flu infection rates, while here locally we've seen a decrease.
"The high numbers in Texas, they can be due to several factors, so one is the variation in the flu virus itself, so there's actually 4 different types," Pitt said.
Pitt said other factors include mutations of the virus, density of population, whether someone is immunocompromised and lack of vaccination.
So just how do you know if you have the flu, RSV, or COVID?
"The flu on the other hand the fevers are higher and then they are characterized by really bad body aches, both can cause weakness," Pitt said.
Pitt said if you have a common cold you may just have a runny nose and mild cough. If you get RSV you coughing can be severe, causing wheezing and difficulties breathing, while COVID has distinct effects like loss of smell or taste, but can also include nausea and diarrhea like the flu.
To protect yourself, Pitt said to wash your hands, and wear a mask when your going to be around a large group of people.
"Just trying to clean and disinfect everything and just trying to also mitigate your exposures and getting vaccinated," Pitt said.
Locally, San Antonio has seen a slight decrease in flu cases, but Pitt said you will see ebbs and flows in infection rates, which can last through May. While infection rates are high, clinics and hospitals can be overwhelmed, so to bridge that gap you can use telemedicine services like Teladoc Health.
"We offer convenience and also safety from possibly being exposed in the waiting room, you get to be in the comfort of your home. We do everything from primary care services like annual exams to everyday health and wellness needs and even chronic disease management," Pitt said.
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It has been a week but 12-year-old Rishi Vema from Shalimar Bagh is still battling high-grade fever, a runny nose, a severe headache and a spasmodic cough that refuses to go away. He first reported a stubborn fever of 104 degrees F, says his mother Vinita, who thought that he had contracted a virus from her husband, who is still recovering from a bad bout of pneumonia. But doctors have now diagnosed him with influenza, which is raging among children in the Delhi, NCR region, possibly indicating a strain that they are finding difficult to ward off or being exposed to for the first time.
According to Dr Arvind Kumar, Director, and HOD, Paediatrics at Fortis, Shalimar Bagh, and Dr Sumit Ray, Medical Superintendent at Holy Family Hospital in Okhla, the latest bout of infection could be due to a cocktail of viruses that flourish with the days just beginning to get hotter. While Dr Kumar has not been testing every patient, Dr Ray says that almost 60-70 per cent of his young patients are influenza positive. Both agree that the number of affected kids, though not alarming yet, is surely higher than in the last two years.
Yes, in a majority of patients, according to Dr Roy. Predominantly it is influenza A and a few cases of influenza B but because the test is expensive and the symptoms are the same, we are starting medication, says Dr Kumar. The worrying part is Paracetamol is breaking the fever only temporarily and the temperature is returning after a few hours.
The children could experience high fever and chills recording high temperatures up to 104 degrees F, a runny nose, a sore throat, headache and dry cough. In some cases, they may experience digestive discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
To ensure your childs recovery from the flu, parents must follow these steps: First, prioritise ample rest in bed. Second, promote hydration by encouraging your child to drink fluids. Third, emphasise nutrition as children benefit from consuming bland foods. A bland diet consists of soft, mildly seasoned, and low-fibre foods.
Yes. Doctors say that the virus can spread from one person to another through droplets released during coughing and sneezing. Hence, keeping your child far away from any infected person in an indoor environment is essential. Do not let your kids touch objects contaminated with the virus. Hand hygiene is a must, says Dr Kumar.
If the child is dull, listless, not eating, and is dehydrated, with no improvement even in five days, rush them to a hospital, advises Dr Roy.
Dr Kumar suggests monitoring your childs temperature regularly. Do not go for over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children younger than three years of age unless prescribed by your doctor. Decongestants and antihistamines wont stop coughing. Give them supportive relief with a light soupy diet, immunity-boosting foods and warm fluids. Use saline nose drops or to clear mucus from nasal cavities.
Doctors point out that in the cases of flu, the virus also leads to severe upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis (infection of the tiny airways that lead to the lungs). In some cases, children may take up to two weeks to recover properly. They may experience digestive discomfort such as nausea, vomitting and diarrhoea.
The risk of heart attack and ischemic stroke in patients aged 50 and older more than doubled in the 2 weeks after even mild influenza in those with few risk factors and more than quadrupled in high-risk patients with severe cases, with elevated risk persisting for 2 months, according to a self-controlled case series in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Researchers in Valencia, Spain, assessed the link between flu infection diagnosed in the primary care or hospital settings and 90-day risk of heart attack and ischemic strokein nearly 2.2 million older patients from January 2011 to December 2018.
The study authors noted growing evidence that respiratory infectionsparticularly flucan trigger or exacerbate cardiovascular diseases, the world's leading cause of death.
Seven percent of participants had a flu diagnosis or test during the study period. A total of 5.5% of participants had at least one clinical flu diagnosis, and 1.7% were tested for flu at a hospital, with 30% positive results. Of the clinically diagnosed flu patients, 84 had a heart attack or ischemic stroke within 90 days and 1,618 did so during baseline (periods of no flu exposure).
Stratification by risk subperiod revealed incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of cardiovascular events of 2.21 and 2.62 in the first 7 days and 8 to 14 days of infection, respectively. No significant increase was seen during days 15 to 29, 30 to 60, or 61 to 90 days after infection.
Among patients with lab-confirmed flu, 48 cardiovascular events occurred in the next 90 days, and 558 occurred during baseline. The IRRs for cardiovascular events were 4.40, 5.09, 2.47, and 2.24 during 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 29, and 30 to 60 days, respectively. No significant increase was observed 61 to 90 days after infection.
In patients with negative results, 153 cardiovascular events occurred in the 90 days after the flu test, and 1,467 occurred during baseline. The IRRs for cardiovascular events were 5.16, 4.19, 2.45, 2.55, and 1.68 during days 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 29, 30 to 60, and 61 to 90, respectively.
An analysis of the 65-and-older age-group revealed increased IRRs for cardiovascular events (in comparison with the entire 50-and-older group) in the 7 days after a clinical flu diagnosis and the 60 days after a lab-confirmed infection.
In comparison with the overall and clinical diagnosed groups, patients with lab-confirmed or negative results were older (62 and 64 years vs 70 years, respectively)and had higher death rates (14% and 18% vs 43% and 52% respectively), a greater proportion of patients with at least four underlying medical conditions (11% and 31% vs 54% and 53%), and a higher percentage of patients with two or more cardiovascular events.
This work reinforces the official recommendations for influenza prevention in at-risk groups and should also increase the awareness of even milder influenza infection and its possible complications in the general population.
The study results provide further evidence that while several pathogens are thought to increase cardiovascular risk through systemic infection and inflammation, the flu virus may have a more specific role in direct cardiac infection and endothelial dysfunction, leading to destabilization and rupture of existing atherosclerotic plaques, the authors said.
"The transient increase of the association, its gradient after influenza infection and the demonstration by 4 different sensitivity analyses provide further evidence supporting causality," the researchers wrote. "This work reinforces the official recommendations for influenza prevention in at-risk groups and should also increase the awareness of even milder influenza infection and its possible complications in the general population."
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a severe and highly contagious illness that demands serious attention. Often mistaken as a common cold, influenza can lead to severe health complications if left untreated, especially in high-risk individuals. This article aims to provide comprehensive insights into the flu, prevention measures, and treatments, to help you stay healthy and prevent the spread of this potentially deadly virus.
Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, weakness, and muscle pain. The causative agents of this disease are several closely related viruses in the family Orthomyxoviridae, categorized into types A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses cause significant epidemics, with the former leading to larger outbreaks. Influenza D viruses, on the other hand, are not known to infect humans. These viruses undergo constant evolution through processes known as antigenic drift and antigenic shift, facilitated by animals such as pigs and birds. This evolution often leads to the occurrence of pandemics and epidemics, making influenza a significant public health concern.
On average, influenza pandemics occur once every 50 years. The 1918-19 pandemic was the most destructive in history, resulting in an estimated 25 million deaths globally. Annual influenza outbreaks are common in most parts of the world, with varying levels of severity. Recently, despite warmer temperatures, there has been a surge in flu cases in areas like the St. Louis region, with health officials suggesting a combination of common viruses may be to blame. This underlines the fact that the flu can strike at any time and is not exclusive to the colder months.
The best defense against influenza is prevention, and there are several measures one can take to protect themselves and others. These include maintaining high standards of personal hygiene, such as regular hand washing, avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick, and staying at home when exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The annual flu vaccine is also a vital tool in the battle against the virus, providing immunity against the most common strains predicted to circulate in any given year.
Despite these precautions, one may still contract the virus. If this occurs, it is important to seek medical care promptly. Antiviral medications can lessen the severity and duration of the flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Also, staying at home and resting can help the body recover and prevent the spread of the virus to others.
Influenza is a serious and widespread illness that can result in severe health complications, particularly in high-risk individuals. However, with understanding, vigilance, and proactive measures, we can protect ourselves and those around us from this potentially deadly virus. Remember, your health is in your hands, so stay informed, stay safe, and stay healthy.
Wake County Public Health is encouraging those at risk for mpox to get vaccinated and help prevent the spread by taking advantage of convenient, no-cost appointments and walk-in clinics.
This reminder comes on the heels of three new mpox cases confirmed in Wake County within the last six weeks.
The vaccine for mpox is widely available and is a safe, effective way to lower your risk of getting the virus, said Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. At Wake County, were making it as easy as possible for anyone who would like to receive the shot to do so. Getting the vaccine now can help protect you through spring and summer when large events and festivals tend to take place.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a virus in the smallpox family. It first rose to the national spotlight in summer 2022 when there was an unusual global outbreak with more than 31,000 cases reported in the U.S. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 721 cases have been reported in North Carolina, with 119 of those being in Wake County.
Where to get vaccinated Wake County Public Health offers both walk-in and appointment services for the vaccine.
Walk-in services (no appointment needed):
Appointment only services:
The JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose injection that helps prevent against mpox when given before or shortly after exposure to mpox.
Mpox symptoms According to the CDC, symptoms of mpox can include:
In addition, those at risk of getting sick with mpox should consider taking the following safety precautions:
Learn more about mpox, including where to find testing and vaccinations, at wake.gov/mpox.
WAKE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Wake County Public Health (WCPH) announced three new confirmed cases of mpox within the last six weeks.
Mpox is a virus in the smallpox family.
WCPH is now encouraging those at risk for the virus to get vaccinated.
They are now accepting walk-ins and appointments for the mpox vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control voted to recommend routine mpox vaccines to prevent high-risk infections last October.
Back in 2022, the World Health Organization renamed monkeypox as 'mpox,' citing stigma and discrimination concerns.
