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We show that symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in England in adults is usually short-lived with most people reporting a short illness with symptom resolution within 2 weeks. However, in our study population, one in 10 people with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection report symptoms for more than 4 weeks, one in 13 for more than 12 weeks (meeting the WHO definition for post COVID-19 condition (Long COVID)10), and 1 in 20 for more than 52 weeks. In our study population, 69% of those with persistent symptoms at 12 weeks still had symptoms at 52 weeks, meaning that 31% recovered within a year. We found that female sex, higher deprivation, having a pre-existing health condition, more severe symptoms at onset, and being infected when the original Wild-type variant was dominant was associated with having symptoms persisting for 12 weeks and 52 weeks. The above variables have previously been identified as risk factors for Long COVID2,7,11,12,13. We found a suggestion of lower reporting of persistent symptoms in older ages unlike another population-based study in the UK which found a positive linear association between age and Long COVID7.
The variant at the time of infection, initial severity and presence of pre-existing health conditions had the biggest impact on persistent symptoms, consistent with previous findings6,7,14,15. Compared to Wild-type, those infected when Omicron was dominant were 88% less likely to report symptoms beyond 12 weeks; this may reflect changing immunity in the population from previous exposure to the virus and vaccination. A recent case-control study conducted in the UK found lower odds of Long COVID with the Omicron versus the Delta variant, ranging from OR 02 (95% CI 02, 03) in those vaccinated >6 months prior to infection to 05 (95% CI 04, 06) in those vaccinated <3 months prior to infection16. We did not find conclusive evidence of effectiveness of vaccination against Long COVID. Vaccination reduces the severity of COVID-1917 and it may be through this indirect route that it has an impact on the risk of persistent symptoms post-infection. However, recent systematic reviews suggest that vaccination before SARS-CoV-2 infection could reduce the risk of subsequent Long COVID13,18,19.
The reporting of current symptoms was high across all groups in our study. For example, while 669%, 549% and 546% of individuals with ongoing persistent symptoms post-COVID-19 reported currently experiencing mild fatigue, difficulty thinking or concentrating and joint pains, respectively, the prevalence of these symptoms in those who never had COVID-19 was also high, at 311%, 152% and 355%. Indeed, a high level of symptom reporting was also observed for those who had recovered from COVID-19; the prevalence of mild fatigue, difficulty thinking or concentrating and joint pains in those with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or who had recovered from COVID-19 within 4 weeks was 383%, 213% and 344%, respectively. These findings of high symptom prevalence in comparison groups have been observed elsewhere7,20,21, and could be due to higher participation in studies of people with current symptoms. Alternatively, this may reflect the timing of our survey which included months with high levels of upper-respiratory and influenza-like illness in the population. However, our data did show that the most specific persistent symptoms following COVID-19 were loss or change of sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, and difficulty thinking or concentrating, which were nine, seven, six and five times more likely, respectively, than in other participants. Of the few studies with a COVID-19-negative comparator group, one showed that COVID-19 cases had a higher likelihood of mood disorder, anxiety, and insomnia when compared to people with influenza or respiratory tract infection22. Another study found that in comparison to community controls, COVID-19 cases had a higher prevalence of symptoms at 6- and 9-months, including fatigue, sleep difficulties, hair loss, smell disorder, taste disorder, palpitations, chest pain, and headaches23.
There were substantial differences in currently reported health and well-being between individuals reporting ongoing persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms and those who had never had COVID-19 or had recovered, consistent with published evidence7,14,24. Encouragingly, those whose symptoms had resolved, even after 52 weeks, had general health and quality of life scores similar to those with no COVID-19 history or who recovered quickly. The dyspnoea and post-exertional malaise (PEM) scales were asked of everyone reporting shortness of breath (Dyspnoea 12) or fatigue, and individuals reporting persistent symptoms following COVID-19 scored higher (i.e. worse symptoms) than others, suggesting these symptoms may be more specific. A meta-analysis of 12 studies that evaluated health-related quality of life in individuals with Long COVID reported a pooled prevalence of poor quality of life (EQ5D Visual Analogue Scale - EQVAS) of 59% (95% CI 42, 75)24. Similarly, the Long-COVID in Scotland study found that symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a wide range of impaired daily activities and reduced health-related quality of life7.
A strength of our study is that we have addressed some of the limitations of existing studies by having a comparison group and including people in the general population who had severe, mild, and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. We compared contemporaneous symptom profiles of community-based adults reporting ongoing persistent symptoms post-COVID-19 versus those who have never had COVID-19 or have recovered. Our study is the largest yet to look at these questions and goes further than previous questionnaire-based studies with COVID-19 negative8 and never-infected7 controls by identifying factors associated not only with recovery (yes/no) but rate of recovery. Indeed, our findings highlight the importance of having a comparator cohort of participants who tested negative and experienced the pandemic and national lockdowns. However, we acknowledge the possibility of misclassification bias in our comparator groups as infections may have gone undetected particularly in stages of the pandemic when free universal testing was not available in the UK.
We also recognise that the subjective nature of symptoms creates the potential for reporting and recall bias. We used information regarding presence and duration of symptoms rather than whether participants described themselves as having Long COVID to reduce potential reporting bias. The data on symptoms at the time of PCR testing were retrospective which introduces the possibility of recall bias, although we have previously shown that REACT participant reports of symptom onset date closely mirrored the epidemic curve25. There is also a risk that recall bias may have differentially affected reporting of symptoms by participants infected at different times, along with other time-varying factors, such as behaviour, seasonal weather patterns and changing pandemic restrictions, knowledge and expectations26, which may account for at least part of the association between persistent symptoms and Wild-type infection. However, studies looking at individuals with confirmed infections of different SARS-CoV-2 strains also show lower risks with more recent variants27,28.
We used validated instruments to assess mental health29,30, quality of life31. dyspnoea32, and fatigue33 but recognise the limitations of self-reporting and floor and ceiling effects (i.e, if a higher percentage of individuals achieve either maximum or minimum scores). The PHQ-9 scale used is a diagnostic tool for depression. However, some of the somatic questions have been found to be strongly correlated with symptoms that are common in Long COVID, including fatigue, sleep disruption and brain fog34. As such, by using this scale we might be overestimating the level of depression. This issue was raised by Reem et al. who suggest the PHQ-235 screening criteria may be more appropriate for Long COVID as they do not include somatic items and simply require a score of 3 or more from the first two questions of PHQ-934. The percentage of participants in our study across all COVID-19 categories with a PHQ-2 score 3 was lower than the percentage with PHQ-910 and the difference was more marked in those with ongoing persistent symptoms post-COVID-19 (Supplementary Table7, Supplementary Table8).
Our questionnaire response rate was 346%; response rates in the Long-COVID in Scotland Study and a Dutch population-based cohort were 16% and 33-39%, respectively7,8. Like these studies, our participants were more likely to be female, older, of white ethnicity and from the least deprived areas compared with the general adult population. These issues might cause selection bias in our study; however, we did not observe substantial differences between those invited and those who participated in the study on the measured sociodemographic characteristics (Supplementary Table1).
A further limitation is that we do not present estimates for the population prevalence of persistent symptoms. To do so would require weighting but production of weights is far from straightforward given the composition of our sample. The probability of being in the sample was dependent upon the composition of the base population, varying response rates by sociodemographic group and across REACT-1 and REACT-2 rounds. We also oversampled participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and who reported persistent symptoms. Producing weights that take account of all these factors would involve making extensive assumptions which would likely introduce unknown biases.
In summary, our study provides timely data about the effect and implications of the pandemic on adults in England with and without ongoing persistent symptoms following COVID-19. Although COVID-19 is usually of short duration, some adults experience persistent and burdensome illness, although a sizeable proportion still recover after a prolonged period. Differences in symptoms and recovery are being further explored in an in-depth interview study with REACT participants to further understand the varying presentations and trajectories of post-COVID conditions36.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Dutch government was so focused on keeping acute care available that it was blind to the other effects of its coronavirus policy. By focusing its policy on available ICU places, the government ignored other issues like health problems due to delayed care, Long Covid, and broader social problems. That is the conclusion of the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) in its third and final report on the Netherlands handling of the pandemic. The third report focused on the period from January 2020 to September 2022.
During the coronavirus crisis, the Cabinet stuck to the chosen short-term strategy for too long, the OVV concluded. That approach meant that new risks and resulting damage were insufficiently included in the crisis approach.
Spurred by images from Bergamo in Italy, where hospitals overflowed and there were so many Covid-19 deaths that there werent enough coffins in March 2020, the Cabinet wanted to prevent coronavirus patients from not having access to hospital care at all times. If there was no room in the ICUs, doctors would have to decide who to save - an almost impossible task from an ethical point of view. In the end, it never came to that.
As the coronavirus crisis continued, the governments strategy remained unchanged even while other problems emerged. Social unrest grew due to the lockdowns, the possible introduction of a policy allowing only vaccinated people access to things like the catering industry, and the curfew. The unrest regularly devolved into violent riots. But, these problems did not play a role in developing coronavirus measures. The Cabinet did not adjust the strategy accordingly, the OVV said.
The OVV also criticized the government for neglecting overworked healthcare workers and delayed care. The Cabinet did not sufficiently pick up signals from healthcare workers and continued to rely on their resilience. That is especially risky in a long-term crisis.
In future health crises, the OVV advised the government to examine more often whether it was still on the right course. Regularly check whether the chosen goal is still the right one. With national crises, the OVV recommended spreading responsibility over the entire Cabinet - in the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister of Health had most of the burden. Explain dilemmas and risks more clearly, and also look at the social consequences of pandemic measures, not just the health risks.
GRANT PECK, Associated Press
17 hours ago
File - Family members and colleagues wait to welcome released prisoners from Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Military-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, allowed prisoners to have visitors from outside, a right that had been suspended for 3 1/2 years due to the coronavirus pandemic, the military's information office and prison officials said. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)
BANGKOK (AP) Military-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday allowed prisoners to have family visitors from outside, a right that had been suspended for 3 years because of the coronavirus pandemic, the militarys information office and prison officials said.
The rule allowing visitors carries detailed conditions, but its the first opportunity for many of the thousands of political detainees who have been locked up for opposing the militarys 2021 seizure of power to meet with their family members.
Visitors must be able to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and a household relationship to the prisoner being met. Further documentation is required from the visitors local administration offices and police precincts.
A family member of a prisoner convicted of incitement and high treason for protesting military rule told The Associated Press that she was allowed to meet her son for about 20 minutes in a large room after waiting for about two hours with more than 100 other visitors. She visited a prison in Thayarwaddy township in Bago region, about 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Yangon, the countrys biggest city.
She said she was happy to see her son again after more than a year and to be able to bring him medicine and money, since she last saw him at his trial in August last year.
Visitors had to speak to the prisoners through two wire mesh dividers about a foot (30 centimeters) apart, the woman said.
She spoke on the condition of anonymity because of concern about being identified since the military prefers to be the sole source of information on sensitive subjects.
The mother said she was told by the prison authorities that the inmates would be allowed to receive visitors once a month. Before the pandemic, they were allowed to meet their families at least twice a month.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a group that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the repression of the military government, said that 25,337 people had been arrested since the 2021 takeover, and 19,616 of them, including ousted national leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were still in detention as of Tuesday.
Tun Kyi, a senior member of the Former Political Prisoners Society, a mutual support group, said any easing of prison conditions should be regarded as an effort by the military government to score political points and ease international pressure. Many Western nations apply economic and diplomatic sanctions on the countrys ruling generals because of their 2021 takeover and record of human rights abuses.
There is nothing to be happy or welcome about this case, which is intended to ease international pressure, Tun Kyi said.
Family visitation rights were suspended after the coronavirus pandemic began in early 2020. Most sectors of society gradually reduced or dropped testing requirements and other virus-fighting measures since 2022, but family visits to prisoners had remained banned.
Although prisons, in Myanmar as elsewhere, saw the coronavirus spread easily because of crowding and poor hygienic conditions, the continuation of the ban on visits had been widely seen as meant to demoralize political prisoners and highlight the punishment awaiting those who challenge military rule. Protests against the armys takeover were initially nonviolent, but after they were suppressed with deadly force, an armed resistance movement arose, which now operates throughout much of the country.
The total number of prisoners held in Myanmar, not only political detainees, isnt publicly known. There are about 66 prisons and 48 labor camps in Myanmar. Prison Department officials from Yangon, Magway region and Mon state told the AP on Tuesday that the visits have already begun. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to release information.
The militarys information office said in a statement sent to journalists that the in-person meetings with inmates at the prisons have been allowed to begin, but visitors must have been vaccinated twice for coronavirus and must be included in the same official household lists as the prisoners. It said other details of the visiting rules are posted on signboards in front of the prisons.
If theres one positive that came out of the pandemic, it could be our heightened awareness of how viruses, particularly the respiratory kind, can spread from one person to another. The super-sick person who insists on toughing it out and coming into the office or school (and getting several other people sick as a result) has fortunately fallen out of favor.
At this point its clear that no one wants to be the bearer of bad germs, but there's no consensus on when to return to civilization and what precautions, such as masking, may be necessary.
Keep reading to find out how long youre contagious if you have a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or RSV, and how factors like vaccination status, medications, or symptom severity play a role.
The common cold is a mild upper respiratory illness thats relatively contagious, says Dean Winslow, MD, a professor of medicine and an infectious-disease physician at Stanford Medicine in California.
Colds are caused by many different viruses, and rhinovirus (which has many types) is the most common cause, he says. Other common cold viruses include adenoviruses and coronaviruses.
Thats why you can get multiple colds in one season because they can be caused by different viruses or strains, explains Dr. Winslow.
Colds are spread from person to person through the air and from close personal contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common symptoms are sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, and (rarely) fever.
You can actually be contagious for up to a day or so prior to onset of your symptoms, and then usually you're most contagious for about 24 to 48 hours after onset of symptoms, says Winslow.
For people with upper respiratory symptoms, Winslow recommends wearing a mask for about five or six days after your symptoms begin, in order to protect other people. By that time, the amount of the virus youre shedding is a lot less and youre unlikely to pass the cold on to someone else, he says.
Most human flu illnesses are caused by influenza A and B viruses, which can infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, according to theCDC.
Symptoms of the flu can range from mild to severe, and include:
Flu is mostly spread through the air by tiny droplets generated when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk, which can then go on to land in the mouths or noses of others. It can also be spread by contact with objects if a person touches something with the flu virus on it and then touches their nose or mouth though thats less common.
As with a cold, you can shed the flu virus and infect other people up to 24 hours prior to onset of symptoms, says Winslow. Youre most contagious the first day or two after the onset of symptoms, he says.
By day three or four, you may still have a lot of symptoms as a result of your immune system being activated, but the amount of virus that you're shedding is lower, he says. Even though its less likely to spread by that point, you are still potentially contagious. To be safe, I would recommend that people wear a mask pretty much the whole time they have upper respiratory symptoms, says Winslow.
The flu shot can reduce your chances of getting the flu. If you do get the flu even after getting immunized, its less likely that youll become severely ill.
There isnt enough evidence to show that already being vaccinated against the flu influences how long youll be contagious if you do still get the virus, says Winslow.
But a medication such as Tamiflutaken within the first 48 hours after onset of symptoms probably does make you less contagious, says Winslow. It definitely reduces the duration of symptoms and also very likely has at least a modest effect on reducing viral shedding because it is an antiviral, he says.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the respiratory tract and usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, according to Yale Medicine. It can be hard to tell the difference between a cold and RSV, though the latter usually involves more mucus production (meaning you go through a lot of tissues).
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days after infection, per the CDC.
Symptoms of RSV infection usually include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing, according to theCDC.
RSV is spread through droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, direct contact (like kissing someone with RSV), or from touching a contaminated surface (like a doorknob) and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes, according to Yale Medicine.
Again, you can spread RSV a day or two before your symptoms show up, and then typically for about three to eight days after your exposure, per theCDC. After the first few days of symptoms, the amount of virus you shed decreases dramatically unless your immune system is compromised, says Winslow.
Some infants and adults with weakened immune systems cant eliminate the virus as well as healthy adults, and remain contagious for as long as four weeks, according to the CDC.
The RSV vaccine is relatively new, and it isnt known whether it can affect how long you are contagious, says Winslow.
At this point, COVID-19 is very contagious, says Winslow. The way the virus has evolved is that its tended to become more contagious and cause less disease, which is a common strategy that most pathogens take in terms of their evolution, he explains.
COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can include:
The virus spreads via droplets and very small particles exhaled by people with COVID-19. Others can then catch the virus if these particles are breathed in or land on peoples eyes, noses, or mouth. More rarely, virus particles can land on surfaces and be spread that way.
Research has confirmed that you can be contagious up to 24 hours prior to onset of symptoms and then you are most contagious one to two days after the onset of symptoms, says Winslow.
The severity of your illness impacts how long you are contagious. People who are infected but dont have symptoms or people with mild COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 5 (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared or the date you tested positive), per the CDC. The agency recommends continuing masking through day 10, or once you test negative.
People with moderate or severe COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 10. Those with severe COVID-19 can remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days.
Moderately or severely immunocompromised people may be contagious longer and should isolate through at least day 20, per the agency. Use of serial testing and consultation with an infectious-disease specialist is recommended to determine when to end isolation.
If you are vaccinated for COVID-19 but get the infection anyway, you can still spread the virus, but may be less contagious because you shed the virus for a shorter period, according to a Harvard study.
It has been shown that symptom severity generally correlates with the viral load, and so it makes sense that if you have some preexisting immunity from the vaccine, youre less likely to be shedding the virus, says Winslow.
Antiviral drugs (such as Paxlovid) taken shortly after symptoms start may reduce viral shedding, but the recommendations on masking and isolating should still be followed, he says.
AstraZenecas Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for the approval of a self- or caregiver-administered option for FluMist Quadrivalent, a needle-free nasal spray, has been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, FluMist will be the first flu vaccine available to be self-administered by eligible patients or administered by caregivers, adding an additional option to be vaccinated against influenza.
The sBLA is supported by a usability study which confirmed that individuals over 18 years of age could self-administer or administer FluMist to eligible patients 2-49 years of age when given instructions for use without any additional guidance. FluMist, which is sprayed into the nose, has extensive data demonstrating comparable effectiveness and acceptable safety relative to other flu vaccines.
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date, the FDAs date for a regulatory decision, is expected during the first quarter of 2024. If approved at that time, FluMist is anticipated to be available for self-administration in the US for the 2024/2025 flu season.
Ravi Jhaveri, MD, Division Head, Infectious Disease; Virginia H. Rogers Professor in Infectious Diseases, Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, USA said: A self-administered option for FluMist Quadrivalent would leverage the unique attributes of the product, providing a convenient new choice for individuals and families who want to protect their loved ones against flu. Vaccination rates for children and adults under 50 years of age declined in the 2022-2023 flu season, highlighting a need for more accessible solutions. The ability for individuals and parents to choose where to administer an injection-free flu vaccine could help increase access and, subsequently, vaccination rates, and greatly benefit those most impacted by this serious and contagious respiratory illness.
Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, said: For more than 20 years, FluMist Quadrivalent has served as a critical public health tool as the only intranasal flu vaccine providing protection to communities around the world. FluMist now has the potential to be the first and only self-administered flu vaccine, which could revolutionise flu vaccination. Our ambition is for FluMist to be ordered directly to peoples homes, providing an innovative, more accessible option for individuals, families and communities.
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, which can cause serious complications to some groups, such as people 65 years and older, young children, and people with certain health conditions.
Notes
Influenza On average, about 8% of the US population gets sick from flu each season, with a range of between 3% and 11%, depending on the season.1 Children 5 to 17 years of age represent 39% of acute respiratory infection medical visits, even though they only make up about 22% of the US population.2 The impact of influenza extends to work and school, as 47% of days of school missed are due to the illness and working caregivers miss 1-2 days of work to care for household members.3
FluMist Quadrivalent Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine FluMistQuadrivalentis a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which is administered as a nasal spray for the prevention of influenza. FluMist Quadrivalent can be used in appropriate children and adults 2 through 49 years of age. FluMist Quadrivalent is an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended flu vaccine option. FluMistQuadrivalent was originally approved in the US in 2003 and since then almost 200 million doses have been distributed around the world.
AstraZeneca AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visitastrazeneca.comand follow the Company on social media@AstraZeneca.
Contacts For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please clickhere. For Media contacts, clickhere.
The FDA is reviewing an application from AstraZeneca to allow its nasal spray flu vaccine, FluMist, to be self-administered. If approved, it could be available for home use during the 2024-25 flu season. Plus, updates on RSV, strep, and covid.
CNN: Next Season, You May Be Able To Take Your Flu Vaccine At Home The US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing an application for the nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist to be able to be self-administered at home, drugmaker AstraZeneca said Tuesday. The vaccine, the only nasal spray option against flu, has been on the market in the United States since 2003. AstraZeneca has asked the FDA to allow adults ages 18 to 49 to be able to give themselves the vaccine, or to give it to children as young as age 2, citing a usability study showing people can do it properly without a health care provider present. If approved, it would be the first flu vaccine cleared for self-administration. (Tirrell, 10/24)
Reuters: US FDA Accepts AstraZeneca's Self-Administered Flu Vaccine For Review The company said it expects the FDA to decide on the vaccine by the first quarter of 2024, adding that it expects the vaccine to be made available for self-administration in the United States during the 2024-2025 flu season, if approved. (10/24)
On RSV
CNN: Demand Outstrips Supply For Some Doses Of New Shot That Protects Babies Against RSV In the latest headache for parents hunting for a new shot to protect babies against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, this winter, the manufacturer says it has stopped taking orders for some doses because they are unable to keep up with unprecedented demand. (Goodman, 10/23)
NBC News: As RSV Cases Tick Up, CDC Warns That A Key Drug To Keep Babies Safe Is In Short Supply The Food and Drug Administration approved the antibody drug, called Beyfortus, in July. ... Newborns and infants can get doses of Beyfortus during their first RSV seasons, and children up to age 2 who are at high risk for severe illness from the virus can get second doses during their second RSV seasons. According to the CDC alert, the highest dosage, 100 milligrams, is in limited supply. The agency told doctors to prioritize getting those doses to infants at the highest risk of severe RSV, including infants younger than 6 months and those with underlying conditions. The CDC also advised doctors to preserve 50 mg doses for infants who weigh less than 11 pounds. (Miller and Edwards, 10/23)
On strep
Becker's Hospital Review: Henry Ford Hospital Sees Highest Strep Rate In 25 Years Officials at Henry Ford Medical Center Fairlane in Dearborn, Mich., thought they may have had faulty testing swabs for strep throat when rates were so high, but the swabs are accurate, radio station WWJ reported Oct. 23.Strep throat rates are currently the highest Jennifer Stevenson, DO, director of the medical center's emergency department, has seen in her 25 years of practice.(Carbajal, 10/23)
On covid
Nature: Inflammation In Severe COVID Linked To Excess Gut Fungi An imbalance of fungi in the gut could contribute to excessive inflammation in people with severe COVID-19 or long COVID. A study found that individuals with severe disease had elevated levels of a fungus that can activate the immune system and induce long-lasting changes. The work, published on 23 October in Nature Immunology1, raises the possibility that antifungal treatment could provide some relief to people who are critically ill with COVID-19. (Prillaman, 10/23)
Nature: Anti-COVID Drug Accelerates Viral Evolution Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, induces numerous mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that can increase the rate at which the virus evolves yielding viral variants that might survive and be passed on. (Pond and Martin, 10/24)
CIDRAP: Study: Kids With COVID Shed Virus For Median Of 3 Days, Supporting School-Isolation Policies Children who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2022 were contagious for a median of 3 days, regardless of vaccination status, suggesting that 5-day school isolation policies are sufficient amid Omicron variant predominance, University of Southern California (USC) and Stanford University researchers report today in JAMA Pediatrics. The study included 76 children aged 7 to 18 years infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Los Angeles County from April to September 2022. (Van Beusekom, 10/23)
Stat: Covid Vaccine During Pregnancy Offers Infants Immunity For Up To 6 Months The risks of severe neonatal morbidity, neonatal death, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were all significantly lower during the first month of birth in infants whose mothers were vaccinated against Covid-19, and protection against the virus continued for up to six months after birth, according to a new study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics. (Balthazar, 10/23)
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --
With the change of seasons comes a renewed focus on the flu and ways we can protect ourselves against infection.
There are many circumstances you and your family can be exposed to the flu virus. School, daycare, travel, work, and public places like stores, restaurants, airports, and fitness centers are germ-charged environments that facilitate the spread of the flu.
Learn how to reduce your risk of getting the flu.
What is the flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
How does the flu spread?
The influenza virus spreads from direct or indirect contact with someone else whos infected. Common ways to get the flu include:
When is flu season?
Flu season when cases of the flu go up dramatically in the U.S. is October through May. The highest number of cases usually happen between December and February.
What are symptoms of the flu?
You may not have all of these symptoms.
What can I expect if I have the flu?
Most people are able to manage flu symptoms at home and recover within a few days to a week. Because it can cause severe illness, its important to keep an eye on your symptoms and get medical attention if you need it. This is especially important if you have an underlying health condition. If you are sick with the flu, you should avoid being around others, except to seek medical care.
When should I go to the Emergency Room or seek immediate medical attention?
Go to the ER or seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of severe illness, including:
When can I go back to work/school?
To avoid spreading the flu to others, you shouldnt go back to work or school until its been at least 24 hours since youve had a fever (without taking fever-reducing medications). Your employer or school may have different requirements for returning.
How do I know if I have the flu or COVID-19?
Since they have similar symptoms, the only way to know for sure if you have the flu or COVID-19 is to get tested. They both have a risk of serious illness. But different viruses cause these infections, and providers treat them with different medications.
How can I prevent the flu?
The best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine, said Lt. Col. Michael Renkas, AFMC Command Public Health Officer. Should you catch the flu, an annual flu vaccine can prime your immune system to help reduce the amount of time you are ill and possibly lessen the severity of your illness. Therefore, an annual flu vaccine can limit the amount of time you are infectious and the potential to infect others. Using several data sources and studies, to include DoD surveillance data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends which influenza viruses are included in annual flu vaccines. Most flu vaccines are quadrivalent, meaning they are designed to increase your protection from four distinct flu viruses.
He advises to speak with your medical provider if you have questions, are pregnant or have other underlying health conditions, and get the flu vaccine before the holidays to strengthen immunity in time to celebrate with your coworkers and family. Getting a flu vaccination in September or October allows for adequate time to develop enough antibodies, which can take up to two weeks, to provide protection throughout the flu season.
Where can I get a flu vaccine?
Influenza vaccinations for all military members are a mandatory requirement, and available through each installations Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) or at any participating TRICARE eligible pharmacies. To ensure records are updated accordingly, military members must provide their servicing MTF documentation of any vaccination not administered and recorded by a MTF.
TRICARE beneficiaries are also eligible for flu shots through immunization clinics on base, or at no cost at TRICARE eligible pharmacies. For the civilian workforce, all Federal Employee Health Benefit plans cover flu shots at no cost for members and are available at local retail pharmacies.
You can find a flu vaccine location through vaccines.gov.
Go to:https://www.vaccines.gov/
-Select "Find Flu Vaccines" at the top of the page
-Enter your 5-digit zip code
-Check your "Vaccine Options
-Select "Search for Flu Vaccines" to find a preferred location
(Click on the location for further details and contact information)
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, there are many everyday preventive measures which can reduce your risk of getting the flu. These actions include:
Extensive seasonal flu resources are made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
From a New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOT) Press Release:
Flu season is underway, and to combat the virus, MountainView Regional Medical Center and Three Crosses Regional Hospital are teaming up with the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) and community partners to host 'Boo to the Flu'. The yearly Las Cruces flu vaccination event is scheduled at both hospitals Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon or while vaccine supplies last. No appointment is necessary.
With flu vaccine provided by DOH, both hospitals will be dispensing drive through flu shots for adults ages 18 and over. One hospital will also be providing vaccinations for children ages six months and over.
Yearly flu vaccines help everyone defend themselves against the flu virus, said Travis Leyva, Interim Director for DOHs Southwest Region Public Health Division. Flu vaccines can reduce peoples chances of serious flurelated complications.
There is no charge for the vaccinations, but anyone with insurance should bring their insurance card, including Medicaid or Medicare, with them.
At MountainView Regional Medical Center:
Adults 18 and children six months and over can receive drive through vaccinations at the hospitals Medical Plaza, east of the main hospital, at 4351 E. Lohman Ave. Follow the signs and MountainView personnel for instructions.
"We are proud to be a part of the Boo to the Flu event again this year, as it aligns with our commitment to the health and well-being of our community, said Mountain View Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Matt Conrad. By providing free flu shots and promoting preventive measures, we are taking proactive steps to prevent the spread of flu and protect the well-being of our neighbors."
At Three Crosses Regional Hospital:
Vaccinations are available for adults only. Three Crosses Regional Hospital is located at 2560 Samaritan Drive just off North Main St. Signs will be posted on both sides of North Main to let you know where to turn. Once on Samaritan Drive, additional signs will clearly mark where on campus to find the drive-thru.
This is our first year participating in Boo to the Flu, and we couldnt be more excited, said Three Crosses Regional Hospital Chief Executive Officer John Lanning. This unique collaboration reflects our mission and commitment to putting the community first as we provide everyone every day the high-quality patient-centered care they deserve.
Flu vaccines are updated every year, which is why the New Mexico Department of Health recommends yearly vaccinations for everyone six months of age and older each flu season - running from October to May - especially people in the following groups who are at high risk or live with and care for people at high risk for developing serious flurelated complications, such as hospitalization and death:
'Boo to the Flu' is created in partnership with the DOH Public Health Division, MountainView Regional Medical Center, Three Crosses Regional Hospital, the United Way of Southwest New Mexico, the Las Cruces Fire Department, American Medical Response Ambulance Service, Las Cruces Public Schools, and nursing students from New Mexico State University and Doa Ana Community College. David Morgan, Public Information Officer| david.morgan@doh.nm.gov | (575) 649-0754
October 23, 2023 By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Health Department will participate in the statewide Fight Flu 23 effort on Nov. 1, 2023, and provide free flu shots to all Tennesseans who are eligible, six-months and older.
We want to protect as many people as we can in our communities from the flu, County Director, Michael Railling, MPH, CPH said. Getting an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and everyone around you.
DeKalb County Health Department will provide free flu shots on Nov. 1, 2023, at the DeKalb County Health Department, 254 Tiger Drive, Smithville, from 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
An appointment is not needed to receive a free flu vaccine at the DeKalb County Health Departments Fight Flu 23 event.
Also, the flu vaccine will remain free to anyone eligible to receive it at all local health departments across the state throughout flu season.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective and can protect individuals against the most common types of flu, and the viruss worst symptoms and outcomes.
The flu virus is very contagious. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions are at the highest risk of severe complications from the flu. Annually, more than 7.5 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths could be prevented in the U.S. if more people chose to get the flu vaccine.
To prevent spreading the flu virus to others, follow precautions such as proper hygiene and handwashing, cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and stay home if you are sick.
For more information about the flu virus and Fight Flu 23, visit tn.gov/health/fightflu. For information about getting a free flu shot, contact the DeKalb County Health Department at 615-597-7599.
