FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Rachel Spray is still grieving the loss of her fellow nurse who died after being exposed to the novel coronavirus at Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center in California. Now, as she stands in front of the gleaming glass and concrete hospital, she says she “dreads going in there” and fears she’ll [...]
First proposed in 1989, the “hygiene hypothesis” is dated – and dangerous, potentially confusing the public and possibly adding to the spread of infectious disease. Generally, the hypothesis suggests that reduced exposure to childhood infections contributed to the rapid rise in childhood allergies. In short, we had become too clean, too hygiene-conscious. Despite the scientific [...]
Disinfecting high-contact surfaces inarguably is an important step to prevent the spread of pathogens. However, the practice falls well short of a total solution. Microorganisms are killed by surface disinfectants, but the defense is fleeting. Surfaces are quickly vulnerable to recontamination as soon as unwashed and unsanitized hands and contaminated air leave behind new issues. [...]
Background: Smell dysfunction is highly prevalent worldwide and has adverse effects on quality of life. Smell loss in rhinitis subjects is mainly caused by mechanical obstruction of odorant transmission due to mucosal Type 2 inflammation. We determined the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with the severity of smell dysfunction in children. Methods: We measured the olfactory threshold score [...]
Abstract Several studies have revealed that the hyper-inflammatory response induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a major cause of disease severity and death. However, predictive biomarkers of pathogenic inflammation to help guide targetable immune pathways are critically lacking. We implemented a rapid multiplex cytokine assay to measure serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, [...]
Abstract We describe 9 patients at a medical center in Detroit, Michigan, USA, with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and Clostridioides difficile. Both infections can manifest as digestive symptoms and merit screening when assessing patients with diarrhea during the coronavirus disease pandemic. These co-infections also highlight the continued importance of antimicrobial stewardship. Credit: iStock, Raycat [...]
On June 1, 2020, with declines in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and hospitalizations in Rhode Island,* child care programs in the state reopened after a nearly 3-month closure implemented as part of mitigation efforts. To reopen safely, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RIDHS) required licensed center- and home-based child care programs to [...]
India’s COVID-19 cases soared even higher today, as the world’s second most populous nation came closer to edging out Brazil as the second worst-hit country. In another development, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced a plan to review the International Health Regulations (IHR), an agreement between the WHO and member countries to [...]
Introduction High blood cholesterol can affect anyone. It’s a serious condition that increases the risk for heart disease, the number one killer of Americans—women and men. The higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk. Fortunately, if you have high blood cholesterol, there are steps you can take to lower it and protect your [...]
High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Medications can help improve your cholesterol. But if you’d rather first make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol, try these five healthy changes. If you already take medications, these changes can improve their cholesterol-lowering effect. Smiling senior man with weight at gym. Looking [...]
