Could Americans Get to COVID Herd Immunity by Late Spring?

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 24, 2021
• Full Page

Hungry for good news on the pandemic? One epidemiologist believes Americans might reach herd immunity to the new coronavirus as soon as late spring.

That's the view held by Suzanne Judd, a professor with the school of public health at the University of Alabama (UA) at Bi...

COVID No More Deadly for People With Asthma, Large Study Shows

• Robert Preidt
• February 24, 2021
• Full Page

During the pandemic, people with asthma have worried that their respiratory condition might raise their risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, but new research findings should calm their fears.

After analyzing data from 57 studies that included a total of over 58...

Got a Vaccine-Skeptical Relative? Here's How to Talk to Them

• Cara Murez
• February 23, 2021
• Full Page

While more than 57 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States and many Americans eagerly await their turn to get a shot, not everyone wants one.

Vaccine skepticism isn't new, but you may be able to persuade skeptical loved ones to change t...

You've Had Your COVID Vaccine: Here's What to Expect After

• Robert Preidt
• February 22, 2021
• Full Page

Worried or wondering about COVID-19 vaccines?

Many Americans are, so experts at Penn State Health are offering some reassuring insight.

"People are approaching this vaccine with more hesitation because it was approved quickly, but that really just speaks to how far...

A Third of COVID Survivors Have Long-Haul Symptoms, Even After Mild Cases

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 19, 2021
• Full Page

Many patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 could become "long haulers," suffering symptoms months after they clear their non-life-threatening infection, new research shows.

About 33% of COVID-19 patients who were never sick enough to require hospitalization continue to...

Cold Facts on Avoiding Snow and Ice Dangers

• Robert Preidt
• February 19, 2021
• Full Page

Severe winter weather has a grip on much of the United States, which increases the risk of injuries from slipping on ice, shoveling, sports such as skiing and sledding, and car crashes.

"One of the most frequently seen causes for visits to the emergency room this time of...

Communities of Color Struggling to Get Vaccines to Those in Need

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 19, 2021
• Full Page

The greatest threat from COVID-19 has been for Black and Hispanic Americans, who are three times more likely to be hospitalized and about twice as likely to die from an infection with the novel coronavirus, compared with white people.

Now, street-level community groups a...

No Evidence Coronavirus Spreads Through Food or Food Packaging: FDA

• Robert Preidt
• February 18, 2021
• Full Page

There's no evidence that the new coronavirus can spread through food or food packaging, U.S. health officials say.

Of the more than 100 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide, there hasn't been any epidemiological evidence of food or food packaging as the source of SARS-CoV...

Tougher State Gun Laws, Less Gun Violence Among Teens: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 18, 2021
• Full Page

States with more gun laws have less youth gun violence, new research reveals.

For the study, the researchers examined data from several states from 2005 to 2017, and found that kids were less likely to be armed in states with more gun laws, and more likely to carry a wea...

COVID & Elevators: A Dangerous Mix, But Here's How to Make It Safer

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 17, 2021
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- As the new coronavirus vaccine rollout gathers speed, elevators will likely become a flash point for businesses hoping to reopen offices while sticking to social distancing.

And a new computer simulation sug...

1 in 3 Americans Delayed, Skipped Medical Care During Pandemic

• Robert Preidt
• February 17, 2021
• Full Page

If you've put off or skipped needed medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, you've got plenty of company.

More than a third of U.S. adults say they have delayed or gone without care either because they fear exposure to the virus or because health care services are har...

Philly Study Finds Lockdowns Linked to Spike in Gun Violence

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- After the coronavirus pandemic forced the city of Philadelphia to go into lockdown, gun violence rapidly escalated, a new study finds.

It's known that many U.S. cities saw a spike in gun violence in 2020, a ye...

Blacks, Hispanics at Higher Risk of COVID Death in U.S. Nursing Homes

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

TUESDAY, Feb. 16, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. nursing homes have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the toll on Black and Hispanic residents has been especially harsh, a new study confirms.

Researchers found that COVID-19 death rates were mo...

New Rabies Prevention Treatment Also Works in Kids: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

Getting bitten by a dog or wild animal is frightening, especially for kids, but a new study may help relieve some of the worry about catching rabies.

The rabies prevention treatment KEDRAB is safe and effective for patients 17 and younger, a groundbreaking pediatric clin...

As Pot Legalization Spreads, More Teens Are Lighting Up

• Robert Preidt
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

As pot gains in acceptance among adults, teenagers appear to be more tempted to try it, a new study out of California finds.

After the state legalized marijuana use for adults in 2016, teens' use of the drug also climbed after years of steady decline.

Research...

Mental Health Trauma Plagues Wildfire Survivors

• Steven Reinberg
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

The 2018 wildfire that destroyed 239 square miles in Northern California, including the town of Paradise, left a lasting mental health crisis in its wake.

Many residents who survived the so-called Camp Fire are now grappling with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (P...

Handgun Ownership Raises Odds for Gun Suicide

• Robert Preidt
• February 15, 2021
• Full Page

Owning a handgun increases a person's risk of firearm-related suicide more than owning a shotgun, a new study finds.

Researchers surveyed surviving loved ones of 121 gun owners who had died by suicide, including 93 who died by a firearm and 28 by other means.

The s...

Not the Flu: COVID Death Risk Is 3.5 Times That of Influenza

• February 15, 2021
• Full Page

The risk of death from COVID-19 is more than triple that from seasonal flu, researchers in Canada say.

Their findings are similar to recent studies from the United States and France. The study was published Feb. 10 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Silent Killer: Watch Out for Carbon Monoxide Dangers This Winter

• February 14, 2021
• Full Page

Carbon monoxide poisoning can prove fatal without a warning, because it can't be seen, smelled or heard.

It's important to be aware of it, especially during winter when you're indoors and using heat sources to stay cozy.

The Nebraska Regional Poison Center has some...

Misjudging Thin Ice Can Be Fatal, Check First

• February 13, 2021
• Full Page

Before you venture onto frozen ponds, lakes and rivers, it's critical to make sure they're safe, an expert cautions.

"A minimum of four inches of clear, newly formed ice is needed to support one person on foot," according to Curt Sinclair, a natural resources specialist...

Southern California Is Origin of New COVID-19 Variant

• Steven Reinberg
• February 12, 2021
• Full Page

A new variant of COVID-19 found in Southern California is coursing across the United States and around the world, a new study finds.

The variant -- called CAL.20C -- was first found in July in Los Angeles County. It reappeared in Southern California in October, then spre...

Tips to Making a Highly Effective COVID Mask at Home

• Cara Murez
• February 12, 2021
• Full Page

When choosing a face mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it seems like the choices are endless.

To make the decision a little easier, researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, tested several styles in 41 types of fabric.

The u...

Give Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Blood Thinners to Help Save Lives: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 12, 2021
• Full Page

Giving blood thinners to COVID-19 patients soon after they're hospitalized could reduce their risk of dying.

That's the conclusion of a new study that analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on nearly 4,300 patients, average age 68, who were hospitaliz...

COVID Vaccines Safe for Organ Transplant Recipients: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 12, 2021
• Full Page

Here's some good news for people who've had solid organ transplants and have weakened immune systems: mRNA coronavirus vaccines are safe for these vulnerable folks, new research shows.

The study included 187 transplant recipients who received an initial dose of either th...

Being Frail Greatly Raises COVID-19 Death Risk: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 9, 2021
• Full Page

Severe frailty significantly increases the risk of death in COVID-19 patients, British researchers say.

In their new study, the investigators analyzed data from more than 5,700 COVID-19 patients at 55 hospitals in 12 countries. They found that those who were severely fra...

Bans on Evictions, Utility Shutoffs Are Curbing COVID Infections: Study

• Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
• February 8, 2021
• Full Page

Bans on evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic may not only be keeping people safe and warm in their homes: They might also limit the spread of COVID-19, new research suggests.

Over the first nine months of the pandemic, the study found, U.S. counties with th...

Speeding on U.S. Roads Is Taking Thousands of  Teenagers' Lives

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 8, 2021
• Full Page

Nearly half -- 43% -- of all fatal car crashes involving teens and their passengers are the result of speeding, a new automobile safety report reveals.

The finding stems from an in-depth analysis of all fatal motor vehicle accidents across the United States between 2015 ...

Patients With Diabetes Need More Counseling on Low Blood Sugar

• February 7, 2021
• Full Page

Doctors need to do a better job of discussing low blood sugar with patients who take high-risk diabetes medications such as insulin, researchers say.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the most common serious side effect of diabetes treatment. Severe cases can lead to fal...

Study Shows Social Distancing Does Cut Your Odds for COVID-19

• Robert Preidt
• February 5, 2021
• Full Page

Keeping a safe distance because it is safer for everyone during a pandemic also carries a personal payoff.

A new study finds that social distancing reduces your individual risk of contracting COVID-19.

"The evidence from our work indicates there is value in sociall...

One Dose to Many, Or Two Doses to Fewer? Experts Explain U.S. Vaccine Rollout

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• February 5, 2021
• Full Page

COVID-19 vaccine shortages are leading some to question whether the United States would be better off simply trying to give a single dose to as many people as possible.

This view has been bolstered by early data from Israel indicating that a single dose of vaccine is ext...

Driving Hazards Differ for Teens With Autism

• Cara Murez
• February 5, 2021
• Full Page

Getting a driver's license is an important milestone for many teens and young adults, including those with autism. But all beginner drivers face hazards on the road.

New research analyzing motor vehicle crashes shows that teens with autism are half as likely to crash due...

Major Medical Groups Urge Americans to Get COVID Vaccine

• Robert Preidt
• February 4, 2021
• Full Page

Want to live like you did in the carefree days before the pandemic?

Just roll up your sleeve when your turn comes to get the COVID-19 vaccine, three major medical groups urge in a new public service campaign.

The vaccines are safe, effective and will help end the p...

Study Shows Young COVID Survivors Can Get Reinfected

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 4, 2021
• Full Page

THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 (HealthDay) -- Being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 is not a foolproof shield against reinfection, a small preliminary study warns.

The finding stems from tracking nearly 3,250 young U.S. Marine recruits between May and October. Of th...

Insulin May Not Need Refrigeration, Freeing Up Its Use in Poorer Nations

• Cara Murez
• February 4, 2021
• Full Page

Researchers report that insulin can be stored at less-cold temperatures than previously known, potentially simplifying diabetes care for people in warmer regions that have fewer resources.

Researchers from Doctors Without Borders and the University of Geneva tested insul...

Vaccines Saved 37 Million Lives, Mostly Children, Over Past Two Decades

• Robert Preidt
• February 4, 2021
• Full Page

They're medical miracles: A new report finds that vaccines against 10 major diseases prevented 37 million deaths between 2000 and 2019 in low- and middle-income countries worldwide, with young children benefiting most.

Vaccinations are also projected to prevent a total o...

Drugged Driving a Growing Threat on America's Roads

• Cara Murez
• February 4, 2021
• Full Page

Combining drugs with driving is a potentially deadly but all too common combination in the United States, according to a new report.

University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers found that almost 9% of adults reported driving under the influence of alcohol. Marijuana use ...

Pfizer Vaccine Is 90% Effective 3 Weeks After First Shot, Early Study Shows

• Robin Foster
• February 3, 2021
• Full Page

Just one dose of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine might be enough to largely protect people from being infected with COVID-19, preliminary research shows.

The vaccine became 90% effective 21 days after the first shot in a two-dose regimen, said British researchers who l...

1 in 5 Older Americans Lack Space to 'Isolate at Home' If COVID Strikes

• Robert Preidt
• February 3, 2021
• Full Page

If there is one thing the coronavirus pandemic has taught people, it is that how much living space you have matters when you or someone you love falls ill with COVID-19.

But a new survey shows that the very group most vulnerable to infection may have precious li...

In Philadelphia, an Animal Tranquilizer Is Driving Deadly Rise in Opioid ODs

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 3, 2021
• Full Page

Philadelphia is seeing a surge in overdose fatalities involving heroin and/or fentanyl plus an animal tranquilizer not approved for human use, according to a new study.

The tranquilizer -- called xylazine -- is a non-opioid sedative and painkiller approved by the U.S. Fo...

Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Helped Keep Millions of Americans From Going Hungry

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 1, 2021
• Full Page

Expanded unemployment benefits, passed by Congress last spring to ease the economic pain of the pandemic, appear to have held hunger at bay for millions of Americans, new research shows.

Called "The CARES Act" when it was put into effect nearly a year ago, the law expand...

Heart Patients Avoiding Care During Pandemic: Survey

• Steven Reinberg
• February 1, 2021
• Full Page

Many Americans with heart disease are avoiding medical care during the pandemic, a new survey finds.

Only 52% of Americans sought medical care for a concerning health problem during the pandemic, according to the survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic. Among patie...

As New COVID Variants Emerge, Do You Need to 'Double Mask'?

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• January 29, 2021
• Full Page

Could wearing two masks be better than one?

The emergence of new and more infectious COVID-19 variants has led health experts to consider "double masking" as a potential way to better protect yourself and those around you.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and P...

Retired Doctors, Nurses Will Be Approved to Give COVID Vaccine, White House Says

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• January 27, 2021
• Full Page

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Retired doctors and nurses are being called to the front lines of the U.S. coronavirus vaccination effort, the White House COVID-19 Response team announced Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ...

Pandemic Has Greatly Slowed Pace of Cancer Research

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• January 27, 2021
• Full Page

To the ever-growing list of COVID-19's collateral damage, add one more casualty: cancer research.

A new study indicates that during the first wave of the pandemic last spring, the number of newly launched cancer treatment studies cratered by 60%.

"In short, the fir...

Frustrations Mount for U.S. Seniors Seeking Access to COVID Vaccines

• Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
• January 25, 2021
• Full Page

Irene Greenhalgh, 83, considers herself a pretty computer-savvy senior, but even she got lost in a maze of websites and e-mails trying to get an appointment for her COVID-19 vaccine.

One health provider's e-mail provided links to sites that were giving vaccinations, but ...

Hand Sanitizer Is Harming Kids' Eyes, Often Seriously

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• January 25, 2021
• Full Page

The explosive rise in use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dangerous, unintended consequence: eye injuries among children.

Using data from French poison control and a children's hospital in Paris, researchers reported that acci...

Half of Americans Still Not Wearing Masks When Out in Public: Poll

• Steven Reinberg
• January 22, 2021
• Full Page

Though masks are effective in stopping the spread of COVID-19, half of Americans don't wear them when mixing with the public.

That's a key takeaway from the ongoing study of more than 6,000 U.S. adults by researchers at the University of Southern California Dornsife Cent...

You're More Likely to Maintain Social Distance If Your Friends Do: Study

• Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
• January 22, 2021
• Full Page

Family and friends can influence whether people follow social distancing recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study finds.

British researchers analyzed information from more than 6,600 people in 114 countries. Those who thought their close social circle...

Dental Practices Rebound as U.S. Dentists Look Forward to COVID Vaccine

• Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
• January 20, 2021
• Full Page

The coronavirus pandemic hit dental practices hard early in 2020, as COVID-19 fears kept millions of Americans from seeking routine oral health care.

But as dental offices have ratcheted up their safety measures, more patients have steadily been returning for checkups a...

If a Nursing Home Resident Gets a COVID Shot, Can Their Families Visit Them Now?

• Dennis Thompson
• January 19, 2021
• Full Page

People in nursing homes have been suffering in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, with their institutions in constant lockdown to prevent potentially fatal outbreaks.

Now that they're some of the first in line to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, it would be natural...