Omicron: GP explains ‘overwhelming’ science behind vaccines We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Vulnerable people across England will begin receiving invitations for the spring Covid booster […]

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* pre-print server, researchers compared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity among hospitalized patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta and Omicron variants in Norway. Study: Milder disease trajectory among COVID-19 patients hospitalised with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant compared with the Delta variant in Norway. Image Credit: Alien […]

In a recently published article in the journal Primary Care Diabetes, scientists have revealed that non-diabetic patients with moderate hyperglycemia are more likely to develop severe and fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than diabetic patients. In other words, moderate hyperglycemia can be regarded as a potential prognostic marker for poor COVID-19 outcomes.   Study: Moderately hyperglycemia as an independent prognostic […]

A baby born with a thymic deficiency received what many consider the world’s first heart transplant combined with a thymus implant. Six months on, the recipient is reportedly thriving. With the donor thymus, the recipient can make T cells that recognize the donated heart as its own, reducing the chance of rejection. This procedure could allow doctors to carry out […]

A recent article posted to the Research Square* preprint server presented the differences among total anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies (Abs) following SARS-CoV-2 Pfizer primary and booster vaccinations. Study: Variation of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after primary BNT162b2 vaccination and homologous booster. Image Credit: BaLL LunLa/Shutterstock Background Currently existing data shows that no known vaccine is fully effective against […]

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers determined the impact of vitamin D status in preventing all-cause acute respiratory infection (ARI) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.  Study: Vitamin D Supplements for Prevention of Covid-19 or other Acute Respiratory Infections: a Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial (CORONAVIT). Image Credit: Alrandir/Shutterstock Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic […]

For nonhospitalized patients with symptomatic mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and a high risk for progression, risk for all-cause hospitalization or death is reduced with sotrovimab versus placebo, according to a study published online March 14 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Anil Gupta, M.D., from the William Osler Health Centre in Toronto, and colleagues randomly assigned nonhospitalized patients with symptomatic, […]

Spare a thought for patients with impaired immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their condition puts them at high risk of severe complications from COVID-19, but also creates uncertainty about the safety and effectiveness of the available vaccines that could protect them. A new study in Frontiers in Oncology helps to put this catch-22 situation to rest by finding that two […]

Managing kids’ social media use can sometimes be tricky. You don’t want to overstep privacy boundaries, but it’s a parent’s job to make sure kids are using social media safely – even celebrity parents, as Gabrielle Union explained this week on The Drew Barrymore Show.  “Now I’m gonna ask you parenting advice, if that’s okay,” Drew Barrymore began, adding that she […]

Since the UK first entered lockdown on March 23 2020, little in the pandemic has attracted so much attention and controversy as this decision to grind social and economic life to a halt. Was it the right thing to do? Properly evaluating the effectiveness of any health-oriented treatment, be it a new medicine, vaccine or lockdown measure, involves comparing its […]