Updates on New Infectious Disease Threats: What You Need to Know
Information about COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases is constantly evolving. I am hoping to summarize some of that in these newsletters. New information will be in
BOLD.
COVID-19
General Information
The COVID-19 public health emergency expired on May 11, 2023.
An analysis of blood donated by 72,000 blood donors showed that 96% had antibodies against SARS-Cov-2 - either from past infections and/or from vaccinations. In fact, about half of these people seemed to have immunity both from prior infection and vaccination (MMWR).
A new study (Nature) found that only 3.7% of infants born to a mother infected with COVID-19 will get infected themselves. Of those babies who got infected, only 5% were sick enough to require oxygen.
Symptoms and Risk Factors:
People with sleep apnea have a 75% higher risk of Long COVID after infection with SARS-Cov-2 (Jama Network Open).
A new study suggests that you can protect yourself from Long Covid by engaging in healthy sleeping behaviors (Jama Network Open).
Researchers have now identified 12 key symptoms that are associated with Long Covid (JAMA). These symptoms include
- fatigue, especially after exercise
- brain fog
- dizziness
- gastrointestinal issues
- palpitations
- issues of sexual desire or performance
- loss of smell or taste
- thirst
- chronic cough
- chest pain
- abnormal movements
An article published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that people with severe fatigue due to Long Covid find improvement with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Incidence/ Prevalence:
COVID-19 continues to circulate world-wide: China is currently experiencing a surge with 65 million new cases every week (!!). The strains circulating in China are the same as those we are seeing in the U.S.
Treatment
Vaccines:
A new study shows that the mRNA vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer/ BioNTech do NOT increase the risk of auto-immune inflammation (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology).
Multiple doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were found to be safe in kids as young as 6 months (MMWR)
Other treatments:
The anti-viral Paxlovid has recently gained full FDA approval, so it is no longer an "experimental" treatment for COVID-19. This medications can significantly reduce your likelihood of being hospitalized if you are infected: hospitalization rates are reduced by 80-90% if taken within 5 days of symptom onset. Paxlovid is indicated for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who at high risk of getting worse (due to age or underlying conditions)
Testing
Nothing new to report....
Other Infectious Diseases:
MPOX:
The WHO has declared that the global outbreak of mpox (previously known as "monkeypox") is no longer an international emergency. This very contagious disease was seen between early 2022 and May of 2023 and affected more than 87,000 people in over 100 countries.
RSV:
RSV is a virus that causes lung diseases in young children and older adults. Most older adults who get seriously ill with RSV live in senior living communities or have multiple other medical problems. Two new vaccines have just been developed for this infection. Most recently, a vaccine made by Pfizer has gained FDA approval. The vaccine was showed to be 67-85% effective in people older than 60 with symptoms of RSV. It is hoped that these vaccines will be available to the public by the fall
OTHER MEDICAL NEWS:
Recent studies have found that sugar substitutes (often used in "diet" soft drinks and similar products) do NOT help you lose weight and could actually increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. The WHO now recommends against the use of such products if you are trying to lose weight.
I know you are tired of me constantly citing articles of the benefits of exercise....well, here are more!
Plos One published an observational study showing that any degree of exercise helps improve pain tolerance.
Exercise can sharpen thinking as you age, even if you didn't exercise as a youngster (Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports).
About Dr. Sujansky's Life in These Times
I just returned last week from our summer family vacation in Africa. One highlight was certainly Victoria Falls (my kids bungee jumped my husband and I zip-lined!). We also went on safari and were gob-smacked (good word, right?) by the many wild animals that seemed unafraid of us!
I hope you will get much out of your summer this year also!
