These three recent studies demonstrate that universal masking is associated with a significantly lower rate of COVID transmission. Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)
Tag: Infectious Diseases
The Dangers of an Unwitnessed Pandemic
This, Dr. Weiss wrote in his day four entry, is the reality of the disease: ‘You really can’t understand till you see it…and that’s the problem. Nobody is seeing it.’ Undark
Fauci: ‘The Virus Is a Formidable Foe’
Dr Anthony Fauci discusses the COVID-19 pandemic, the US response, and the outlook for a vaccine to combat the virus. WebMD
Nurses Developed Eye Cysts While Treating COVID-19 Patients
Nurses in Paris developed eye problems while using eye protection to care for critically ill patients in COVID-19 intensive-care wards, according to a new report by French doctors. Reuters Health Information
If We All Get COVID Anyway, Should We Just Get It Over With?
Will everyone get coronavirus eventually? If so, is there a strategy to get us through this pandemic as quickly as possible without leading to excess deaths? Medscape
Can You Catch COVID-19 Through Your Eyes?
To study whether SARS-CoV-2 could infect the eyes, researchers at Johns Hopkins looked at whether the eye’s surface cells had key things that made the virus more likely to enter and infect them. WebMD Health News
The Element of Surprise: COVID-19 Unveiled a Tale of Two Americas
Two black physicians and health equity researchers argue that the pandemic is unfolding exactly as expected. Medscape Infectious Diseases
COVID-19 Data Point to Two Possible Realities — Which Is It?
Is COVID-19 a slow-moving killer with a high death rate or a rapid spreader with minimal impact on most people? Medscape
Topol: US Betrays Healthcare Workers in Coronavirus Disaster
Many US healthcare workers started this year already suffering from burnout, but the worst was yet to come. Medscape
Medical Meetings May Be Forever Changed
COVID-19 has caused medical conferences to be canceled this spring. Some regular attendees are expressing relief. Will this disruption lead to lasting changes? Medscape Medical News
Are Warnings Against NSAIDs in COVID-19 Warranted?
UPDATED // The French Health Ministry recommends acetaminophen instead, but evidence on any unique COVID-19-related effects linked to ibuprofen is lacking, say the Spanish Health Ministry and a US expert. Medscape Medical News
More Medical Conferences Fall to Coronavirus
Several more meetings join the list of those that have canceled or postponed. Medscape Medical News
FDA OKs First Generic of Daraprim (Pyrimethamine) Tablets
Generic pyrimethamine, from Cerovene Inc, is indicated for the treatment of toxoplasmosis when used with a sulfonamide. FDA Approvals
Candida auris Tied to Vision Loss in Case Report
Infection with Candida auris likely led to panophthalmitis and vision loss in an immunocompromised patient, according to a new case report. Medscape Medical News
FDA Clears First Zika Blood Test for Routine Use
The ZIKV Detect 2.0 IgM Capture ELISA had previously been authorized only for emergency use under the FDA’s emergency use authorization authority. FDA Approvals
PRAC Recommends Restrictions on Fluoroquinolone, Quinolones
The new restrictions follow a review of rare but disabling and potentially long-lasting side effects, mainly involving muscles, tendons, bones, and the nervous system. News Alerts
False Positives Common With LabCorp Zika Testing, FDA Warns
The ZIKV Detect test for virus antibodies always requires confirmation. A higher-than-expected rate of false positives underlines the need for double-checking. News Alerts
Texas Reports Local Zika Case, First Outside Florida
The Texas health department believes that a woman became infected from the bite of a local mosquito. Medscape Medical News
OCT Imaging Reveals Extent of Retinal Damage in Infants With Zika Syndrome
Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), researchers analyzed and described for the first time the structural changes that occur in the retinas of babies with Zika virus syndrome. The results indicate “severe visual impairment in newborns,” researchers say, but further studies are needed to correlate the observed findings with visual function.
Reuters Health Information
CDC More Cautious on Conception, Sex After Zika Exposure
Men who’ve possibly been exposed to the virus without developing symptoms should wait much longer than previously advised to attempt pregnancy with a partner or have condomless sex. News Alerts