Pope Francis is scheduled to be released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Saturday, following successful treatment for viral bronchitis. The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced that the Pope is expected to attend the Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square.
Virus
Unraveling the Hepatitis Mystery: Common Viruses and Post-Lockdown Vulnerability in Children
Last year, health experts worldwide were puzzled by reports of severe, unexplained hepatitis in previously healthy children. A recent study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has shed light on this mysterious outbreak of acute severe hepatitis that affected children in the United States and 34 other countries in spring 2022.
Unlocking the Mystery: How Dexamethasone Battles Severe COVID-19 and the Path to Targeted Treatments
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors tried different medicines to find what could help save lives from the virus. Researchers also worked hard to understand the body’s response to the virus and create helpful drugs and vaccines. They found that a common steroid called dexamethasone could save lives in very sick COVID-19 patients, but they didn’t know why.
Unpacking the Emergence and Concerns Surrounding the XBB.1.16 Lineage: A Recombinant Omicron Variant Responsible for the Recent COVID-19 Spike in India
Over the past three years, SARS-CoV-2 has continued to evolve by accumulating genetic variations. A co-infection of multiple lineages of the virus could result in recombinations between genomes that can give rise to chimeric genomes or recombinants. While most recombinations may not give rise to viable viruses, a rare possibility exists where recombination could result in the creation of a new lineage of the virus with better functional capabilities than either of the parent lineages.
Reduced Immunity and Decreased Precautions Lead to Surge in H3N2 Influenza Cases in India: Experts Call for Continued Vigilance and Caution
Experts have recently observed a surge in cases of H3N2 influenza in India, which they attribute to a combination of reduced immunity due to negligible flu cases in the past three years and decreased adherence to Covid-appropriate behavior such as wearing masks and frequent hand washing.
WHO Announces Pandemic Transition Point, Urges Continued Action Against COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the pandemic has reached a “transition point”. However, this does not mean the public health emergency of international
COVID Measures set to Expire as America Returns to Normalcy
The White House’s COVID emergency measures will come to an end in May. President Biden told Congress of the plan, opposing the House Republicans’ proposal
COVID-19 poses serious health risks during pregnancy
Pregnant women who are infected with the virus and who contract COVID-19 have a 7-fold increased risk of dying and being admitted to an intensive
Tripledemic – COVID, RSV, and flu – rising in US this winter
Health experts are warning of a potential tripledemic this winter, with the seasonal flu, RSV and COVID on track to surge all at the same
Universal Flu Vaccine Enters Clinical Trial
The National Institutes of Health recently announced it is beginning its phase one trial for a universal flu vaccine. Currently, the yearly seasonal flu shot
Bird flu hits US Turkey Farms – highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu outbreak
U.S. poultry producers are tightening safety measures for their flocks as disease experts warn that wild birds are likely spreading a highly lethal form of avian flu across the country.
COVID-19 increases pregnancy complications in pregnant women
Pregnant women with COVID-19 appear to be at greater risk for common pregnancy complications — in addition to health risks from the virus — than pregnant women without COVID-19, suggests a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.