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In Addition to Vaccination, Can More Be Done to Prevent Severe COVID-19?

Using data for more than 1.2 million Americans who completed primary vaccination against COVID-19, severe disease outcomes were rare; however, vaccinated persons aged ≥ 65 years with immunosuppression or other underlying conditions were found to be at higher risk.

Using Breathing Techniques for Exertion and Anxiety During COVID Lockdowns

In a small prospective study comparing four breathing techniques, the maximum statistically significant effect on reduced perceived exertion during breath-holding is associated with a yoga breathing method called anulom vilom pranayama (alternate nostril breathing).

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Workers — Revisited; SARS-CoV-2 as a North American Zoonosis; VIRSTA vs. PREDICT in Predicting Endocarditis

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Meningitis in Adults

The incidence of herpes simplex virus 2 meningitis in adults in Denmark over a six-year period was 0.7/100,000 population per year, with 91% of cases occurring in the absence of immunocompromise. Neurocognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms persisted for as long as six months in approximately one-fifth of cases.

Optimism for New Interventions to Prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections

Previous vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus infection in children caused more harm than good. However, new vaccines and preventive monoclonal antibody treatments are nearing final stages of prelicensure testing.

Successful Post-Discharge Completion of Fidaxomicin Therapy Without Financial Toxicity

Post-discharge completion of fidaxomicin therapy was achieved for most patients with multidisciplinary proactive intervention.

Active Cancer and Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Is Associated with Less Risk for Infective Endocarditis

A multicenter cohort study found patients with S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) and active cancer were at a lower risk for infective endocarditis (IE) than those with SAB without cancer. Persistent bacteremia and cardiomyopathy were independent risk factors for IE.

COVID-19 Vaccination Prevents Systemic Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C)

The estimated effectiveness of two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the prevention of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children was 91%.

COVID-19 Vaccination Is Life-Saving

This study confirms the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing severe outcomes between the end of 2020 and October 2021 (i.e., pre-omicron). Age, immunosuppression, and chronic disease were independent risk factors. In contrast to previous studies largely involving unvaccinated individuals, male sex and race/ethnicity were not.

Vaccines Saved 1 Million Lives in 2021

COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 1 million deaths and 10 million hospitalizations in the United States in 2021, according to a new modeling study by the Commonwealth Fund.