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Viral Infections

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  • Measles Outbreaks in the United States

    Several measles outbreaks have been active in the United States, with more than 1,000 cases reported already in 2025. Most outbreaks begin as unvaccinated individuals in the United States come into contact with an infected individual who has recently arrived after international travel. Vaccination is effective, but current U.S. vaccine coverage rates are below the 95% rate considered necessary to provide herd immunity.

  • Paxlovid: Is It Still Worth the Cost?

    Paxlovid is one of the most effective antivirals developed during the COVID-19 years, demonstrating significant reductions in hospitalization and death in higher-risk persons, as well as the time to viral elimination. However, it does not shorten the duration of symptoms, and there is little evidence that Paxlovid reduces the risk of developing long COVID symptoms.

  • Preparing for Avian Influenza

    Although human-to-human transmission has not been observed for avian influenza in the United States at this time, and the situation is seen only as a possibility, it is important that all emergency care providers understand the virus and its potential implications for both practice and patients.

  • Death Due to the ‘No Name’ Virus in Santa Fe

    On Feb. 26, 2025, it was announced that the bodies of actor Gene Hackman and his wife and caregiver Betsy Arakawa had been found in their Santa Fe, NM, home

  • Cardiovascular Risk with mRNA COVID Vaccines

    A large, nationwide population study in Sweden of the risk of adverse cardiovascular events after messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccinations has shown that, except for rare cases of myopericarditis, severe cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke, are reduced, probably because of the prevention of COVID infection.

  • Measles Vaccination in Adults in 2025

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated measles vaccination recommendations.

  • Infectious Disease Updates

    COVID Monoclonals Needed for PrEP; Oral Camostat Ineffective in COVID-19; Mpox: Lessons Learned from Rio

  • Death Due to the ‘No Name’ Virus in Santa Fe

    There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection and no vaccine. Prevention consists of control and avoidance of rodents and their body fluids and excreta.

  • Measles Vaccination in Adults in 2025

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated measles vaccination recommendations.

  • RSV Vaccination in Severely Immunocompromised Individuals

    The antibody response to respiratory syncytial virus vaccination is significantly impaired in many severely immunocompromised individuals.