Health & Fitness

Abstract Background: The speed of vaccine development has been a singular achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic, although uptake has not been universal. Vaccine opponents often frame their opposition in terms of the rights of the unvaccinated. We sought to explore the impact of mixing of vaccinated and unvaccinated populations on risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among vaccinated people. Methods: We constructed a simple susceptible–infectious–recovered compartmental model of a respiratory infectious disease with 2 connected subpopulations: people who were vaccinated and those who were unvaccinated. We simulated a spectrum of patterns of mixing between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups that ranged from random mixing to complete like-with-like mixing (complete assortativity), in which peopl...

In the age of omicron, where COVID’s attack rate is higher than previous variants, entire households and friend groups are getting sick. If one person gets COVID, there’s a good chance others in their home will also get infected. What’s odd, though, is occasionally only one or two people in that friend group or family unit will test positive on a rapid test. The rest, though symptomatic, test negative. Are rapid tests missing more infections now than they did with previous variants? Despite the anecdotal evidence, the latest research suggests the kits work just as well on omicron as they did with delta (meaning they can catch about 80% of cases confirmed by a positive PCR test). “In general, the rapid tests seem to be performing on par with omicron as well as the other variants,” Wilbur...

A dad who dismissed his rapid weight loss as working too hard and not eating properly was diagnosed with cancer which was spreading through his body. Rob Gore, aged 40, ignored the symptoms, which included passing blood when he went to the toilet, until his wife Kirsty persuaded him to visit the GP. The supply chain logistics manager, from Warrington, said: "By the time I received my diagnosis, I'd resigned myself to the fact it was something serious. I had bowel cancer and it had spread, with nodules in my liver and lung." With nearly 43,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, it is the fourth most common cancer and the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, according to the charity Bowel Cancer UK, Liverpool Echo reports. Read More Related Articles Read More Rel...

Scientists studying the C. difficile superbug say that its antibiotic-resistant genes have been found in pigs and humans, meaning that not only is transmission of the bacteria possible on a wider scale, but the genes that resist antibiotics themselves might be able to spread through an animal vector to humans. Clostridioides difficile, or C. difficile, is a bacterium that causes gut infection, inducing symptoms such as diarrhea and inflammation of the colon, and is resistant to numerous antibiotics. Some strains have genes that allow them to cause extreme damage, and it can be life-threatening, particularly in elderly patients who are receiving antibiotics for other issues. It is also considered one of the world’s most significant antibiotic resistance threats. In 20...

Already known to help ease depression, regular exercise may also help prevent it, with people who exercised just half the recommended weekly amount lowering their risk for depression by 18 percent, according to research published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. However, those who were more active, meeting at least the minimum recommended physical activity level, reduced their risk for depression by 25 percent, compared with inactive people. The findings stem from the analysis of data from 15 studies, involving 191,130 adults who were tracked for at least three years. Those who met activity guidelines did at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, as recommended in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Mental health experts note that nearly ...

As Michigan enters another spring tick season, the overall outlook feels a bit bleak. Over the past decade these biting arachnids have been expanding their range across the state, and while certain factors might make a particular year feel better or worse than others, more ticks begets more ticks — meaning, overall, the situation here will likely continue to get progressively more tick-y, experts say. “In general, if the weather conditions are conducive, each of our years from now on will get worse just because the ticks have become really established in several places in Michigan now,” says Jean Tsao, an associate professor at Michigan State University who researches ticks and tick-borne illness. “All these mini populations are just going to continue to reproduce.” While the general...

At least 169 cases of acute hepatitis in children aged one month to 16 years old have been identified in an outbreak that now involves 11 countries, the World Health Organization said on Saturday. (Diego Grandi, Alamy) Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes ATLANTA — At least 169 cases of acute hepatitis in children aged one month to 16 years old have been identified in an outbreak that now involves 11 countries, the World Health Organization said on Saturday. Among the cases of acute hepatitis, at least one child has died and 17 children have required liver transplants, the WHO said in a news release. "It is not yet clear if there has been an increase in hep...

A new research study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine shows that protection against the omicron variant deteriorates over time – even after a third vaccine dose. Kaiser Permanente finds the Pfizer COVID-19 third dose vaccine protection against hospitalization from omicron wanes after 3 months. A research study released on April 22, 2022, in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine shows that a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine provides strong protection, roughly 80% to 90%, in the first few months against hospital admissions and emergency department visits caused by the delta and omicron variants of COVID-19. However, this protection against omicron deteriorates over time – even after a third vaccine dose. “Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 booster doses significantly imp...

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