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Infectious Diseases

Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe
Covid-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe. It is not causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, but it is causing concern. “The rate of infections from XEC they're seeing in some countries rose pretty quickly compared to previous variants in those same places," Dr. Scott Roberts, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist said in YaleMedicine.…
Season's First Positive Human West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed In Westchester Season's First Positive Human West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed In Westchester
Season's First Positive Human West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed In Westchester West Nile Virus has made its way to humans in Westchester, officials announced.  A New Rochelle resident and Mount Vernon resident both tested positive for the virus, making them the first confirmed human cases in the county this year, Westchester health officials announced on Thursday, Aug. 15.  According to Westchester Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, the confirmation came a little sooner than expected.  "These first cases of West Nile Virus are earlier than usual and should serve as a reminder to all of us to remove all standing water around your home every time a…
COVID-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers COVID-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers
Covid-19: Omicron Surge Affecting Staffing Levels For Essential Workers The spread of the more-transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant is leading to staffing shortages for some essential employers who have been hit hardest by the winter surge of the virus. Essential employees have been forced to call out of work en masse in recent weeks due to positive Omicron infections that have led to staffing shortages for first responders, healthcare workers, supermarket workers, flight crews, and other key professions. The shortages have led to hundreds of canceled flights, closed restaurants, and short-staffed retail stores, leaving workers frustrated and fatigued af…
COVID-19: New Study Finds Significant Virus Spread Among Deer Population COVID-19: New Study Finds Significant Virus Spread Among Deer Population
Covid-19: New Study Finds Significant Virus Spread Among Deer Population A new study has found widespread COVID-19 infections among deer populations in Iowa. Researchers from the Penn State University found that more than 80 percent of white-tailed deer sampled in parts of Iowa between December of 2020 and January of 2021 tested positive for COVID-19, according to an announcement from the university on Wednesday, Nov. 3. “We found that 80 percent of the sampled deer in December were positive for SARS-CoV-2, which proportionally represents about a 50-fold greater burden of positivity than what was reported at the peak of infection in humans at the time,” said Sur…
COVID-19: Drugmaker To Seek Emergency Approval For Pill To Treat Virus COVID-19: Drugmaker To Seek Emergency Approval For Pill To Treat Virus
Covid-19: Drugmaker To Seek Emergency Approval For Pill To Treat Virus A new pharmaceutical company is throwing its hat in the ring as the country continues its fight against COVID-19. Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced on Friday, Oct. 1 that it is planning to apply for federal emergency approval of a pill that can reportedly help prevent hospitalizations and deaths in COVID-19 patients. According to the company, trials have found that the pill - dubbed molnupiravir - could potentially reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 by approximately 50 percent. The results of the late-stage trial have bee…
COVID-19: Here's When Teens Could Start Getting Vaccinated, Dr. Fauci Says COVID-19: Here's When Teens Could Start Getting Vaccinated, Dr. Fauci Says
Covid-19: Here's When Teens Could Start Getting Vaccinated, Dr. Fauci Says It may not be long until high school students and other teenagers can begin getting vaccinated for COVID-19, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is President Biden's chief medical advisor. Fauci said on CBS News Sunday, March 7 that teens should be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccines by the fall, with younger students likely to become eligible for vaccinations early next year. High school students should expect to receive the vaccine at or near the beginning of the next academic school year, Fauci said. Tests are currently ongoing to ensure that the shots are s…
How Does COVID-19 Affect Diabetics? How Does COVID-19 Affect Diabetics?
How Does Covid-19 Affect Diabetics? Infectious diseases such as COVID-19 are more serious in people with diabetes, according to the CDC. Why is this? 1) The immune system of diabetics does not function as well, which makes it harder for their bodies to fight the virus; and 2) the coronavirus appears to thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose levels which makes the healing response to any infection slower. High blood sugar levels combined with a persistent state of inflammation make it much more difficult for people with diabetes to recover from illnesses such as COVID-19. Anyone with diabetes who notices symptoms …
Safe Use Of Antibiotics Safe Use Of Antibiotics
Safe Use Of Antibiotics Antibiotics are medications created almost 100 years ago to fight bacterial infections. They have transformed health care and the treatment of medical conditions. Infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, used to be listed as the most common cause of death in the United States; whereas today, it is ranked number eight. Unfortunately, as antibiotic usage has surged in recent years, many bacteria now have developed “antibiotic resistance” so that antibiotics are no longer effective. Just as Superman is resistant to bullets and other weapons, except for Kryptonite, we have now created “Superbugs” …
With So Many Possible Destinations, Make CareMount Medical Your First With So Many Possible Destinations, Make CareMount Medical Your First
With So Many Possible Destinations, Make CareMount Medical Your First WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Each year, more and more Americans travel internationally. CareMount Medical’s John Raffalli, MD FACP (Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases) and Neeta Chitkara, MD (Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases) encourage patients to be proactive and take steps to anticipate issues that may arise during a trip. Learning about your destination before traveling is essential, according to Dr. Raffalli. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) post country specific travel notices and warnings on their websites. Check out the information u…