Five years on from the pandemic, long COVID keeps lives on hold Three years ago, Andrea Vanek was studying to be an arts and crafts teacher when spells of dizziness and heart palpitations suddenly started to make it impossible for her to even take short walks. Science X Medical Xpress

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About six percent of people infected by coronavirus develop long COVID, according to the global health body, which has recorded some 777 million COVID cases to date. ...

Health workers think COVID, flu vaccines safe and effective, but many remain hesitant, global survey shows A survey of more than 7,700 healthcare workers (HCWs) in 12 countries in 2022 and 2023 finds that respondents agreed that COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are safe, effective, and useful, yet 1 in 5 reported moderate or strong COVID vaccine hesitation. CIDRAP

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https://www.science.org/content/article/infamous-paper-popularized-unproven-covid-19-treatment-finally-retracted

Infamous paper that popularized unproven COVID-19 treatment finally retracted

A 2020 paper that sparked widespread enthusiasm for hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment was retracted today, following years of campaigning by scientists who alleged the research contained major scientific flaws and may have breached ethics regulations. The paper was pulled because of ethical concerns and methodological problems, according to a retraction notice.

Congo's health ministry says unknown disease is severe malaria

Long COVID's effects on employment: Financial distress, fear of judgment Though research has shown that people with long COVID are more likely to be unemployed, the statistics don't reveal what patients go through before they cut their hours, stop working or lose their jobs. Emily Caldwell Medical Xpress

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COVID-19 linked to more heart complications than flu, RSV The odds of myocarditis were 61% lower in flu and 85% lower in RSV than with COVID-19. CIDRAP

A new study published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders shows that pediatric and young adult COVID-19 patients are more at risk for cardiac complications than flu or RSV patients of the same age. 

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Health Gap at End of Life Is Now Wider in US Than Any Other Country Lifespan vs healthspan. Yahoo News

Humans today are living longer than ever before, but how many of those added years are spent in good health?

Rich countries, island states lock horns on climate change at UN court

Avian flu suspected in cats that drank raw milk as virus kills animals at Arizona zoo The Los Angeles County Department of Health today announced that it is investigating two suspected avian flu illnesses in indoor pet cats that drank recalled raw milk, fueling more concerns about wider spread in other animals, which includes zoo animals infected in Arizona's Maricopa County. CIDRAP

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Improving health in rural areas takes community, say researchers With type 2 diabetes on the rise, prevention measures are critical. But it's often hard for people living in rural areas to access health care and lifestyle resources that can improve their health. Sydney Barrilleaux Medical Xpress

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Involving local leaders and churches could make all the difference in these communities, according to a study from the University of Georgia. The research is published in The Journal of Rural Health.

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Flu vaccines drop among kids despite record deaths last year: CDC Fewer children in the U.S. have gotten a flu vaccine in 2024 compared to last year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   As of Nov. 30, about 36 p… aoconnelld The Hill

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As of Nov. 30, about 36 percent of the nation’s children aged six months to 17 years received a flu vaccination, a drop from last year’s 43 percent.

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Latest symptoms of COVID-19: New strain presents like the common cold XEC, the latest strain of the coronavirus, is more transmissible than others, but its symptoms tend to be milder. Newsweek

Another year is drawing to a close, with another strain of the coronavirus making the rounds.

But this time, medical professionals say it might be harder to distinguish whether you have COVID-19, the flu or the common cold without taking a test.