Jeffrey Herrera

A new study has revealed that people who have been down with severe COVID19 disease might be at a higher risk of serious eye issues. Experts have looked at the details of 129 patients in France who have been admitted to the hospitals with COVID19. These patients have undergone Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Nearly 7 percent of these patients have shown signs of eye abnormalities, said the experts. MRIs of these patients have revealed an eye defect called nodules at the backside of their eyes. The lead author of the study, Dr. Augustin Lecler has said that nodules can be considered a sign of inflammation or direct injury to the eye. As per the study, around nine patients have been found to have nodules in the macula, which is essential for central vision. Central vision means the ability to see clearly in front. Around eight of the patients have been identified with bilateral nodules, which means that the eye defect has been found in both eyes. Health experts have seen the eye issue, which has been found in these patients, can be very serious as it is located in the macula region. The macula region in the eyes helps people to have a clear vision and the ability to see fine details. If it continues for long, it can lead to severe vision loss or blindness.

The authors of the study have said that people who have been diagnosed with severe COVID19 infection need to go for an eye checkup for potential eye issues. The findings of the new study have been released in the journal Radiology. Experts have said that such serious eye issues might be overlooked in patients who are admitted to the intensive care units with severe COVID19 as doctors are more focused to treat life-threatening diseases. The authors of the study have said that people clinicians and doctors need to be careful in finding if there is an eye problem in patients with a severe viral infection to protect them from severe vision loss. Earlier, the COVID19 has been linked to eye issues such as conjunctivitis and retinopathy. Retinopathy means damage to the eye’s retina. However, this is the first study, which has found that eye defects in severe COVID19 patients using MRIs. Experts have not been able to find the actual cause of this eye defect but they believe that it might be due to blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the eye. The authors have said how the SARS-CoV-2 virus inflicts eye damage has not been found. However, it is possible that the virus is to infect the eye directly as cells in the retina are known to convey the ACE2 receptor, which acts as a gateway for the virus to infect the cells. It might be due to the body’s inflammatory retort to the disease.

Experts as well have said that the eye defect might be the result of severe illness. The study has noted that patients who are intubated with a breathing tube and spend their time lying down on their stomachs in the ICU are at a higher risk of eye defects due to high pressure in the eyes. The majority of patients who have been observed in the study have been lying down on their stomach also known as the prone position in the ICU for some time. Now, experts are following up with the patients to know whether their eye abnormalities have been temporary. They are looking at more patients with severe COVID19 disease with the help of MRI and other comprehensive eye tests. Similar studies are being done on patients who have been diagnosed with mild infection to find out if these eye problems occur particularly in patients with severe viral disease.

A new study has reestablished the relevance of saying healthy mind healthy body. Health experts from the American Heart Association have said that positive mental health and staying hopeful about life can reduce the risk of heart disease among people. They have said that people’s heart, mind, and body are interlinked and mutually dependent in the mind-heart-body-connection. The study has shown the adverse effects of negative psychological factors, personality traits, and mental health on heart health. While positive thoughts and better mental health are linked to a lower risk of heart issues and associated death. Experts have said that staying optimistic can increase lifespan whereas negative mental health can be equally bad for people’s health. Mental issues like depression, anxiety, stress, and anger can increase the risk of developing heart ailments such as heart attack and stroke. The study has been sponsored by the American Heart Association. Experts have said that people who are dealing with mental issues are at a higher risk of increased heart rate, rhythm abnormalities, digestive issues, hypertension, chronic inflammation, and less blood flow in the heart.

Experts who have been involved in the study, have found that patients who have been dealing with negative mental health tend to be smokers, physically inactive, overweight, and forget to take their medicines. The authors of the research have said that regular mental health screening should be a part of the standard check-up for heart issues. As per the study, psychological therapy can help improve cardiovascular health in people. Along with unhealthy habits and negative mental health, daily stress and traumatic incidents can result in heart disease or stroke. The study has noted that people who have self-reported that they are dealing with work-related stress and tension, in general, are at a 40 percent higher risk of death due to heart diseases. Most studies of mental health are observational where patients self-report their details. It leads to a great deal of ambiguity to show specific cause and effect link. However, these studies aid people to make reasonable decisions about the connection between mental health and the risk of heart diseases. However, the data of the study is reliable, which shows that positivity and better mental health can play a crucial role in improved heart health.

Scientists have said that people with positive mental health have normal blood pressure, better glucose control, low inflammation, and low levels of cholesterol. Such people are physically active and more likely to quit smoking and eat a healthy diet. Experts have said that positive mental health is not just about having positive and happy thoughts rather people with improved mental health usually have more positive social relationships and a larger support network. They have noted that wellness cannot be defined by the absence of the disease, it is a process aimed towards a healthier, happier, and gratifying life. Researchers have concluded the study by saying that we must try to reduce the traits of negative mental health to encourage a healthy and happy state of being. The findings of the study have been released in the journal called Circulation.

Two large-scale studies have revealed a much clearer picture of inherited genes, which are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women without a family history of the dreaded disease. These studies have shown that how common these faulty mutations are in the general population. We all know that genetic inheritance impacts the probability of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Some genes are already known to shoot up the risk of cancer, whereas some are known to be involved in the process. It is important to understand which genes play a crucial role in increasing the risk of breast cancer, which will help health professionals to come up with more personalized follow-up and screening programs. The findings of the study have been released in the New England Journal of Medicine. The new study has reported that certain mutations in specific genes significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. Experts have said that the lives of many women can be saved if they get to know whether they carry these mutations in these genes before they are diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society has revealed that last year, nearly 276000 cases of breast cancer have been reported in the US. The study has found that around 13800 of them have occurred in women with inherited gene mutations that shoot up the risk of developing the disease.

Earlier, experts have thought that inherited risk of breast cancer majorly comes from a family history of the disease or from unusual conditions such as getting it at a very young age. Specific mutations in these genes have not been well researched to find out how much each mutation affects the odds of developing the disease. However, the new studies have been able to fill some of those cracks. The first study has been led by pathologist Fergus Couch. This study has included experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH has sponsored the study along with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Experts have observed 12 genes, which are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in nearly 64000 women. Half of the participants of the study have been diagnosed with the disease and half of them have been healthy. Experts have said that five percent of women with cancer have been identified with the deadly mutations and 1.63 percent of women in the control group have been found to have these risky mutations. The lead author of the study has claimed that nearly 2 percent of women in the United States have these deadly mutations. As per the study, there has been no difference in the odds of having these genes among ethnic groups. However, some gene mutations have been quite common among certain racial groups. Black women have been found to have genes linked to triple-negative cancers.

This study has found a mutation in a gene, which is known as BRCA1. Experts have said that this mutation increases the risk of breast cancer by eightfold. They have found this mutation in another gene called BRCA2, which shoots up the risk of developing breast cancer more than fivefold. The study provided more precise estimates of the risk, which will be beneficial for people to take further actions on it such as frequent mammograms, having family members tested for breast cancer, and removal of breasts and ovaries. The second study has been done by experts from the University of Cambridge in England. They have looked at 34 genes in women across the UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The study has included around 60000 women with breast cancer and 53000 women with similar genes but without the disease. This study as well has revealed that certain genes are responsible for an increased risk of breast cancer and these genes are prevalent in the general population as well.

Now parents might hesitate giving candies, cakes, and ice creams to their young kids. The US government has released its dietary guidelines for infants and toddlers. As per the guidelines, infants should be given only mothers’ milk for the initial 6 months and there should not be any added sugar in the diet of children under the age of 2 years. Nutritionist Barbara Schneeman has said that it matters what you feed your children in those early years of life. She has said that it is never too late to start a healthy habit. As per the experts from the federal government, added sugar should be limited to less than 10 percent of calories per day for children who are above 2 years. The dietary guidelines have made suggestions for alcohol intake among adults as well. It has been said that men should not take more than two drinks per day and women should stick to only one drink per day. Scientists have suggested that added sugar intake among children above the age of 2 years should be less than 6 percent of calories and men should stick to one drink per day. However, the government has gone ahead with previous advice only. The dietary guidelines are issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Agriculture Department.

Experts have said that if breast milk is not available for toddlers, then they should go ahead with iron-fortified infant formula for the first year. Dietary specialists have said that infants should be given supplemental vitamin D soon after birth. They have said that babies can be given other foods at around 6 months. They should be introduced to allergic foods along with other foods as well. The dietary guidelines say that babies should be given foods, which have peanuts in the first year itself, it will reduce the risk of the child developing a food allergy to peanuts. As per the guidelines, pregnant women should take 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week to promote healthy brain growth in their babies. They should eat fish such as cod, salmon, sardines, and tilapia with lower levels of mercury. Mercury can damage children’s nervous systems. Experts have said that pregnant women should not consume alcohol. Modest amounts of caffeine might be fine, but they should discuss it with their healthcare providers.

Experts have said that sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, snacks, candy, sweetened coffee, and tea are the biggest sources of added sugar in the standard US diet. These foods do not have significant nutritional value. This is the reason the government has asked people to limit the intake of such foods in their daily diet plan and children’s diet. Most Americans are not able to follow the recommendation made by the government, which leads to obesity, heart issues, and diabetes.

Experts believe that 2020 might prove to be the deadliest year in the history of the United States. They have said that deaths due to the COVID19 pandemic are supposed to surpass the 3 million mark for the first time in the US. Although, final mortality data of the US might not be accessible for months for this year, however, initial figures show that the US is going to witness more than 3.2 million deaths this year. The death rate increases every year in the US, therefore a small increase in mortality rate is expected, but this year the death rate is supposed to increase by 15 percent, said the experts. It might shoot up even higher once all the deaths from this month are calculated. Experts have said that it is expected to mark the biggest single-year percentage jump since 1918. In 1918, tens of thousands of soldiers were killed in World War I and hundreds of thousands of people had lost their lives due to a flu pandemic. The death rate had increased by 46 percent in that year compared to 1917.

Health experts have reported that the COVID19 pandemic has claimed the lives of 318000 Americans and the number is still counting. This is the reason experts have predicted the deadly death trend in the US. As per the report, the mortality rate has fallen a bit in early 2019 due to a fall in deaths due to heart issues and cancer. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that in 2019, life expectancy as well as increased by many weeks for the second consecutive year. However, life expectancy might reduce by as much as three full years this year. The CDC has reported around 2854838 deaths in 2019, which have been 16000 more than in 2018. It has been regarded as good news as deaths commonly increase by 20000 to 50000 every year due to the aging and growing population of the US. The age-adjusted death rate has reduced by 1 percent in the US in 2019, while life expectancy has shot up to 78.8 years in the same year.

Health analysts have said that the COVID19 pandemic has been the biggest cause of death in the US this year. However, deaths due to other causes as well have increased amid the pandemic. The COVID19 has become the third leading cause of death across the nation this year. For some time, the pandemic has remained the number one cause of death. There have been some pneumonia cases early this year in the US, however, it seems they have been linked to COVID19 only but experts have failed to recognize it at an early stage. Health officials have seen some unexpected deaths due to circulatory diseases, diabetes, and dementia as well. The SARS-CoV-2 virus might have affected those patients who have been struggling with such underlying health issues, therefore these deaths as well can be linked to COVID19. There have been additional deaths due to drug overdose and suicide as well amid the pandemic. The CDC has disclosed that there have been nearly 81000 drug overdose deaths until May 2020.

Health authorities have expanded the distribution of the COVID19 vaccine to nursing homes days after first doses of the vaccine have been given to frontline workers. Experts from the COVID Tracking Project have said that nursing home residents and long-term health facilities have reported more than a third of 306000 deaths due to the COVID19 pandemic. Healthcare workers in West Virginia and Florida have been the first people to be immunized with the COVID19 vaccine. Members of the Military as well are going to be vaccinated as the Pfizer vaccine rollout expands across the US. As per the data, more than 4800 doses of Pfizer vaccine have arrived at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. As the doses have arrived at the facility, experts have kept them in the ultra clod freezer. They have been taken out in small batches for labeling and have been defrosted. Dr. Nate Kupperman has been the first person to get the vaccine shot at the healthcare facility.

Some experts have reported a glitch in the vaccination process in California and Alabama, which has affected the vials. They have said that vials have been ultracold to be processed. Now, thousands of potential doses of the vaccine will be returned and new vials will arrive to continue the immunization. Many people have reported having side effects as well after being vaccinated. As per the report, a middle-aged healthcare worker has started experiencing an allergic reaction within 10 minutes of receiving the vaccine. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that people who have a history of severe allergies, should not get the vaccine at this time.

Experts have said that though the vaccine has arrived but the despair fueled by the pandemic is still on the rise. California has reported around 54000 new COVID19 cases in one day. This is the highest number of new cases reported by any state. The rate of hospitalization and death due to coronavirus as well has been at a record level in the state. A report from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that the majority of children have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus from their parents, not from their class fellows. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is one of the top infectious disease experts in the federal government, has said that he believes that most people in the US will get the vaccine shots once it is widely available by this spring. He has said this way it will be easy to obtain herd immunity over the population. It will drastically reduce the dynamics of the epidemic.

Scientists from Yale University have found that some COVID19 patients have high levels of antibodies, which start attacking organs and tissues in the body rather than latching on to the virus. They have said that COVID19 infection triggers the immune system of the body to produce an immune response, which starts attacking the body of the patients instead of the virus. This might explain why some patients continue to suffer from a range of symptoms of COVID19 even after they are recovered. The study has not been peer-reviewed yet. The senior author of the study Aaron Ring has said that COVID19 patients start producing autoantibodies, which hold back the immune response against the virus. He has said that the process can seriously affect the brain, blood vessels, and liver. These areas are most affected in patients who suffer from symptoms of long COVID.

In Long COVID, patients, who have been once infected with the virus and have been recovered from the disease, continue to deal with prolonged illness, fatigue, and shortness of breath caused by the virus. Aaron Ring has worked with immunologists from Yale University to observe the patients who have been dealing with severe symptoms of the disease. He has compared this data with hospital workers, who have not been infected with the virus. Experts have been looking for antibodies of the immune system, which function by targeting any of the 3000 proteins in the body. On the other hand, normal antibodies attack the virus and prevent them from spreading in other body parts. Autoantibodies latch on to human proteins or the proteins which have been produced by them. Experts have seen a drastic increase in autoantibody reactivities in patients who have been dealing with long COVID as compared to hospital workers who have not been ill.

Experts have found that some autoantibodies have been prevalent in patients before they have been infected with the disease. Moreover, other autoantibodies have been produced by the immune system after the virus has taken the hold of the body. The study has shown that more than five percent of patients who have been hospitalized have been identified with these deadly autoantibodies. The authors of the study have said that the more autoantibodies have been found, the more severe symptoms have become. The lead author Aaron Ring has said that the damaging effect of these autoantibodies can continue even after the virus is no more causing any damage. This negative immune response can be very dangerous for patients who have been diagnosed with COVID19. It can remain in the body for a long time; therefore, it might contribute to long COVID. In such a condition, immunosuppressive treatments might help treat patients with long COVID. These treatments are used in rheumatological ailments. As per the data, Long COVID affects nearly 10 percent of patients in the age group of 18 to 49 years, who have been diagnosed with COVID19. Around 20 percent of patients with COVID19 in the age group of 70 and above are affected by long COVID.

The transmission of COVID19 in the United States has reached its all-time high with surging cases in many states. However, a new study has found that homes that have patients with COVID19 continue to be hotspots for the spread of the virus even if overall community transmission is low. Experts have observed 54 studies across more than 20 countries and come up with these findings. Medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen has said that the findings of the new study show how contagious the virus is and how difficult it is to keep people safe who are living in crowded or multigenerational housing. The findings of the study have shown that spouses are at higher risk of catching COVID19 as compared to other family members. They share the same room with the infected partner and have sexual intimacy and prolonged contact. The study has been released in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Experts have said that the risk of contracting the virus is even higher when family members as well start to show symptoms of the disease such as sneezing, cough, body aches, chills, and fever. However, the risk is low if they do not show any visible signs of the ailment. The new study has found that the risk of transmission has been high between adults as compared to between adults and children. A recent study, which has been done by experts from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has shown that the spread of the virus among members of the household takes place quite quickly. Experts have said that around 55 percent of people who have been living with someone with COVID19 have been infected within a week. Nearly 75 percent of secondary infections have happened within five days after the initial patient has started showing first signs of the disease. This study has reported that fewer than half of the infected members of the households have started showing signs at the time when the first infection has been diagnosed. The CDC team has said that many people have shown no signs of the disease during the seven days follow up. It emphasizes the possibility of the virus spread through asymptomatic secondary contacts and the value of quarantine.

The new study has noted that isolating from other household members might be difficult for the person who has been detected with the virus when you stay in a small house with the children. Experts have said that if somebody has older people in the household who have a weaker immune system. It is better to isolate them to one side of the household so kids and other family members are not in close proximity with them. They have said if it is a child who is suspected to have contracted the virus; it is advisable to isolate the child along with one adult. However, it might be difficult for single parents. Health experts have said that in such a situation good neighborhood network might be beneficial for single parents. However, the new study clearly mentions that all people living in a household with an infected person need to be kept in isolation. It says that the clusters of people who live together are at a greater risk of contracting the virus from one another. A recent study has advised that people living in the same household with an infected person need to wear a face mask all the time. Experts who have been involved in the study have said that wearing the mask can reduce the risk of virus spread by 79 percent when family members start using face masks before the first person starts showing symptoms.