Infectious Diseases

Air Pollution and COVID-19 A  new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health  showed that small increases in long-term particulate matter exposure are associated with large increases in the COVID-19 death rate. We know that long-term exposure to air pollution can worsen symptoms of lung disease and increase susceptibility to lung infection – which now includes new evidence about air pollution and COVID-19. We have long advocated for  stronger air quality health standards . Please join our efforts through our  Healthy Air Campaign . Enable Ginger Cannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection or reload the browser Disable in this text field Edit Edit in Ginger Edit in Ginger ×

Testing for COVID-19 There are two types of tests for COVID-19. A  detection test  is a nasal swab that allows you to understand if you currently have an active case of COVID-19. At this time, the two main reasons to get tested are if you’re having  symptoms  or have been exposed to an infected person. In most instances you will need a prescription or order from your physician.  The second type of test is an  antibody test . Antibodies are proteins produced by our immune system to help stop intruders, like the novel coronavirus, from harming our body. This type of test would help physicians and researchers understand how many people are immune. What we don’t know is what level of antibodies indicates they have immunity from getting a second coronavirus infection or how long that immunity will last.  Testing for COVID-19: A Look Forward Know the Difference: COVID-19 versus Flu Recovering from COVID-19 Enable Ginger Cannot connect to Ginger Check your i...

Coronavirus COVID-19 | Viral Structure & Pathogenesis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQUCCkHNjN8

Where Did COVID-19 Come From? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25CoBK2ePww

3D Animation: SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission leading to COVID-19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSnSo9kYlH4

6 Mistakes That Could Be Sabotaging Your Hand-Washing There’s no proven treatment for  COVID-19 . So, at this moment, your best bet for surviving the global pandemic is prevention. Hand-washing is one critical step in your control along with other measures including physical distancing, wearing a face mask and cleaning high-touch surfaces. We’ve known for a long time how important hand-washing is. It  reduces  the risk of other respiratory illnesses like the common cold by about 20%. In addition, it stops the spread of diarrhea related illnesses. However, hand-washing effectively is not that easy. Even in medical settings, clinicians clean their hands less than half the times they should. Here are the most common mistakes that may be sabotaging your hand-washing: You don’t wash your hands often enough.   All day long, there are many touchpoints where your hands and fingers could be exposed to germs including the coronavirus. Once on your fingers, the microbes can tra...

Cats, Dogs and COVID: How Safe Are Your Pets? TUESDAY, May 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Nadia, a tiger at New York City's Bronx Zoo, tested positive for the  coronavirus . A few pet cats in the United States (and maybe one dog) have, too. And since the novel coronavirus causing the current  pandemic  is thought to have originated at a live animal market in China, some people have wondered if they need to worry about their own pets. The good news is that any risk to humans from Fluffy or Fido is very low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bad news? Humans with COVID-19 infections could pose a slight risk to certain animals, such as cats or ferrets., but not dogs "There have really only been a handful of known domestic animal infections in the entire world," said Dr. John Howe, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "There are reports of a few cats in China and two dogs tested positive there, too," Howe said. S...

How It Feels to Go Through the COVID-19 Testing Process It’s very strange being sick in the time of  COVID-19 : Are these regular old symptoms, or something more dangerous? Is this just a bug, or is this “It”? Am I going to have an easy, uncomplicated recovery, or am I suddenly going to get very ill and end up in the hospital? Do I let my guard down if I start to feel better, or is that when the real trouble starts? That last part is where I am now, wondering if I’m close to an all-clear. Eleven days ago, I woke in the middle of night with belly pain. I didn’t think much of it – it felt like the aftermath of a questionable taco. Then came a few days of diarrhea. I still thought it could be anything or nothing, but in the back of my mind, a tiny worry set in. We all know the COVID symptoms by now. Diarrhea and abdominal pain show up in about 1/3 of cases. So, I backed off my daily walks and resolved to use delivery services, just in case. Then the fever, headache, and body aches sta...

Do You Need to Wear Gloves at the Grocery Store? Our experience with food has changed dramatically in a matter of a few weeks (along with everything else in life) because of  COVID-19 . We’re cooking at home more than ever before, and grocery shopping has become one of the few essential errands we leave the house for. Armed with our long shopping list and a face mask, we head out wondering if there’s anything else we can do to protect ourselves. One question that keeps coming up is – Should you wear gloves at the grocery store? The short answer is no.  You do not need any kind of gloves at the grocery store.  Gloves will not protect you.  If you touch a contaminated surface, the virus can transfer to your glove just like it could transfer to your fingers, so there’s no added protection from the gloves. If you touch your mouth or nose with the glove, you can pass the virus to yourself. And taking the gloves off after shopping is an especially vulnerable moment, as you...

When Is It Safe to Go Back to the Gym? If you enjoy a good gym workout, you’re probably hankering to get back to it – and in some states, it’s now possible. But with the virus swirling around, there are a few things to keep in mind. Whether you hit the gym or not is a personal decision. Ask your doctor if you’re not sure what’s best for you. If you’re at high risk, such as over the age of 65 or have a high-risk medical condition like lung or heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, consider whether the benefits of the gym are worth the higher risk of being in close proximity to others. (Considering the importance of social distancing, indoor group fitness classes aren’t your safest bet at this point. If group workouts are your thing, stick to classes held outdoors or online for now.) If you decide it’s time, here’s what you need to know to stay as safe as possible. Have a conversation with the gym. Ask what steps they’re taking to keep you safe. Social distancing is still ...

Blood Count May Offer Clues to Treatment of COVID-19: Study FRIDAY, May 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The severity of  COVID-19  illness may be influenced by what researchers call "cytokine storms." In a new study, investigators assessed 522  COVID-19  patients, aged 5 days to 97 years, who were admitted to two hospitals in Wuhan, China, in December and January. The study also included a "control group" of 40 healthy people. Compared to the control group, 76% of  COVID-19  patients had significantly lower levels of T cells -- a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in immune response against viral infections. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit had much lower T cell counts than those who didn't require ICU care. Patients over age 60 had the lowest T cell counts, the findings showed. And the T cells that did survive in COVID-19 patients were exhausted and unable to function at full capacity, the study authors said. COVID-19 patients also ...

COVID-19: The Facts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma07a6svw5w

COVID-19 Animation: What Happens If You Get Coronavirus? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DGwOJXSxqg&feature=share

Common FAQ'S about COVID-19 How likely am I to catch COVID-19? The risk depends on where you  are - and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak unfolding there. For most people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low. However, there are now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher. Governments and health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new case of COVID-19 is identified. Be sure to comply with any local restrictions on travel, movement or large gatherings. Cooperating with disease control efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some other countries. Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s important to be aware of the situation where you are or intend to go. 2.What can I do to pr...

Coronavirus electro microscopic image How does COVID-19 spread? People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or  mouth which  are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick. Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air? Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.  See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?” Can CoVID-19 be caught from a person who ...

What is a  coronavirus ? Coronaviruses  are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several  coronaviruses  are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered  coronavirus   causes   coronavirus  disease COVID-19. What is COVID-19? COVID-19  is  the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered  coronavirus . This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any...