Key TakeawaysNew data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that when pregnant people were vaccinated against COVID-19, their babies younger than 6 months old were 61% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID.It’s believed that antibodies from the vaccines are transferred across the placenta to the developing fetus.The COVID protection that babies get lasts for 3 to 6 months after birth. Key Takeaways New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that when pregnant people were vaccinated against COVID-19, their babies younger than 6 months old were 61% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID....

Key Themes From Our SurveyCOVID-19 vaccine rejectors are standing firm against getting their doses.States are removing restrictions, but the Delta COVID-19 variant is primed to spread in unvaccinated populations.As more people get vaccinated, offices are reopening and people are headed back to work. Key Themes From Our Survey COVID-19 vaccine rejectors are standing firm against getting their doses.States are removing restrictions, but the Delta COVID-19 variant is primed to spread in unvaccinated populations....

Key Takeaways PotentialCOVID-19 vaccine side effectshave been a big concern for people who are nervous to get the shot. However, new research has found that many of the side effects people report are actually just a placebo effect. How Placebos Work Systemic vs. Local Side EffectsSystemic side effects are felt in the whole body (e.g., muscle aches) rather than in just one spot (e.g., pain in the arm where the shot was given)....

Key TakeawaysGetting vaccinated before or after getting infected with COVID-19 still provided a strong immune response.Natural infection and vaccination both produce similar T-cell responses, which can help protect the body from infection and fight off the virus.Vaccination remains the best way to prevent reinfection and severe COVID-19. Key Takeaways Getting vaccinated before or after getting infected with COVID-19 still provided a strong immune response.Natural infection and vaccination both produce similar T-cell responses, which can help protect the body from infection and fight off the virus....

Key Takeaways Researchers analyzed the menstrual cycle data of 1,556 unvaccinated participants and 2,403 vaccinated, including: They found that participants experienced a 0.71-day increase in menstrual cycle length following a single COVID-19 dose when compared with menstrual cycles prior to vaccination. Participants who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the same cycle experienced a change of about two days. “The average change in length is less than one day during the menstrual cycle when the shot was given,”Alison Edelman, MD, MPH, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, told Verywell....

The COVID-19 variant XEC, which has beenspreading across Europe, now accounts for 17% of cases in the United States.The XEC variant is an Omicron offshoot. Research shows that it’s a hybrid of the Omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, the latter of which spawned from KP.3, which was spreading this summer. This new variant has several mutations on the spike protein, which the virus uses to latch onto and infect cells.“It seems to be a bit more infectious than previous strains, and it’s more immune-evasive, depending on your prior immunity,”Thomas Russo, MD,a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, told Verywell....

Key TakeawaysCOVID-19 “long-haulers” can experience skin symptoms, like hives and “COVID toes,” which can last for months, new research has found.The severity of a COVID-19 case is associated with different types of skin symptoms.Experts are still learning about the disease, but they believe inflammation is at play in some skin conditions, like COVID toes.Other viruses and diseases cause skin symptoms, too, like measles and chickenpox, but symptoms usually go away once a patient has recovered....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCOVID-19 RiskComplicationsTreatmentsFrequently Asked QuestionsHow to Stay Safe Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents COVID-19 Risk Complications Treatments Frequently Asked Questions How to Stay Safe Hidradenitis suppurativa(HS) is a chronic, painful skin condition that causes abscesses, cysts, and scarring on the skin. The lesions usually occur near hair follicles where there are sweat glands, such as in the groin, bottom, breasts, or armpits....

From the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have been considered at risk of becoming very sick from the virus. If you are a senior or are a caregiver for an older adult, here is what you need to know about staying safe and healthy. Are Older Adults More at Risk for COVID-19? Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the chance of dying from COVID-19 increases with age....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAdults 65 and OverChronic Lung DiseaseImmunocompromised PeopleHeart DiseaseDiabetesLiver DiseaseChronic Kidney DiseaseObesityNeurological Disorders Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Adults 65 and Over Chronic Lung Disease Immunocompromised People Heart Disease Diabetes Liver Disease Chronic Kidney Disease Obesity Neurological Disorders By the time the very first cases ofCOVID-19were identified in the United States in January 2020,it was already clear that certain groups were at greater risk of serious illness, and possibly death, than others....

Key Takeaways Researchers and physicians are still learning about the many ways COVID-19 can impact the heart. Severe COVID-19 may lead to a heart attack, blood clots in the heart, heart failure, or heart injury. But people who experience mild symptoms of COVID-19 or who are asymptomatic may also experience myocarditis, or heart inflammation, new research shows. “We know that COVID is a terrible stress test for the heart,”Eric Adler, MD, a cardiologist at UC San Diego Health, tells Verywell....

Key TakeawaysTwo oral antiviral treatments intended to mitigate severe outcomes of COVID-19 for at-risk individuals were granted emergency use authorization in late December.While manufacturers ramp up production, the supply remains low, likely covering only a small portion of COVID-19 patients.Clinicians continue to rely on monoclonal antibodies until the antivirals are more widespread. Key Takeaways Two oral antiviral treatments intended to mitigate severe outcomes of COVID-19 for at-risk individuals were granted emergency use authorization in late December....

Key TakeawaysU.S. health officials are considering making COVID-19 booster shots available for immunocompromised individuals and people aged 65 and above.Studies show that people who are immunocompromised are less likely to create an antibody response after an initial vaccine series, and they could benefit from a third dose.Experts continue to debate whether a booster shot, or a new variant-specific vaccine will be most beneficial to ending the pandemic Key Takeaways U.S. health officials are considering making COVID-19 booster shots available for immunocompromised individuals and people aged 65 and above....