As doctors learn more about what makes COVID-19 so severe for some patients, they have discovered a mysterious and potentially lethal complication of the disease: blood clots. Many doctors have reported seeing an alarming number of COVID-19 patients with blood clots — gel-like clumps in the blood that can cause serious problems, such as heart […]
Early GP referrals are leading to cancer patients surviving longer
Early GP referrals are likely to lead to cancer patients surviving longer, a study by King’s College London and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has found. The analysis of 1.4 million cancer patients in England published today in the British Journal of General Practice, led by King’s College London and Public […]
Two novel viruses identified in Brazilian patients with suspected dengue
Two new species of viruses have been identified in blood samples taken from patients in Brazil’s northern region who had similar symptoms to those of dengue or Zika, such as high fever, severe headache, rash and red skin spots. One belongs to the genus Ambidensovirus and was found in a sample collected in the state […]
Repurposed industrial respirator could free ventilators for COVID-19 patients
As intensive care units and emergency rooms around the world see increasing numbers of patients with COVID-19, resource management and control of transmission are two of the greatest challenges faced by providers. “Rapidly depleting supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), dwindling access to negative pressure rooms and limited stock of mechanical ventilators pose a threat […]
AGA releases official guidance for patients with IBD during the COVID-19 pandemic
Today, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) published new COVID-19 guidance for gastroenterologists treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Expert Commentary. While the COVID-19 pandemic is a global health emergency, patients with IBD have particular concerns for their risk for infection […]
How to connect with nursing home patients in quarantine
(HealthDay)—U.S. nursing homes, assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities have closed their doors to outsiders due to the coronavirus pandemic, making it difficult for residents and their families to stay connected. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has some advice for making this difficult situation better. “Right now, families across the country cannot […]
Are ventilators being overused on COVID-19 patients?
—Coronavirus in the US: Map & cases —What are the symptoms of COVID-19? —How deadly is the new coronavirus? —How long does coronavirus last on surfaces? —Is there a cure for COVID-19? —How does COVID-19 compare with seasonal flu? —How does the coronavirus spread? —Can people spread the coronavirus after they recover? Some physicians caring […]
Coronavirus may damage the brains of some patients, reports suggests
Coronavirus may cause brain damage by triggering dangerous inflammation that can cause bleeds and cell death A 74-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman are among the US coronavirus patients to suffer neurological problems as a result of the virus Scans of the woman’s brain taken at a Henry Ford Health System hospital in Detroit showed […]
Washington University School of Medicine notifies oncology patients of privacy incident
Washington University School of Medicine announced today that it began mailing letters to patients whose information may have been involved in a recent incident involving unauthorized access to an employee’s email account. On Jan. 31, 2020, a School of Medicine investigation into the incident confirmed that an unauthorized person gained access from Jan. 12 to […]
Improving mental health awareness and support for patients with persistent pain
People who live with persistent pain, caused by conditions like osteoarthritis, are twice as likely to experience a mental health condition compared to the general population. Now, a research team from Keele University’s School of Primary, Community and Social Care have been awarded £100,000 to develop interventions that support the mental health needs of people […]