Health and Wellness

A New COVID Vaccine Is Here: Why You Might Not Want to Rush to Get It

Published

3 months ago

August 28, 2024

IAM

COVID, COVID-19, COVID vaccine, COVID shot, vaccinations, COVID vaccinations, vaccines, Flu/COVID season, COVID season, When should I get a COVID shot, When should I get a COVID booster, COVID booster, theGrio.com

The FDA has approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine for everybody ages 6 months and up, once more presenting Americans with a dilemma: Should they get vaccinated now, as the most recent COVID-19 outbreak rages across the country, or save their shot for the winter surge?

The latest vaccine should provide some protection for everybody. But many healthy individuals who have already been vaccinated or have immunity because they’ve been exposed to COVID enough times might want to wait a couple of months.

COVID has turn into widespread. For some, it’s a light illness with few symptoms. Others lie around with fever, cough, and fatigue for days or even weeks. A much smaller group—mostly the elderly or chronically in poor health—suffer hospitalization or death.

It’s essential for high-risk people to get vaccinated, but vaccine protection wears off after a couple of months. People who rush to get the brand new vaccine may very well be at greater risk of getting sick this winter when the subsequent wave hits, said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a spokesman for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

On the opposite hand, the main variants could change by late fall, making the vaccine less effective, Peter Marks, the FDA’s chief vaccine official, said at an Aug. 23 briefing. He urged everyone eligible to get vaccinated, noting that the chance of long COVID is higher amongst unvaccinated or undervaccinated people.

Of course, if last yr’s COVID-19 vaccination drive is any indication, few Americans will heed his advice, despite the fact that this yr’s surge in cases has been particularly intense and levels of the COVID-19 virus in sewage suggest infections are as common as they were last winter.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now turning to wastewater as fewer people report their test results to health officials. Wastewater data shows the outbreak is worst in Western and Southern states. In New York, for instance, levels are considered “high” — compared with “very high” in Georgia.

COVID hospitalizations and deaths are also trending upward. But unlike infections, these rates are nowhere near those seen during winter surges or in previous years. In July, greater than 2,000 people died from COVID—a big number, but a small fraction of the at the least 25,700 COVID deaths in July 2020.

Partial immunity built up through vaccines and former infections deserves credit for that relief. A latest study suggests that current variants could also be less virulent — one in every of the most recent variants within the study he didn’t kill the mouse exposed to it, unlike most previous COVID variants.

Public health officials note that even with the rise in cases this summer, people seem to be managing the illness at home. “We’ve seen a slight increase in cases, but it hasn’t had a significant impact on hospitalizations and emergency room visits,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said at an Aug. 21 news conference.

Unlike the flu or traditional cold viruses, COVID appears to be thriving outside of the cold months, when infected children at school, dry air and indoor activities are thought to allow airborne and saliva-borne viruses to spread. No one is certain why.

“COVID is still very contagious, it’s brand new, and in the summer, people are gathering in air-conditioned spaces,” said John Moore, a virologist and professor at Weill Cornell Medicine College at Cornell University.

“Or maybe COVID is more resistant to moisture and other environmental conditions in the summer,” said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.

Because viruses evolve as they infect people, the CDC has beneficial updated COVID vaccines yearly. Last fall’s booster shot was designed to goal the omicron variant circulating in 2023. This yr, mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer and a protein-based vaccine from Novavax — which has not yet been approved by the FDA — goal the newer omicron variant, JN.1.

The FDA has determined that mRNA vaccines are effective at protecting people against severe disease and death — and can proceed to say so at the same time as earlier JN.1 variants are actually being displaced by others.

Public interest in COVID-19 vaccines has waned, with just 1 in 5 adults getting a shot since last September, down from about 80% who’ve received their first dose. New Yorkers were barely above the national vaccination rate, while in Georgia, only about 17% had received their final dose.

Vaccine uptake is lower in states where a majority voted for Donald Trump in 2020, and amongst those that have less money, less education, less access to health care, or less day without work work. These groups are also more likely The risk of hospitalization or death from the disease, according to a 2023 study published in The Lancet.

While newly developed vaccines are higher targeted at circulating COVID variants, uninsured and underinsured Americans could have to hurry in the event that they want to get the vaccine free of charge. The CDC program that has provided booster shots to 1.5 million people over the past yr has exhausted funds and is ending Aug. 31.

The agency has pocketed $62 million in unspent funds to pay state and native health departments to provide latest vaccines to people without insurance. But “that may not be enough” if the vaccine costs the agency about $86 per dose, because it did last yr, said Kelly Moore, CEO of Immunize.org, which advocates for vaccinations.

People who pay out of pocket at pharmacies face higher prices: CVS plans to sell the improved vaccine for $201.99, said Amy Thibault, an organization spokeswoman.

“Price can be a barrier, access can be a barrier” to accessing vaccinations, said David Scales, an assistant professor of drugs at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Without an access program to provide vaccines to uninsured adults, “we will see disparities in health care outcomes and disproportionately high disease outbreaks among the working poor who cannot afford to take time off,” said Kelly Moore.

New York state has about $1 million to fill gaps when the CDC program ends, said Danielle De Souza, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health. That will allow it to buy about 12,500 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults, she said. There are about 1 million uninsured people within the state.

Last yr, CDC and FDA experts decided to promote annual fall vaccinations against COVID and influenza, in addition to a one-time vaccination against RSV for certain groups.

It could be impractical for vaccine manufacturers to change the COVID-19 vaccine formula twice a yr, and giving three shots in a single or two doctor visits looks like the easiest way to increase the number of individuals vaccinated, according to Schaffner, who’s a consultant to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

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He added that at its next meeting in October, the commission will likely appeal to people prone to infection to receive a second dose of the identical COVID-19 vaccine within the spring to protect themselves against one other wave of infections in the summertime.

If you’re in a vulnerable group and are waiting until after the vacations to get vaccinated, Schaffner said it’s value wearing a mask and avoiding large crowds, and getting tested in case you think you could have COVID. If the test comes back positive, people in these groups should seek medical attention, because the antiviral pill Paxlovid can ease symptoms and keep them out of the hospital.

For conscientious individuals who feel they might be sick and don’t want to spread COVID-19, the most effective advice is to take a single test and, if it comes back positive, try to isolate for a couple of days, then wear a mask for a couple of days while avoiding crowded spaces. Retesting after a positive result’s pointless, because virus particles can linger within the nose for days, with no risk of infecting others, Schaffner said.

The Department of Health and Human Services will make 4 free COVID-19 tests available to anyone who requests them starting in late September through the web site covidtest.gov, Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said at an Aug. 23 briefing.

The government is focusing its fall vaccination drive, which it has dubbed “Less Risk, More Life,” on older people and nursing home residents, HHS spokesman Jeff Nesbit said.

Not everyone may really want a fall COVID booster, but “it’s not a bad thing to give people options,” said John Moore. “A 20-year-old athlete is less at risk than a 70-year-old overweight guy. It’s that simple.”

Healthbeat is a nonprofit public health newsroom published by Citizen News Company AND KFF Health News. Sign up for his or her newsletters Here. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth health journalism and is one in every of the most important operating programs of KFF, an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Related Topics:COVID-19 Vaccination Lifestyle

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Health and Wellness

Ant stings can be painful. Here’s how to avoid getting stung this summer (and what to do if it happens)

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

IAM

The starting of summer is just a couple of days away, and plenty of of us will be looking forward to long, sunny days spent on the beach, by the pool, camping or having a picnic within the park.

Insects love summer too. Most of them right then grow and feed. However, this shared appreciation of the season can sometimes lead to conflict.

Insects have long been preyed upon by many species, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and other insects. Accordingly, quite a lot of defense mechanisms have evolved – perhaps none more familiar to humans than the sting.

Many ants have a stinger on their rear end which they use to deliver venom. It will not be the sting itself that causes pain, but relatively venom. Ant venom accommodates a mix of various chemicals, a few of which have evolved specifically to manipulate the nerve endings in our skin to cause pain.

Let’s take a have a look at the several ant stings chances are you’ll experience this summer in Australia and how to respond.

Bull ants

Bull ants (also often called bulldog ants, jumper ants, or jumper ants) are large for an ant. Some species can grow to length 4 centimeters. They are easily identified by their large eyes, long mandibles (jaws), and aggressive nature.

Their sting is immediate, hot, sharp and unambiguous, similar to that of a honey bee. The intense pain will only last a couple of minutes before being replaced by redness and swelling across the sting site.

There are many differing kinds of bull ants in Australia.
Sam Robinson

Green-headed ants

Green-headed ants are also called green ants (but not to be confused with green ants). green tree ants northern Australia, which do not sting). Green-headed ants are common and love our lawns.

About Length 6 millimetersthey’re much smaller than bull ants. They can be recognized by their shiny green-purple exoskeleton.

Green-headed ants are frequently less aggressive than bull ants, but they can still deliver a big sting. The pain from a green ant sting can construct up step by step and cause intense, sticky pain.

Fire ants

Fire ants (or imported red fire ants) are native to South America. They were detected first in Brisbane in 2001it probably moved in containers and has since spread across south-east Queensland.

Fire ants are reddish brown and black and range in size from Length 2–6 millimeters.

You will almost certainly encounter fire ants of their nests, which appear like a pile of loose dirt. A hearth ant nest has no obvious entrance, which is way to distinguish it from other similar ant nests.

Disturbing a hearth ant nest will awaken an offended mass of a whole bunch of ants and expose you to being stung.

The initial pain from a single sting seems like an intense, hot itch, although it can be controlled. However, fire ant stings rarely occur in the only digits. One ant can sting multiple times, and plenty of ants can sting one person, which can lead to a whole bunch of stings. A hearth ant sting can cause pus-filled ulcers and scarring in the next days.

If you reside in an area where fire ants are present, it’s price taking a couple of minutes to learn how to do this recognize and report their.

Electric ants

Electric ants is one other nasty random import, coming from Central and South America. Currently limited to Cairns and surroundingsthese are tiny (1.5 millimeters long) yellow ants.

Like fire ants, these ants are frequently defensive, so lots of them will sting without delay. Their sting is more painful than you’ll expect from such a tiny creature. I compare it to being showered with red, hot sparks.

If you think that you see electric ants, please report it Biosecurity in Queensland.

Australian ants should not the worst

You may be surprised to hear that Australian ants don’t even make it to the rostrum when it comes to essentially the most painful ant stings. The winners include: harvester ants (North and South America), which cause severe, sticky pain, comparable to a drill slowly rotating in a muscle – for up to 12 hours.

The gold medal goes to the sting of the South and Central American bullet ant, which has been described How:

Pure, intense, sensible pain. It’s like walking on burning charcoal with a 3-inch nail stuck in your heel.

How to avoid getting stung (and what to do if you do)

Fortunately, the answer is frequently quite simple. Look around before you sit on the bottom or unfolded a picnic blanket, avoiding places where you see ant nests or a lot of foraging ants.

The selection of footwear might also be necessary. In my experience, most stings occur on the feet of those wearing thongs.

If you get stung, generally the situation will improve by itself. The pain often subsides after a couple of minutes (sometimes slightly longer within the case of a green ant sting). The redness, swelling and itching that sometimes follows may last for several days.

In the meantime, if mandatory, ice pack it will help with the pain. If it’s particularly bad, a topical numbing cream containing lidocaine may provide temporary relief. You can get it over-the-counter at a pharmacy.

A small proportion of individuals may experience an allergic response to ant stings. In very severe cases this may include respiratory problems or ingestion. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms after an ant sting, you need to seek urgent medical attention.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com

Health and Wellness

Health matters: WNBA star Napheesa Collier on her commitment to women’s reproductive health

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Minnesota lynx

Napheesa Collier will not be only a WNBA superstar for the Minnesota Lynx and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, but additionally the mother of her daughter Mila and an advocate for women’s reproductive health rights.

It recently decided to partner with Opill®, the primary and only every day contraceptive pill available over-the-counter within the United States. This breakthrough represents a major step forward in women’s health care by providing a convenient and accessible contraceptive option. With Opill, women not need to visit health care facilities for prescriptions, making it easier than ever to take control of their reproductive health.

The collaboration relies on Opill®’s long-standing partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). “One of the reasons Opill® partnered with the WNBA is the great passion of players who use their platform to support causes they believe in,” said Leila Bahbah, leading women’s health brand at Perrigo within the US. “Napheesa exudes this passion, and together we plan to educate and empower people to take control of their reproductive health.”

Collier advocates for girls and says she is willing to have conversations, even in the event that they are difficult. “I just truly believe in everything they do at Opill®. I believe it’s important to talk to people who may become pregnant and to women about the reproductive health and contraceptive options available to them,” Collier tells ESSENCE.

He continues: “I want people to know that if they want contraception, Opill® is a great option. It is the first over-the-counter drug approved by the FDA. It is inexpensive, available. You don’t need a prescription to get it. I think that’s a key thing in today’s climate.”

Collier notes that within the off-season, he tries to travel to various colleges to talk to students about their reproductive freedoms. “Talking about this topic is essential to remove the stigma as it should not be considered a shameful topic or something that should not be discussed openly. My mother was a nurse, so it was casual to talk about it in our house, and I want to pass it on to other people too, so I’m very excited about it,” she says.

In the present political climate, many ladies with daughters are concerned about their future and reproductive health. Collier, included. “Especially because I am the mother of a young girl, it is very important to me to be able to raise her in an atmosphere where she knows her reproductive rights and health, that she has access to affordable health care and contraception if she wants it and that she can ask me these questions and have open conversations.”

Collier continues: “It’s back to education. Again, I think it’s harmful that we can’t have open conversations about birth control and other issues that are usually taboo. I think it’s harmful. I think this does a lot of harm to women. It hurts. This is harmful to our society. Being able to talk about these issues and empowering women to learn about their rights and bodies creates a safer and healthier society.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com

Health and Wellness

Yes, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok, you still need to use sunscreen

Published

12 hours ago

November 21, 2024

IAM

Summer is nearly here. But as an alternative of using sunscreen, some TikTokers just do that encouraging followers throw it away and forgo sunscreen.

They argue that it’s healthier to forgo sunscreen to get the complete advantages of the sun.

Here’s what the science really says.

How does sunscreen work?

Due to the acute UV environment in Australia, most individuals with pale to olive skin or other risk aspects for skin cancer must accomplish that protect yourself. Applying sunscreen is a key approach to protecting areas that aren’t easily covered by clothing.

Sunscreens work by absorbing or scattering UV rays before they reach the skin and damage DNA or supporting structures corresponding to collagen.

In this photo I (Katie) apply sunscreen only to the appropriate side of my face. Sunscreens absorb and scatter UV light (right side), although it can’t be seen with the naked eye (left side). The photo on the appropriate also shows where sun spots (dark spots) accumulate on my skin and where I do not care to apply sunscreen evenly – under the attention, on the cheek and completely missing the ear.
The creator provided/UQ

When UV molecules hit DNA, the surplus energy can damage our DNA. This damage might be repaired, but when the cell divides before the error is repaired, it causes a mutation that may lead to skin cancer.

The energy of the UV particle (photon) causes the DNA strands to break and reconnect incorrectly. This causes a tumor within the DNA strand, which makes accurate copying difficult and might introduce mutations.
NASA/David Herring

The most typical skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Melanoma is less common but most definitely spreads throughout the body; this process known as metastasis.

Two against three At least the Australians will one skin cancer during their lives they usually reconcile 80% all cancers in Australia.

About 99% of skin cancers in Australia are attributable to overexposure to UV radiation.

Excessive exposure to UV radiation also affects the looks of the skin. UVA rays are able to penetrate deep into the skin, where they break down supporting structures corresponding to elastin and collagen.

This causes signs premature agingcorresponding to deep wrinkles, brown or white spots and broken capillaries.

Sunscreen may also help prevent skin cancer

Consistently used sunscreen reduces the danger of skin cancer and slows skin aging.

In Queensland studyparticipants either used sunscreen day by day for nearly five years or continued their usual use.

After five years, the danger of squamous cell cancer was reduced within the day by day group 40% compared to the second group.

Ten years later, the danger of developing invasive melanoma was reduced within the group of individuals taking the drug day by day 73%

Do sunscreens block the health-promoting properties of sunlight?

The answer is a little more complicated and involves a personalised risk-benefit trade-off.

First, the excellent news: spending time within the sun has many health advantages don’t rely under the influence of UV radiation and aren’t affected by the use of sunscreens.

A woman applies sunscreen — Sunscreens only filter out UV rays, not all light.
Ron Lach/Pexels

Sunscreens only filter UV rays, not visible light or infrared light (which we feel as heat). Importantly, a number of the advantages of sunlight are obtained through Eyes.

Visible light improves mood and regulates and possibly reduces circadian rhythm (which influences the sleep-wake cycle). myopia (myopia) in children.

Infrared light is being researched as a treatment for several conditions skin, neurological, psychiatric AND autoimmune disorders.

So what is the good thing about exposing your skin to UV radiation?

Sun exposure produces vitamin D, which is crucial for healthy bones and muscles.

Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common amongst Australians, peaking in Victoria at 49% in winter and lowest in Queensland at 6% in summer.

Fortunately, individuals who deal with sun protection can avoid vitamin D deficiency taking a complement.

Skin exposure to UV radiation could have advantages independent of vitamin D production, but these haven’t been proven. It may reduce the danger of autoimmune diseases corresponding to multiple sclerosis or cause the discharge of a chemical that may lower blood pressure. However, there aren’t enough details about these advantages to say whether sunscreen can be an issue.

What does this mean for you?

Exposure of the skin to UV radiation may provide some advantages that could be blunted by sunscreens. This determines whether it’s value giving up these advantages to avoid skin cancer how susceptible you have skin cancer.

If you have pale skin or other aspects that increase your risk of skin cancer, try to use sunscreen day by day on all days when the forecast UV index reaches 3.

If you have darker skin that rarely or never burns, you might want to skip using sunscreen on daily basis – although you’ll still need protection when you’re outdoors for prolonged periods of time.

For now, the balance of evidence suggests that it is healthier for people susceptible to skin cancer to proceed using sunscreen, supplementing with vitamin D as needed.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com