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The Latest COVID-19 Variant: Omicron

Just when you thought it was safe to go “back into the water” again, a new variant has materialized. Omicron has arrived and has come with a furry. First noticed in South Africa, it is making its way into the rest of the world. Indeed, President Biden has already taken action by restricting travel from South Africa and other African nations.

In this post, we share five things you need to know about this new coronavirus variant, officially labeled as B.1.1.529, but before we get started, let’s look at what the new variant is all about and why it is a concern for the global authorities.

B.1.1.529 – The Latest Coronavirus Variant

The new COVID-19 mutant is considered one of the most dangerous variants to date. It has a high number of mutations (a total of 50), including over 30 mutations on the spike protein. As a result, this new variant is likely to be more resistant to the current vaccines, will have a high risk of transmissibility, and will also lead to more severe symptoms for those that are not vaccinated, which may include an increased need for hospitalization.

Let’s look at some of the critical things you need to know about this latest variant.

5 Things You Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Variant

Man writing on blackboard about virus mutations — Image by Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay

#1. The Variant is the Most Heavily Mutated in the COVID Family

As of July 2021, there were four dominant variants of COVID-19, which included:

- The Alpha variant ( the U.K. Variant – B.1.1.7)
- The Beta variant (the South Africa Variant – B.1.351)
- The Gamma variant (the Brazilian variant, – P.1) and
- The Delta variant (known as the Indian variant – B.1.617.2)

Each one of these has become a concern because every time a virus mutates, it changes its form and nature. As a result, they have a different risk of transmissibility and severity of infection, which depends on the mutation. The latest variant has 50 mutations, more than 30 mutations on the spike protein, which is what the virus used to get access to the human body cells.

It is a particular concern because most of the vaccines for COVID-19 target the spike protein. However, as the spike protein mutates, it raises concern among the authorities about the possible effects of the vaccines against this latest variant.

#2. More Mutations on the Receptor Binding Domain

Another feature that’s gaining the attention of researchers is the mutations of this variant on the receptor-binding domain strain was the Delta variant that had two mutations on the receptor-binding domain. However, the new variant – B.1.1.529 has ten mutations on the receptor-binding domain, raising concern about whether it is linked to immune escape.

#3. There’s Concern About the Evolution of This Variant

A virus mutates every time it reproduces. However, the mutations are minor when the virus reproduces in a healthy human body. But the concern with viruses is that you cannot predict the mutation, especially when it mutates in an immune-compromised patient.

For the emergence of this new variant, there is speculation that it evolved in the body of a single patient. There are suggestions that the new variant emerged in the body of an immuno-compromised person, who HIV may infect.

#4. The New Variant Spread to Nearby Countries

Omicron was first identified in South Africa; however, within seven days, there were over 100 specimens of the same variant reported in South Africa. But that’s not it. The strain continued to spread to nearby countries, including Botswana, where the variant-infected individuals had been fully immunized. Moreover, two cases were detected in Hong Kong among travelers from African countries.

As a result, the U.K. banned flights from six African countries, including Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. Moreover, the British government has placed strict measures related to quarantine and PCR testing of recent travelers from the African states.

Moreover, other countries, such as India, have also called for rigorous screening of African countries and Hong Kong passengers. Similarly, Australia is also planning to tighten rules for incoming passengers.

#5. The World Health Organization Should Call for Caution

The global authorities, including the World Health Organization, must take measures to contain the spread. Since the holiday season is here, there is an expected influx of passengers and travelers, and there are continued strict measures to contain the virus moving forward.

Final Words

Man washing his hands in a sink — Keeping your hands clean with soap or sanitizer on a frequent basis is one of the best protections against spreading the COVID virus

When the global authorities were relieved and assumed that the pandemic was under control, the emergence of a new variant is definitely a concern. We have limited information about how the new coronavirus variant behaves, and until the researchers find out the answers, it is best to get complete immunization and booster doses. Moreover, as the holiday season is here, don’t forget to take care of the COVID-19 safety protocols so you and your loved ones can stay safe and healthy!

Medical Advances During COVID-19

Since March 2020, the news has been loaded with stories about COVID-19. It has been a year like no other since the Spanish flu. You may think that all medical research had stopped in order to confront this virus. This may be so in part, but not entirely, as studies of other diseases have continued throughout 2020 and through this year.

In this post, you will learn about the five most impactful medical advancements that have occurred during these COVID-19 times. Let’s take a look.

#1. Eradicating Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Zika mosquito

Mosquitos are one of the deadliest insects known to humanity. From malaria to dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, mosquito bites are causing millions of deaths every year. However, a groundbreaking discovery led to the introduction of a new mosquito control method that effectively reduces dengue infections by 77 %.

Dengue, which can cause vomiting, bleeding, headaches, body pain, and possible death is spreading at an exponential rate around the world, with around 50 million cases every year. Moreover, Indonesia is reporting 7 million cases of the disease annually. Part of the spread of this mosquito-borne infection is a result of global warming. Furthermore, no vaccine provides a considerable cure to the condition. Similarly, other mosquito-borne diseases, including Zika, are spreading globally and are even making their way into the U.S.

The groundbreaking innovation followed by a 27-month trial in Indonesia led to exciting results where mosquitos infected by a bacteria named Wolbachia were unable to pass dengue on to people. The breakthrough can scale to metropolitan cities worldwide where mosquitos infected by bacteria will be unable to spread virus-borne diseases like Zika and yellow fever.

#2. Breakthroughs in Heart Diseases and Stroke Research

Graph of a heart rate — Heart Rate Vector Design

Another groundbreaking achievement is a new study that can change the treatment of a medical condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a thickening of the heart muscles. The highlights of this study include a minimally invasive procedure to prevent stroke. Moreover, the other interesting aspect of the research is that you don’t need more treatment to improve coronary heart conditions. Instead, you need to look for an interconnected and comprehensive approach to treatment.

The idea was supported by evidence that showed that the medication for controlling diabetes might also improve heart conditions among individuals without diabetes. The research is particularly interesting because it is likely to offer a road map to a future where a comprehensive treatment plan will be recommended to patients to improve overall health and well-being instead of treating a specific condition.

#3. A Better Approach to Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is the next big thing for treating individuals with cancer, genetic disorders, and blood diseases. And this latest approach to gene therapy is going to be a game-changer.

A research team led by UCLA reported the development of a new method of delivering DNA into the stem and immune cells quickly and economically. The current genetic therapies are expensive and can cost up to thousands of dollars for a single treatment. Moreover, current therapies can take months to produce.

However, with this latest approach to gene therapy, it is possible to get quicker and more effective results with only a fraction of the cost.

Moreover, researchers hope this research is an integral step forward in treating several health conditions, including cancer. With this therapy taking a new approach, the treatment plan for cancer that traditionally involved painful procedures, including bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, and radiation, will now shift to a new form of gene therapy.

Note that this new therapy is still not available for treating patients; however, it will be the future of treatment of several genetic diseases in this decade.

#4. Saving Lives of Mothers

Next on the list of medical advances is the latest research on how to prevent the loss of a mother’s life resulting from uncontrolled blood loss following childbirth. When a woman gives birth and her uterus fails to contract, it can lead to a severe loss of blood that results in an emergency hysterectomy and even death. Postpartum blood-related death results in almost 1/3rd of all childbirth-related death.

The current treatment options include medications (which seldom work) and inserting a balloon that puts pressure on the uterus. This existing treatment comes with associated risks.

However, researchers have figured out a new and improved way to control the situation. The groundbreaking innovation is a vacuum device that aids in facilitating natural contractions following childbirth. The vacuum puts pressure on the leaking blood vessels, which in turn helps control bleeding. The trial results revealed that this vacuum device could control bleeding in around three minutes and successfully treated around 94% of the participants.

#5. Changing Paradigm to Alzheimer’s

Old Woman Senior Citizen Around 2/3rd of the individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women, but as opposed to the longstanding view of the disease, women are less vulnerable to the condition than men. According to this research, the double X chromosome in the female body protects against it. It is due to the presence of the extra X in the chromosome that allows women with Alzheimer’s to live longer and experience less severe symptoms compared to men.

This groundbreaking discovery is just one of the several similar discoveries that are yet to come, which will help figure out how having a double X chromosome makes female bodies and minds different from a single X and Y chromosome among men.

Summary

Medical research may have slowed a bit due to the coronavirus, but never halted. Studies have continued regarding research into other medical fields while we live through this pandemic. Additionally, by putting so much time and effort into finding a cure for COVID, new life-saving medical technology may materialize in the fight against SARS related illnesses.

Five Ways through Which Nurses Prevent Major Injuries

Nurse attending to patient — Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

In one of our previous articles, we discussed the role of nurses in elder care facilities. Now let’s take a look at the role of nurses in general and how they employ their expertise towards helping their patients in a hospital setting, specifically, how to help patients when it comes to physical employment.

If you have ever tried lifting up a grown adult who is heavy who simply cannot move on their own, then you will understand how difficult it is to achieve this task without dropping the patient or falling yourself. There is a high chance of patients falling and probably suffering from a major injury, if not for the professional nurses handling the task like a pro.

So, what is it that these nurses do that makes them such an expert at handling the patients with care and moving them from one bed to another, without so much as a jostle felt by the patients? For starters, they use the following techniques:

Training

There is an art to all that lifting and repositioning that nurses have to master. It is important to get to know about the workings of all the equipment, how to lift the bed, how to change the setting slowly, how to prevent too much pressure on patient’s weak spots, and so on. It is only after they know every aspect of the equipment in question that they become confident of their skills are given the responsibility to handle the patients.

Give the Details

More often than not, it helps the patient’s relatives to know what is actually happening. In order to prepare the patients for the move or help them in repositioning, it helps greatly if they are given step-by-step details of everything. Most of the time, people expect much worse than it actually is, and then, of course, there is the fear of the unknown. Once the patients learn what is going to happen, they relax considerably which makes the whole process easier and quicker.

Stay Active and Strong

In order to perform these risky tasks, nurses actually have to stay fit themselves. For instance, nurses need to have good upper body strength to lift up patients who have more weight. They cannot afford the risk of their strength giving out at the last second, which might not only bring pain to the patient but might also result in the nurse suffering from an injury themselves.

Take Preventive Measures

Palliative Care for Seniors

Nurses are friendly with their patients so that they do not feel any hesitancy when asking for help. These nurses also make sure that there is no obstacle in the room or anything else that might trip the patient.

Frequent Rounds

Doctor talking to patient in a hospital — Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

A good nurse is one who doesn’t give any chance for their patients to press the nurse-calling button and do the tasks that could be achieved through their punctual hourly rounds. It has also been noted that the more frequent these rounds are, the fewer incidents there are of the patients falling. In many cases, patients feel like they are completely capable of getting off the bed themselves and end up falling. These visits by the nurses lower the frequency of such accidents.

Now that you know about the preventive measures and thoughtful considerations nurses implement to prevent people from falling and suffering from major injuries, you know what to expect when going through a similar experience.

Safely Disposing Unused Medications

pills in human hand — How Much is Too Much?

When it is time to dispose of old medicines, there are recommended guidelines to prevent drug abuse, protect your identity and personal health information (PHI).

Although it may seem like an easy solution, flushing medicines down the sink or toilet is actually not recommended, unless the disposal instructions on the prescription label specifically direct you to do so, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

How to Safely Dispose of Medications

Your neighborhood may have a drug take-back program, which will allow you to bring unused drugs to a location for proper disposal. However, if this is not available to you and the label does not instruct how to dispose of the medication, the CDC recommends mixing the meds with coffee grounds or kitty litter so that they are not easily recognizable. Then, place the mixture in a sealed bag or empty container and throw it out with the household trash.

The American Pharmacists Association also recommends crushing solid medications or dissolving them in water (which also applies for liquid medications) before mixing them in with the undesirable substances mentioned above.

When in doubt, speak with your pharmacist. Typically, pharmacists are easily accessible and can guide you on how to properly dispose of your unused meds.

They also recommend protecting your personal information by scratching out any content presented on the prescription label before throwing away the bottle.

It is very important to dispose of unused prescription drugs in the appropriate way. If the proper precautions are not taken, children, pets, or people who intentionally go through the trash may get their hands on your unused medications.

Consequences of Taking the Wrong Drug

There are some prescription medicines that can be harmful if taken by someone other than who the prescription was meant for, the CDC indicates, so it is also not recommended to give your unused medications to family or friends.

Keep in mind: disposal of medications is not the only thing that is important when trying to keep members of the household safe. You should ensure that medicines are also being stored safely.

In one case scenario, a three-year-old child happened to wander into his grandmother’s bedroom while the parents were visiting and conversing in the living room with the grandparents. The grandmother had her pills on a table next to her bed. The child found the pills. Opened the containers and started putting them in his mouth, thinking they were candy. Fortunately, the boy was not harmed as those particular meds were not controlled substances nor habit forming. They were mild sleep inducers. They didn’t know how many he had swallowed, but apparently, it wasn’t a lot. This situation could have been much worse though, since the grandmother did have controlled medications in containers right next to the sleep inducers.

This is why, even if you are visiting someone, make sure they have their meds safely stored away. Either keep prescriptions locked up, or stored somewhere high and out of the reach of children.

Teenage Curiosities

When it comes to teens, we head into a new arena. Many teenagers, especially adolescents are curious individuals, sometimes foolishly curious. If you have meds, especially controlled substances, and have teenagers living with you, hide the medications!

As per prp.jasonfoundation.com, “More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.”

Indeed with statistics such as this, being vigilant about teenagers would be an understatement.

In Closing

If you have small children or teens, or even pets, make sure you have your medications stored away properly where they cannot get to them!

Is Coronavirus Over? What Does This Mean For You?

World Health Organization Logo The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that another pandemic is not expected to occur as a result of the coronavirus. The WHO continues to monitor the SARS-like virus, but it does not expect that this virus will cause a new epidemic. This declaration comes after many months of investigating the virus and its impact on those who have been infected.

Many people had once feared that the virus might continue to cause new epidemics since so many people in China are infected with it. However, the last one occurred nearly 14 years ago, and many experts now believe that the virus is no longer a major concern for global health. The coronavirus may have reached the end of the road of being a global epidemic, and now health officials are focused on monitoring those who have been infected and the potential for future cases.

But What About COVID-19? Is It Still a Danger?

As the expression goes, “now that’s a loaded question”, as it depends upon who you talk to and the area of the world in which you live; however, there are some general facts that cannot be disputed. Let’s take a look at these facts and see how we now stand against the pandemic.

Resultant Deaths Diminish the Outbreak

It is an unfortunate circumstance, but those that have perished from COVID-19 greatly reduce those that will perish in the future, resulting in healthier individuals whose natural immune system limits or eliminates hospital stays over those who had a very weak immune system and succumbed to it earlier on. Unfortunate and tragic, but those are the facts.

The Vaccines are Working!

Person getting covid injection — Photo by FRANK MERIÑO from Pexels

As of the writing of this article, statistics show that the vaccines for COVID-19 are successfully fighting the disease.

From a medical perspective, the vaccines are showing that they do help build more antibodies in your body, which are the primary entities that kill the virus.

That doesn’t mean that if you are vaccinated, you will not catch it, but if you do, you will most likely feel only cold systems and not major issues such as fever or inability to breathe. In other words, you are at a substantially lower risk of getting a severe illness and death. With that said, there are circumstances where some folks have had medical issues after getting the shot. They may feel chills or headaches within 24 hours of receiving the vaccine, but then it goes away.

The Natural Immunity Factor

As previously mentioned, there are many people who have a natural immunity towards the virus, and these folks either don’t get sick or simply have the cold symptoms discussed, but some do not want to get the vaccine. This may be attributed to people who are just fearful, regardless of the statistics, religious reasons, or political reasons; however, Howard Fensterman (as well as many major researchers and scientists throughout the world) believe that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe to take!

Conclusion

The coronavirus has not been seen as having any serious consequences for the health of the world at large, with its deaths being limited to a lesser number of individuals each week in the US.

There is still research going on and will probably go on for the next 20 years. As for now, the threat to the world’s population seems less severe, and new research will focus on using these studies to improve human health in the future. With that said, let us not fall into the false premise that COVID-19 has totally left us. We still need to maintain our guard, and practice social distancing, cover our faces with a mask and wash our hands regularly!

The Economic Impact of COVID-19 Around the World

Photo of man holding small globe — Photo by Ann H from Pexels

Since it was first detected in China in late-2019, no country in the world has been safe from the coronavirus pandemic. A year and a half have passed since the virus has infected the world, but fortunately, vaccines are now readily available. While the global economy is now on the path to a post-recession recovery, governments are still implementing new lockdown measures and businesses are calculating their losses.

This article explores the global impact of coronavirus by assessing the situation in the countries that have been worst-hit by the pandemic:

United States of America

The COVID-19 virus has resulted in both an economic and a public health crisis. It has taken a toll on the health infrastructure and led to an economic slowdown.

The pandemic has been particularly destructive for small businesses, which make up the majority of the businesses in the United States and employ 50% of all private-sector workers. Sectors where employees were unable to work remotely and companies were not fit suffered the most.

The plunge in business activity caused many companies to become insolvent. As many as 420,000 small businesses failed since the very beginning. Damage to the labor market as a result of the pandemic has been the worst in US history.

India

The impact of coronavirus in India has been devastating in terms of economic activity and human lives. Domestic demand and exports have declined sharply, except for some exceptions where growth has been high.

The majority of India’s population comprises daily wage earners and self-employed informal sector workers who don’t have access to social security. These workers are experiencing income as well as food shortages.

The pandemic has revealed and worsened several vulnerabilities in the Indian economy. Factories, eateries, shops, business establishments, and transport services have been heavily affected.

Recession is on the cards as the economy is moving towards a full-year contraction. According to the surveys carried out by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the unemployment rate has risen in the range of 7.9%-12% in the April-June quarter of 2021. Millions of people have lost their jobs permanently.

Brazil

Brazil’s economy faces a huge challenge due to the virus. The record of deaths in Brazil hit an all-time high in April 2021, with more than 4,200 fatalities within 24 hours.

While the impact of the recession can be felt throughout, smaller firms are the worst affected. This is because they involve substantial face-to-face interactions.

Inflation also rose as Brazil struggled with the second wave of coronavirus. This led to a steep rise in interest rates by the central bank. The 0.1% decline in the GDP of the country was worse than the median prediction of 1.2% growth.

United Kingdom

UK’s GDP declined by 9.9% in 2020. Transport, tourism, hospitality, and arts and entertainment suffered the impact of coronavirus the most.

Economic growth during the summer of 2021 continued to be slow. This was first thought to be the result of the Delta variant as a large number of people were required to self-isolate.

Due to a disruption in global supply chains, some goods have become short in supply. Businesses are also reporting hardship in hiring employees.

As a result of supply issues, inflation rose during 2021. It is expected to continue to rise in 2022.

Russia

The Russian economy has been affected by the coronavirus in various ways. Almost half a million jobs were lost in three major sectors in 2020.

The national poverty rate increased by 13.2%. By October 2020, the unemployment rate shot up to 6.3% – the highest observed in Russia over the past 8 years.

The smaller cities suffered the most as they have frail health care systems. The construction and service sectors were hit the most. They had been a major source of employment for the impoverished cities.

Mexico

The Mexican economy faced the largest contraction since the Tequila Crisis in 1994. In 2020, the output of service-related activities declined by 5.2%. The goods-producing industries faced a decrease in output by 0.5%.

Like other countries, the service industry was affected the most. This primarily includes businesses such as restaurants and hotels. Moreover, the government failed to provide adequate financial support for the economy.

The manufacturing sector has faced relatively few restrictions and avoided disturbance due to the impact on North American supply chains.

On the other hand, the service sector has been unable to recover as much. The absence of financial assistance left several businesses and households with a gaping income loss.

France

France’s economy faced an 8.3% decline in 2020. A recession of this extent had not been recorded in the country since WWII. For instance, the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the economy declined by as much as 48.8% as a result of travel restrictions.

The unemployment rate reached a 2-year high due to the pandemic. Artisans, retail workers, and self-employed people suffered the most. Nonprofit organizations and food banks are involved in helping the impoverished in France.

According to French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maier, the economic growth of the French economy is based on its COVID-19 vaccination program. He predicted a 5% economic growth rate for the country in 2021.

Final Word

The economic impact of the coronavirus has been felt all over the world. The magnitude of this global health crisis is greater than any during the past 100 years. It is increasing human suffering, killing people, and destroying economies. Countries need to adopt bold and urgent policy measures for economic recovery and financial stability. Hopefully, we are nearing the end of this crisis. We’ll just have to wait and see!

Do You Need to Still Get a Flu Shot During the COVID Pandemic?

COVID-19 Pandemic and Flu – Overview

Healthcare professionals around the world have been concerned about the flu season for the year 2020-2021. It was a time of immense uncertainty as there was a pandemic on the one hand and deadly influenza on the other. While influenza is a minor healthcare concern now (comparatively speaking), it shouldn’t be and over the last decade, the standard flu has resulted in an average of 36,000 deaths each year in the U.S. only. And the numbers may be even higher in other parts of the world.

Surprisingly, last year’s flu season had an unprecedented low number of cases and deaths. According to data by the CDC, only 2136 clinical specimens were tested positive for the influenza virus between October 2020 and July 2021. Moreover, 748 deaths due to the flu were reported in the U.S. Furthermore, if you look at the statistics from the previous years, an average of 75 to 150 children die as a result of influenza each year during the flu season. However, last year, the number was down to 1.

The Possible Explanation of Unusually Low Rates of Flu Infection

Woman Sneezing from Flu — Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Indeed there was a stark difference in the statistics of last year’s flu season and its predecessor. And when we take a closer look at what could possibly explain the unusually low rates of infection and deaths due to the flu virus, the explanation is quite simple. Between October 2020 and July 2021, COVID-19 infections were increasing tremendously throughout the world, including the U.S. Through the immunization started in December 2020, there were restrictions in place regarding indoor social gatherings, school and workplace reopenings, and reduced travel.

Hence, most people preferred to stay at home, practiced frequent hand washing, and maintained social distance. And while all these factors contribute to reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, these measures also helped curtail the spread of the influenza virus. In addition, since there was a fear of a twindemic that might possibly result during the flu season, most people preferred to get the flu vaccine in time. In the U.S. only, a record number of 193.8 million doses of influenza vaccine were distributed and administered prior to and during the flu season.

And while we know the reason why the flu season went expectedly smoothly last year, the critical question still remains about what to expect in this upcoming flu year? With a previous year of very limited cases and deaths associated with influenza, can we expect the same for the upcoming flu season? Do we still have a fear of COVID-19? Are people still wearing masks? How does COVID-19 immunization have a possible impact on the number of flu cases and associated deaths?

Let’s look at each of the questions and find out more about what to expect in the upcoming flu season.

What to Expect in the Upcoming Flu Season 2021-2022?

Items on table for people who are sick, flu — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The flu season is around the corner, and with relaxation in travel restrictions, social distancing, and masking, healthcare professionals worldwide are concerned about the upcoming flu season.

A Flu Season with No Social Distancing and Masks

The unexpected but pleasantly surprising drop in influenza cases during the COVID-19 pandemic last year proved that many of the social-distancing restrictions were effective. Moreover, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, and school and workplace closures also contributed to controlling the spread of the influenza virus. And while COVID-19 continued to spread despite these measures, they proved to be exceptionally beneficial in controlling the flu virus.

But now that the world is opening up again, travel restrictions have been relaxed, and children are going back to school, there will likely be a surge in the cases of flu. Additionally, we can expect a higher need for hospitalization due to the influenza virus and more deaths this year.

This virus affects around 9% of the global population and between 3% and 11% of the U.S. population each year. Moreover, more than 40% of individuals over the age of 6 months in the U.S. receive flu vaccine coverage on a yearly basis. So while we can expect a better flu season in the US, it is also likely to be the case for the rest of the world.

For this year’s flu season, the CDC recommended using face masks for all faculty, students, and staff in K-12 schools; however, several states have banned mask mandates given that an increasing number of people have already received COVID-19 immunization in these states.

According to epidemiologist Benjamin Cowling, from the University of Hong Kong School of Public Health, it is still best to wear a mask to protect yourself and others, especially when visiting crowded areas or public facilities like transportation hubs and vehicles. He also mentioned that immuno-compromised individuals must get the flu vaccine along with wearing a mask during the flu season.

Why Should You Get a Flu Vaccine Even When You Have Already Received COVID-19 Vaccination?

Woma getting flu shot — Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Influenza and COVID-19 are both viral respiratory infections that are contagious and can also be life-threatening. The SARS-CoV-1 that causes COVID-19 is a lot more contagious than the flu virus, and hence, you need to take appropriate measures and immunization to control the spread of COVID-19. However, the COVID-19 vaccine is designed to develop immunity against the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, so a separate vaccine specially developed to enhance your immunity against the influenza virus is also needed.

More specifically, Influenza is a common but potentially dangerous respiratory disease that can lead to hospitalization and may even cause death. Every flu season is different though and the flu virus affects different people differently. Regardless of how it impacts you, the flu affects millions of people worldwide with hundreds and thousands of people who may need hospitalization and some may die.

The annual flu vaccine offers protection against flu and flu-related complications. This vaccine can help avoid the complication of the flu which include ear infections, bacterial pneumonia, and worsening of chronic health conditions including asthma, diabetes, and heart diseases. Hence it serves an entirely different purpose than the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore you need to get your annual flu vaccine this year even if you are already vaccinated for COVID-19.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine has NO implications against your risk of getting the flu this season!

Final Words

Healthcare professionals have several concerns over the upcoming flu season. While there was a surprisingly low number of cases and deaths due to flu last year, this year’s flu season is going to be different. With relaxed travel restrictions, reopening of facilities including workplaces, malls, and schools, and reluctance to wear a mask for many in everyday situations, we can expect a surge in flu cases and associated deaths this year.

But you can change this prediction by getting your annual flu vaccine and taking measures such as wearing a mask and frequent hand washing. Let’s hope for a safer world and a much better flu season this year!

What Are Antibodies?

Antibodies attacking contagious virus cells and pathogens as a 3D illustration. — Antibodies have a Y shape. This is a 3D concept of antibodies attacking virus cells and pathogens. Bigstock

Antibodies, (AKA Immunoglobulins) are the body’s natural defenders to protect you from infections. They are produced by your immune system to continuously look for foreign entities, called antigens, such as bacteria and viruses, and other dangerous invaders. If a foreign entity is found, antibodies are the first line of defense that aid in the destruction of these unwanted entities.

How Do Antibodies Operate in Your Immune System?

In the absence of an infection, antibodies are on standby. They are kept dormant by two kinds of cells: T cells and B cells. Once a foreign invader is located, the T cells awake and open the gate for the antibodies to move out and take on the task of removing these cells that infected your body.

B cells are white blood cells that respond to foreign invaders by producing antibodies. The exact proportion of B cells and T cells depend on the cellular-level balance that’s developed in the body over the course of your lifetime. However, it’s generally accepted that the immune system does its best to make every effort to help eliminate these foreigners from your system.

So the B cells keep the existing antibodies in check and the T cells are ready to produce more of them should an invader penetrate your body.

How You Can Help Antibodies Fight Infections

Vegetables — Eating healthy foods is one of the best ways to maintain the antibodies in your system.

One of the best recommendations to boost your immunity are to keep up a healthy diet.

Some antibiotics will kill germs, but in most cases, you can outsmart the invading bacteria by not giving them a chance in the first place. Stay up to date on the best foods to eat that help you maintain a good amount of antibodies, not to mention help fight off free radicals as well!

What Is an Immune Deficiency?

Baby in incubater — Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

An immune deficiency is when your body is not producing enough antibodies or simply no longer has the ability to make them.

In extreme cases, these deficiencies are life-threatening. It may cause inflammation of the joints, blindness, chronic fatigue, pneumonia, increased risk of infection, or skin rashes. In milder cases, it may cause a cold, sore throat, fatigue, or skin rashes, among others.

Influenza and Rotavirus infections are common causes of immune deficiency. Most cases of the common cold, where influenza viruses are contained, can also be caused by an immune deficiency.

Why the Immune System Needs Help

When someone is sick, the immune system becomes overloaded. For example, someone who has the flu or a stomach virus will start producing a very large amount of antibodies to fight the virus, but the antibodies can be tricked into thinking that healthy cells are invaders.

For example, for people who have an autoimmune disease, such as diabetes, the antibodies will think that healthy cells around the pancreas are foreign and subsequently attack them by releasing proteins called autoantibodies. Autoimmune diseases can take many forms, such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Lupis, and diabetes previously mentioned, as well as many more.

What Happens When You Have a Strong Immune System?

Having an adequate supply of antibodies has been proven to be very useful in combating various infections. Studies have found that people who lack antibodies are at higher risk of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, allergies, and other infections. It has also been found that people who have a strong immune system are more likely to live longer, have lower cholesterol, and be less likely to develop diabetes. However, it is important to note that you do not have to have antibodies to boost immunity. However, the more antibodies you have, the better off you are in fighting infection.

The human body produces antibodies to fight infection or foreign invaders. Antibodies help your body fight off bacterial or viral infections and when injected with a vaccine, it increases the production of the antibodies, enough supply to confront a possible infection and keep it at bay.

Enter the COVID-19 Vaccine

Illustration of covid virus next to vaccine bottles — Photo by freepic.com/pikisuperstar
https://www.freepik.com/pikisuperstar

The COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be the ultimate killer of the coronavirus. In simple terms, it builds more antibodies in your body, in the form of T-cells that await the oncoming virus should you get infected. The result – you have enough antibody cells that will fight off the disease!

COVID-19 Vaccine for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women – What You Need to Know

Doctor Examining Woman Before Giving Child Birth — Doctor examining woman before giving childbirth in a maternity hospital

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout started in December 2020, but there have been reservations about the immunization of pregnant and breastfeeding women since then; however recently, the CDC has shared evidence that supports the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccination for women who fall into these categories. Here, we share some insight into what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The COVID-19 Immunization for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

The overall risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 is low for healthy individuals as well as those who have been vaccinated. However, pregnant women have a much higher risk of contracting a more severe illness compared to women who are not pregnant and may include the need for hospitalization and intensive care. Additionally, it may also mean that you may need a ventilator or special equipment to breathe, and there is a significantly higher risk of death.

Furthermore, pregnant women with the COVID-19 virus also have an increased risk of preterm birth as well as other pregnancy-related complications compared with pregnant women who do not have the disease.

Immunization is critical for breastfeeding mothers, as there is evidence that mothers can pass on the antibodies to their children through breast milk. However, the data is limited to women who have received the mRNA (trains cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response). vaccine only.

FAQs About COVID-19 Vaccine for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Baby being held by woman Let’s look at some of the FAQs related to the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

1. Should Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Receive the Covid-19 Vaccine?

Woman breastfeeding — Photo by Dave Clubb on Unsplash

The CDC strongly recommends the immunization of pregnant and breastfeeding women. Since pregnant women are considered a high-risk group that can contract severe COVID-19 illness, it is best for them to receive immunization. The recommendation for immunization is valid for both pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as for women who are planning to get pregnant soon and are actively trying to conceive.

2. Is the Vaccine Available for Pregnant Women?

The vaccines are available for both pregnant and lactating women. As of May 2020, only 16% of the pregnant women in the U.S. received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The number has risen up to 23% by August 2021. Moreover, more than 200,000 pregnant women have received an initial dose of the mRNA vaccine without experiencing any major side effects or specific safety concerns.

3. Is the Vaccine Safe for Lactating Mothers?

Based on the available data, the COVID-19 vaccine is considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. While there is limited research, one thing is for sure that the mRNA vaccines do not contain live viruses. Hence, being vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine does not pose a risk to the baby.

In addition, there is evidence that breastfeeding women who have received mRNA vaccines can pass on the antibodies to their young ones through breast milk. Hence, COVID-19 is not only safe for mothers and protects them against the virus but is also effective in keeping breastfeeding kids safe and healthy.

However, this is only the case with the mRNA vaccine. There is limited evidence on how other formulas for the COVID-19 vaccine may affect the lactating child.

4. Does COVID-19 Vaccine Affect Fertility?

One of the critical concerns for women who are planning to get pregnant in the near future or are actively trying to conceive is how the vaccine will affect their fertility. Given the data we have so far, there is no evidence of COVID-19 immunization affecting your fertility. Hence, according to the latest research, if you are planning to get pregnant or are trying to conceive, there are no reasons to delay your pregnancy due to COVID-19 immunization.

5. How Immunization Affects Pregnant Woman’s Immune System?

The vaccine is designed to activate the immune system response so the body can fight a viral infection. The immunization’s mode of action works exactly the same as for a person who is not pregnant.

6. Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Increase the Risk of Miscarriage?

A relatively recent study indicates that there is no change in the risk of miscarriage during the first trimester among women who received the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. However, more research is still required to determine how the COVID-19 vaccine can change the risk of miscarriage for pregnant women.

7. Can I Get COVID-19 Following the Immunization?

You may experience mild, temporary side effects following the immunization. However, you can still get the infection following the immunization but you are less likely to get a severe illness, and there is likely to be a lesser need for hospitalization. There have been exceptions about the severity, although rare, so you may want to speak with your medical professional prior to getting vaccinated.

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

So far, there is limited evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, the data is growing. Given the CDC’s data so far, the benefits of COVID-19 immunization outweigh all potential risks associated with vaccination during pregnancy and lactation.

According to the first data released by the CDC regarding the safety of receiving an mRNA vaccine during pregnancy, there is no increased risk of miscarriage among pregnant women who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. Moreover, a recent study from Israel compared pregnant people who were immunized through an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with those who did not. The data showed that the vaccination lowers the risk of severe infection from the COVID-19 virus.

Furthermore, there is evidence that the antibodies produced in a pregnant mother’s body after getting an mRNA vaccine were also found in umbilical cord blood, which may protect the fetus against the virus.

The trials on finding the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers as well as those who are planning to get pregnant are still underway. The next few months are critical as they will help researchers assess the data and find out more about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Since we have been exposed to this virus for close to two years now, more definitive results have been determined, but many are still fully inconclusive. With that said, it is best to follow the studies that are homogeneous and not those that contradict each other. Additionally and perhaps most important, consult with your physician on the best route to follow based upon your particular metabolism and health.

COVID-19 Immunity – How Long Does It Last Following the Infection and Immunization?

Immunization Overview

The human immune system is a complicated network of cells and proteins that defends the body against foreign invaders, including viruses and bacteria. In this post, we look at how the immune system responds to the COVID-19 virus.

Since this disease is relatively new, there is a lot that we still need to learn about and several questions remain regarding the immunity to the virus, both following the infection and immunization and so the research continues. One factor that is accepted throughout the world is that those who have strong immune systems fare better than those that are immune-compromised and/or are part of the elderly community.

It is important to note that natural immunity refers to how your natural immune system responds following the infection, whereas vaccine-induced immunity is the process by which a COVID injection stimulates your immune system to produce more antibodies – enough to prepare your body to resist the virus should you get infected.

Here, we look at how the immune system works against COVID-19 and how the immune system responds following the infection and vaccination.

How Long Does COVID-19 Immunity Last Following the Infection?

Man unsure about taking the vaccine — Bigstock

This is a very good question and there has not been a definitive answer; however, researchers believe it could be anywhere from between three to eight months.

The claim is based on several pieces of research performed to analyze the antibodies in individuals who were infected by the virus. However, the results of these studies vary significantly as the life of antibodies targeting the spike of SARS-CoV-2 varies from individual to individual. Moreover, other factors besides antibodies, such as T and B cell memory, affect the natural immunity against COVID-19.

As of now, they suggest booster shots after six months of being vaccinated. Since COVID-19 is a relatively new disease, researchers worldwide are continuing their quest to find out how long the body defends itself against the disease.

It cannot be definitively concluded how COVID-19 immunity lasts following the infection, but let’s look at each of the components that can affect the natural immunity against COVID-19.

Antibodies – How Long Do They Stay in the Body?

As mentioned, the search and destroy army of antibodies can last for several months in patients infected with COVID-19. However, the number of antibodies tends to decrease over time. One of the studies that included 5882 people who had recovered from this pathogen concluded that the antibodies were still present in the blood five to seven months following the infection. The results hold true for patients with both mild and severe illnesses. Moreover, there was evidence that people with severe COVID-19 illness ended up with more antibodies compared to those with a mild infection.

T and B Cell Response – An Integral Part of Immunity

COVID Virus — Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash

While the antibodies developed as a response to the infection and play an important role in protecting against future infection, T and B cells also have a central role in fighting off infections. The T and B cells are the only cells in the immune system that can recognize and respond specifically to a virus as they are memory cells. These highly specialized memory cells can stay in your system for years and even decades and continue to trigger the immune system response when your body interacts with the same virus.

One study conducted by science.org was to find out the presence of T and B cells in individuals who have had COVID-19. T and B cells are cells that remember the previous diseases and act on them if they return. The results concluded that even when the antibodies fell, memory T and B cells were present for as long as up to eight months following the infection. However, the only limitation of this study and other similar studies is that we have limited evidence since COVID-19 is a relatively new disease. Given this lack of definitive conclusions, we cannot, at this time, be sure about how long the T and B memory cells stay in the body once exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Vaccine-Induced Immunity – Immunity Developed Following the COVID-19 Immunization

And while the researchers assess the natural immunity against COVID-19, it is critical to assess the vaccine-induced immunity to determine the effectiveness of COVID-19 immunization and the need for a booster for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Several studies worldwide are being conducted to determine how long immunity lasts following COVID-19 immunization. A relatively new study found a surprisingly higher number of B cells (memory cells) among individuals immunized using Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine. The participants received their second dose of the mRNA vaccine at least 12 weeks before assessing their immunity. The participants included people who were not previously infected by COVID-19.

So far, the research conducted to determine vaccine-induced immunity suggests that the mRNA vaccine is likely to generate a durable and lasting immune system response; however, further evidence is required to confirm the claim.

How Vaccine-Induced Immunity Varies Between the First and the Second Doses?

Given how the immune system responds after one dose of the vaccine as opposed to two is difficult to assess. However, multiple studies have investigated that the antibody level in the blood varies at different stages between the two doses.

A study involving over 50,000 participants concluded that 96.4% of the participants had positive antibodies one month following their first dose of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. Additionally, 99.1% of the participants had positive antibodies seven and 14 days following their second dose of the vaccine. Furthermore, the antibody levels changed slightly up to two weeks following the second dose. Other similar studies were also conducted, and the results showed that the vaccine-induced immunity varies between the first and the second doses of the mRNA vaccine.

Comparing Natural Immunity with Vaccine-Induced Immunity

The exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and resulting infection and COVID-19 immunization (with mRNA vaccine) have shown an immune system response generated by memory T and B cells and the creation of antibodies. However, there is a stark difference in how the immune system responds to natural infection and to the vaccine.

The immune system’s response to the COVID-19 vaccine is fairly homogeneous, and data suggest that the mRNA vaccine results in T and B cell reactivity. However, how long does immunity last among individuals following infection, and how strong of immune system response is generated following the infection is still not definitive?

Will COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Be a Necessity?

Given how the antibodies and the T and B memory cells behave following immunization, a key question that still remains is whether COVID-19 vaccine boosters are a necessity? The answer is still not clear; however, Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer, explains the need for a booster vaccine within 12 months following the second dose.

The reasons include weaker immune system response over time, especially among older adults. Moreover, the SARS-CoV-2 is mutating, and new variants are emerging, which could be a possible threat to individuals, especially the ones with weakened immunity; hence, on September 22, 2021, the FDA amended their emergency vaccine procedure to include booster shots for specific criteria of people – those age 65 and over, are immune-compromised and/or work in healthcare facilities.

Summary

In general, there are three ways we can have our immune system fight off the COVID virus, through natural immunity, the vaccine’s creation of antibodies, and T and B memory cells that will recognize and attack the virus if it comes back. But research is still going on to determine how long the vaccine and antibodies remain in the body, but after the first, second, and third doses.

So far, it appears that after the first and second doses of Pfizer or Modena, the antibodies can last for good six-twelve months, but diminish as the months proceed. Booster shots are recommended for individuals with weaker immune systems after around six months.