Articles related to COVID-19

A new study published in Pediatrics concludes that there is a quick clinical recovery and excellent short-term outcomes for adolescents who develop COVID-19-related vaccination-associated myocarditis (C-VAM). The average age in the study was 15, and close follow-up and further studies are needed to understand the long-term implications and mechanism of these myocardial tissue changes.

Among critically ill adults with COVID-19, treatment with convalescent plasma had a low likelihood of providing improvement in organ support–free days, defined as days alive and free of intensive care unit–based organ support.

BMJ’s investigation findings raise questions about data integrity and regulatory oversight concerning Pfizer’s vaccine trial. A regional director told the BMJ that Pfizer falsified data, unblinded patients, employed inadequately trained vaccinators, and was slow to follow up on adverse events reported in the pivotal phase III trial.

There are currently no effective antiviral agents available for the treatment of COVID-19 in the outpatient setting. However, ciclesonide, an inhaled steroid agent used to treat asthma, has been found to lessen the antiviral effects by acting on the nonstructural proteins of COVID-19.

The exact ways in which COVID-19 is impacting children, particularly those under age 12, is still being examined. Reported at the IDWeek conference, Arkansas health officials presented data demonstrating the severe impact that the fast-moving Delta variant of COVID-19 can have on children. Key findings: From January 2021, the Delta variant led to 42% more hospitalizations, 69% more ICU admissions, and a 300% increase in the use of mechanical ventilation.

Curious about the long-term impacts of COVID-19? A new study that involved 2,433 hospitalized patients found that the most common symptoms after one year were fatigue, sweating, chest tightness, anxiety, and myalgia. The study, conducted in Wuhan, China, one of the global epicenters of the pandemic, also found that patients with severe disease had more serious long-term issues, including a high incidence of COPD.