What is the COVID-19 antigen test? Learn what the rapid antigen test is used for, how it works, and what the pros and cons are COVID-19 antigen testing is a new diagnostic method for detecting coronavirus that received emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The rapid COVID-19 antigen test detects...
U.S. life expectancy declined in 2020 The average life expectancy in the United States dropped from 78.8 years in 2019 to 77.8 years in 2020, a decrease of a full year. For males, life expectancy at birth declined to 75.1 years, and for women, life expectancy declined to 80.5 years. Life expectancy declined considerably for...
Endotracheal intubation is a procedure to administer mechanical ventilation through a tube inserted in the airway. Endotracheal intubation is a procedure by which a tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea (the large airway from the mouth to the lungs). Before surgery, this is often done under deep sedation. In emergency situations,...
What can cause loss of smell and taste are numerous factors, such as COVID-19, nasal blockage, deviated septum and more. Loss of the sense of smell is termed anosmia, and loss of the sense of taste is termed ageusia. The olfactory area in the nose controls both smell and taste, so any inflammation or infection...
People with compromised immune systems who have already received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a third shot if they meet these immunocompromised conditions. On August 12, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rolled out the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine...
Here’s everything you need to know about the Delta variant, why it’s so contagious, and whether COVID-19 vaccines can protect against infection The Delta variant is a highly contagious strain of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that caused COVID-19. Also known as B.1.617.2, documented samples of this variant were first isolated in India in October 2020, although...
The Delta variant is a highly contagious strain of the COVID-19 virus. Learn about symptoms of the Delta variant and how to protect yourself from infection Studies identifying specific symptoms caused by the Delta variant are still underway. According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom (where the Delta strain is dominant) symptoms of...
How are COVID-19, allergies, cold, and flu caused? Symptoms of Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 can easily be confused with symptoms of the common cold or flu, or even allergies. Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This disease can affect people of any age and gender....
What is hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), and what is it used for? Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and its sister drug chloroquine (Aralen) are under investigation for treatment of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease Korean doctors used these anti-malaria drugs to treat COVID-19 with some success, according to a paper filed with Elsevier in March 2020, but effectiveness is unproven. Hydroxychloroquine...
Chloroquine (Aralen) vs. hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil): What’s the difference? Chloroquine (Aralen) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) are anti-malarial drugs used to treat several forms of malaria. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are under investigation for treatment of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. Study results on their effectiveness have been mixed. Chloroquine is also used to treat amebiasis that has spread outside...