Archive for infectious diseases
Internet searches provide real-time estimate of Lyme disease risk
Lyme disease season is well underway. How much of a risk do we face for this tick-borne illness? A new method dubbed Lymelight, developed by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and Google, can accurately estimate Lyme disease risk in real time, down to the county level. Historically, estimates of Lyme disease have been based on ... Read More about Internet searches provide real-time estimate of Lyme disease risk
More details on MIS-C, the post-COVID multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children
Boston Children’s Hospital and collaborators launched the national Overcoming COVID-19 study in April to track children, teens, and young adults hospitalized with COVID-19 across the U.S. In yesterday’s New England Journal of Medicine, investigators provides a fuller picture of the still-mysterious, life-threatening multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Key takeaways· The largest case series of ... Read More about More details on MIS-C, the post-COVID multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children
EEE: A worried parent’s questions, answered
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the last thing we want to think about is another virus. But now that summer is upon us, so are mosquitoes. And with mosquitoes comes the risk of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but deadly virus. Last fall in Massachusetts, there were 12 confirmed cases of EEE, ... Read More about EEE: A worried parent’s questions, answered
Getting to a COVID-19 vaccine as fast and as safely as possible
The novel coronavirus is not expected to disappear anytime soon. With physical distancing, virus testing, contact tracing, and potentially new therapeutics, we may be able to keep it partially at bay. But many eyes are looking toward a COVID-19 vaccine, and scientists are feeling the urgency. Key takeaways. Work is moving quickly, but to show ... Read More about Getting to a COVID-19 vaccine as fast and as safely as possible
Type III interferon in COVID-19: Protective or harmful?
Our immune system makes interferons and other cytokines to help us fight viruses. But in COVID-19, we’ve learned that they can also contribute to damaging, potentially life-threatening lung inflammation. New work published yesterday in the journal Science helps tease out the good from the bad for one interferon of interest: type III. Key takeaways. At ... Read More about Type III interferon in COVID-19: Protective or harmful?
Should you send your child to camp this summer?
Camp — or no camp — this summer? That’s the question facing many parents and caregivers right now as more businesses begin to reopen. The answer will be a very personal one for each family, depending on their specific circumstances and comfort level with risk. While some camps have already been cancelled due to coronavirus ... Read More about Should you send your child to camp this summer?
Treating inflammation in MIS-C: An evidence-based approach
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a complex, post-COVID-19 spectrum of illness that has affected a small number of children and adolescents. Symptoms can include features of Kawasaki disease, cardiac dysfunction, hypotension and toxic-shock-like signs, abnormal blood coagulation, and prominent GI symptoms. At its core is a hyperinflammatory response that we do not yet ... Read More about Treating inflammation in MIS-C: An evidence-based approach
Keeping up with childhood vaccines and screenings during the COVID-19 outbreak
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, many parents have been understandably hesitant to take their kids to their health care provider for routine health care, such as vaccines and health screenings. But pediatricians worry that this trend could open the door to outbreaks of other types of childhood illnesses, such as measles and whooping cough. We recently ... Read More about Keeping up with childhood vaccines and screenings during the COVID-19 outbreak
The polio outbreak of 1955: Lessons from an epidemic
“This is going to be a tough year.” Claire McCarthy was a young physical therapist in early March 1955 when orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Grice, made this observation. At the time, Boston Children’s Hospital was the receiving center for adults and children with polio in New England. The hospital typically saw an upsurge in cases ... Read More about The polio outbreak of 1955: Lessons from an epidemic
More COVID-19 myths and facts: Test your knowledge
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve, experts are learning more about COVID-19 every day, including how it’s spread, possible symptoms, and potential treatments. But with social media and the constant news stream, it can be hard to separate myth from fact. Test your knowledge of COVID-19 with our quiz. [smartslider3 slider=24] Take our previous ... Read More about More COVID-19 myths and facts: Test your knowledge