This winter illness season has been a rough one. States across the country have experienced high levels of respiratory viruses, like COVID-19, flu and RSV. And that’s not to mention the colds, stomach bugs, throat infections and a variety of other bugs that have been going around. Some people have reported their symptoms seem to … Read more
Descrease article font size Increase article font size Health Canada on Thursday approved another respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for adults over the age of 60 and pregnant people. Pfizer’s bivalent RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, has been authorized for the use of pregnant individuals from 32 through 36 weeks gestational age for the prevention of lower respiratory … Read more
Children’s doctors are demanding a jab to be urgently rolled out after a trial found it slashed infants needing hospital treatment during winter by 80%. The vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus, a cold-like bug common in under-twos that kills 30 tots each year. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advised ministers in June … Read more
It’s fall, which means it’s the start of respiratory virus season. Beyond washing your hands, staying home if you’re sick and considering masking in crowded spaces, there are also vaccines available to help protect you from severe disease from three of the circulating viruses. For people 6 months and older, the updated COVID-19 vaccine is … Read more
Recently, respiratory viruses ― such as influenza, rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV ― have made a dramatic comeback. In 2022, for example, influenza activity swiftly returned to pre-COVID pandemic levels and the United States saw a particularly severe RSV surge. Many respiratory pathogens spread faster and further than they had in … Read more
In unfortunate news, cases of COVID-19 are increasing just in time for the holidays. Behind this uptick is a new strain called JN.1, which accounted for 21.4% of cases in the United States as of Dec. 9, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. JN.1 is a descendant of BA.2.86, which … Read more
A few years ago, certain panic-inducing symptoms ― like loss of taste and smell, for instance ― were synonymous with a COVID-19 infection. But those symptoms have changed with time. “I think the good news is most patients we’re seeing with COVID seem to have milder and upper respiratory symptoms,” said Dr. Jonathan D. Grein, … Read more
Over the next few weeks, millions of people — perhaps yourself included — will travel near and far to visit loved ones for the holiday season. And as holiday travel and gatherings ramp up, cases of respiratory illnesses, such as flu, COVID and RSV, are expected to soar. After all, these viruses spread best when … Read more
As the holiday season gets underway, the joy of gatherings with family and friends intertwines with the challenges of cold and flu season and rising COVID-19 cases in some provinces, prompting warnings from health experts for Canadians to remain vigilant. Across Canada, the percentage of weekly positive COVID-19 tests was 18.2 per cent as of … Read more
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