Loss of taste and smell has been considered a hallmark of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic about a year and a half ago. However, new data published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery suggests that these symptoms may not represent valid markers for infection with the virus. To determine the power of smell and taste … [Read more...]
What is the Real Role of Smell and Taste in COVID-19 Diagnosis?
Monitoring mRNA Vaccine Safety
The speed with which the COVID-19 vaccines were developed raised concerns among healthcare professionals and the general public alike regarding both the long-term efficacy and safety of the vaccines. Though certain vaccines were granted emergency use authorization given the gravity of the public health crisis, efficacy and safety data have been … [Read more...]
Alcohol Use Disorder Rarely Treated with Medications
Alcoholism is a common disease, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns of rising alcohol use while people endure new psychological and economic stressors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 4 different medications for alcohol use disorder since the year 1949, though many people have not heard of these … [Read more...]
Healthcare Workers at Increased Risk for Voice Disorders During Pandemic
A new study published in Laryngoscope has tackled the issue of whether healthcare workers who have been caring for patients in high-risk units during the COVID-19 outbreak are at increased risk for voice disorders. This cross-sectional study involved a questionnaire that more than 220 healthcare workers answered. The questionnaire included … [Read more...]
Several Studies Corroborate Value of Corticosteroids for Fighting COVID-19
Treatment and vaccine options for COVID-19 have been aggressively investigated this year as the world grapples with the pandemic. Several new publications in the medical journal JAMA have provided data that support the idea that corticosteroids may increase the chances of survival in people who become critically ill with COVID-19. In one of the … [Read more...]