Are you worried about receiving one of the COVID vaccines outlined in our last two blogs? You’re certainly not alone. A variety of side effects may accompany the injection. The good news? In most cases, these are mild. Keep reading to learn more. Should I Be Worried About COVID Vaccine Side Effects? Those who are currently reluctant to receive the COVID vaccine fear that they’ll suffer nasty side effects. The standard flu is often cited as a reason for skepticism, as people who receive this particular vaccine often suffer fatigue, fever, and a variety of other concerns. Unfortunately, some…
Tag: Disease Prevention
Preventative Care Disrupted By the Pandemic: What Long-Term Costs Can Be Expected? — Part I
As COVID cases surged in the early days of the pandemic, many hospitals and clinics switched to “tele-health” or suspended certain services altogether. This was necessary during the initial period of uncertainty, as facilities needed time to prepare for a sudden influx of patients. Unfortunately, the lasting consequences of waiting on preventative care are beginning to appear, especially among vulnerable patients who still remain at risk of catching the virus. The following are a few of the most concerning long-term issues: Increased Risk of Chronic Conditions When warning signs of chronic health problems are caught early on, it’s possible…
Caution for Excessive Hygiene and Hand Sanitizer
How Our Newfound Obsession with Hygiene And Hand Sanitizer Might Eventually Backfire Our understanding of COVID-19 has come a long way since the early days of the pandemic. Over time, researchers have discovered that transmission is far more likely to occur due to respiratory droplets and close contact than on surfaces. Hence, while hand-washing and sanitizer remain important, they might not play as large a role in mitigation as we initially assumed. There’s no need to let up on hygienic efforts just yet. However, we must nonetheless consider the potential downsides of taking such behavior to an excess: The Danger…
Sweden’s Lack of Coronavirus Lockdown: How Has the Disease Progressed?
Early responses to the COVID-19 pandemic varied dramatically from one country to the next. It now appears that many failed to act with appropriate urgency, thereby hastening the spread of the disease. Sweden, in particular, has attracted its fair share of criticism due to its government’s initial refusal to ban residents from gathering in public. The Early Response in Sweden As several European countries initiated stringent social distancing and stay-at-home measures, Sweden lagged behind. Swedish elementary schools remained open long after institutions in neighboring nations had been shut down. Likewise, patrons were allowed to continue visiting bars and restaurants….
What Serological Tests Tell Us About the COVID-19 Pandemic
Coronavirus dominates today’s headlines, with many top stories delving into alarming delays or malfunctions for the tests we so desperately need. While many people believe that an early lack of testing exacerbated the problem in the United States, this issue is finally being addressed. Serological tests, in particular, promise to grant the medical community vital information about the disease’s current status. What Are Serological Tests? How Do They Work? Designed to measure antibodies present within the blood as infected individuals fight COVID-19, serological tests can determine immune response and its implications for recovery. These tests don’t focus on uncovering the…
Can You Be Reinfected From COVID-19 After You’ve Recovered? A Look at What the Science Tells Us So Far
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many people take comfort in the assumption that, should they become infected, they’ll at least enjoy immunity upon recovering. Unfortunately, the latest research paints a less optimistic picture. Already, several patients who initially appeared to have recovered have demonstrated signs of reinfection. Why Are Former COVID-19 Patients Testing Positive? The earliest indicators of reinfection trouble appeared in South Korea. Until recently, the nation’s impressive response to the pandemic generated considerable hope for both physical and economic recovery. All that changed when the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 163 supposedly…
Covid-19 Our Concerns Go Out To All Families
Dear RZL Clients: All of us at the firm send our thoughts to you and your families during this COVID-19 outbreak. In this anxious time, we encourage you to practice social distancing, wash your hands often, and take the other steps set forth by the CDC. The goal here is to stay healthy, protect others, and avoid overwhelming our health-care system. We also encourage you to help those less fortunate in your communities. Here are some ideas: call your elderly and infirmed neighbors to see if they need help with groceries, make homemade masks for local distribution, or donate to…
September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month — Quick, Important Facts to Know
Every September, the public is alerted to the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease — and the many steps we can take to make life more tolerable for those who currently suffer from this devastating condition. Still, many people remain woefully unaware of the huge role Alzheimer’s plays in modern society. Below, we offer clarification with a few quick facts worth examining: Over 5.8 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s Although the condition typically strikes older individuals, early-onset versions remain surprisingly common. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 200,000 people under the age of 65 suffer this condition. The disease is more…
Study Shows Poor Infection Control in Nursing Homes Linked to Lower Staffing Levels | DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog
Infections in nursing homes kill 400,000 residents a year according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The authors contend that nearly one-sixth of the US nursing homes have significant deficiencies in infection control. Over 100,000 patient encounters were reviewed. The University of Pittsburgh Public Health program researchers analyzed records from 2000 through 2007 and found that infection control citations in 96% of US nursing homes were linked to lower nursing staff levels. Infections are leading cause of morbidity and mortality in U.S. nursing homes. This study reminds us of the direct link between professional…
100,000 Lives Lost Each Year Due to Dirty Hospitals and Nursing Homes | DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog
Each year 100,000 patients in hospitals and nursing homes in this country die from infection they acquired after being in a health care facility. This is the most common complication of hospital care and also one of the deadliest risks for patients according to government officials. In addition the loss of lives, the cost for our health care system is enormous. The estimated annual cost for hospital acquired infections is between $28 and $33 billion. What is even more shocking and tragic is that the consensus in the US medical community is that most of these infections are preventable. How…