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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, shifting federal guidelines spark widespread confusion over vaccine eligibility
Aaron Hardwick woke up one Tuesday in June and immediately knew something was wrong. He felt hot, and his stomach hurt. He soon tested positive for COVID-19. 'The fever, the insomnia and the chills, and the shaking, was out of this world,' said Hardwick, 45, of Rogers Park. 'That was something I've never had before in my life.' Hardwick said he was last vaccinated for COVID-19 in 2023. He'd like to get vaccinated again in the future to avoid reliving his recent illness. But he isn't sure if that's possible. 'I don't know what we're supposed to do,' Hardwick said. 'Can we get the shot? Are we supposed to? Who knows?' With fall approaching and COVID-19 activity rising across the country, confusion over vaccines is widespread. Mixed messages from the federal government have left patients, doctors and public health leaders uncertain about how and which COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to whom in coming months, and what health insurance will cover. The shots can cost more than $100 each without insurance. Though COVID-19 vaccines released last year are still available at the moment and covered by insurance, the uncertainty surrounds who will be able to get updated vaccines in coming months — shots created to protect against more recent strains of COVID-19. Like flu vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines are updated regularly. 'I think there's still a lot of confusion among people who would be in the know about what to order, how much to order and the fact we don't know what's covered,' said Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at UChicago Medicine, about ordering updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall. 'It's very difficult to make decisions about what to order if you don't know how many of your patients are going to qualify for a certain treatment or vaccine.' Some doctors say they are already starting to get questions from patients about COVID-19 vaccines for the fall, as students head back to school and cases of the illness seem to be rising. Landon and a number of other doctors are recommending people get the most updated vaccines that they can in the fall, and local health departments are moving forward with plans for vaccine clinics, where they hope to offer updated shots to anyone over the age of 6 months who wants them. As of Aug. 5, COVID-19 infections were growing or likely growing in 45 states, including Illinois, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. In recent years, each summer has brought with it a wave of the illness. Nimbus, also known as 'razor blade throat,' was the most prevalent strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of June, according to the CDC. Though Nimbus can cause a very sore throat in some people, experts say it doesn't seem any more severe than previous variants. Hardwick's bout with what he believes to be Nimbus was harrowing, he said. He had vivid nightmares and a headache at the base of his skull that was strong enough to completely block out his hearing. About three weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19, he experienced Bell's palsy, which is when a person has sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of their face. The condition can follow viral infections. 'It's still pretty serious,' Hardwick said of COVID-19. 'I wish we would take it a little more seriously than we are.' Confusing COVID-19 vaccine guidance Typically, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes vaccine recommendations in June for the fall respiratory season. Those recommendations help determine who receives vaccines and whether insurance plans will cover them. That committee, however, has not yet made recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccines for the fall. All of the committee members were recently replaced at the direction of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also not approved any updated COVID-19 vaccines for this fall, though those approvals typically come at the end of August or early September. Instead, individual federal health leaders have made sometimes contradictory remarks about what to expect in the fall when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. In May, leaders of the FDA published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine saying that, moving forward, the FDA would approve COVID-19 vaccines only for people ages 65 and older and younger people with underlying conditions. They wrote that the vaccines would only be approved for healthy adults after 'randomized, controlled trial data evaluating clinical outcomes.' The policy 'balances the need for evidence,' wrote the paper's authors, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Vinay Prasad, who recently resigned from the FDA as a top official over vaccines . The trouble is that clinical trials take time, and the COVID-19 virus is constantly changing, Landon said. 'Clinical trials are not feasible because you don't know what strains to make it for until the strain is here,' Landon said. Further complicating matters, a week after the New England Journal of Medicine article was published, Kennedy announced in a video posted to social media that the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and healthy pregnant women. 'Last year the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children,' Kennedy said. The CDC no longer recommends the vaccine for healthy children, but says it may still be given as part of a 'shared decision-making clinical process' between doctors and parents. Kennedy's announcement also seemingly contradicted the New England Journal of Medicine article which said the FDA would likely approve the vaccines for people at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, including pregnant women. A CDC immunization schedule now says 'no guidance/not applicable' when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women. '(Kennedy) just came out and said these two populations don't need the COVID-19 vaccine, which is completely ridiculous,' said Dr. Tina Tan, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Lurie Children's Hospital and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The Itasca-based American Academy of Pediatrics and five other medical organizations sued Kennedy and other federal health care leaders in early July over the changes. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement that with the COVID-19 public health emergency over, it's time for a new phase in response to the virus. 'A rubber-stamping approach to approving COVID boosters in perpetuity without updated clinical trial data under the Biden Administration is now over,' the statement said. Illinois health leaders making plans Illinois health care leaders and pharmacies — where many people typically receive COVID-19 vaccines — say they're moving forward with plans to administer updated COVID-19 vaccines but won't know exactly how that will look until they receive further guidance. The Chicago Department of Public Health hopes to administer updated COVID-19 vaccines to anyone who wants them, said Dr. Alexander Sloboda, medical director of immunizations and emergency preparedness for the Chicago Department of Public Health. 'At this time, we don't plan to limit (the vaccine) to any particular groups, really anyone 6 months and older should be getting the updated vaccine, but there are some unknowns at the federal level of what the final recommendations will be, what will be available, what the coverage will look like,' Sloboda said. The Cook County Department of Public Health also hopes to make updated COVID-19 vaccines available to anyone ages 6 months and older, said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer at the Cook County Department of Public Health. CVS Health said in a statement that, 'If approved (by the FDA), we plan to carry the updated COVID-19 this fall' cautioning that 'patient eligibility will be defined by the FDA and CDC.' Walgreens also plans to administer updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall, and is also awaiting guidance on who will be eligible for them, said Samantha Picking, senior director of immunizations at Walgreens. The Illinois Department of Public Health plans to release an advisory regarding COVID-19 vaccine recommendations as it gets closer to the fall respiratory season, after consulting with the state's Immunization Advisory Council, state health leaders and national experts, the state health department said in a statement. States typically follow CDC recommendations, but that could change given all the disagreement over vaccines this year. When asked whether providers could follow state recommendations rather than federal ones, if the two differ, a spokesperson for the state health department said in an email: 'Yes. As always, health care providers should use evidence-based practice and patient-centered clinical judgment to make individual patient-care decisions.' But even if providers choose to give updated COVID-19 vaccines to healthy, younger adults, questions remain about whether health insurance will cover the shots. Federal law requires insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and adopted by the CDC director, according to KFF, a nonprofit organization focused on health policy. It's unclear whether that committee will recommend updated COVID-19 vaccines for everyone. Without insurance, COVID-19 vaccines can cost as much as about $130 or $140 a dose, according to the CDC. The largest health insurer in Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, said in a statement it has not made any changes to its coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, but it is monitoring 'any activity that may impact preventive care recommendations and will communicate any changes to recommendations that may impact standard coverage of preventive services.' Health insurance industry group AHIP said in a statement in late June that, 'We are committed to ongoing coverage of vaccines to ensure access and affordability for this respiratory virus season.' The many lingering questions have left people like Roger Naglewski, 55, wondering if they'll be able to get COVID-19 vaccines in the fall. Naglewski runs the Facebook group Chicago Vaccine Hunters, which started several years ago when finding scarce doses of COVID-19 vaccines felt akin to winning the lottery. 'I want to get one at the next opportunity I can,' Naglewski said of COVID-19 vaccines. Even though more treatments for COVID-19 are available now than several years ago, 'I just don't want to get sick for 10 days and get knocked off my feet. In addition, I don't want to have any of the issues people have had with long haul COVID.' He worries, however, that many people won't get vaccinated against COVID-19 this year, given all the confusion and upheaval. About 59% of adults surveyed by KFF say they will 'probably not' or 'definitely not' get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall. That would be in line with COVID-19 vaccination trends in recent years. As of the end of June, only about 12% of Illinois residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine updated for the 2024-25 season, according to the state health department. 'This administration has basically been putting out nonscientific information and what's happening is this is causing severe confusion among the public,' said Tan, with Lurie and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 'What the public needs to do is you need to speak to your health care provider that you have a good relationship with to get sound scientific information on why getting vaccinations is so important.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
COVID levels rising in much of US, with highest in West, CDC says; How to stay safe
The summer surge of COVID-19 isn't letting up; in fact, one of the main tools for tracking the virus is showing a jump, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On Friday, the CDC reported that nationwide wastewater activity for COVID-19 has climbed to a 'moderate' level, up from 'low' just a week ago. The West is seeing the highest levels in the country. States with the biggest spikes include Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. 'Wastewater monitoring can detect viruses spreading from one person to another within a community earlier than clinical testing and before people who are sick go to their doctor or hospital,' the CDC explains, as CBS reported. 'If you see increased wastewater viral activity levels, it might indicate that there is a higher risk of infection.' Wastewater isn't the only metric flashing warning signs. As of Tuesday, the CDC says COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states, that's up from 40 states the week before. Emergency room visits for COVID-19 are still relatively low nationwide, but they, too, are ticking upward compared to last week. These summer bumps in cases aren't new. Last month, as numbers started climbing, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook told CBS Mornings: 'We now know that there's a winter spike and then there's a summer spike. And every year, the number of deaths, the number of hospitalizations, is gradually going down each season. So that's the good news.' Still, LaPook warns against brushing it off, especially for those who are more vulnerable. 'But, people shouldn't ignore the increases,' he said, adding that the elderly, young people, and those who are immunocompromised can still get 'really sick' if they catch it. The Stratus variant: What is it After the much-discussed Nimbus, a new COVID-19 variant called Stratus (also known as XFG) is quietly but rapidly spreading in the US and around the world. Stratus (XFG) is a recombinant subvariant, meaning it formed when two previous variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, merged genetically, earning it the nickname 'Frankenstein variant.' First picked up in Canada, it has since spread to at least 38 countries, including the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Data shows that Stratus has climbed from about 7% of global COVID cases in May to nearly 23% by late May, making it the third-most common variant in the US by June. Experts attribute this rapid growth to its ability to evade existing immunity and thrive in populations with low booster coverage. Despite this growth, health experts emphasize that it does not cause more severe illness than earlier variants. And while experts reassure that the overall risk remains low, Stratus is being closely tracked by the World Health Organization as a Variant Under Monitoring due to its fast transmission and ability to sidestep some immunity. Its most distinctive symptom? A hoarse or raspy voice that can appear before the usual signs of COVID-19. Key symptoms to watch out for Stratus shares many of the usual COVID symptoms and of earlier Omicron subvariants, but has one standout early sign: hoarseness or a raspy and scratchy voice. Some patients describe this as feeling like 'swallowing glass,' a painful and sharp sting in the throat. Common COVID-like symptoms include fever or chills, dry cough or sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion or runny nose, and occasional nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. According to reports, hoarseness often appears early and may be followed by these typical symptoms. Unlike the 'razor-blade' throat associated with the Nimbus strain, Stratus more often starts with voice changes and discomfort in the throat region. Severity and vaccination According to WHO, vaccines, especially updated boosters, still offer strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to Stratus, despite a minor drop in antibody effectiveness. Some lab tests show a roughly two-fold decline in antibody neutralization compared to earlier variants, but protection remains robust. So while Stratus can spread faster and sometimes lead to mild symptoms, vaccination remains the most effective defense. How to stay safe Public health experts emphasize that strategies effective against earlier Omicron variants remain powerful against Stratus: Stay updated with vaccines: If eligible, get the latest booster shot, which boosts protection against hospitalization. Test early if you feel sick: Seek a COVID-19 test, especially if you develop a hoarse voice or sore throat without a clear cause. Early detection allows for timely care. Mask in crowded indoor spaces: In areas with rising respiratory illness, wearing a well-fitted mask and maintaining distance can reduce spread risk. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and clean high-touch surfaces regularly. Keep indoor air clean: Improving ventilation or using HEPA filters helps reduce viral particles in shared indoor spaces. Stay home if you're sick: If you develop symptoms, especially respiratory, fever, or throat irritation, stay isolated for at least 48 hours after recovery to prevent spreading. Follow CDC alerts: Monitor local public health updates, especially as immunity fades and eligibility for boosters narrows If you develop a hoarse throat, especially if it comes on suddenly and without a clear cause, take it seriously. Stay home, test for COVID-19, and follow hygiene and isolation guidelines. Keep your vaccinations current and follow basic precautions, especially in settings with vulnerable individuals. Even if Stratus is not more harmful, its higher spread can still impact community health. How sea-level rise puts 3 cr Indians at risk by 2050 Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
US hit by summer Covid surge? Check states on high-risk list, symptoms and preventive measures
Synopsis The US is experiencing a summer surge in COVID-19 cases, with infections rising in 40 states, particularly in the South and West. New variants like Nimbus and Stratus are driving the increase, causing symptoms similar to previous Omicron strains. The symptoms of Covid include sore throat, fever of chills, headache and more. Reuters Covid-19 is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states Is the United States seeing a surge in the Covid cases during the Summer season? The answer is Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US is currently experiencing a summer surge in infections.A summer wave of Covid-19 appears to be sweeping across the United States of America, with data showing cases are rising in the country and emergency room visits are up among all age groups. The number of people with COVID-19 in the U.S. is low but increasing, according to CDC data released recently. Covid-19 is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states, reported The Hill. The agency said infections are 'growing or likely growing' in 40 states, based on emergency department visit data as of July 29. Infections were unchanged in nine states.A recent uptick in transmission fueled by highly contagious new variants is causing an increasing number of Americans to come down with sore throats, fevers and other COVID symptoms. The CDC has flagged that the weekly percentage of emergency department visits among people diagnosed with COVID-19 is low but growing. Visits were highest for children younger than 4 years old, which experts said makes sense because many remain unvaccinated. ALSO READ: $1,702 stimulus check in August: Last chance to apply for PDF closes soon. Check key dates, eligibility, tax implication Although the CDC says the level of COVID viral activity in wastewater remains 'low' nationally, at least 10 states are reporting "high" or "very high" levels as of July 12. Hard-hit states include California, Florida and Texas. The CDC reports that coronavirus viral activity in wastewater is currently low nationwide, with only Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and Texas recording 'high' or 'very high' levels."We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 with higher SARS-CoV-2 virus activity in wastewater and small rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations," Dr. Albert Ko, professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, tells virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, continues to mutate, giving rise to highly transmissible new variants that have evolved to better evade immunity. These include NB.1.8.1 aka "Nimbus," which causes a painful 'razor blade throat." Nimbus is now the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 43% of cases as of June 21, per the latest CDC a new variant with a similar cloud-themed nickname, XFG, aka "Stratus," is spreading rapidly worldwide and causing an increasing proportion of cases in the U.S. Stratus is now the third most prevalent strain, nationally.'NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) appear to be more transmissible compared to other variants,' says Ko. ALSO READ: Teens can be ICE agents as US drops age cap. Check eligibility criteria, benefits and more The recent rise in COVID-19 cases marks the beginning of an expected summer wave in the U.S., Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the past four years, there have been two waves of COVID each year. It's like a two-hump camel. There's the summer wave that abates in the fall, and then the winter wave,' says Schaffner. Covid activity tends to ramp up in the mid-summer, when travel peaks and people are increasingly gathering indoors in the air-conditioning.'We have been anticipating this rise, and this is just about the time when we would expect to see it,' Schaffner present, Covid-19 cases are highest in the West and South, but this may change as the summer wave continues, experts say. The list of affected states are:ConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinAdditionally, wastewater surveillance data from the CDC as of July 29 show the states with the highest wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 are Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii. Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas. ALSO READ: Deadly Legionnaire's disease outbreak in New York kills 3 and symptoms are similar to Covid. How you can protect yourself The Stratus and Nimbus variants appear to be causing symptoms similar to those caused by recent omicron throatFever or chillsCoughShortness of breathHeadacheMuscle achesCongestion or runny noseFatigueNew loss of sense of smell or tasteNausea or vomitingDiarrheaDuring a summer surge, there are simple actions people can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, the experts up to date on COVID if you have symptoms or a COVID if you're an N95 mask in crowded, indoor social distancing.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
US hit by summer Covid surge? Check states on high-risk list, symptoms and preventive measures
40 US states hit hard by Covid Live Events Is there a summer surge of Covid cases in US? Symptoms of COVID Summer 2025 Common COVID-19 symptoms in 2025 include: How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Is the United States seeing a surge in the Covid cases during the Summer season? The answer is Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US is currently experiencing a summer surge in infections.A summer wave of Covid-19 appears to be sweeping across the United States of America, with data showing cases are rising in the country and emergency room visits are up among all age groups. The number of people with COVID-19 in the U.S. is low but increasing, according to CDC data released is trending up in many mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states, reported The Hill. The agency said infections are 'growing or likely growing' in 40 states, based on emergency department visit data as of July 29. Infections were unchanged in nine states.A recent uptick in transmission fueled by highly contagious new variants is causing an increasing number of Americans to come down with sore throats, fevers and other COVID symptoms. The CDC has flagged that the weekly percentage of emergency department visits among people diagnosed with COVID-19 is low but growing. Visits were highest for children younger than 4 years old, which experts said makes sense because many remain the CDC says the level of COVID viral activity in wastewater remains 'low' nationally, at least 10 states are reporting "high" or "very high" levels as of July 12. Hard-hit states include California, Florida and CDC reports that coronavirus viral activity in wastewater is currently low nationwide, with only Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and Texas recording 'high' or 'very high' levels."We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 with higher SARS-CoV-2 virus activity in wastewater and small rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations," Dr. Albert Ko, professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, tells virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, continues to mutate, giving rise to highly transmissible new variants that have evolved to better evade immunity. These include NB.1.8.1 aka "Nimbus," which causes a painful 'razor blade throat." Nimbus is now the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 43% of cases as of June 21, per the latest CDC a new variant with a similar cloud-themed nickname, XFG, aka "Stratus," is spreading rapidly worldwide and causing an increasing proportion of cases in the U.S. Stratus is now the third most prevalent strain, nationally.'NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) appear to be more transmissible compared to other variants,' says recent rise in COVID-19 cases marks the beginning of an expected summer wave in the U.S., Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the past four years, there have been two waves of COVID each year. It's like a two-hump camel. There's the summer wave that abates in the fall, and then the winter wave,' says Schaffner. Covid activity tends to ramp up in the mid-summer, when travel peaks and people are increasingly gathering indoors in the air-conditioning.'We have been anticipating this rise, and this is just about the time when we would expect to see it,' Schaffner present, Covid-19 cases are highest in the West and South, but this may change as the summer wave continues, experts say. The list of affected states are:ConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriNew JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinAdditionally, wastewater surveillance data from the CDC as of July 29 show the states with the highest wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 are Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii. Kentucky, Louisiana and Stratus and Nimbus variants appear to be causing symptoms similar to those caused by recent omicron throatFever or chillsCoughShortness of breathHeadacheMuscle achesCongestion or runny noseFatigueNew loss of sense of smell or tasteNausea or vomitingDiarrheaDuring a summer surge, there are simple actions people can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, the experts up to date on COVID if you have symptoms or a COVID if you're an N95 mask in crowded, indoor social distancing.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Can you take antibiotics for COVID? WHO updates its guidelines on antibiotic usage for patients
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, so do the guidelines for how to tackle and treat it. Although the pandemic has drawn to a close, various strains are still at play and are causing infection amongst communities. After the Nimbus strain, now the Stratus strain is surging in the US, causing soar throat and hoarseness in voice in patients. Although these strains aren't fatal, many people still wonder: Can you take antibiotics for COVID? The answer, finally, is here. The latest guideline In a major update to its clinical guidelines, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against giving antibiotics to COVID-19 patients, even those with severe illness, if there's no clear sign of a bacterial infection. This shift in guidance comes after a new meta-analysis of studies showed that antibiotics do not improve outcomes in COVID-19 patients who don't have a bacterial infection. Overusing antibiotics without need, the WHO warns, could worsen the global problem of antimicrobial resistance. 'For patients with non-severe COVID-19 and a low clinical suspicion of a concurrent bacterial infection, we recommend no empirical antibiotics,' the WHO said in its latest guidance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kate Middleton's Daring Outfit Took Prince William's Breath Away Crowdy Fan Undo 'For patients with severe COVID-19 and a low clinical suspicion of a concurrent bacterial infection, we suggest no empirical antibiotics.' What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections like COVID-19. They work by killing bacteria or stopping them from growing. Common illnesses treated with antibiotics include strep throat, urinary tract infections, and some types of pneumonia. COVID-19, however, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not a bacterium. This means antibiotics do not treat the virus itself. Taking them unnecessarily won't help you recover faster, and it can cause serious side effects or even long-term health problems. Why the change? Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, both COVID-19 and the world's response to it have changed dramatically, the WHO noted. With lower infection rates, milder disease, and the removal of emergency public health measures, COVID-19 is now treated more like other illnesses in many countries. 'Notable changes to COVID-19 disease over this time have been overall reduced infection rates and reduced disease severity,' the WHO said. 'Care for patients with COVID-19 has become more integrated with usual healthcare systems.' These changes prompted the WHO to review and revise all of its existing COVID-related recommendations. As a result, the new guidelines remove outdated advice or recommendations that are now considered basic medical practice and not specific to COVID-19. Recommendation backed by new research The updated antibiotic recommendations are based on the latest data from a systematic review and meta-analysis. These studies looked at how patients fared when treated with antibiotics during COVID-19, and whether those treatments were really necessary in the absence of a bacterial infection. At the same time, there's growing urgency to tackle antimicrobial resistance, a serious global threat where overuse of antibiotics makes bacteria resistant to treatment. The WHO stressed that these new guidelines are aimed at everyone involved in COVID-19 care, from doctors and nurses to hospital administrators and health system planners. COVID-19: Still a threat, and ever-evolving While vaccines, treatments, and previous infections have helped many people build immunity, COVID-19 hasn't disappeared. The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to infect thousands of people daily, causing avoidable sickness and death. 'The virus continues to evolve in terms of infectivity, immune escape, and disease severity,' the WHO warned. Even though many countries are no longer in emergency mode, COVID-19 still requires careful clinical management, especially for high-risk populations. The new WHO guideline aims to reflect this shifting landscape, balancing new scientific evidence with the current global health context. 'This guideline robustly and transparently addresses the changing landscape and evidence availability, and the continual development of treatment and management strategies for COVID-19,' the WHO added. To sum it up… Antibiotics should not be used in COVID-19 patients unless there is a strong suspicion of a bacterial infection. This applies to both mild and severe cases. The guidance is part of a broader update reflecting new evidence and a changing pandemic. Overuse of antibiotics can worsen antimicrobial resistance, a growing health threat worldwide. The new guidelines apply to all levels of the health system involved in COVID-19 care. Study finds antiseptic drug is as good as antibiotics for preventing recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
