Transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 during a 2‐h domestic flight to Okinawa, Japan, March 2020
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread globally. Potentially infected individuals travel on commercial aircraft. Thus, this study aimed to investigate and test the association between the use of face masks, physical distance, and COVID-19 among passengers and flight attendants exposed to a COVID-19 passenger in a domestic flight.
Methods
This observational study investigated passengers and flight attendants exposed to COVID-19 on March 23, 2020, on board a flight to Naha City, Japan. Secondary attack rates were calculated. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 was used to identify the infectious linkage between confirmed cases in this clustering. The association between confirmed COVID-19 and proximity of passengers' seats to the index case and/or the use of face masks was estimated using logistic regression.
Results
Fourteen confirmed and six probable cases were identified among passengers and flight attendants. The secondary attack rate was 9.7%. Twelve of 14 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences in confirmed cases were identical to that of the index case or showed only one nucleotide mutation. Risk factors for infection included not using a face mask (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 7.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.86-28.6), partial face mask use (aOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 0.83-10.8), and being seated within two rows from the index patient (aOR: 7.47, 95% CI: 2.06-27.2).
Conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted on the airplane. Nonuse of face masks was identified as an independent risk factor for contracting COVID-19 on the airplane.
Determinants of Post-COVID Ill-Health in a Cohort of... : Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
ted to earlier COVID-19. The proportion developing a PCC was estimated. Risk factors were evaluated by logistic regression.
Results
Among 4964 HCWs, 995 had one positive COVID test 90 days before completing the final questionnaire. A total of 266 (27%) developed a PCC. Factors predisposing HCWs to a PCC included depression and increased alcohol consumption reported preinfection, chronic ill-health prepandemic, and a perception that the infection was work-related. PCCs were less likely following vaccination. Most HCWs (98%) returned to work within 30 days, with 8% reporting severe PCC (n = 80).
Conclusions
Predisposing factors reflected poor health preinfection. Most conditions were mild....
Impact of JN.1 booster vaccination on neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants KP.3.1.1 and XEC
The SARS-CoV-2 KP.3.1.1 lineage is currently the dominating lineage on several continents.
In parallel, the XEC lineage, a recombinant of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3,1 is rapidly gaining
prevalence in Europe and North America, and is on track to become the next dominant
lineage (appendix p 2). The SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein mediates host cell entry
and is the key target of neutralising antibodies. Because the breakpoint of the XEC
lineage resides within the S protein gene, resulting in a chimeric S protein harbouring
mutations from both KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 (appendix pp 2, 13), XEC might possess biological
traits that enable efficient spread despite high prevalence of KP.3.1.1.
2025 Faraday Horizon Prize: awarded for advancing the understanding of the physicochemical properties of exhaled aerosols, and their impact on the transmissibility of respiratory pathogens.
Estimated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness in Adults
This case-control study of US emergency departments, urgent care centers, and hospitals estimates vaccine effectiveness of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine and examines waning patterns and differences by age, immunocompromise status, and outcome to evaluate and inform vaccine recommendations.
Long-COVID bei Kleinkindern: Viel häufiger als bislang angenommen?
Eine US-Studie zeigt Long-COVID-ähnliche Symptome bei 14 bis 15% der Kleinkinder. Erstmals liegen Daten in dieser Altersgruppe vor – stoßen aber auf Skepsis.
Influenza vaccination stimulates maturation of the human T follicular helper cell response
Schattgen et al. profiled the subsets and clonality of CD4+ TFH cells in the blood and lymph nodes of human volunteers who received two influenza vaccines 1 year apart to characterize their dynamics and clonal evolution over 2 years.
Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed
GlyNAC supplementation in OA for 16-weeks was safe and well-tolerated. By combining the benefits of glycine, NAC and GSH, GlyNAC is an effective nutritional supplement that improves and reverses multiple age-associated abnormalities to promote health in aging humans. Clinical Trials Registration Num …
Effects of Pycnogenol® in post-COVID-19 condition (PYCNOVID): A single-center, placebo controlled, quadruple-blind, randomized trial
Background Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) remains a public health challenge with limited treatment options.
Objective To evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol®, a French maritime pine bark extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, versus placebo on patient-reported health status in individuals with PCC.
Design Single-center, placebo-controlled, quadruple-blind, randomized trial. ClinicalTrials.gov, [NCT05890534][1]
Setting German-speaking Switzerland.
Participants Adults with PCC with at least one of the following symptoms: fatigue, post-exertional malaise, dyspnea, or brain fog.
Intervention Daily dose of 200 mg Pycnogenol® (50 mg capsules four times daily) or placebo for 12 weeks.
Measurements The primary outcome was self-reported health status (EQ-VAS). Secondary outcomes included symptoms, quality of life, exercise capacity, physical activity and blood biomarkers.
Results Between June 14, 2023, and July 5, 2024, 153 participants were randomized to receive Pycnogenol® (n=75) or placebo (n=78). Participants reported persisting symptoms for a median duration of 101 weeks. Unadjusted median EQ-VAS increased by 5.4 units and 7.9 units in the in the Pycnogenol® and placebo groups, respectively, with no difference observed between the groups (β=0.54, 95% CI -3.45 to 4.54, p=0.79). 31 adverse events occurred in the Pycnogenol® group (11 probably related) and 18 in the placebo group (9 probably related). Three serious adverse events were reported, all unrelated to the study products. No between group differences were observed in secondary endpoints.
Limitation The results may not be generalizable to individuals newly experiencing PCC.
Conclusion Pycnogenol® (200 mg daily) did not improve health status compared to placebo over 12 weeks in PCC. Both groups showed clinically relevant improvements, suggesting non-therapeutic effects.
Primary funding source Horphag Research, Switzerland.
### Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
### Clinical Trial
NCT05890534
### Funding Statement
This study was funded by Horphag Research, Av. Louis-Casai, 1216 Cointrin, Switzerland.
### Author Declarations
I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.
Yes
The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:
Ethics committee of the canton of Zurich gave ethical approval for this work
I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.
Yes
I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).
Yes
I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.
Yes
Data and data dictionary will be shared upon reasonable request. Data include individual de-identified participant data and de-identified individual responses to self-report assessments. Data request proposals will be overseen by the core study team, and their final decision about data sharing will be binding. Possible data transfers will need to comply with the data transfer agreement guidelines.
[1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT05890534&atom=%2Fmedrxiv%2Fearly%2F2025%2F06%2F20%2F2025.06.12.25329489.atom
SARS-CoV-2 causes gastric damage: structural and ultrastructural evaluation
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infects the gastrointestinal tract; however, its effects on the stomach and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The presence of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors in the gastric mucosa suggests that the stomach is vulnerable to infection. This study is the first to examine SARS-CoV-2’s impact on distinct cell types within gastric tissue, alongside the involvement of protective mechanisms and cell death pathways. K18-hACE2 transgenic mice (n = 20) were divided into control and SARS-CoV-2 groups, and their gastric tissues were analyzed on day 8 post-infection to represent the acute phase. Epithelial degeneration, hemorrhage, glandular cell damage, inflammatory infiltration, and muscle injury were assessed and scored, alongside apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and Galectin-3 expression levels. Ultrastructural changes were identified using transmission electron microscopy. The SARS-CoV-2 group exhibited significant epithelial desquamation, extensive tissue damage (P 0.0001), diminished mucin content, elevated apoptosis (P = 0.0279) and pyroptosis (P = 0.0265), and reduced Galectin-3 expression (P = 0.0211). Parietal cells showed pronounced structural damage and strong SARS-CoV-2 positivity, highlighting their susceptibility and potential role in gastric dysfunction during infection. Virus-like particles (70–110 nm) were observed within cells and in vesicles. Enteroendocrine cells displayed heightened activity. SARS-CoV-2 infection caused significant damage to gastric epithelial and parietal cells through inflammatory, apoptotic, and pyroptotic mechanisms, likely exacerbated by reduced Galectin-3 expression and consequent impairment of gastric protection. This damage may amplify susceptibility to secondary infections, such as H. pylori, and could contribute to clinical symptoms such as nausea, dyspepsia, and unexplained gastric complaints observed in SARS-CoV-2 cases.
Hidden Genetic Flaw Behind Long COVID Lung Damage Exposed by Dormant Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation - Thailand Medical News
Thailand Medical News: Scientists Discover Link Between Host Genes and EBV Reactivation That Worsens Long COVID Lung Symptoms
A major international study has uncovered how a person’s genetic makeup can make them more vulnerable to reactivation of a common virus—Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)—during a COVID-19 infection, significantly increasing the risk of long-term lung damage in lon...
Mendelian Randomization Study Reveals COVID-19 Causal Effects On Various Esophageal Diseases - Thailand Medical News
COVID-19 News: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, not just in terms of its immediate health impacts but also due to its wide-ranging effects on various organ systems and long-term health outcomes. Among the myriad manifestations of COVID-19, its potential association with esophageal diseases has emerged as an intriguing area of research. Understanding the complex interplay...
Determinants of antibody levels and protection against omicron BQ.1/XBB breakthrough infection
Pérez et al. evaluate whether antibody levels and neutralization titers correlate with protection against SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron sub-variants BQ.1 and XBB, in a cohort of Spanish healthcare workers. They find an association that wanes over time, highlighting the need for updated vaccination strategies.
Biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: what does it mean? - PMC
Radical prostatectomy (RP) has been used as the main primary treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) for many years with excellent oncologic results. However, approximately 20-40% of those patients has failed to RP and presented biochemical recurrence ...
Weil viele bereits vergessen haben: Was SARS-CoV-2 dem Körper antun kann
DMZ – POLITIK / WISSEN / GESUNDHEIT ¦ AA ¦ Der Beitrag im "Pandemic Accountability Index" (Pandemie-Verantwortlichkeitsindex) vom letzten November, in dem über hundert Studien und Artikel zu den Auswirkungen des SARS-CoV-2-Virus auf den Körper berichtet wurde, ist mittlerweile über sechs Monate alt. Seitdem wurden weitere Forschungsergebnisse veröffentlicht. Es ist daher an der Zeit, unser Verständnis dafür zu aktualisieren, warum es so wichtig ist, Infektionen mit diesem gefährlichen und behindernden Virus zu verhindern. Laut der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) leiden allein in Europa über 36 Millionen Menschen an Langzeitfolgen von COVID, einem Oberbegriff für zahlreiche medizinische Komplikationen. Diejenigen, die behauptet haben, dass SARS-CoV-2 relativ harmlos oder "mild" sei und COVID-19 "nur eine Erkältung/Grippe" sei, müssen sich mit der ständig wachsenden Anzahl wissenschaftlicher Forschungsergebnisse auseinandersetzen, die seitdem veröffentlicht wurden. Kinder und COVID: COVID-19 ist eine der häufigsten Todesursachen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in den USA (University of Oxford). Anstieg von Diabetes bei Kindern und Jugendlichen (Jama Network). Auch milde Infektionen können zu langfristigen Folgen führen, einschließlich Long-COVID (University of Minnesota). Mehr als 70% der Haushaltsübertragungen von COVID in den USA gehen von Kindern aus (CIDRAP). Kinder können nach einer asymptomatischen oder milden COVID-19-Erkrankung langfristige Herzmuskeldeformationen entwickeln (MDPI Open Access Journals). Langzeitfolgen bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen nach mildem COVID-19 (Frontiers in Immunology). Einige Kinder zeigen nach einer COVID-19-Infektion Symptome wie Fieber, Erbrechen und Augenschmerzen (NHK). COVID-19 kann bei Kindern autoimmune Reaktionen auslösen (HCPLive). Erhöhte Raten von Asthma, Myokarditis, Diabetes und anderen Erkrankungen bei Kindern mit bestätigtem COVID-19 (Medical Journal of Australia). Über 30% der Kinder zeigen auch nach 2 Monaten noch Symptome, und 2,3% haben nach 6 Monaten immer noch anhaltende Symptome (Frontiers in Pediatrics). Das Immunsystem von Kindern entwickelt keine "adaptiven" Erinnerungen, die vor einer erneuten SARS-CoV-2-Infektion schützen (Garvan Institute of Medical Research). Die Prävalenz von Langzeitfolgen bei COVID-19 liegt bei 23,36% (ScienceDirect). Die Omikron-Variante verursacht siebenmal mehr Todesfälle bei hospitalisierten Kindern als die Influenza (South China Morning Post). In Ohio haben zwischen 30.000 und 70.000 Kinder Long COVID (US News). COVID-19 kann zu Herzerkrankungen bei Kindern führen (MDPI Open Access Journals). Entzündliche Erkrankungen bei Kindern nach COVID-19 (ScienceDirect). Neurologische Komplikationen nach COVID-19 bei Kindern (American Academy of Pediatrics). Augenmanifestationen von COVID-19 bei Kindern (SageJournals). Beeinträchtigungen der Gesundheit bei Kindern und Jugendlichen nach einer COVID-19-Erkrankung (American Academy of Pediatrics). Nahezu alle mit COVID-19 infizierten Kinder zeigen Anzeichen von Schädigung der Blutgefäße (Blood Advances). Eine Studie zeigt, dass vorherige COVID-19-Infektionen mit einem signifikant erhöhten Risiko für RSV-Infektionen bei Kindern in Verbindung gebracht werden (medRxiv). Zwischen 12 und 16% der Kinder und Jugendlichen, die mit Omikron infiziert waren, erfüllen die Definition von Long COVID (Journal of Pediatrics). Diabetes-Typ-1-Inzidenz und -Risiko bei Kindern mit einer COVID-19-Diagnose (Jama Network). Prävalenz von Long COVID bei Kindern und Jugendlichen beträgt 25,24%, am häufigsten mit Stimmungssymptomen (Nature). Ungewöhnlicher Anstieg von Hirnabszessen bei amerikanischen Kindern (CDC). Veränderte Verformung der roten Blutkörperchen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen nach SARS-CoV-2-Infektion (Nature). Kinder haben ein ähnliches Risiko für Langzeitfolgen von Long COVID bei einer erneuten Infektion wie bei der Erstinfektion (Journal of Pediatrics). SARS-CoV-2 kann sich über Wochen bis Monate systemisch ausbreiten und persistieren, unabhängig von der Schwere der Erkrankung (Lancet). Originallinks: COVID-19 is a leading cause of death in children and young people in the US (University of Oxford) Surge in child and teen diabetes (Jama Network) “Two US studies describe pediatric COVID...7.0% of hospitalized children developed neurologic complications such as seizures...even mild infections can lead to long COVID.” (University of Minnesota) More than 70% of US household COVID spread started with a child (CIDRAP) "Persistence of LV myocardial deformation abnormalities in previously healthy children with an asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 course after an average follow-up of 148 ± 68 days.” (MDPI Open Access Journals) “Inflammatory markers and pulmonary function in adolescents and young adults 6 months after mild COVID-19” (Frontiers in Immunology) “Fever, vomiting, and eye pain are a few of the symptoms afflicting a small number of children after they have been infected with COVID-19.” (NHK) COVID-19 May Trigger Autoimmune Responses in Children (HCPLive) “…increased rates of asthma, myocarditis and cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysrhythmias, diabetes, renal failure, venous thromboembolism, and coagulation disorders in children with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 compared with children without COVID‐19.” (Medical Journal of Australia) “32.6% of the children had persistent symptoms at 2 months, 9.3% at 4 months, and 2.3% at 6 months” (Frontiers in Pediatrics) Children’s immune systems do not develop ‘adaptive’ memory to protect against second time SARS-CoV-2 infection (Garvan Institute of Medical Research) Based on 40 studies with 12,424 individuals, the pooled prevalence of any long COVID was 23.36 % (ScienceDirect) “Omicron strain causes 7 times more deaths among hospitalised children than influenza” (South China Morning Post) “In Ohio, between 30,000 and 70,000 children have long COVID.” (US News) COVID-19 Heart Lesions in Children: Clinical, Diagnostic and Immunological Changes (MDPI Open Access Journals) Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A dysregulated autoimmune disorder following COVID-19 (ScienceDirect) COVID-19 and Acute Neurologic Complications in Children (American Academy of Pediatrics) Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 in pediatric patients (SageJournals) Health Impairments in Children and Adolescents After Hospitalization for Acute COVID-19 or MIS-C (American Academy of Pediatrics) "Virtually all children infected with COVID-19 show signs of blood vessel damage" (Blood Advances) "Findings from our study support that prior COVID-19 infection was associated with a significantly increased risk for RSV infection and was a driving force for the 2022 surge of severe pediatric RSV cases in the US." (medRxiv) “12-16% children and youth infected with Omicron met the research definition of #LongCovid at 3 and 6 months after infection, with no evidence of difference between cases of first-positive and reinfection” (Journal of Pediatrics) Type 1 Diabetes Incidence and Risk in Children With a Diagnosis of COVID-19 (Jama Network) Long-COVID in children and adolescents: prevalence of long-COVID was 25.24%, most prevalent clinical: mood symptoms (16.50%) - (Nature) Abnormal Surge of Brain Abscesses in American Children, CDC Says (ScienceAlert) Increased red blood cell deformation in children and adolescents after SARS-CoV-2 infection (Nature) Children are at as much risk of Long COVID disability from reinfection as they are from primary infection (Journal of Pediatrics) “in children, independent from disease severity, SARS-CoV-2 can spread systemically and persist for weeks to months.” (Lancet) NEUROLOGISCHE BEEINTRÄCHTIGUNGEN: Geruchs- und Geschmacksstörungen nach COVID-19 (BMJ). Neuropsychologische Defizite bei Patienten mit anhaltenden COVID-19-Symptomen (Nature). Neuroinflammation nach COVID-19 mit anhaltenden depressiven und kognitiven Symptomen (JAMA Psychiatry). SARS-CoV-2 fördert die Beseitigung synaptischer Verbindungen durch Mikrogliazellen im menschlichen Gehirn (Nature). Langfristige Auswirkungen von COVID-19 auf kognitive Funktionen bis zu 6 Monate nach der Entlassung: Rolle von Depressionen und Auswirkungen auf die Lebensqualität (Springer Link). SARS-CoV-2 ist mit Veränderungen der Gehirnstruktur verbunden (Nature). Jeder vierte Patient zeigt kognitive Defizite nach einem milden COVID-19-Verlauf (NIH). Neurokognitive und psychiatrische Symptome nach COVID-19-Infektion: Nachweise aus Labor- und Bevölkerungsstudien (ScienceDirect). COVID-19 und kognitive Beeinträchtigungen: Neuroinvasive und Blut-Hirn-Schrankenstörungen (Journal of Neuroinflammation). COVID-19 kann dazu führen, dass Gehirnzellen abnormal fusionieren und Beeinträchtigungen der Gehirnfunktion verursachen, bei 10% der untersuchten Fälle kommt die neuronale Aktivität vollständig zum Stillstand (ScienceAdvances). COVID-19 kann auch durch Hyperaktivierung der Immunantwort, Zelltod oder Entzündungen verschiedene Hirnregionen beeinträchtigen und zu Gedächtnisstörungen führen (CIDRAP). Rasche Verschlechterung der Demenz nach COVID-19 (NIH). Originallinks: Smell and taste dysfunction after covid-19 (BMJ) Neuropsychological deficits in patients with persistent COVID-19 symptoms (Nature) Neuroinflammation After COVID-19 With Persistent Depressive and Cognitive Symptoms (JAMA Psychiatry) SARS-CoV-2 promotes microglial synapse elimination in human brain organoids (Nature) Long-term consequences of COVID-19 on cognitive functioning up to 6 months after discharge: role of depression and impact on quality of life (Springer Link) SARS-CoV-2 is associated with changes in brain structure (Nature) 1 in 4 Showing Cognitive Deficits After Mild Case (NIH) Neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms following infection with COVID-19: Evidence from laboratory and population studies (ScienceDirect) COVID-19 and cognitive impairment: neuroinvasive and blood‒brain barrier dysfunction (Journal of Neuroinflammation) Covid cause...
Epidemiological update: SARS-CoV-2 and NB.1.8.1 variant assessment
Increases in infections due to SARS-CoV-2, associated with an increase in detections of the NB.1.8.1 variant, have been observed in some countries in Asia (including China, Hong Kong, Singapore) in recent weeks. ECDC and WHO have classified NB.1.8.1 as a variant under monitoring (VUM).
Neue Corona-Variante „Nimbus“ breitet sich aus – Virologen warnen vor Sommerwelle
DMZ – GESUNDHEIT ¦ Anton Aeberhard ¦ WHO stuft NB.1.8.1 als „Variante unter Beobachtung“ ein – Immunität lässt nach – Experten rufen zu Auffrischungsimpfungen auf Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) und internationale Virologen warnen vor einer neuen Variante des Coronavirus: NB.1.8.1, in Großbritannien auch „Nimbus“ genannt. Die Untervariante gehört zur weitverbreiteten Omikron-Familie und zeigt laut ersten Analysen eine deutlich erhöhte Übertragbarkeit. In mehreren Ländern, darunter auch Deutschland, wurden bereits Infektionen mit Nimbus nachgewiesen. Wie die britische Gesundheitsbehörde UKHSA berichtet, sind die Positivraten für Covid-19 in diesem Frühjahr auf den höchsten Stand des Jahres gestiegen – 97 Prozent über dem Niveau vom März. Auch in China, Singapur und Hongkong sorgte Nimbus für einen sprunghaften Anstieg der Infektionen. Die WHO hat NB.1.8.1 daher Mitte Mai als „Variante unter Beobachtung“ eingestuft. In Deutschland wurde die Variante laut Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) erstmals im März 2025 entdeckt. Bereits im Mai waren 16,7 Prozent aller Corona-Fälle auf Nimbus zurückzuführen. Zwar liegt die allgemeine Infektionsrate derzeit noch auf niedrigem Niveau, doch Experten warnen vor einem möglichen Wiederanstieg im Sommer – auch durch das wärmere Wetter, das geselliges Verhalten und damit Infektionsrisiken begünstigt. „Es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, dass wir in den kommenden Wochen einen Anstieg der Infektionen erleben werden“, erklärt Professor Lawrence Young, Virologe an der Universität Warwick, gegenüber dem britischen i Paper. Das genaue Ausmaß lasse sich jedoch nur schwer prognostizieren. Symptome wie bei Omikron – aber höhere Ansteckung Die Symptome unterscheiden sich laut WHO und britischem Gesundheitsdienst nicht wesentlich von früheren Omikron-Varianten. Zu den häufigsten Beschwerden gehören Halsschmerzen, Fieber, Muskelschmerzen, Müdigkeit und gelegentlich Husten. Einige Betroffene berichten von besonders starken Rachenschmerzen, die als „rasiermesserscharf“ beschrieben werden. Nach Einschätzung von Virologen könne Nimbus menschliche Zellen effizienter infizieren als frühere Varianten und besitze eine gewisse Fähigkeit zur Immunflucht – also zur Umgehung bereits bestehender Immunabwehr durch frühere Infektionen oder Impfungen. Dies könnte erklären, warum es trotz vorhandener Grundimmunität zu vermehrten Infektionen kommt. Gleichzeitig gibt es bislang keine Hinweise, dass die Variante häufiger zu schweren Verläufen oder Todesfällen führt. Die WHO stuft das öffentliche Gesundheitsrisiko daher weiterhin als „niedrig“ ein. In Großbritannien waren im Mai rund 300 Todesfälle mit Covid-19 registriert – ein im Vergleich zu früheren Wellen niedriger Wert. WHO und Experten rufen zu Auffrischungsimpfungen auf Gerade für ältere oder vorerkrankte Menschen könnte Nimbus dennoch ein ernstes Risiko darstellen. Britische Experten betonen, dass die Immunität vieler Menschen inzwischen nachgelassen habe – sei es durch Zeitablauf seit der letzten Impfung oder durch schwächere Immunantworten bei bestimmten Bevölkerungsgruppen. Daher empfehlen Virologen weiterhin Auffrischungsimpfungen. Die aktuell verfügbaren Impfstoffe, die an Omikron angepasst wurden, dürften nach Einschätzung von Fachleuten auch gegen Nimbus Schutz bieten – insbesondere gegen schwere Verläufe und Krankenhausaufenthalte. „Wir müssen die Impfraten bei Risikogruppen aufrechterhalten, um unnötige Todesfälle zu verhindern“, heißt es in einer aktuellen Einschätzung der WHO. Infektionsschutz bleibt auch im Sommer wichtig Auch wenn keine neuen gesetzlichen Maßnahmen geplant sind, erinnern Fachleute daran, dass klassische Schutzmaßnahmen wie das Tragen von FFP2-Masken in Innenräumen, ausreichende Belüftung und freiwillige Tests bei Symptomen nach wie vor hilfreich sein können – gerade bei engem Kontakt mit gefährdeten Personen. Nimbus ist ein weiteres Beispiel dafür, dass das Coronavirus nicht verschwunden ist. Auch fünf Jahre nach Beginn der Pandemie bleibt Covid-19 eine ernstzunehmende Erkrankung – wenn auch mit veränderter Dynamik. Der Umgang mit neuen Varianten erfordert daher weiterhin Wachsamkeit, gezielte Prävention und eine wissenschaftsbasierte Kommunikation.
l-theanine: From tea leaf to trending supplement – does the science match the hype for brain health and relaxation?
l-Theanine is a unique non-protein amino acid found abundantly in tea leaves. Interest in its potential use as a dietary supplement has surged recentl…
Effectiveness of Creatine in Metabolic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Using the guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this meta-analysis (MA) tried to figure out how well creatine (Cr) improves metabolic performance. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and the ...
Long‐Term Sequelae of COVID‐19: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Symptoms 3 Years Post‐SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection
The symptoms of long COVID are well-documented. However, the long-term effects beyond 2 years remain poorly understood due to a lack of data. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the pre...