The Med & Mic™ 04.22.22
>> Another state reports unusual illness in kids
>> Risk for outbreaks in schools (not COVID)
>> Who should take medicine for COVID
>> Turns out, this birth control procedure is not so permanent
The Med & Mic™ 04.22.22
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More Hepatitis in Kids
North Carolina is the second state to report hepatitis in young children. Two cases have been reported there. Other cases in the U.S. have been in Alabama. The unusual liver inflammation, not related to hepatitis A, B, C, D or E, has been noted in Europe and the U.S. Ordinarily there might be two hepatitis cases at one pediatric center per year. “To then suddenly have 13 is why we’ve recognized that there was something going on,” says Dr. Rachel Taylor in an article from STAT News. Investigators suspect an adenovirus, a common cold virus, could be to blame.
Measles, Whooping Cough, and Chickenpox Could Go Up
During the pandemic, fewer children received routine vaccinations. In the 2020-21 school year, 35,000 children entered kindergarten without evidence of immunization for measles, whooping cough, or chickenpox. The information comes from schools’ reports on vaccination rates from 47 states and D.C. “We haven’t seen outbreaks and that’s probably representative of the fact that families were staying home during the pandemic,” says the CDC’s Dr. Georgina Peacock in an article from the AP. This could change as people return to their previous routines.
Anti-viral Pills for People at High Risk
The World Health Organization recommends the antiviral medication Paxlovid for people at high risk of hospitalization with COVID. Factors for higher risk include older age, a weakened immune system, chronic illness, and being unvaccinated. The treatment hampers the virus from making copies of itself. The WHO is also evaluating the use of inexpensive and widely available medicines such as the antidepressant fluvoxamine and the anti-inflammatory colchicine. More in Forbes.
Pregnancy After Birth Control Procedure
The pregnancy rate after having your tubes tied is five times higher than previously thought. “At five years after the procedure, the cumulative rate of pregnancy was over 6%,” says Dr. Aileen Gariepy in an article from Healio. The commonly cited figure from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology was 1%. Researchers examined the pregnancy records between 2008 and 2014 of 30,000 women who had undergone surgical sterilization (the tubes carrying eggs from the ovary to the uterus are blocked or cut out). The procedure is meant to be a permanent form of birth control. Around 5% reported a pregnancy. The pregnancy was more likely to occur in the year following the procedure. “This study is a loud and concerning signal,” Dr Gariepy adds.
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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.