A study of healthcare workers shows they were three times more likely to become infected during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general population. Around one in five of workers who were infected were asymptomatic and unaware they had COVID-19. The study published in ERJ Open Research [1] also shows that it was not only […]
Category: Infectious diseases
Study suggests wearing a face mask during intense exercise is safe for healthy people
Wearing a protective face mask has only a modest effect on the ability of healthy people to do vigorous exercise, according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal. Researchers carried out detailed testing on breathing, heart activity and exercise performance in a group of 12 people while they were using an exercise bike […]
Investment needed to bring down pancreatic cancer death rates in Europe
Researchers predict over 1.4 million deaths from top 10 cancers in 2021 in the EU and UK. Accompanying editorial warns of adverse effect of COVID-19 on death rates Researchers have called on European policymakers to make adequate resources available to tackle pancreatic cancer, a disease that is almost invariably fatal and where little progress has […]
Damage to the heart found in more than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital
Around 50% of patients who have been hospitalised with severe COVID-19 and who show raised levels of a protein called troponin have damage to their hearts. The injury was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at least a month after discharge, according to new findings published in the European Heart Journal [1]. Damage includes […]
People infected with COVID-19 have a higher risk of dying after a cardiac arrest
Women are nine times more likely to die COVID-19 patients who suffer a cardiac arrest either in or out of hospital are far more likely to die than patients who are not infected with the coronavirus. In particular, women have the highest risk of dying: they are nine times more likely to die after suffering […]
Study of COVID-19 levels in oncology staff suggests need for more extensive testing
Second study reveals impact of COVID-19 on oncology staff and their work A study of oncology staff carried out immediately after the spring peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK indicates that many had been infected with the coronavirus as they tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. This included staff who did not show any […]
Study of emergency workers in New York City shows COVID-19 risk to firefighters and emergency medical workers
Firefighters and emergency medical workers in New York City were 15 times more likely to be infected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the general public, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. [1] The study, which includes almost all the 15,000 front-line workers at the Fire Department of […]
Study estimates exposure to air pollution increases COVID-19 deaths by 15% worldwide
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of dying from COVID-19 and, for the first time, a study has estimated the proportion of deaths from the coronavirus that could be attributed to the exacerbating effects of air pollution for every country in the world. The study, published in Cardiovascular Research […]
New research reveals effects of COVID-19 on breast cancer screening, treatment and care
An increase in deaths could be prevented by ensuring older women do not miss final screening During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries paused their breast cancer screening programmes. A new study, presented at the 12th European Breast Cancer Conference, suggests that the disruption to screening could result in an increase in the proportion of women […]
COVID-19 patients suffer long-term lung and heart damage but it can improve with time
Coronavirus patients recover faster if they undergo rehabilitation as soon as possible after coming off ventilators or leaving intensive care COVID-19 patients can suffer long-term lung and heart damage but, for many, this tends to improve over time, according to the first, prospective follow-up of patients infected with the coronavirus, presented at the European Respiratory […]