Warmer weather is linked to a worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms, according to research to be presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress [1]. Analysis of data from 1,177 current and former smokers with COPD in the USA showed that approximately two days after an increase in ambient temperatures, there […]
Category: Respiratory
COVID-19 infections were high among hospital staff but re-infection rates are very low
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
First trial of personalised care for children with asthma suggests benefits of prescribing according to genetic differences
Selecting treatments according to genetic differences could help children and teenagers with asthma, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The trial, which compares patients treated according to small genetic differences with patients treated according to existing guidelines, is the first of its kind in children and teenagers. Researchers say […]
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 […]
Bronchitis as a child predicts worse lung health in middle age
People who had bronchitis at least once before the age of seven are more likely to develop lung problems in later life, according to new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] However, the lung diseases they suffer from by the age of 53 were usually asthma and pneumonia rather than […]
‘Social smokers’ face disproportionately high risk of death from lung disease and lung cancer
‘Social smokers’ are more than twice as likely to die of lung disease and more than eight times as likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The study also shows that the risk of lung cancer death for ‘social smokers’ – those […]
Chemicals in e-cigarettes mix together to form new, unexpectedly toxic compounds
Flavourings combine with solvents in e-cigarettes to produce new toxic chemicals that irritate the airways, triggering reactions that can lead to breathing and heart and blood vessel problems, according to new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] Sven-Eric Jordt, associate professor of anaesthesiology, pharmacology and cancer biology at Duke University […]