Covid-19 News and Discussions

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COVID-19 is on the upswing in the US and Ohio​

 

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COVID-19 and mpox cases on the rise in Northeast Ohio​

 

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COVID cases going up in Ohio: What health officials want you to know​

 

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KDCA treats current COVID-19 resurgence as part of process of becoming endemic​

 

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The signature symptoms of long Covid in kids

A study reveals how the illness can present differently for school-age children and teens. Common symptoms include headaches, stomach pain, fatigue and muscle pain.

www.nbcnews.com

The signature symptoms of long Covid in kids​

A study reveals how the illness can present differently for school-age children and teens. Common symptoms include headaches, stomach pain, fatigue and muscle pain.

A 16-year-old patient awaits blood testing at a Moderna Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial for adolescents in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 25, 2021.Paul Hennessy / SOPA - Getty Images

Aug. 21, 2024, 12:00 PM EDT
By Aria Bendix
Millions of U.S. children have had long Covid, estimates suggest, but less is known about their symptoms than those of adults.

A large, national study offers new insights into what the post-viral illness looks like in kids and teens, suggesting that they experience a markedly different set of symptoms from adults. Although Covid itself has historically been milder in kids, the results indicate that many have debilitating, long-term side effects that make it difficult to attend school, participate in extracurriculars or spend time with family or friends.


“This is a public health crisis for children,” said Dr. Rachel Gross, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of pediatrics at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

“Experiences of chronic illness affect them as they grow, and it impacts the health of the adults that they become,” she said.

The study is part of the RECOVER initiative, one of the world’s largest investigations into long Covid, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The researchers behind the new study, published Wednesday in the journal JAMA, asked the caregivers of more than 3,800 children about their kids’ symptoms at least 90 days after Covid. They also surveyed the caregivers of around 1,500 children without a history of Covid and compared the responses.

The results showed that among children ages 6 to 11, headache, trouble with memory or focus, trouble sleeping and stomach pain were most commonly associated with long Covid.

Adolescents’ common symptoms were more similar to those in adults, which previous RECOVER findings identified as post-exertional malaise (worsening symptoms after exercise), fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues and heart palpitations. The new research showed that those ages 12 to 17 were more likely than young kids to experience daytime sleepiness or low energy, and body, muscle or joint pain.

Headaches and trouble with memory or focus were still common in this age group. A change or loss in the sense of taste or smell — another characteristic symptom of long Covid in adults — was also prominent in adolescents but not in young kids.

“We have to look for these differences,” Gross said. “Otherwise, we may be missing children who are experiencing long Covid.”

Long Covid overall seems to be less common in children than in adults, but a February review in the journal Pediatrics estimated that 10% to 20% of children who got Covid developed post-viral symptoms within six months.

The spectrum of symptoms in children and teens is wide, according to the new study. In total, 14 symptoms were more prevalent in children with a history of Covid than those without.

The study has a few limitations, however: Since caregivers reported their children’s symptoms, it’s possible they missed some or overestimated others. The caregivers also reported their children’s Covid infections — they weren’t confirmed by tests. The researchers did, however, test to make sure the uninfected group didn’t have Covid antibodies.

The findings align with what doctors are observing in long Covid clinics, said Dr. Amy Edwards, director of the pediatric Covid recovery clinic at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, who wasn’t involved in the new research.

Edwards said some kids in her clinic “have dropped out of school, dropped out of all their extracurricular activities and are barely functioning.” For others, she added, “it’s not so bad that they can’t go to school, but their grades are slipping. They may have used to be A, B students, and now they’re really struggling to pass.”

The new research validates these experiences, she said — especially for some of her pediatric patients who faced skepticism from adults when they reported their symptoms.

“School nurses were mocking them for faking it,” Edwards said. “These are teenagers and kids, and people are telling them to their face that there’s nothing wrong with them.”

Knowing that a symptom may be related to long Covid could help kids find appropriate treatments, said Christine Koterba, a pediatric neuropsychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, who also wasn’t part of the study.

There’s no broadly effective treatment for long Covid, but many clinical trials are underway. In the meantime, Koterba said, doctors have turned to interventions used for other long-lasting illnesses like post-concussion syndrome, which is similarly characterized by headaches and memory or concentration problems.

“There’s a lot that we can draw on from other, similar populations to help kids get back to functioning,” she said.

Edwards said that for many kids with long Covid, she recommends sleep and a healthy diet consisting of anti-inflammatory foods, as well as managing other conditions like allergies that can further aggravate the immune system.

Anecdotally at least, young kids tend to recover more quickly from long Covid than teens or adults, she said.

“What we see in our school-age children is virtually 100% recovery within one to two years. That’s pretty universal — and for a lot of them, even shorter than that,” Edwards said, adding, “The pediatric immune system is structured toward dealing with novel viruses, because all the viruses are novel for a kid.”

Most teens recover eventually as well, she said, though it may take them longer.

Gross said there isn’t enough research to back up those assumptions yet, but the RECOVER researchers plan to follow up with the children in their study to find out whether their symptoms improve over time.

 

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‘Significant amount of COVID’ expected in the fall. Are new vaccines coming? - National | Globalnews.ca

Health Canada says it is reviewing submissions from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax for their updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the most recent strains circulating.

globalnews.ca

‘Significant amount of COVID’ expected in the fall. Are new vaccines coming?​

By Saba Aziz Global News
Posted August 21, 2024 1:57 pm
Updated August 21, 2024 2:01 pm
4 min read


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As the World Health Organization warns about a “worrying comeback” of COVID-19 amid a summer surge of infections, new vaccines may soon come to Canada this fall.

Health Canada told Global News it is reviewing submissions from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax for their updated COVID-19 shots targeting the most recent strains circulating and will approve them if they are deemed safe and effective.

“Health Canada will authorize the vaccines if, following a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, we determine that the vaccines meet safety, quality, and efficacy standards,” Nicholas Janveau, a spokesperson for the agency, said in an email Tuesday.

Starting in the fall of 2024, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends the most recently updated COVID-19 vaccines for previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 illness.

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These include everyone aged 65 or older, long-term care home residents, pregnant people, those with underlying medical conditions and people from Indigenous communities.

“Receiving the most recently updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to provide a better immune response against circulating COVID-19 strains compared to earlier vaccines and is especially important for those at increased risk for COVID-19 infection or severe COVID-19 illness,” Janveau said.

0:42COVID-19 rise in cases not surprising, says epidemiologist
The latest Canadian wastewater data, as of Tuesday, shows a “moderate” viral activity level of COVID-19 in the country, but that could change in the coming months as schools reopen and the weather gets cooler, experts say.

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“I think from what we’ve seen, we are expecting there’s going to be a significant amount of COVID in the fall and winter,” Allison McGeer, an infectious disease physician at Sinai Health in Toronto, said in an interview with Global News.

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McGeer said since “COVID is still a concern in Canada,” people should get vaccinated.

“There’s still very clearly a benefit to getting your shot when they’re available in Canada to protect you through the winter,” she said.

New vaccines for new variants​

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has constantly changed and mutated into different variants, keeping vaccine makers on their toes to update their shots.

The KP.3 variant is dominating in Canada right now, accounting for the majority of the COVID-19 cases in the country.

KP.3 is the genetic cousin of KP.1 and KP.2, which are playfully dubbed the “‘FLiRT’ variants.

These originate from JN.1, the Omicron subvariant that fuelled the winter surge.

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2:27Ontario halts wastewater testing for COVID, other viruses
Pfizer and Moderna’s updated mRNA vaccines that are seeking Health Canada approval both target the KP.2 variant.

The pharmaceutical companies told Global News that this variant was selected and prioritized in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“The introduction of a KP.2-adapted vaccine is expected to provide improved immunity and help protect against the strains that are believed likely to be circulating in the fall,” said Sophie Morin, a Pfizer Canada spokesperson.

Moderna said choosing KP.2 for its updated shots aligns with the FDA’s recommendation, “ensuring a unified approach in North America to best address the dominant strains in this region.”

“As COVID-19 continues to mutate, these updates help ensure that vaccines provide the best possible effectiveness during the peak respiratory season,” Shehzad Iqbal, Moderna Canada’s country medical director, told Global News.

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Novavax’s protein-based formula vaccine is also seeking Health Canada approval.

That vaccine targets the JN.1 variant, but is active against KP.2 and KP.3, in addition to other JN.1 sublineage strains, Novavax president and CEO John C. Jacobs said in a July statement.

4:22Vaccine mandate dropped for health care workers
McGeer said the predominant KP.3 variant circulating across North America is “pretty well covered by these new vaccines.”

“You get some coverage from the old vaccine … but there’s no doubt that the new vaccines are better adapted to it,” she said.

McGeer said it’s likely that Health Canada will approve the updated vaccines “within the next few weeks.”

She said for most people it is a good idea to wait for the new shots, but others who are at a greater risk or are travelling might want to talk to their doctors about getting vaccinated earlier.

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Pending approval, Canada has secured a “sufficient supply” of COVID-19 vaccines to meet provincial and territorial requirements for the fall and winter, Janveau said.

— with files from Global News’ Katie Dangerfield.

 

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Wednesday's Pandemic Update: More Schools Dealing With Covid Outbreaks​

 

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KDCA expects current COVID-19 outbreak in S. Korea to last until late August​

 

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Covid cases rise as students head back to school​

 

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COVID-19 is on the upswing in the US, according to CDC data​

 

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Doctor discusses alcohol effects, salt intake, COVID latest | FOX6 News Milwaukee​

 

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DEBRIEF: Summer surge in COVID cases​

 

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Covid-19 in Europe and New Information on Vaccines​

 

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COVID-19 on the rise in Iowa​

 

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COVID guidelines have changed. Here's when a sick kid can go back to school

Kids fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, and school districts want them back in class as sick day guidelines loosen.

fortune.com

COVID guidelines have changed. Here’s when a sick kid can return to school​

BY CHEYANNE MUMPHREY AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
August 19, 2024 at 10:25 AM EDT

Schools and health experts are changing guidelines for sick students post-pandemic.

As schools reopen for another year, they are focused on improving student attendance. But back-to-school is hitting just as COVID-19 cases are increasing, raising the question: When is a child too sick for school?

School absences surged during the pandemic and have yet to recover. Nearly 1 in 4 students remains chronically absent, defined as missing 10% or more of the academic year, according to the latest data analyzed by The Associated Press.

One reason for continued high absences: After years of COVID-19 quarantines, parents are more cautious about sending children to school when they might be contagious with an illness.


When a child misses school, even for an excused absence like a sick day, it’s harder for them to stay on track academically. So schools and health experts are trying to change the culture around sick days.

Here’s what they want parents to know.

COVID guidelines have changed​

During the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people who tested positive for COVID-19 to isolate at home for a set number of days and to quarantine after exposure to the coronavirus. In some settings, people with any mild illness were urged to remain home until symptoms were clear.


Those standards, and the caution behind them, remained for years after schools reopened to in-person instruction. That meant children often missed large portions of school after contracting or being exposed to COVID-19 or other illnesses.

This spring, COVID-19 guidance officially changed. Now, the CDC suggests people treat COVID-19 like other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and RSV.

Fever-free for 24 hours​

If a child has a fever, they should stay home, no matter the illness.

A child can return to school when their fever has been gone for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Other symptoms should be improving.

What about other symptoms?​

If a child doesn’t have a fever, it’s OK to send them to class with some signs of illness, including a runny nose, headache or cough, according to schools and the American Academy of Pediatrics. If those symptoms aren’t improving or are severe, such as a hacking cough, call your child’s doctor.


The guidance around vomiting and diarrhea varies across school districts. Generally, students should remain home until symptoms stop, according to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Older children may be able to manage mild diarrhea at school.

“Unless your student has a fever or threw up in the last 24 hours, you are coming to school. That’s what we want,” said Abigail Arii, director of student support services in Oakland, California.

Guidance from the Los Angeles Unified School District says students can attend school with mild symptoms such as a runny nose or cold, but should stay home if they have vomiting, diarrhea, severe pain or a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) or higher.

School districts across the U.S. have similar guidance, including in Texas, Illinois and New York.

When to wear a mask​

The CDC says people should take additional precautions for five days after returning to school or other normal activities.


Masks and social distancing are no longer mandated but are encouraged to prevent disease spread. Experts also recommend plenty of handwashing and taking steps for cleaner air, such as opening a window or running an air purifier.

School districts say parents should keep up-to-date on all health examinations and immunizations for students so they don’t miss additional days of school.