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☆ Possible RSV, Covid-19 and Flu Collision Has Doctors Worried. What to Know.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Sumathi Reddy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A possible convergence of flu, RSV and Covid-19 has doctors worried. Flu cases are rising earlier than usual, and pediatric hospitals are seeing surges of respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV. There are also signs that Covid-19 cases are increasing in parts of the country as Americans head into the cooler months.

☆ 3 traits Lux Capital's Deena Shakir looks for in early-stage startup founders as healthcare bets shrink
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Rebecca Torrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Lux Capital has backed multiple first-time founders this year even as their investment pace slows. In early-stage investments, Lux Capital's Deena Shakir said founders' characters are paramount. Of those 13 founders, Lux Capital has backed four, making it the most-represented venture-capital firm on the list. Here are the top three traits Shakir said she's looking for right now in the founders that Lux Capital backs, in no particular order:1. Founder-market fitWhen examining a startup, Shakir said she has to first ask the question of why the founder is starting this particular company.

☆ Dr. Jha: A 'tripledemic' could hit the U.S., but 'we're not powerless against it'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A "tripledemic" also involving flu and RSV may soon unfold, says Dr. Ashish Jha. But there's good news: "We're not powerless against it," Jha, the White House's Covid response coordinator, said in a Tuesday interview with CBS News. Jha pointed to the widely available vaccines targeting two of the three respiratory viruses: the flu shot and the new omicron-specific Covid booster. "If people went out and got their vaccines, we could really get through this without getting into a lot of trouble," Jha said. Getting those shots is the key to combatting all three viruses because it'll help keep hospital beds open for potential patients across the country, Jha added.

☆ Surge of viruses leaves children’s hospitals scrambling to free up beds and find room for patients
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Aria Bendix | Aria Bendix Is The Breaking Health Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Every inpatient bed at Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago has been full for more than six weeks. Many of the patients at Comer Children’s have RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause lung infections. Some hospitals are sending ICU patients directly home once their cases are no longer acute, rather than to another floor. Dr. Kevin Messacar, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said his hospital is accepting patients from five nearby states. But suctioning can be tricky for parents, according to Dr. Elizabeth Schlaudecker, an infectious disease specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

☆ While respiratory viruses surge, shortage of pediatric hospital beds delays care for some kids
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Mikalsen knows this process intimately because in addition to being a worried mom, she works in health care. Seattle Children’s Hospital says it is seeing double the number patients they would normally see in October. The Illinois Department of Health alerted hospital systems in the state that they are running out of pediatric intensive care beds. “That’s actually an optimistic number,” says Dr. Deanna Behrens, a pediatric critical care specialist at a children’s hospital in Chicago. With hospital beds in short supply, Mattie McKoy waited weeks for scans he needed.

Pediatric cases of the flu and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, are on the rise. Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for if your child has a respiratory virus. Does my child have RSV, Covid or the flu? Early symptoms of Covid, RSV and the flu can look similar for many children, including:CongestionCoughRunny noseMuscle achesFeverHeadacheA sore throat, Moffitt said, could be a sign of Covid, as doctors have noticed that infections with omicron subvariants often begin with sore throats. Hotez also urged parents to get their children vaccinated against Covid and the flu.

An unseasonal early surge of respiratory viruses among babies and toddlers has caught doctors off guard and worried about the coming months. "There is no one virus that's causing pediatric respiratory viruses this fall," said Dr. Deanna Behrens, a pediatric critical care physician at Advocate Children's Hospital in suburban Chicago. CDCWhile RSV is inundating many children's hospitals, the number of pediatric flu cases is also increasing. But the fact that kids are testing positive for multiple respiratory viruses at once can blur the signs of any one virus. In addition to RSV, Combs expects the number of pediatric flu illnesses to double in the coming weeks.

☆ RSV in children: Symptoms, treatment and what parents should know
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Almost all children catch RSV at some point before they turn 2, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. That way, they know whether a sick child can be treated at home or needs to go to a hospital. Here’s what else parents need to know amid the surge of respiratory illnesses. When it comes to RSV, parents should be especially cautious if their children are preemies, newborns, children with weakened immune systems or neuromuscular disorders, and those under age 2 with chronic lung and heart conditions, the CDC says. And most of all, if anyone is sick – child or adult – they should stay home so they don’t spread the illness.

☆ A Surge in Pediatric Respiratory Viruses, Including RSV, Is Straining Hospitals
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Joseph De Avila | Brianna Abbott | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Some 58,000 children younger than five years old are hospitalized each year due to RSV, according to the CDC. Physicians are reporting unseasonably high numbers of respiratory illnesses in children, straining many children’s hospitals before the typically busier winter months. Juan Salazar , physician in chief at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, said a sharp increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, has filled up hospital beds at his facility, creating capacity issues.

☆ A Surge in Pediatric Respiratory Viruses Is Straining Hospitals
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Joseph De Avila | Brianna Abbott | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

RSV and other respiratory illnesses in children are climbing well before the typical winter busy seasonPhysicians are reporting unseasonably high numbers of respiratory illnesses in children, straining many children’s hospitals before the typically busier winter months.

☆ Surge in Pediatric Respiratory Viruses, Including RSV, Strains Children’s Hospitals
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Joseph De Avila | Brianna Abbott | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Raleigh teen's rampage began when he fatally shot his brother, according to new report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

RALEIGH, N.C. — Police believe the shooting rampage that left five dead in North Carolina’s capital city last week began when the 15-year-old suspect shot his older brother, according to a report released Thursday. The report said the teen had traveled nearly 2 miles from where his brother was found shot and stabbed. The report said officers gave repeated commands for the suspect to surrender and special officers worked to figure out his exact location. Based on the teen’s estimated direction of travel, police believe James Thompson was shot first, the report said. Police believe the teen shot Marcille Lynn Gardner, who was found wounded in the driveway, then fired at Nicole Connors, 52, who lived in the house.

As soon as they saw her vitals, the staff at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland knew they had to admit Raegan, her mom said. “I’m glad I didn’t wait.”There’s now an “unprecedented” rise in RSV cases among children in the US, some doctors tell CNN. In Texas, where RSV cases usually spike in December or January, the emergency department at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth and its urgent cares are seeing a significant number of RSV cases. Nearly half the ICU is filled with RSV cases, hospital spokesperson Kim Brown said; between October 2 and 8, there were 210 RSV cases at Cook Children’s; a week later, there were 288. RSV symptoms RSV is a common virus, but it can cause serious illness, especially in younger infants and older adults.

☆ 'Changed my life': Trans teen testifies against nation's first ban on gender-affirming care
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

The Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act bars minors in the state from receiving certain gender-affirming medical care, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries. Carolyn Kaster / APThe American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in May on behalf of four trangsgender youths and their parents, as well as two physicians who provide gender-affirming care. ‘Changed my life for the better’The parents of four transgender young people represented in the suit spoke to how gender-affirming care has improved their children’s lives. Donnie Saxton of Vilonia, Arkansas, said his 17-year-old son, Parker, became “a new person” after coming out as trans and receiving gender-affirming medical care, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Three other states — Alabama, Arizona and Tennessee — have also passed measures restricting gender-affirming care for minors.

Chickenpox vaccines have virtually wiped out severe complications and deaths in American children from the highly contagious virus, a new report finds. Chickenpox —which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a type of herpes virus — was considered just a normal part of growing up until the vaccine became available in 1995. The chickenpox vaccine implementation is “a tremendous achievement,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Mona Marin, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease. An estimated 90.3% of children have been vaccinated against chickenpox by age 2, according to the CDC. The CDC recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, teens and adults who have never had the disease.

☆ Pfizer expects to hike U.S. COVID vaccine price to $110-$130 per dose
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc expects to roughly quadruple the price of its COVID-19 vaccine to about $110 to $130 per dose after the United States government's current purchase program expires, Pfizer executive Angela Lukin said on Thursday. Lukin said she expects the vaccine - currently provided for free to all by the government - will be made available at no cost to people who have private insurance or government paid insurance. In 2023, the market is expected to move to private insurance after the U.S. public health emergency expires. "We are confident that the U.S. price point of the COVID-19 vaccine reflects its overall cost effectiveness and ensures the price will not be a barrier for access for patients," Lukin said. It is not yet clear what kind of access people without health insurance will have to the vaccine.

☆ An early rise in respiratory viruses in children is overwhelming some hospitals
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Chris Boyette | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A surge in respiratory illnesses among children is beginning to put a strain on hospitals. In addition, hospitals are seeing a rise in cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common cold virus that can be associated with severe disease in young children and older adults. Connecticut Children’s Hospital in Hartford is over capacity due to children admitted for RSV, WTNH reports. We’ve never seen this before, and it’s creating challenges,” Dr. Juan Salazar, executive vice president and physician-in-chief at Connecticut Children’s Hospital told WVIT. The rise in cases is also coming earlier in the year than doctors would usually expect.

☆ J&J stock dip after earnings beat reflects 2022 outperformance rather than the results
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

On an adjusted operational basis, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures and currency, sales rose 8.2%. Management said on the call they continue to see this business on track for its 11th consecutive year of above-market adjusted operational sales growth in 2022. Driving the results were increased sales of Stelara on the back of market growth and market share gains in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Women's Health sales increased 7.9% on an operational basis to $225 million versus the $222 million expected. On a reported basis, management tightened their EPS guidance range to $10.02 to $10.07 from $10 to $10.10 previously.

☆ Surge in cases of RSV, a virus that can severely sicken infants, is filling hospital beds
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Aria Bendix | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

He tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common virus that causes lung infections. Aesop was moved to a pediatric ICU on Tuesday after his heart and breathing rates soared. Many RSV patients in Massachusetts are being transferred to nearby states, she added. At Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago, hospital and ICU beds have been full for over a month. He said the volume of RSV patients is "two to three times what we've ever experienced."

☆ Omicron-specific Covid boosters appear to work well, new data says—regardless of the side effects you experience
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you already got your omicron-specific Covid booster, you might have experienced some side effects. But there's no need to worry: Experts and new data say the new shots appear to work — regardless of whether you experience moderate, mild or no side effects at all. The new boosters gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC before they finished clinical trials. Like previous Covid vaccines, the new boosters are designed to help you fight the virus by triggering an immune response in your body. Covid vaccines typically take two to three weeks to fully ramp up your immunity, which can help your body stop an infection from happening or keep it from progressing to severe disease.

☆ Surge in RSV, virus that can severely sicken infants, fills hospital beds
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Aria Bendix | Aria Bendix Is The Breaking Health Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

He tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common virus that causes lung infections. Aesop was moved to a pediatric ICU on Tuesday after his heart and breathing rates soared. Many RSV patients in Massachusetts are being transferred to nearby states, she added. At Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago, hospital and ICU beds have been full for over a month. He said the volume of RSV patients is "two to three times what we’ve ever experienced."

☆ Babies born during the pandemic may have delayed communication skills
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Aria Bendix | Aria Bendix Is The Breaking Health Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Babies born into Covid-related lockdowns have taken longer to reach certain developmental milestones than babies born pre-pandemic, a study found. The results were based on a questionnaire given to parents of 309 babies in Ireland during the pandemic. In January, researchers at Columbia University found that babies born in New York City from March to December 2020 had less developed motor and social skills by six months than babies born between November 2017 and January 2020. Contrary to the other observed trends, the researchers in Ireland found that 97% of pandemic babies were able to crawl at 1 year compared to 91% of babies born earlier. Her team will continue to observe the same babies to see how their communication skills change by age 2, or perhaps even older.

☆ Gambia Tragedy Threatens India’s Play for Drug Dominance
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Megha Mandavia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The deaths of over 60 children in Gambia, which may be linked to cough syrup made in India, has put an unwelcome spotlight on India’s enormous generic-drug industry: a key global exporter and a significant source of drugs for American pharmacies. The World Health Organization last week issued an alert on four pediatric cold and cough syrups purportedly manufactured by a little-known, privately held Indian company—Maiden Pharmaceuticals. The WHO found that the medicines had unsafe levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, and said the medicines may be linked to acute kidney injuries and deaths. Maiden didn’t respond to requests for comment by phone and email.

☆ U.S. authorizes updated COVID booster shots for children as young as 5
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 12 (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators authorized the use of Omicron-tailored COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) and Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) in children as young as 5, a move that will expand the government's fall vaccination campaign. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday green-lighted Moderna's bivalent vaccine for those aged six and above, while Pfizer's updated shot was authorized in children aged five and above. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also backed the FDA's authorization, clearing the way for the shots to be administered in children. Overall, COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States have stayed low among kids, with nearly 40% of children aged 5-11 vaccinated with one dose of a vaccine so far. Around 11.5 million people received the updated shots over the first five weeks of the rollout last month, which represents just 5.4% of the people aged 12 or older who are eligible to receive them.

☆ Anxiety: Influential task force recommends screening kids 8 and older
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Naomi Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —For the first time, the US Preventive Services Task Force has recommended screening for anxiety in children 8 and older. In its final recommendations, published Tuesday in the medical journal JAMA, the task force also urged screening for depression in children 12 and older, consistent with recommendations from 2016. The members considered recommendations on screening for suicide risk in children and adolescents but said there’s not enough evidence on its harms and benefits. Last month, the task force posted draft recommendations that for the first time said adults under 65 be screened for anxiety. “It is not coincidental that the USPSTF considered evidence for suicide and depression screening in the same updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review,” he wrote.

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