The hottest Infectious Diseases Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Outbreak Outlook - National - February 19

Force of Infection • 59 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases Stomach Bugs Food recalls Infectious Diseases
  1. Influenza-like illness (ILI) activity has increased in various age groups and regions, with over half of the country affected. However, emergency department visits for influenza are declining.
  2. National Covid-19 hospitalizations are declining in some regions, but there is a resurgence in the South. Overall, the situation is complex with variations across different states.
  3. RSV test positivity is decreasing nationally, but the West and Midwest still have lingering activity. Seasonal coronavirus activity is high, and norovirus remains a concern.

Black swans and Covid-19

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 10 Mar 21
🔬 Science Pandemics Risk Assessment Infectious Diseases Vaccines Global impact
  1. Covid-19 was not truly a black swan event despite its extreme consequences, as a global pandemic was predictable based on historical precedent and scientific consensus.
  2. Several unexpected positive outcomes emerged during the pandemic, such as minimal surface transmission, limited spread outdoors, and the rapid development of effective vaccines.
  3. The pandemic's string of good luck should serve as a reminder of the unpredictability and potential severity of future global infectious disease events, urging caution and preparedness.
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Testing at the door versus testing at the desk

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 21 Oct 20
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Covid-19 testing Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
  1. Consider testing at the desk instead of at the door to reduce operational challenges and costs, though it comes with the risk of letting infectious individuals into the space
  2. Testing at the desk may lead to fewer infections if it can be done more frequently than testing at the door, highlighting the importance of cost-benefit analysis in testing strategies
  3. Exploring various testing strategies, including combinations of at-the-door and at-the-desk testing, can provide a system with lower cost and less risk in managing infections

If only we knew the viral load

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 19 Oct 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health PCR testing Epidemiology Infectious Diseases
  1. Knowing the viral load of infected individuals can assist in understanding the infection's stage and progression.
  2. Ct scores from PCR tests can provide critical data for pinpointing viral infection cycles and determining treatment timing.
  3. Recording and utilizing Ct scores from widespread testing can help map virus dynamics at a population level and enhance understanding without relying solely on time series data.

Help! How can I stop the spread of a “stomach flu” caused by Norovirus?

News from Those Nerdy Girls • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Infectious Diseases Prevention Hygiene Family Health Public Health
  1. To stop the spread of Norovirus, use bleach, wash hands, avoid sharing, close the lid, and stay home if possible for two days.
  2. Norovirus is highly contagious and causes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and fatigue.
  3. Key tips to prevent Norovirus spread: clean with bleach, wash hands thoroughly, avoid sharing items, close the toilet lid, and stay home to recover and prevent further spread.

Did Cod Liver Oil Contribute to the Historical Decline in Measles Mortality?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 07 Apr 15
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Infectious Diseases Preventive Healthcare
  1. Cod liver oil may have played a role in the decline of measles mortality historically.
  2. Research suggests that cod liver oil may have impacted measles and other infectious disease mortality rates.
  3. Exploring the historical use of cod liver oil could provide insights into combating infectious diseases.

Managing Endemic Covid

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Immunity Infectious Diseases Preventive measures Symptoms
  1. When your Covid symptoms abate, you're likely still infectious. Consider "test to leave" or wear a mask after feeling better.
  2. Even after recovering from a cold or flu, continue to wear masks to reduce the spread of illnesses.
  3. With endemic Covid, it's crucial to focus on post-symptomatic measures rather than blanket requirements on asymptomatic individuals.

5 microns, seriously?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 17 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Infectious Diseases Pandemic Transmission Preventative measures Scientific research
  1. Infectious disease experts have been following a rule of thumb that particles larger than 5 microns fall to the ground, affecting how they understand virus transmission.
  2. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is about the same size as other viruses considered to be transmitted by droplets, leading to assumptions about its spread.
  3. There is a call for a scientific audit in the field of infectious diseases to review what is known and ensure information is up-to-date.

So you want to achieve herd immunity

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology Infectious Diseases Public Health Preventive measures Immunity
  1. Achieving herd immunity through infection can be a challenging policy due to individual behaviors impacting the rate of infection.
  2. To accelerate the spread of Covid-19 for herd immunity, potential strategies include mask prohibitions, creating situations for people to congregate indoors for extended periods, and avoiding widespread testing.
  3. Implementing unconventional and counterintuitive measures like not announcing vaccine progress, encouraging large gatherings such as political rallies, or subsidizing risky activities could be attempts to expedite herd immunity.

Test Week: Let's talk about Sewage

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 21 Aug 20
🔬 Science Research Monitoring Public Health Infectious Diseases
  1. Testing sewage for the novel coronavirus can help in early detection of outbreaks before they spread widely.
  2. Analyzing sewage can provide valuable information about the presence of infectious diseases in a population, and monitoring waste patterns could lead to new public health insights.
  3. Challenges in using sewage testing for surveillance include factors like rainwater affecting the virus presence, variations in viral material survival, and the need for careful data interpretation.

Manage Expectations

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Infectious Diseases Vaccination Immunity Preventive measures
  1. People enjoy autonomy and want positive affirmations in decisions regarding health recommendations.
  2. It's important to understand that eradicating COVID-19 completely is impossible, but controlling it is feasible through vaccination and other preventive measures.
  3. The key to moving forward in this new era is through vaccinations, staying updated on health screenings, and being aware of the measures needed to control COVID-19.