Below are some important stories from the world of medicine and health. Touch/Click the titles of the story below to read our expert’s medical opinion.
COVID PILL
Antiviral Pill for COVID is being developed 💊
📰 From the New York Times: The U.S. Government Placed a Big Bet on an Antiviral Pill to Fight COVID-19.
The Idea: we already have an antiviral pill for Influzena, the common flu. Medicines like Tamiflu save thousands of lives each year. And, now it’s the hope of world health agencies that a pill for COVID can do the same!
The pill 💊 would be taken as soon as the symptoms of COVID appear. And, the pill should reduce hospitalizations and death from COVID.
FYI: the antiviral pill is NOT a booster shot.
MENTAL HEALTH
Telehealth and Mental Health are Becoming a Thing 💗
📰 From the USA Today: Nearly $560K to expand telehealth to mental health patients in NH.
Even though the days of seeing your psychiatrist or psychologist personally may not be fully over, it’s now become clear that many aspects of mental health can properly be delivered through telehealth.
Worth Noting: In the coming months don’t be surprised if your next mental health evaluation takes place over the phone or through Zoom!
BRAIN HEALTH
The NEW Alzheimer’s Medicine Isn’t For Everybody 🧠
📰 From the New York Times: Many Alzheimer’s Experts Say Use of Aduhelm Should Be Sharply Limited.
The Catch: The medicine Aduhelm was studied in people who have mild dementia. But, the bulk of the people afflicted with dementia generally have the more severe form of Alzheimer’s. This medicine is not intended for the larger population of people who may have Alzheimer’s dementia.
SUMMER HEALTH
West Nile Virus is Already Showing Up in Texas 🦟
📺 From the KBTX-TV: Mosquitoes test positive West Nile Virus in Brazos County.
Pay attention: The kind of mosquitoes that spread the West Nile virus are most active during dawn and dusk. So, you need to take extra care during those periods of the day.
Of Note: Keep in mind not every mosquito carries the West Nile virus.
Written by Dr. Puja Uppal, DO. June 23, 2021