Impact of cardiovascular disease on COVID-19
In this systematic review, the association of cardiovascular disease on COVID-19 is discussed. Researchers have found that underlying cardiovascular disease increases risk for infection and speculate that the virus and its receptor, inflammatory factors, stress response, hypoxic environment, and drug administration may affect development of adverse cardiac events. The article goes on to review the latest research on the relationship between COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications as well as possible treatment mechanisms. Clinical data supports the correlation between COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications and lead to higher mortality risks and poor prognosis.
Persistence of COVID-19 symptoms in healthcare workers
In this study, authors aim to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 in healthcare workers in an English teaching hospital. The researchers monitored seropositivity over two months following the peak of the first wave of COVID-19, and followed up with a questionnaire at 3-4 months to determine if symptoms were still affecting those involved in the study. 45% of 138 respondents report difficulties with coping at the 3-4 month following the peak. Moderate-to-severe fatigue was reported as the most disabling symptom, as well as shortness of breath, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. The data suggests that 1/3 of healthcare workers who responded were experiencing long covid several months after infection.
Portal vein thrombosis in COVID-19 infection
In this case report, a patient presented to the ER with acute abdominal pain related to portal vein thrombosis. The patient had recently been swabbed for COVID-19 and had a negative result although the patient had complained of flu like symptoms weeks before his admission to the ER. The authors repeated testing using a molecular test and received a positive result. The patient was treated symptomatically and given therapeutic anticoagulation. The authors urge providers to consider that COVID-19 may be present without typical pulmonary symptoms. If patients present with acute abdominal pain and newly diagnosed portal vein thrombosis, it is important to consider COVID-19. In addition, the use of a nasopharyngeal swab should be carefully considered. Immediate anticoagulation is recommended when diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis.
Reported adverse effects of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine
In this article, healthcare workers who had received the mRNA-1273 vaccine were surveyed using a randomized, cross-sectional study, to investigate side effects reported by this group. Of all participants, 87.8% provided complete responses, of them, 38.7% received the mRNA vaccine-1273 (Moderna). 89.35% were females. Of those who responded, 98.34% reported at least one or more symptom which were classified based on frequency. Of the respondents, 58.8% were able to continue their daily routine, 25% were temporarily unable to perform daily activities, and 27.78% required time off work. 3.94% required help from an outpatient provider, 0.23% required emergency care. There were no hospitalizations and 97.02% planned to get their second dose of the vaccine, despite the symptoms experienced. Localized pain, generalized weakness, headache, myalgia, chills, fever, nausea, joint pain, sweating, swelling at injection site, dizziness, itching, rash, decreased appetite, muscle spasm, decreased sleep quality and brain fog are the most commonly reported symptoms from this study.
