I'd love to better understand the data that shows that saline can reduce (maybe prevent?) respiratory viruses. With two little kids, I'm desperate for ANYTHING that can help us during the sick season. I saw a video saying the saline should be hypertonic--is that true?
Thank you for all you do, YLE! Best newsletter ever.
We are traveling internationally, and my M.D. brother recommended hypochlorus nasal spray as a form of protection against airborne diseases (including norovirus which has some element of airborne transmission). We have been through crowded airports and around plenty of people who don’t feel well, but we feel perfectly fine. While this is anecdotal, I would love to know more about this from the writers of this substack!
I am also interested in what measures can help lower risk of respiratory viruses, both individually (such as saline nasal sprays or antibiotic ointment in the nose re: Akiko Iwasaki, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2319566121#abstract) as well as structurally (as in, what do studies show on the levels of exposure risk in various environments).
For example, can we determine the exposure risk of going unmasked 15 minutes in a crowded school lunchroom versus 90 minutes unmasked in a spacious basketball arena. Are there any updated studies on ventilation / room volume / people density, etc that can help determine risk when out and about? How reliable is one-way masking in various environments?
Can you go over any new evidence on how flu is transmitted? It would be great to have a reminder on how far it travels via air (especially thinking about circumstances like shopping in the grocery, sitting at a restaurant, etc.), and how long flu lives on surfaces. Thanks!
Just a thought but your first option above may be artificially inflated. There is no way to tell if we can choose more than one topic until after clicking on the first one when it goes straight to totals. For instance, I liked three and hadn't decided which was tops, but anyone else thinking that would also start from the top.
Here's a question: Does getting a flu shot also provide increased immunity to the baby of a nursing mother? Does that vary across other immunizations?
I would like a discussion of the public and private health impact of improved ventilation, indoor outdoor air exchange and air filtration. I believe that indoor air quality is under studied and improving it can have substantial health impacts
What would be good is a “file” with not too long articles discussing pros and cons of each vaccine, to help educate those who believe false info. To post in response to their posts.
Why doesn't anyone (nearly) recommend masking during this flu season? I know there would be push back but shouldn't it at least be recommended? (I sure am wearing one)
Well, “it’s inconvenient“ and the other excuse is “people wonder if I’m a hypochondriac“. 3-ply Surgical Masks and N 95 type Masks work. They trap moisture, the vehicle for the virus. Viruses do not have wings or other means to propel themselves from one person to another and for most cases they don’t require a vector like a tick or mosquito.That’s my take. I carry a mask with me and use itwhen I’m in any scenario with crowds or questionable airflow.
Novavax, other than platform/adjuvant and side effects. I keep reading claims that it provides broader and more durable protection. Does it? Also, how would a Novavax JN.1 vax compare to mRNA LP.8.1 in terms of protection, especially if BA.3.2 "optimizes" and causes a wave? And are the issues of class switching of antibodies and immune imprinting with mRNA vaccines a reason to take Novavax instead? I'm confused (nothing new)...and trying to decide what my spring booster will be.
It's not a matter of choice in our area. The only one that pharmacies and my PCP provides is the Pfizer product. When I inquired about Moderna or Novavax last summer I was advised that a lot of the vials were discarded because they only have a 10 week shelflife refrigerated and there was not enough demand for them. The vials are considered fully functional up to 12 hours at room temperature and 10 weeks refrigerated so at approximately $136 – $141 per uninsured cost it was not feasible to use anything other than the Pfizer product when most people people had no preference.
Interesting! Maybe that's why my pharmacy, newly CVS (bought out Rite Aid), only stocks Pfizer! They said they were a designated Pfizer-only pharmacy now, but when I asked why, the pharmacist didn't know. I've often had a preference for one or the other vaccines, & as an 'oldie,' had been seeking Moderna's 'nexspike,' but not available now (at current pharmacy anyway). Thanks for helping make some sense of this!
Yikes. They're all available here in northern Virginia (near DC), although I don't know whether you can get the next gen Moderna also. TBD whether the choice is narrower by the spring, when there's (even) lower demand.
Northern Virginia may be an anomaly with respect to vaccine access. First, a lot of your residents work in DC directly for the federal government. There are few similar communities in the US. N VA is also physically close to production locations, so vaccines do not lose much shelf time in transit. For most of the geographical US, vaccine availability works just as Dr Sullivan described.
Interesting, re: proximity to manufacturing locations. Sorry most people have such limited access, however. I ended up getting Pfizer last August because I wasn't sure whether access would be restricted, so I took the first thing I could get--in Maryland, because Virginia was requiring a script at that point. Too many barriers.
I would like to see a summary of the literature on the impact of microplastics on teenage health, with specific reference to the exposure/absorption of microplastics due to use of artificial turf on school athletic fields.
I would like to see a discussion of adult immunity to measles.
Bottom Line Question: Are adults who have been previously immunized against measles at risk of not having any immunity? Are the many tests coming back with no immunity faulty (false positives/negatives)?
I was born in 1963. I most likely got a vaccination as a child, but in 2019 got MMR due to news reports of people my age possibly not having received effective/enough vaccination during childhood. Based on something I read somewhere (sorry can't provide a cite) in the last few years, thought maybe that one extra dose in 2019 wasn't enough. He did a blood test, came back no immunity to measles. After my experience, a co-worker in his mid fifties got tested and he also had no immunity.
I chose "boost your immune system with science" because this is SO MUCH misinformation out there that it's hard to find valid, reliable information beyond the standard "eat right, exercise, hydrate, get enough sleep, wash your hands". I understand that there is only so much else - if anything - that can be done to minimize infection once it occurs, but if there is something, I'd like to know, so I'm properly stocked should I need it.
I'd love to better understand the data that shows that saline can reduce (maybe prevent?) respiratory viruses. With two little kids, I'm desperate for ANYTHING that can help us during the sick season. I saw a video saying the saline should be hypertonic--is that true?
Thank you for all you do, YLE! Best newsletter ever.
Or the small studies released recently on Azelastine nasal spray, or Profi nasal spray…
We are traveling internationally, and my M.D. brother recommended hypochlorus nasal spray as a form of protection against airborne diseases (including norovirus which has some element of airborne transmission). We have been through crowded airports and around plenty of people who don’t feel well, but we feel perfectly fine. While this is anecdotal, I would love to know more about this from the writers of this substack!
I'd like to see some science on whether or not nasal sprays (covixyl, EPOTHEX/providone Iodine) can actually help protect you from airborne viruses.
I would like to see some information about gun violence. It seems as though we in the US are at a breaking point of divisiveness.
I am also interested in what measures can help lower risk of respiratory viruses, both individually (such as saline nasal sprays or antibiotic ointment in the nose re: Akiko Iwasaki, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2319566121#abstract) as well as structurally (as in, what do studies show on the levels of exposure risk in various environments).
For example, can we determine the exposure risk of going unmasked 15 minutes in a crowded school lunchroom versus 90 minutes unmasked in a spacious basketball arena. Are there any updated studies on ventilation / room volume / people density, etc that can help determine risk when out and about? How reliable is one-way masking in various environments?
I’ll second the interest in updated studies. Universities must still be exploring…?
I'd like to see a deep dive into the effectiveness of commercially available nasal sprays (e.g., Xlear) against Covid and other viruses.
Can you go over any new evidence on how flu is transmitted? It would be great to have a reminder on how far it travels via air (especially thinking about circumstances like shopping in the grocery, sitting at a restaurant, etc.), and how long flu lives on surfaces. Thanks!
I second this suggestion!
Just a thought but your first option above may be artificially inflated. There is no way to tell if we can choose more than one topic until after clicking on the first one when it goes straight to totals. For instance, I liked three and hadn't decided which was tops, but anyone else thinking that would also start from the top.
Here's a question: Does getting a flu shot also provide increased immunity to the baby of a nursing mother? Does that vary across other immunizations?
Same, I clicked on one (not the top one) but it wouldn't have been my top priority if I'd known I had only one choice.
Same
Same
I would like a discussion of the public and private health impact of improved ventilation, indoor outdoor air exchange and air filtration. I believe that indoor air quality is under studied and improving it can have substantial health impacts
What would be good is a “file” with not too long articles discussing pros and cons of each vaccine, to help educate those who believe false info. To post in response to their posts.
And same for the usual things they post
Why doesn't anyone (nearly) recommend masking during this flu season? I know there would be push back but shouldn't it at least be recommended? (I sure am wearing one)
Well, “it’s inconvenient“ and the other excuse is “people wonder if I’m a hypochondriac“. 3-ply Surgical Masks and N 95 type Masks work. They trap moisture, the vehicle for the virus. Viruses do not have wings or other means to propel themselves from one person to another and for most cases they don’t require a vector like a tick or mosquito.That’s my take. I carry a mask with me and use itwhen I’m in any scenario with crowds or questionable airflow.
Novavax, other than platform/adjuvant and side effects. I keep reading claims that it provides broader and more durable protection. Does it? Also, how would a Novavax JN.1 vax compare to mRNA LP.8.1 in terms of protection, especially if BA.3.2 "optimizes" and causes a wave? And are the issues of class switching of antibodies and immune imprinting with mRNA vaccines a reason to take Novavax instead? I'm confused (nothing new)...and trying to decide what my spring booster will be.
It's not a matter of choice in our area. The only one that pharmacies and my PCP provides is the Pfizer product. When I inquired about Moderna or Novavax last summer I was advised that a lot of the vials were discarded because they only have a 10 week shelflife refrigerated and there was not enough demand for them. The vials are considered fully functional up to 12 hours at room temperature and 10 weeks refrigerated so at approximately $136 – $141 per uninsured cost it was not feasible to use anything other than the Pfizer product when most people people had no preference.
Interesting! Maybe that's why my pharmacy, newly CVS (bought out Rite Aid), only stocks Pfizer! They said they were a designated Pfizer-only pharmacy now, but when I asked why, the pharmacist didn't know. I've often had a preference for one or the other vaccines, & as an 'oldie,' had been seeking Moderna's 'nexspike,' but not available now (at current pharmacy anyway). Thanks for helping make some sense of this!
Yikes. They're all available here in northern Virginia (near DC), although I don't know whether you can get the next gen Moderna also. TBD whether the choice is narrower by the spring, when there's (even) lower demand.
Northern Virginia may be an anomaly with respect to vaccine access. First, a lot of your residents work in DC directly for the federal government. There are few similar communities in the US. N VA is also physically close to production locations, so vaccines do not lose much shelf time in transit. For most of the geographical US, vaccine availability works just as Dr Sullivan described.
Interesting, re: proximity to manufacturing locations. Sorry most people have such limited access, however. I ended up getting Pfizer last August because I wasn't sure whether access would be restricted, so I took the first thing I could get--in Maryland, because Virginia was requiring a script at that point. Too many barriers.
I would like to see a summary of the literature on the impact of microplastics on teenage health, with specific reference to the exposure/absorption of microplastics due to use of artificial turf on school athletic fields.
Would you please do an overview on the pneumonia vaccine?
I would like to see a discussion of adult immunity to measles.
Bottom Line Question: Are adults who have been previously immunized against measles at risk of not having any immunity? Are the many tests coming back with no immunity faulty (false positives/negatives)?
I was born in 1963. I most likely got a vaccination as a child, but in 2019 got MMR due to news reports of people my age possibly not having received effective/enough vaccination during childhood. Based on something I read somewhere (sorry can't provide a cite) in the last few years, thought maybe that one extra dose in 2019 wasn't enough. He did a blood test, came back no immunity to measles. After my experience, a co-worker in his mid fifties got tested and he also had no immunity.
Thanks!
I chose "boost your immune system with science" because this is SO MUCH misinformation out there that it's hard to find valid, reliable information beyond the standard "eat right, exercise, hydrate, get enough sleep, wash your hands". I understand that there is only so much else - if anything - that can be done to minimize infection once it occurs, but if there is something, I'd like to know, so I'm properly stocked should I need it.
I'd like a deeper dive on the new Dietary Guidelines.