Tuesday 4 August 2020

Research leads to simplified dosage of HIV medicine for children

Children living with HIV can now benefit from an adapted, simpler combination therapy. In combination therapy, two or three medicines are used simultaneously to inhibit HIV. One of those agents is dolutegravir. Thanks to research at Radboud University Medical Center, it is now clear that the use of one, widely available, pill of dolutegravir in children yields equally good treatment results as a combination of several, less readily available pills of that drug. Especially in countries where the number of infections is high and good care is less accessible, this makes it easier to treat children. These results, published today in the scientific journal The Lancet HIV, are included in the World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines.

Many COVID-19 patients given useless antibiotics, study finds

(HealthDay)—Early in the U.S. coronavirus pandemic, many people landing in the hospital may have been given unnecessary antibiotics, a new study suggests.

November U.S. election can be held safely, experts contend

(HealthDay)—With the 2020 presidential election just three months away, new research suggests an election can be held safely if stringent steps are taken to lower COVID-19 infection risk.

Schools can reopen safely if precautions in place, Australian study shows

(HealthDay)—Safeguards such as contact tracing and swift isolation of cases of COVID-19 could be the key to reopening U.S. schools safely this September, a study from Australia shows.

Probiotics not recommended for most digestive conditions

(HealthDay)—Probiotics are not recommended for most digestive conditions, according to a clinical practice guideline issued by the American Gastroenterological Association and published online June 9 in Gastroenterology.