The Top Infectious Disease Stories This Week

This week, respiratory infections dominated as the most popular infectious disease topic.

Stories covering COVID-19, whooping cough, and enterovirus were our most-clicked, proving that fall causes respiratory viruses to trend online and offline.

1. COVID-19 Hospitalizations Broken Down by Vaccination Status

A recent study broke down hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 in adults between January 2021 and April of this year, based upon vaccination status.

2. COVID-19 Rebound Not Caused by Paxlovid-Induced Weak Immune Response

Rebound COVID-19 infection is likely caused by the cellular immune response to residual viral RNA in the respiratory tract, rather than by an immune response stunted by Paxlovid.

3. Pfizer-BioNTech Releases Early Results from Bivalent Booster Vaccine Trial

Preliminary results from a phase 2/3 trial suggest Pfizer-BioNTech’s Omicron BA.4/BA.5 bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine provides better protection for younger and older adults.

4. FDA Approves Whooping Cough Vaccine

The vaccine is meant to be administered during the third trimester of pregnancy to the expecting mother to prevent this respiratory disease in infants younger than 2 months of age.

5. Increase in Enteroviruses Seen with Decreases in COVID-19 Precautions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a rise in pediatric acute respiratory illnesses, concurrent with a decrease in hygiene measures previously employed during the pandemic.

6. Improving Tuberculosis Prevention Programs Aimed at HIV Patients

The intervention included meeting with experts, texting services to improve and facilitate communication, and data collection and dissemination.