All articles tagged with #lung injury
A meta-trial across six countries found that inhaled heparin significantly reduces the risk of intubation and death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, likely due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-coagulant properties, suggesting potential broader applications for respiratory diseases.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine have developed a compound, UH15-38, that can block necroptosis, a cell death response triggered by the influenza virus, and prevent life-threatening lung tissue injury in mice. The compound was found to effectively restrict viral replication without causing massive damage to the lungs, offering a potential therapeutic option for severe flu infections and other viruses that induce severe respiratory symptoms. If successful in further trials, this approach could provide a means of protecting against future pandemics and respiratory diseases by addressing harmful inflammation in the lungs.
A North Carolina woman is warning about the dangers of vaping after her 15-year-old stepson died unexpectedly. The teenager had developed a bad cough and was later diagnosed with bronchitis, but his condition did not improve with treatment. It was only after seeing a pulmonologist that it was discovered he had been vaping. The teenager's health rapidly declined, and he eventually passed away. The woman is urging parents to talk to their children about the risks of vaping, as it is becoming increasingly common among teenagers.
Amanda Lee Hall died in 2021 due to lung injuries caused by vaping, after turning to e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Her wife, Kristen Hensley, is now warning others of the dangers of vaping and using Hall's story as a cautionary tale. While Hall's medical records don't explicitly blame vaping for her lung injury, doctors suggested it could be a factor. The FDA estimates that over 5 million adults in the US are vape users, and one in 10 middle or high schoolers vaped last year. Hensley hopes her wife's story will help others avoid the same fate.