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COVID & Health News, 9/28/25
"According to Michael Hoerger, as of 9/22/25, there are approximately 857,000 new COVID cases per day in the United States with every 1 in 57 people currently infected. On Saturday, he posted that many states in the Northeast have very high levels of COVID and that 1 in 18 people are currently infected with COVID in Connecticut. Per the CDC, “The percentage of COVID-19 laboratory tests that are positive and COVID-19 emergency department visits are declining.” But remember, 50% or more of transmission happens on the backside of a COVID wave, so it is important to continue with mitigations including masking with N95s or KN95s, testing for COVID especially before indoor events, and staying home when sick.
From: https://x.com/michael_hoerger/status/1971820189252759853
"XFG remains the top variant causing COVID infections, representing about 85% of US cases.
"University of Hawaii researchers found the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein’s S2 subunit directly disrupts lung surfactant. This new finding may help us understand the root cause of severe breathing difficulties in COVID patients.
"A study from Baylor College of Medicine finds that SARS-CoV-2 infection directly harms the placenta by increasing the formation of syncytial knots, damaging the endothelial lining and decreasing the expression of placental growth factor (PlGF). Some of these histological changes in infected placentas share features associated with preeclampsia. SARS-CoV-2 viral-induced damage to the placenta may be the underlying mechanism that increases the risk for preeclampsia-like symptoms in pregnant individuals with COVID.
"Using EHR data from over 1.6 million American children and adolescents, the NIH RECOVER team found elevated rates of dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol) and elevated BMI after COVID infection compared to matched controls. Changes persisted for months after acute illness, raising concerns about long-term cardiometabolic risks in kids who have been infected with COVID. Pediatric cardiovascular follow-up and prevention are recommended.
"An overactive immune response in the gut, specifically involving the BTNL8 gene and gamma delta (γδ) T-cells in the intestines, was found to lead to a hyper-inflammatory state and is a common link between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) after COVID infection. Another inflammatory disease, Kawasaki Disease, may also be influenced by abnormal gut immunity, but the pathway has not been elucidated yet.
"Scientists in Italy screened over 260,000 molecular compounds using advanced computing to discover four molecules that effectively shut down the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These molecules work by hitting the virus’s replication machinery called the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in two different places. The dual-site mechanism successfully blocked viral replication in experimental assays, thereby offering a foundation for developing highly potent antiviral agents. The most potent COVID blockers included rose bengal, venetoclax, and AKBA.
"A RECOVER study of 2,956 people who had prior COVID infection on average 1.8 years prior showed that 66% of people who thought their sense of smell had returned to normal were actually still impaired. Younger women were most affected by occult reduction in sense of smell. The authors note that verified olfactory dysfunction is strongly associated with neurodegenerative disease and they suggest formal testing should become routine in post-COVID care. This study was performed in adults, but I wonder if children with multiple COVID infections could also have unrecognized loss of smell which is a sign of early neurodegenerative disease.
"Viral persistence of SARS-CoV-2 has been hard to show in saliva and stool samples. A new study shows that Long COVID symptoms appear to be linked to specific bacteria in our gut and mouth. In a University of Pittsburgh study of 349 individuals with Long COVID, oral and gut microbiota were linked to three distinct Long COVID symptom subphenotypes: 1) high symptom burden, 2) taste/smell disturbances, and 3) minimal symptoms. Participants with a high symptom burden showed lower microbial diversity. Specific microbial patterns were associated with symptoms like cognitive impairment, fatigue, and loss of smell suggesting that bacterial dysbiosis may contribute to the variability of Long COVID symptoms. “A Prevotella-enriched microbiome was associated with greater dyspnea severity and Bacteroides-dominant was linked to cognitive impairment risk.”
"An interesting point from the authors is that social determinants of health may affect what a person eats (fast food vs whole grains, fruits and vegetables) which can in turn affect the gut microbiome. Perhaps people in lower socioeconomic areas may be more susceptible to Long COVID because of gut microbiome dysbiosis related to what foods they have available to eat.
From: https://www.cell.com/iscience/pdf/S2589-0042(25)01889-9.pdf
"A study conducted by King’s College used microneurography to examine nerve function of 36 Long COVID patients. The researchers found that 88.9% of the patients had objective electrophysiological abnormalities in their peripheral C fibers, which are a type of unmyelinated small nerve fiber. “Postganglionic sympathetic [nerve] fibers also showed abnormal recovery cycles with a lack of supernormality, suggesting impaired neuronal homeostasis.” These findings provide new evidence that peripheral nerve dysfunction may be a contributing factor to the wide range of symptoms seen in Long COVID patients including neuropathic pain and orthostatic intolerance, which aligns with previous research on small nerve fiber loss in these individuals.
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new initiatives to improve care for individuals with Long COVID, including a public awareness campaign and an online platform for healthcare professionals to share clinical insights.
"The Trump administration has proposed a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, which would sharply reduce the number of foreign physicians entering the United States for residency and for staff positions. Given that approximately 10,000 out of 43,000 medical residency spots are currently filled by H-1B holders, this fee up from under $5,000, cannot be absorbed for residents who typically earn around $55,000.
"On Monday, President Trump made false claims about acetaminophen (Tylenol) in pregnancy and repeated the long-debunked link between vaccines and autism. Medical experts condemned his remarks as irresponsible, with NYU bioethicist Art Caplan calling it “the saddest display of a lack of evidence” by a leader. In contrast, a large Swedish sibling-control study of 2.5 million children, published in JAMA (4/9/24), found no link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also reaffirmed acetaminophen’s safety and importance for treating fever, pain, and pregnancy complications. On Friday, Mr. Trump posted similar medical fallacies on his social media.
"On Thursday, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced that she will introduce articles of impeachment against HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.
"In an address to the United Nations on Tuesday, 19-year-old Violet Affleck gave an important speech about the importance of clean air and masking to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. She said, “We [youth] are told by leaders across the board that we are the future … But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes.” “For adults, the relentless beat of ‘back to normal,’ ignoring, downplaying, and concealing both the prevalence of airborne transmission and the threat of Long COVID manifested in a series of choices. Young people lacked both real choice in the matter and information about what was being chosen for us.” “At this point, the whole population is the control group, and after only five years, Long COVID has surpassed asthma as the most common chronic illness in children.”
"As of September 23, 2025, there have been a total of 1,514 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States, with 12% of cases hospitalized (185 of 1514) and 3 confirmed deaths from measles.
"Vaccines do not just protect us against infectious diseases. New data from large-scale studies shows that four vaccines, Influenza, Shingles, RSV, and Tdap, are linked to a lower risk of dementia. Keeping up with routine immunizations may be a simple, proactive measure for supporting long-term brain health in older adults.
"A new review looks at new and future treatments for Type I diabetes. Researchers highlight three major breakthroughs: the use of immunotherapy to delay disease onset, advancements in stem cell therapies for beta-cell replacement, and improvements in automated insulin delivery systems. These innovations may eventually move beyond managing symptoms to addressing the root cause of the disease, offering new hope for those living with the condition.
"A meta-analysis of 21 studies found that probiotics can improve brain function in people of all ages, but the specific benefits vary by age group. Probiotics were shown to improve memory, processing speed and spatial ability in older adults, executive function in infants and children, and verbal ability in young adults. Often the positive effects of probiotics on cognition require taking them for 6 months in infants and children and for at least 3 to 4 months in older adults. Probiotics and a gut-healthy diet may be a powerful way to support brain health throughout life.
"A new gene therapy developed by researchers at University College London has successfully slowed the progression of Huntington’s disease by 75% in a clinical trial. This one-time surgical treatment works by halting the production of the toxic protein that kills brain cells, a groundbreaking step for a condition that has been incurable. This remarkable advance offers real hope that people who carry the Huntington’s gene could one day live without ever experiencing symptoms.
"It is Fat Bear Week with people voting for their favorite big bear. Brown bears from the Katmai National Park in Alaska bulk up to provide energy for winter hibernation by eating up to 30 salmon a day. You can vote for your favorite semi-finalist bear on Monday (9/29/25) and for the finalists on 9/30/25 at FatBearWeek.org.
"Have a great week,
"Ruth Ann Crystal MD"
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