'Worse than expected' urgent Covid 'syphilis' warning over 'very serious' virus damage
'Worse than expected' urgent Covid 'syphilis' warning over 'very serious' virus damage
Medics have long known that the virus can damage the heart and blood vessels when people become ill with the disease. There have been numerous occasions when Covid patients have suffered from clots, heart inflammation, arrhythmia and heart failure during the course of their illness. Researchers in the US now believe that SARS-CoV-2 may have a long term detrimental impact on cardiovascular health in general.
Scientists analysed more than 11 million US veterans' health records in the first large study to evaluate cardiovascular outcomes one year after Covid infection.
They found the risk of 20 different heart and vessel maladies, including heart attacks and strokes, was significantly increased in veterans who were infected with the deadly virus one year earlier, compared with those who didn't.
There was also a proportional increase in the risk depending on the severity of the initial disease.
The results were published in Nature Medicine on February 7 and have caused considerable concern among doctors and scientists alike.
Eric Topol, a cardiologist at Scripps Research, told the website Science the results were "stunning ... worse than I expected, for sure.
"All of these are very serious disorders.
"If anybody ever thought that COVID was like the flu this should be one of the most powerful data sets to point out it's not."
Dr Denise D. Dewald, an internal medicine/pediatric specialist in Cleveland, Ohio suggested Covid could have a similar impact on long term cardiovascular health as syphilis.
The sexually transmitted disease can cause lasting impairment to coronary circulation and result in angina pectoris and on rare occasions can also lead to heart attacks.
In a tweet accompanied with photos of X-rays and diagrams, she wrote: "Infectious diseases that damage the vascular epithelium do bad things over time.
"Here is an aorta that has dilated (arrow) and developed a huge aneurysm (circled) because of syphilis.
"Covid damages the vascular endothelium.
"Time will tell the consequences."
The prospect of millions of COVID-19 survivors going on to develop long-term health issues will place enormous strain on national health systems for years to come, the study's authors warned.
"Governments and health systems around the world should be prepared to deal with the likely significant contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to a rise in the burden of cardiovascular diseases," they said.
The report comes as Boris Johnson announced last week plans to scrap the need for people testing positive for Covid to self-isolate.
The Prime Minister said the new measure would come into effect on February 24.
However, his announcement was met with dismay by leading European scientists.
Roberto Burioni told the Guardian: "These are political choices, not scientific ones."
The professor of microbiology and virology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan added: "We've never quarantined people who have the flu, but the flu doesn't kill two or three hundred people a day."
Reference: Daily Express: John Varga
Royal family: Fears for the Queen as two monarchs test positive for Covid
Royal family: Fears for the Queen as two monarchs test positive for Covid
Royals fear for the Queen's health after numerous monarchs have tested positive for Covid-19 all over the world. Prince Charles has already tested positive for the virus, while the Queen is being monitored for it.
Yesterday, it was reported Her Majesty spent time with her son just two days before he tested positive for Covid-19. The Prince has since pulled out of his upcoming engagements, The Mirror reports.
Buckingham Palace refused to confirm whether the 95-year-old monarch had tested positive or negative, fuelling fears for her health, but palace sources insisted she was not displaying symptoms of the virus.
Charles also suffered from Covid in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, while Prince William also battled the virus in 2020. However, the royals in the UK aren't the only ones having to deal with Covid-19 as two European monarchs also tested positive this week - with others having previously battled the virus.
Joe Giddens/WPA Pool/Getty Images The Royal Family is facing a Covid-19 nightmare after Prince Charles tested positive for the virus while the Queen is being closely monitored for it
Denmark
Covid has hit the Danish Royal Family this week with 81-year-old Queen Margrethe testing positive on Tuesday evening. Like Queen Elizabeth, Margrethe, who is fully vaccinated, is also celebrating a Jubilee year and is this year marking 50 years on the throne. She had been due to start a holiday in Norway on Wednesday but cancelled as a result of her positive test.
The Danish Queen, who is set to meet the Duchess of Cambridge later this month, is now isolating at her palace in Copenhagen. In December, Margrethe's daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mary also suffered from Covid as did her grandson Prince Christian in December 2020.
Spain
Another monarch hit by Covid and also testing positive on Tuesday was King Felipe VI of Spain. It was revealed that the 54-year-old had developed "mild symptoms" of the virus and that he would remain in isolation for seven days.
A statement said that his overall health was fine but that his wife Queen Letizia did not have the virus. In fact, she was out on a visit to a university hospital today, where she revealed that her husband was "doing very well".Sweden
Just last month, the King and Queen of Sweden announced they both had tested positive for Covid - following the festive season. In a statement, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, who are both fully vaccinated, were said to have "mild symptoms" and were "feeling well, given the circumstances".
In addition, their eldest daughter Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden contracted Covid in March 2021, as did their son and daughter-in-law Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia in 2020.Monaco
Meanwhile, another monarch to have tested positive for Covid is Prince Albert of Monaco. He became the first head of state to contract the virus at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Albert said he only experienced mild symptoms at first but in an interview eight months after his positive test, he revealed he suffered from fatigue long after his quarantine ended.
He told PEOPLE : "There were times during the day when it just hit, but not like the kind of drowsiness you feel after a heavy meal. It was really just an experience of physical fatigue, like the kind that comes on when you've done too much or when you're coming off an illness. This virus stays with you quite a while.”
Reference: My London: Tom Haynes & Jennifer Newton
Prince Charles tests positive for Covid for second time after recently meeting Queen
Prince Charles tests positive for Covid for second time after recently meeting Queen
The Queen spent time in person with the Prince of Wales "recently", a palace source has confirmed, after the Prince tested positive for Covid-19 today.
The Queen is not displaying any symptoms herself, but Buckingham Palace declined to say whether she had tested positive citing medical privacy.
She is understood to have met the Prince in person this week, after she celebrated reaching 70 years on the throne.
The Queen returned to Windsor Castle from Sandringham on Monday. The Prince was at the castle on Tuesday to conduct a day of investitures.
A royal source told PA that the situation will continue to be monitored, but a running commentary would not be provided on the monarch's health.
It is the second time Prince Charles has contracted Covid and he is now self-isolating, Clarence House has said on Twitter.
A message on the prince's official Twitter page read: "This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating.
"HRH is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today's events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible."
Aides said the prince was found to be positive during a routine test - which suggested he was experiencing no strong symptoms - but they declined to go into further details on his medical condition.
Last night, the Prince of Wales attended an event to celebrate the British Asian Trust at The British Museum with Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
POOL/REUTERS Prince of Wales tests positive for Covid-19 for second time - POOL/REUTERS
Both the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall have been taking regular tests before engagements. The Duchess of Cornwall has tested negative for Covid-19 today, Clarence House has confirmed.
A spokesman said: "The Duchess of Cornwall has routinely tested negative today. She is on a separate series of engagements from the Prince of Wales."
It has not yet been confirmed whether the Prince has seen the Queen in person in recent days.
She returned to Windsor Castle on Monday. He spent his working day at the castle on Tuesday, holding investitures.
The announcement of the Prince’s positive test was made just after midday, around 12 minutes before Prince Charles, 73, was due to arrive in Winchester on a visit to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Staff there were only informed a few moments before.
More than 1,000 people were gathered behind barriers in the city’s Jewry Street, waiting to see the Prince unveil a new statue of Licoricia of Winchester, a prominent Jewish moneylender who was murdered in 1277 during a period of antisemitism in the reign of Edward I that culminated in the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290.
Provided by The Telegraph Prince of Wales tests positive for Covid-19 for second time - POOL/REUTERS
The Queen’s representative in Hampshire, the Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson, told the crowd, who groaned with disappointment when he relayed the news.
It is the second time the heir to the throne, 73, has contracted coronavirus, after he fell ill in March 2020 when he said he had been "lucky" to have suffered only mild symptoms.
He spent seven days in self-isolation at his Birkhall home in Scotland before resuming his duties.
The development comes just days after the Queen marked her Platinum Jubilee by expressing her "sincere wish" that the Duchess of Cornwall would be Queen Camilla at Charles's side when he is one day King.
The Duchess, meanwhile, carried on with her engagements on Thursday, visiting Paddington Haven, a sexual assault referral centre in West London, where she met former Love Island star Zara McDermott and discussed her experience of revenge porn and assault.
Itchy Skin at Night? Here’s 8 Reasons Why It Happens – and How to Deal
Itchy Skin at Night? Here’s 8 Reasons Why It Happens – and How to Deal
Much like your train being cancelled or spilling coffee down your white top, itchy skin at night is one of those irritations that can seem to come out of nowhere.
So: why do the dark hours sometimes bring the need to scratch relentlessly – and what can you do, to control it?
The vast majority of causes of itchy skin are pretty harmless – but a persistent itch can be a sign of serious conditions. If you are at all worried, book in to see your GP or call NHS 111.
WH called in the experts, to get their knowledge on this nocturnal issue.
Why does my skin itch at night?
A handful of things could be at play. Itching at night can be a symptom of a skin issue like atopic eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis.
But if that’s the case then you’re likely to know what it is – or at least you have something to show your doctor that can, in most cases, be easily diagnosed.
Why do I get so itchy at night?
The kind of skin itching that happens at night, seemingly out of nowhere, and with no sign of a rash is called nocturnal pruritus. As you'll know if you've dealt with it, it can wreak havoc with your sleep.
A 2016 study explains the various different causes of this itchy skin at night:
1. Your circadian rhythm is doing its thing
As you know, your circadian rhythm governs your sleep-wake cycle: helping you to feel drowsy at night and alert in the morning (unless you're a natural night owl and experience surges of energy later in the day and later at night.) Part of this process means that our core temperature rises in the evening which can increase blood flow to the skin and, in turn, itching.
2. Your skin barrier has been compromised
At night, the heat generated in our body leads to Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), which can also contribute to itching. This is because Trans Epidermal Water Loss can compromise the integrity of your skin barrier, which can therefore allow pruritogens (any substance that causes itching) to enter your skin.
That's not the only way an impacted skin barrier can cause itchy skin at night, though. 'If your skin barrier is compromised and the skin is not in a healthy condition, then any changes in the body or external environment can cause "uncomfortable skin," says celebrity facialist and skin expert, Nataliya Robinson. 'So, itching late at night can be caused by:
- overly hot showers
- air-conditioning
- or central heating present in the room,' she adds.
So: why do the dark hours sometimes bring the need to scratch relentlessly – and what can you do, to control it?
The vast majority of causes of itchy skin are pretty harmless – but a persistent itch can be a sign of serious conditions. If you are at all worried, book in to see your GP or call NHS 111.
WH called in the experts, to get their knowledge on this nocturnal issue.
3. You have creepy crawlies in bed with you
Not to cause alarm, but... 'Nocturnal pruritus is commonly associated with infestations, including scabies and bed bugs,' said the study's authors. The fact that mites are more active at night could cause itching, as can their feces (sorry), as can any infection that they cause on your skin.
4. There are psychological factors at play
The study noted that, in a cross-sectional study of patients who were being treated in a psychiatric ward, 32% reported suffering from itch, of which 24% felt their itch was worse at night. So, there may be a link between some psychological diagnoses and this issue.
What else can cause extreme itching, without a rash?
5. Hormonal changes
Itchy skin is common 'during pregnancy or after the menopause,' says the NHS. 'This is caused by hormonal changes and usually gets better over time.'
6. Polycythaemia
As to other maybe causes? Dermatologist Dr. Stefanie Williams, founder of the Eudelo skin clinic, also notes that ‘a serious condition called polycythaemia can lead to itching at night.
'Polycythaemia, means having a high concentration of red blood cells, which makes the blood thicker and its flow more sluggish. People with polycythaemia may experience red skin, particularly on the face, hands and feet.
The skin might be itchy, especially after a bath or shower. There might also be bleeding problems such as nosebleeds and easy bruising. Other symptoms may include headaches, tiredness, high blood pressure, blurred vision and tummy pain.’
To note: this condition can cause blood clots. If you think you might have it, head to your GP, sharpish.
7. Some cancers
Not to be alarmist, but it's important to note that a 2018 study monitored almost 17,000 patients and found that patients with skin itching were more likely to have cancer than those without.
Cancers of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract, hematopoietic system and skin were most strongly associated with skin itching. But, that doesn’t mean that if your skin is itching you have anything else wrong with you.
If you are worried, book an appointment with your GP.
8. Liver problems
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic disease where progressive inflammation and destruction of the small bile ducts within the liver occurs.
One of the early symptoms of PBC is itching, but it’s not the only one – there is also bone and joint ache, fatigue, tummy pain and a dry eyes and mouth. If you are worried, speak to your GP.
What does it mean when your skin keeps itching?
Any of the factors mentioned above could be the culprit. If you feel you need to speak to a pro, cal NHS 111 or book to speak to your GP.
Does covid cause itchy skin?
The key symptoms of COVID-19 are, per the NHS, a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. However, other, less prominent symptoms have been reported, as well.
The COVID Symptom Study, led by researchers from King’s College London and health science company ZOE, found that: '8.8% of people reporting a positive coronavirus swab test had experienced a skin rash as part of their symptoms, compared with 5.4% of people with a negative test result.' Some people noted that this rash was 'itchy.' If you suspect that you have COVID-19, as ever, stay at home and take a PCR test as soon as you can.
How can I get rid of itchy skin at night?
1. Antihistamines
That 2016 study mentioned earlier? It outlined the possible causes, but also looks at the best treatments.
It notes that antihistamines can help with nocturnal itching – but that it has to be first-generation antihistamines, i.e. the ones that make you drowsy. If you do want to go down this route, then Piriton is a good choice.
2. Hydrate your skin
This is all about protecting your skin barrier, which, as mentioned before, is key for preventing itching. 'For general itching, having hydrated skin can ease the itching, so have a bath with moistening and calming colloidal oatmeal, as will using an oil-, alcohol- and scent-free hydrator like Cerave,' says Dr Williams.
3. Use a humidifier
'A humidifier in your room will keep skin hydrated while you sleep and finally, try and keep the room temperature constant and cool to stop extra heat,’ she adds.
4. Don't over exfoliate
Robinson notes that avoiding over-exfoliation of the skin’ may help too. Again, this can protect your skin barrier.
5. Visit your GP
If you are at all concerned, do go and see your GP and explain your symptoms.
Reference: Microsoft:Amy Lawrenson
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