Revue médicale suisse
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Revue médicale suisse · May 2021
[SARS-CoV-2 screening in travelers: what approach to assess transmission risk ?]
Before a trip, a screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR is often required and raises the problem of detection of residual viral RNA at distance from the acute infection (post-Covid). At the University Hospital of Geneva, we developed an expertise to distinguish acute from post-Covid infections. ⋯ To overcome the detection of residual viral RNA by RT-PCR, a rapid antigenic test would be an interesting and less expensive alternative. It could also be performed a few hours before departure.
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Revue médicale suisse · Apr 2021
[COVID-19 vaccines: vaccine targets, immunogenicity and allergic reactions].
Many vaccine strategies have been developed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents the mechanisms of action and the efficacy of different vaccines including mRNA- and adenovirus-based vaccines. We will discuss the different vaccine targets, immune responses and allergic reactions which have been reported during the vaccination campaigns. Finally, the latest recommendations for the prevention and management of severe allergic reactions will be summarized.
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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, dermatologists around the world have reported patients with chilblain-like skin lesions on their toes, called COVID-toes. Surprisingly, the majority of these patients do not develop COVID-19 symptoms, and their nasal swabs and serological tests are unable to confirm SARS-CoV-2 infection, despite a clear exposure to the virus. ⋯ Because chilblains are hallmarks of excessive type I interferons, COVID-toes may represent the skin expression of interferon-mediated resistance to SARS-CoV-2. Uncovering the molecular patho-mechanisms of COVID-toes may provide new avenues to promote SARS-CoV-2 resistance and control the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Revue médicale suisse · Mar 2021
[Asylum seekers : collaboration between nurses and medical students during the COVID-19 epidemic].
The exceptional health challenges generated by the COVID-19 pandemic have sparked a wave of mobilization among medical students. We were four students to provide support to the Migrant Care Units of the Vulnerability and Social Medicine Department of Unisanté. This two-month experience, very different from the academic framework we were used to during our studies, allowed us to discover a clinic grappling with social and cross-cultural issues, and taught us the mutual benefits of an interprofessional collaboration with experienced nurses. Through a few clinical vignettes, we would like to share the challenges of the care we have seen, as well as the significant lessons we have learned from them.
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Revue médicale suisse · Mar 2021
[Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the control of other diseases in Africa : After the waves, the tsunami].
The measures put in place to fight the Covid-19 pandemic have a strong impact on many programs to fight several other infectious diseases in Africa. The disruption of drug and equipment supply chains, the interruption of therapies, or the under-detection of new cases produce excess morbidity and mortality linked to many other diseases, including HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. These indirect impacts could ultimately turn out to be much greater than the direct impacts associated with the current Covid-19 pandemic. Mitigation measures for these indirect impacts are underway, but most require access to quality and up-to-date data on the state of health services.