Articles: covid-19.
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This study aimed to determine the tendency of older adults to present to the emergency department with pain complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the prepandemic period. ⋯ During the COVID-19 pandemic, our study revealed fewer presentations to the emergency department for pain-related complaints. To prevent severe health problems from delayed care, we recommend expanding telemedicine, remote pain management, and home-based care. Further research is needed to examine the long-term effects of increased myalgia and joint pain.
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Rapid identification of individuals with acute respiratory infections is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections. For rapid diagnosis, especially in EDs, lateral flow devices (LFDs) are a convenient, inexpensive option with a rapid turnaround. Several 'multiplex' LFDs (M-LFDs) now exist, testing for multiple pathogens from a single swab sample. We evaluated the real-world performance of M-LFD versus PCR testing in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2) in the ED setting. ⋯ The real-world performance of SureScreen M-LFD was consistent with laboratory evaluation and achieved a high sensitivity for individuals with high viral concentration, most likely to be infectious. Given the representative UK population sample, results could be generalised for use in other settings.
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To assess Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, and their attitudes to and behaviours regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. ⋯ The high levels of trust in COVID-19 vaccines and their effectiveness indicate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are confident about their safety and efficacy and understand the importance of vaccination. The findings also highlight a positive attitude to vaccination and a commitment to preventive health measures among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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To describe myocarditis as an adverse event after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, including a detailed description of clinical phenotypes and diagnostic test results and differences by age, sex, and degree of troponin level elevation. ⋯ The clinical severity of COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis in Victoria was generally mild. Markers of a more severe phenotype were more frequently recorded for male patients and people aged 24 years or younger. A threefold troponin increase could be used as a threshold for risk stratification of people with COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis, especially in hospitals with limited access to cMRI facilities.