Category: Infection

In a world that’s increasingly interconnected, the challenges we face go beyond geographical borders. One such challenge that often lurks in the shadows is the rise of drug-resistant infections. Often referred to as “superbugs,” these pathogens have evolved to withstand the effects of antibiotics, rendering our first line of defense against infections increasingly ineffective. While the human toll of these infections is well-known, their economic impact is often overlooked. The Economic Ripple Effect The economic repercussions of drug-resistant infections are far-reaching. Let’s take a closer look at how these infections are draining our economic resources: Rising Healthcare Costs: The most immediate impact is felt in our healthcare systems. Patients afflicted with drug-resistant infections require prolonged hospital stays, specialized treatments, and sometimes intensive care. This leads to skyrocketing medical bills for individuals, families, and insurance providers. Additionally, hospitals and healthcare facilities face higher operational costs due to infection control measures and longer patient stays. Reduced Workforce Productivity: When individuals fall ill due to drug-resistant infections, their ability to contribute to the workforce diminishes. This results in absenteeism, decreased productivity, and can even lead to long-term disabilities. Businesses face disruptions as they struggle to maintain their workforce levels and operations. Impact on Global Trade: Superbugs don’t respect borders. The spread of drug-resistant infections can disrupt international trade and travel. Governments and industries may impose travel restrictions and trade embargoes to prevent the spread of infections. This can disrupt supply chains, impacting production and slowing down economic growth. Strain on Public Health Systems: The burden on public health systems is immense. Resources that could be allocated to other pressing health concerns or preventive measures are diverted to combat drug-resistant infections. This diverts funds from initiatives aimed at improving overall public health and well-being. Investing in Health Security: A Necessity, Not an Option Addressing the economic impact of drug-resistant infections requires a multi-faceted approach: Promote Responsible Antibiotic Use: Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have accelerated the development of drug resistance. Promoting appropriate antibiotic prescribing and patient adherence is crucial to slow down this process. Boost Medical Innovation: Investment in research and development for new antibiotics and treatments is essential. Pharmaceutical companies need incentives to develop novel solutions to combat these infections. Enhance Infection Control Measures: Hospitals and healthcare facilities should implement robust infection control protocols to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections. This not only protects patients but also minimizes the economic burden on healthcare systems. Global Collaboration: Drug-resistant infections are a global issue. Collaborative efforts between countries, organizations, and industries are necessary to develop strategies and policies that address this challenge collectively. Looking Ahead: A Secure Economic Future The battle against drug-resistant infections is not solely a matter of healthcare. It’s a fight for economic stability, productivity, and global growth. By investing in innovative medical solutions, advocating responsible antibiotic use, and fostering international cooperation, we can mitigate the economic toll of these infections. As we tally the costs of drug-resistant infections, we must remember that the numbers extend beyond hospital bills. They encompass disrupted lives, strained economies, and compromised futures. It’s time for us to come together, prioritize health security, and ensure a robust economic future for generations to come. Conclusion The economic impact of drug-resistant infections is a pressing concern that demands our immediate attention. As we witness the toll these infections take on healthcare systems, workforce productivity, and global trade, it’s evident that our economic well-being is intricately tied to our ability to combat superbugs. By adopting a holistic approach that combines responsible antibiotic use, medical innovation, and international collaboration, we can build a more resilient and secure economic future. It’s time to recognize that investing in health security is an investment in the prosperity of nations.

Conspiracy theories are circulating online that the announcement of Jill Biden’s COVID-19 infection was “all part of the plan” to reintroduce coronavirus pandemic restrictions such as mask mandates. On Monday evening, the First Lady’s communications director Elizabeth Alexander confirmed the 72-year-old had tested positive for the virus and was experiencing “only mild symptoms.” She will remain at the family’s Delaware beach house while fighting the infection. The White House later stated that Joe Biden had tested negative, but would continue to be monitored. The president has spent much of the summer with his wife, most recently visiting Florida with her to view the destruction caused by Hurricane Idalia. A positive infection for Joe Biden, 80, would come at an inconvenient time: he is due to travel to India on Thursday for a summit of G20 leaders, before going to Vietnam for a diplomatic visit. U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden walk to the White House upon arrival on the South Lawn in Washington D.C., August 26, 2023. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images However, the announcement of the First Lady’s infection comes amid a spike in infections in the U.S. spurred on by the emergence of two new variants of the virus, prompting speculation that fresh COVID restrictions could be on the horizon. In the week to August 19, there were more than 15,000 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infections across the U.S., the most recent monitoring figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show—a rise of nearly 19 percent on the week prior. Admissions have been steadily rising since July, but are far below the highest peaks of the pandemic and appear to be localized into hotspots. A CDC spokesperson told Newsweek on Thursday it currently has no intention to call for a return of mandated mask-wearing, but didn’t deny that this might change if cases of the new variants were to rise significantly. In August, arch conspiracy theorist Alex Jones predicted that air passengers would have to wear face masks from mid-October, before “a return to the full COVID protocol” by December. There is currently no evidence to suggest this will be the case. A Transportation Security Administration spokesperson denied the claims to the Associated Press, while a CDC spokesperson described them as “utterly false.” “HE WAS RIGHT,” Eric Spracklen, a conservative digital strategist, said on Monday evening. “Jill Biden’s positive test is all part of the plan.” “Who cares if Jill Biden has COVID?” Kandiss Taylor, a Republican candidate for Georgia governor in 2022, who has previously suggested that the portrayal of “globes” in the media was NASA “propaganda,” reacted to the news. “They are trying to push this narrative still.” One social media user wrote that the announcement of the First Lady’s positive test was “the plan to push the lockdowns through,” while another questioned why she had been infected after being vaccinated and receiving booster shots. A vaccine primarily does not stop an infection from occurring, but rather gives the body the tools to fight an infection more effectively—in the same way a castle wall does not stop an attack from happening, but rather makes the castle easier to defend when an attack occurs. Who cares if Jill Biden has COVID??? I don’t get it. They are trying to push this narrative still. Someone has a cold. Someone has the flu. Someone has allergies. Someone has diarrhea. COVID viruses have been around forever and not going away. Again, who cares! — Kandiss Taylor (@KandissTaylor) September 5, 2023 Mask wearing mandates have become a thorny political issue, pitting what some see as an infringement of their personal liberties against what health officials view as one of several measures that limit the spread of the virus among the general population. Some states have banned mask mandates in public institutions, while others have mooted a return if deemed necessary. There are differing opinions among the scientific community as to the efficacy of mask wearing, though many agree that when used in tandem with other measures—such as washing hands, social distancing and vaccination—they help stop the virus spreading. Newsweek approached the White House via email for comment on Tuesday.

Q: It looks like I have fungus beneath my toenail, but how can I be sure? Does toenail fungus go away on its own? Yellowing, brittle and unusual-looking toenails can be a sign that a fungal nail infection, called onychomycosis, has taken root. Experts say these infections don’t go away on their own and can easily spread from person to person without treatment. “Fungus tends to be greedy,” said Dr. Boni Elewski, chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. If you pick it up from close contact with someone who is infected or by walking barefoot in a locker room, for instance, it can then crawl under your toenail and spread into the nail itself, she said. Wearing moist, sweaty shoes can encourage the fungus to grow. Toenail fungus affects an estimated one in 10 people worldwide, and becomes more common with age — afflicting more than half of those ages 70 and up. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems are also susceptible, said Dr. Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Is it really fungus? Experts say the first step to getting your normal toenail back is confirming you have fungus in the first place. Some telltale signs include thickened, discolored, cracked, misshapen and occasionally painful or smelly nails. But fungus is to blame for only about half of abnormal-looking toenails, Dr. Elewski said. Toenail trauma, whether from one-time injuries or repetitive activity in too-tight shoes, can also cause discolored or thick toenails. “Eyeballs alone are not enough to be sure it’s onychomycosis,” she said. According to Dr. Lipner, doctors usually confirm toenail fungus by examining a clipping under a microscope. They can also perform a PCR test or a fungal culture to determine which fungus species infected your nail. But these tests are not always necessary because most people have a type of fungus called trichophyton rubrum, Dr. Lipner said. If your treatment isn’t working, however, your dermatologist may want to learn more about the organism living under your nail. Prescription antifungals usually take care of the problem, but it’s a bad idea to take them without confirming you have the fungus first, Dr. Elewski said. Unnecessary antifungal use can make these drugs less effective over time, contributing to a growing problem called antifungal resistance. Which antifungals work best? Although some drugstores devote entire aisles to over-the-counter fungus salves, Dr. Elewski said that the best a nonprescription treatment or home remedy can do is improve your nail appearance. If you want to actually kill the fungus, “a prescription antifungal is the only option,” said Dr. Antonella Tosti, a dermatologist who treats nail disorders at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. There are topical prescriptions, including creams, ointments or serum-like solutions; and oral antifungals, meaning pills. Topical antifungals can be useful for milder cases affecting just one or two toenails, Dr. Lipner said. But one downside is that you might have to apply the medication for about a year before the fungus is completely gone. If there’s fungus under multiple nails, or if the toenails are extra thick, Dr. Lipner said, she usually opts for oral prescriptions. These pills, terbinafine or itraconazole, can kill toenail fungus in about three months. Even after the oral pills kill off the fungus, though, Dr. Lipner said that your toenail may look funky for a year as the new, uninfected toenail grows in. In the meantime, some drugstore remedies could improve nail appearance by soothing the surrounding skin or thinning the nail, Dr. Elewski said. It’s also usually fine to use nail polish on your infected toenail while taking oral antifungals, Dr. Lipner said. But don’t do that if you’re using topical medications. Whether you’re prescribed a topical or oral antifungal, Dr. Tosti said it’s important to stay on top of the treatment every day. “This is not something you can cure in a few weeks,” she said. “Compliance is very important.” Avoiding repeat infections Successfully eliminating toenail fungus doesn’t mean you can’t get it again, experts warn. In fact, an estimated 25 percent of people get repeat infections. Dr. Lipner recommended thoroughly washing any socks or other clothing that was in contact with your first infection, and discarding or using disinfectant spray on shoes you wore often when you had toenail fungus. To stave off toenail fungus in general, keep your toenails trimmed and avoid walking around barefoot in gym locker rooms or around swimming pools, Dr. Lipner said. If you sweat often in closed-toed shoes, wear moisture-wicking socks and change into dry shoes if you can. If the skin on your foot becomes dry, itchy, flaky or inflamed, you might have athlete’s foot, which is caused by the same fungus that can spread to your toenail. So it’s important to get treated right away. Unlike with toenail fungus, some over-the-counter medications can help with athlete’s foot. “But don’t go blindly treating yourself,” Dr. Lipner said. “You want to confirm with a dermatologist you’re treating the right thing.” Caroline Hopkins is a health and science journalist based in Brooklyn.

The Florida Department of Health is reporting an uptick in COVID cases this summer. In the week prior to Aug. 19, the U.S. saw 15,067 COVID hospital admissions, an 18.8% increase over the previous week, with a slight rise in deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. University of South Florida professor Jill Roberts said while COVID rates had plateaued with the COVID variant, Omicron, a new variant called Eris has contributed to the increased infections. Eris has become a dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 21.5% of COVID infections between Aug. 20 and Sept. 2, according to the CDC. Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 17, Manatee County had 254 COVID cases, and Sarasota County had 305 reported cases, according to the Florida Department of Health. Who are the Grenons?Bradenton family on trial, charged with selling bleach as COVID cure What’s causing the surge? Roberts said the uptick can be credited to the combination of a new variant, kids returning to school, and waning immunity, which is developed by either being vaccinated or developing antibodies after a COVID infection. More on COVID:Sarasota Memorial Hospital workers receive death threats after COVID-19 response report She has anecdotally seen more people wear masks, but she said people have grown complacent with protecting themselves and others from COVID. “We have to keep in mind that COVID is a severe disease for some individuals,” Roberts said. “We don’t necessarily know our own health status, and a lot of us may underestimate our own risk.” When will COVID finally go away? COVID may never go away until a vaccine is developed to fully stop transmission of the infection, Roberts said. The transmission of COVID allows it to mutate, creating variants that can cause these surges of infections. “It’s incredibly annoying to have to deal with wave after wave of this disease without it going away,” Roberts said. “Preventing death and hospitalizations is great, but we need to get a better vaccine to stop this disease. Without serious advancement in the science, this is going to continue.” How to best stay protected from the virus? Roberts recommends testing for COVID if you’re symptomatic. The most common symptoms associated with the infection include fever, cough, new loss of smell or taste, congestion, and nausea, according to the CDC. If sick, try to stay home and away from others, and if going out, make sure to wear a mask to not expose anyone else. Additionally, there is going to be a booster shot that will be released in September. Updated vaccination can prevent or mitigate the effects of COVID, but Roberts added that someone should wait a few months to get the booster if they recently had COVID to ensure their receiving as many antibodies against the disease as possible.

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:34:35 GMT (1693942475011) f21546d3a7b92848c6890935ca4e2b625f015352 4a6d0bb8f30f1b6a167248fbd029e9fd6e7edbb4 by Jennifer Emert Tue, September 5th 2023, 11:39 AM UTC Summer might be winding down, but mosquitoes haven’t gotten the memo. (Photo Credit: Consumer Reports) Loading …

Photo by Daniel Leal / AFP via Getty Images After the last wave in March and April, there has been a sustained period of extremely low Covid infection rates in the UK over the summer – so much so that it has felt like the virus has finally gone. The relief in society at large has been palpable. The only things that might adversely affect schools and hospitals now are industrial unrest and disintegrating 1970s concrete. The sense that the pandemic is over was reinforced by the downgrading of the autumn vaccination programme. While boosters are still being made available to health and social-care workers and the clinically vulnerable, age eligibility has been restricted to the over-65s, whereas last year anyone older than 50 could get a shot. And the government slashed the fee for administering the jab, leaving many GP practices wondering if it was economically feasible even to take part in the campaign. [See also: Labour will inherit the chaos of the Covid inquiry] The messaging – that Covid is much less of a concern – was still being digested by GPs when there was a remarkable volte-face. The government abruptly bumped up the vaccination fee again, but only if surgeries started vaccinating quickly. The sudden urgency comes amid signs that a new wave is under way earlier than anticipated. The Office for National Statistics Covid Infection Survey, which used to give reliable estimates of rates of infection in the community, was disbanded in March. But many, perhaps most, readers will know someone who’s come down with Covid again in the past few weeks. And what objective data we do still have – hospital admissions and death rates – confirm the anecdotal reports that infections are on the rise. Isn’t this, though, what was expected? As the virus and the population evolve into a state of coexistence, Covid will become just another endemic illness akin to flu, with a wave every autumn and winter followed by a lull during the rest of the year. So why the sudden edginess in government quarters? The answer is: we don’t yet trust the virus not to pull a nasty trick out of the evolutionary hat. We are starting to see cases of a new, highly mutated Omicron descendant called Pirola. This has been detected in numerous countries in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, implying efficient transmissibility. And some of the UK cases to date have had no relevant travel history, suggesting Pirola is already making its way through the community here. Although nobody yet knows whether 30-odd Pirola mutations will be able to evade the immunity built up by jabs and past infections, they are less likely to succeed when faced with an immune response that has been recently heightened by a booster shot. Hence the sudden imperative to crack on with vaccinating. There is no prospect of a return to the social restrictions of yesteryear. While the first lockdown in March 2020 aborted an unfolding crisis beyond most people’s imagination, there is a growing appreciation that the side-effects of subsequent restrictions – on psychological health, economic activity and the management of non-Covid illness – exacted a disproportionate toll. The amount of population immunity that’s been built up through successive vaccination campaigns and prior infections should continue to limit severe disease and deaths, though it will not prevent infection. As a society we are stuck in a no-man’s land. We remember with a collective shudder the exigencies of social restrictions and mandatory mask-wearing and seem determined not to yield to any measure, however benign, that might look like we’re in any way perturbed about the virus. The coercion on parents to enforce 100 per cent school attendance has returned with a vengeance, teaching children that transmission of infectious illness to others is not a concern, and nor is rest and recuperation a sensible idea when unwell. In the workplace, too, viruses are once again being brought in to be shared around. People who still wear masks are frequently stigmatised. Policies that could have put in place measures like enhanced ventilation, shown to minimise indoor transmission, have never been enacted. To the hundreds of thousands of people affected by long Covid, so many of whom previously enjoyed robust good health and economic productivity, this will seem reckless. Long Covid has never featured in the governmental calculus as to the true impact of the pandemic, mainly because data on its incidence have never been collected. But it is there in the statistics all the same, buried among the swollen numbers of people off work with long-term sickness and claiming disability benefits, many from the health and social care sectors. Most concerningly, the NHS no longer has a consistent policy for infection control. Hospital colleagues with Covid over the past few weeks report bizarre guidance: stay away if you have a high temperature or feel unwell, but otherwise it’s up to the individual to decide whether to come in. Vaccination may have reduced rates of severe illness and death, but where it still occurs is among the elderly and those with co-morbidities – people found in great numbers in healthcare settings. In wider society, it has become anathema to suggest we’re doing anything other than blithely “living with Covid”. Within the NHS we owe it to patients to continue to treat the virus with the respect it deserves. [See also: How to save the NHS] Topics in this article : Covid-19 , Healthcare , Magazine , NHS , Omicron

Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter About one in three men worldwide over the age of 15 are infected with at least one type of a particular sexually transmitted infection, according to a new study. The genital human papilloma virus (HPV) is a group of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes lining the human body, such as the cervix, anus, mouth and throat. The research, published recently in The Lancet Global Health journal, also found that about one in five men of this age range are infected with one or more of what are known as high risk, cancer-causing HPV types. Of the over 100 different types of HPV known, about 30 can affect the genital area, making this group of viruses the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. However, one of the main misconceptions about the virus is that HPV only affects women. Doctors caution that a majority of people are likely to contract HPV in their lifetime “regardless of gender”. The prevalence of genital HPV infection in the general male population, based on studies published between 1995 and 2022, was assessed by researchers, including those from the Catalan Institute of Oncology–IDIBELL in Spain in the new review of studies. They found the global pooled prevalence was 31 per cent for any HPV, and about 21 per cent for high-risk HPV. “Our findings show that HPV prevalence is high in men over the age of 15 years and support that sexually active men, regardless of age, are an important reservoir of HPV genital infection,” scientists wrote in the study. They also found that HPV-16 was the most prevalent HPV genotype followed by HPV-6. The analysis revealed HPV was most prevalent in young adults, reaching a maximum between the ages of 25 and 29 years, and stabilising or slightly decreasing among older populations. The estimates for eastern and southeastern Asia, according to the new study, were half that of the other regions. While a majority of HPV infections in men and women do not present symptoms, they can lead to long-term injury and mortality with over 340,000 women dying of cervical cancer due to HPV, according to the World Health Organization. In men, HPV infection may lead to anogenital warts that cause significant morbidity and increase HPV transmission rates. Infection with HPV is also linked with penile, anal and oropharyngeal cancers – commonly linked to HPV type 16, researchers said. About 69,400 cases of cancer in men were caused by HPV in 2018, they said. “This global study on the prevalence of genital HPV infection among men confirms how widespread HPV infection is. HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause genital warts and oral, penile and anal cancer in men,” said Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programs. “These estimates emphasise the importance of incorporating men in comprehensive HPV prevention strategies to reduce HPV-related morbidity and mortality in men and ultimately achieve elimination of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases,” researchers noted.

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BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev. (KGO) — The annual Burning Man festival draws thousands of people to Black Rock City in the Nevada desert for artistic performances, music and a lot of partying. But rain turned the playa into a mudpit. “Sure you don’t want to help me get this shoe off,” yelled one festival goer as another helped pull duct tape, bags and mud off his shoes. Those attending the Burning Man festival, referred to as “Burners,” dealing with quite a bit of mud on Monday. RELATED: Burning Man organizers lift driving ban after heavy rains left the event smothered in mud Some of the muddiest shoes that you may have ever seen. Cleaning them the best they can at one of the popular spots for those leaving the festival, the In-N-Out Burger in Sparks, Nevada where dirt was scattered on the ground in the parking lot. “It’s super heavy it feels like five pounds on each leg, if not more. We had to put trash bags on the shoes in order for us not to sink into the mud. Looks like trash bag and duct tape,” said Nicole Geht. Everyone focused on getting that mud off of their shoes. Mud that seems to be all over everything, but mud that symbolizes what they went through. Geht says they were on the opposite side of the camp at Black Rock City when the rain started Friday. “We left the bikes there we didn’t even take them back because of the mud, we couldn’t get to take them back so we have no bikes,” said Geht. RELATED: Santa Cruz man at Burning Man breaks down situation as thousands stranded due to flooding It took them 24 hours to get back to their RV. They ate food and found shelter with new friends on the way back. Festival organizers warned Burners not to leave Saturday or Sunday due to the conditions after the rain. Telling festival goers to conserve food, water and gasoline. Geht says they did unsuccessfully attempt to leave. “We tried to leave two days ago, it was impossible, we tried to leave yesterday and we got stuck in the mud, and today good people helped us and we are out.” RELATED: TIMELINE: What is Burning Man? The festival’s lengthy history has roots in San Francisco Yes, out and in route back to Southern California for this group, and back to other locations across the country and world for those we talked with. Not one person we interviewed said they wouldn’t do it all over again, even with the rain and mud. Saying it made things that much more special. That includes Nicole, who gave us video of what their party looked like Saturday night after the rain. “After all of that would you go back?” we asked. “Yes!” she quickly replied. Bay Area doctor urging Burning Man attendees to wash off mud as soon as possible to avoid skin infections Mud is what’s concerning UCSF infectious diseases Dr. Monica Gandhi. “In mud and dust, there is actually a bunch of organism that sit in our soil. In California, Nevada we tend to have the same dry conditions and the same soil organisms. If you really drag yourself through the mud like at the Tough Mudder competition in Sonoma last month and especially if you have skin abrasions, you can get skin and soft tissue infection or cellulitis from those soil organisms,” said Dr. Gandhi. MORE: Hundreds involved in Bay Area Tough Mudder race sick with possible staph, bacterial infections Less exposure to mud in these conditions is key to avoid infections, according to Dr. Gandhi. “I would say do not be covered with mud for more than two days because you really can get those organisms crawling in and causing skin infections,” said Dr. Gandhi. Burning Man organizers are urging burners to stay on hard-packed roads and out of standing water. Dr. Gandhi is suggesting to clean off the mud as soon as possible. RELATED: 1 death under investigation as thousands at Burning Man festival confined in desert, authorities say “Luckily, we haven’t heard of any major outbreaks with anything and that is the relief because I was more worried about the skin infections with the mud,” said Dr. Gandhi. No outbreaks of any kind have been reported as of yet out of Burning Man. If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) – Loved ones of a South Bay father of 3 are speaking out, after a ‘mystery’ respiratory infection left him on a ventilator, battling for his life, during a trip to the Philippines. “Every day I wake up, it’s anxiety ridden,” said Emma Gaines-Ramos. SDSU students and sisters Emma and A.J. Gaines-Ramos are enduring an emotional waiting game. “We definitely feel helpless, “ said A.J. Gaines-Ramos. In early August, their father, Armando Ramos, 53, a software engineer, traveled from Chula Vista to Manilla, Philippines after the death of his mother. It was a sobering trip, but was going as planned. Ramos helped arrange a service for his mother. Days later, he came down with a sore threat, and became tired. Five days after the first symptoms, Ramos was rushed to a hospital. “It was the chest pains, and difficulty breathing that led him ultimately to go the the ER,” said Emma. A screen grab shows a video call with his three daughters, a day after being admitted. Diagnosed with pneumonia, he was intubated and placed on a ventilator within days. His condition quickly deteriorated. Family members say one lung collapsed, his brain became inflamed, and his kidneys started to fail. There were complications with his heart and liver. Ramos, who had no underlying conditions, tested negative for COVID and the flu. “Right now it’s a mystery … every day, we still don’t know what’s happening to him,” said Emma. While more tests are underway, the family only knows it’s a respiratory infection. There are parallels to the pandemic. “It is traumatizing, in the sense, when the pandemic first occurred, nobody knew what was happening. You’re kind of just treating the symptoms, but not getting to the source of it. That’s what it feels like is happening right now,” said Emma. “It’s a cruel deja vu witht the pandemic … Every day, anticipating his state and not knowing, it’s scary,” said A.J. While Ramos’ situation remains critical, there has been some good news in the past days. His kidneys are improving, along with his oxygen levels. “He’s so stubborn, he’s going to fight, “ said A.J. “We’re going to fight by his side,” said Emma. Doctors have removed bacteria-filled fluid from Ramos’ lungs and continue with tests, including for meningitis. A Gofundme campaignhas been started to help with medical expenses.