/oss/taxonomy/term/3459/all en /oss/article/covid-19-medical/potential-treatment-prevent-long-covid <hr /> <p><em>This article was originally posted in the</em> <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-a-potential-treatment-to-prevent-long-covid"><em>Montreal Gazette.</em></a></p> <hr /> <p>The cruelty of COVID is that many people recover only to be left with long-term symptoms. What we have taken to calling long COVID seems to affect about 10 per cent of people post infection. Symptoms tend to resolve slowly over months, if not years, but apart from suggesting patience there was not much medicine could offer. Until now.</p> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9543 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19/hospitalization-rates-confirm-covid-vaccines-benefits <hr /> <p>This article was originally <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-hospitalization-rates-confirm-covid-vaccines-benefits">published in the Montreal Gazette</a></p> Fri, 14 Jan 2022 20:14:39 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 8981 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19/statistics-behind-breakthrough-infections <p>Recently we have seen a rash of headlines along the lines of “75% of infected people were fully vaccinated” atop stories describing a “super-spreader” event in Massachusetts. While that statistic is correct, it needs to be put into context. First, let’s note that the outbreak, in which 360 out of 469 cases (75%) were among vaccinated individuals, was linked with densely packed indoor and outdoor events on the July 4th weekend with few people wearing masks. Next, let’s examine that scary 75% number.</p> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 17:37:35 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8823 at /oss /oss/article/critical-thinking-health/medical-error-not-third-leading-cause-death <p>In the first episode of the television show <i>The Resident</i>, a nurse tells the young protagonist that medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States after cancer and heart disease. “They don’t want us talking about that,” she adds.</p> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:54:50 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8822 at /oss /oss/article/general-science/doctor-vs-quack <p>For example, my roommate who is sharp in finance but has no scientific training believes that dish detergent residues on dishes cause cancer, which is why she only washes her dishes with water. (Ironically, she will indulge without hesitation in cigarettes, fast foods and whiskey.) When I tell her that whatever particle of dish detergent that might be left on her dishes, even consumed over a lifetime, is highly unlikely to cause any ailment, and that there are many other things she can modify in her lifestyle that will be much more beneficial, she decided to stand by her beliefs.</p> Wed, 24 Oct 2018 18:14:43 +0000 Melody Ko MD, MSc 7412 at /oss /oss/article/general-science/am-i-going-die <p>Another case of chest pain. Almost anyone who comes to the ED with complaints of chest pain gets admitted. First task is to rule out ACS or Acute Coronary Syndrome. The differentials for chest pain are wide and varied, ranging from heartburn to musculoskeletal ache to something more serious such as a heart attack. A heart attack, or in medical jargon, a myocardial infarction (MI), is one of the conditions classified as ACS. ACS represents a spectrum of conditions that is characterized by a sudden reduced blood flow to the heart.</p> Wed, 24 Oct 2018 18:12:03 +0000 Melody Ko MD, MSc 7411 at /oss