Search Results for covid-19

Vaccines aren’t responsible for rise in autism cases; change in diagnostic criteria is the most plausible explanation

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that commonly becomes apparent in early childhood. ASD affects the ability of the autistic person to behave, interact, and communicate. Individuals with ASD don’t all exhibit the same symptoms or the same severity of symptoms. To account for this diversity, the criteria for diagnosing ASD have evolved and broadened over time, which may result in an increase in the number of cases diagnosed each year. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows that vaccines don’t cause autism.

Breast cancer cases haven’t doubled in U.S. women under 45, despite social media claims

Official figures for breast cancer cases in 2022 aren’t yet available. However, there is no reason to believe that they will have almost doubled. This claim came from misinterpreting projections that were not comparable to years before 2022. The COVID-19 vaccines have been extensively studied, and there’s no reliable evidence that they increase cancer risk.

Financial analyst David Martin misrepresents studies and patent applications to promote the baseless claim that SARS-CoV-2 was developed as a bioweapon

At the moment, investigations are still underway to determine where SARS-CoV-2 originated and how it came to infect humans. Both the natural and lab leak hypotheses rely on circumstantial evidence that can’t prove nor disprove either theory. However, no credible evidence indicates that the virus was engineered. Based on prior disease outbreaks, the most likely hypothesis is that SARS-CoV-2 arose naturally and that zoonotic infections were the reason for the spread of the virus in humans.

Some studies suggest nutritional deficiencies may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but they aren’t the sole cause as social media post claims

Alzheimer’s disease most commonly occurs in individuals aged 65 and above and research so far suggests that the disease is caused by the abnormal buildup of protein in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. This buildup causes neurons to lose their connections, leading to impaired memory and cognitive ability. The risk of Alzheimer’s is associated with genetic and environmental factors, including nutritional deficiencies.

No evidence that hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin cure cancer; cancer and multiple sclerosis aren’t caused solely by parasites, contrary to claim by orthopedic surgeon

Various infectious agents, including certain viruses and parasites, can increase a person’s risk of developing specific cancers. Cells can become cancerous in various ways, such as when the infectious agent directly damages DNA, causing mutations, or indirectly by causing chronic inflammation. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder thought to be autoimmune in nature. To date, established risk factors for MS include genes and infection. However, parasites aren’t among these risk factors.

Hydrogen peroxide given intravenously can be dangerous, has no known medical benefit

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant for inanimate objects and surfaces. However, using it internally by ingesting or injecting it can lead to serious health problems, depending on the strength of the hydrogen peroxide solution used. Swallowing a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution can lead to burns that require emergency care and injecting hydrogen peroxide into the bloodstream generates air bubbles, which can lead to an air embolism.

Methodologically flawed cholesterol study from 2016 used to support false claims that high cholesterol increases longevity

High levels of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for developing heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and globally. Therefore, regularly checking cholesterol levels is an important first step in reducing the risk of developing or dying from heart disease and stroke. Even small decreases in blood cholesterol can significantly reduce the risk, something that can be achieved through a balanced diet, physical activity, and medication.

Infection-induced immunity is more unpredictable and poses a higher risk than vaccine-induced immunity

Most people who recover from COVID-19 develop some level of protective immunity. However, this level varies greatly from person to person and might be insufficient in some cases to protect the person against the disease. COVID-19 vaccines tend to generate a more consistent immune response than infection and are also a much safer way of acquiring immunity because they don’t expose the person to the risks of the disease. Vaccination can also benefit COVID-19 survivors by enhancing the protection resulting from infection.

Misinformation superspreaders are thriving on Musk-owned Twitter

Key results 1. A study of 490 “misinformation superspreaders” (here defined as accounts that have repeatedly published popular tweets linking to known misinformation) shows that their collective popularity has significantly grown (on average, +42% interactions per tweet) since Elon Musk took effective control of the platform on 27 October 2022. Accounts from established and credible … Continued

New CDC data don’t confirm that the Pfizer bivalent booster shot increases the risk of ischemic strokes

Bivalent booster shots are effective against the initial SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant. Pharmacosurveillance systems from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first detected a possible increase in the risk of ischemic stroke following the booster shot, but a more in-depth analysis didn’t confirm this increase. The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration thus continues to recommend that people receive the booster shot, but both agencies continue to closely monitor the safety surveillance data for any further developments.