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MONDAY, Aug. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Survivors of severe or long COVID-19 could have greater antibody protection against future infection than those whose illness was shorter or milder, new research suggests.For the study, a Rutgers University team followed 548 health care workers and 283 other workers from the start of the pandemic. Within six months, 93 (11%) of them tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 or for antibodies against the virus.Of those, 24 had severe symptoms and 14 had no symptoms. For one-third, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of taste and smell lasted at least a month. One in 10 had symptoms for at least four months."Neurological changes, including brain fog and problems with memory or vision, were infrequent among infected participants but did...

MONDAY, Aug. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Leaky sewer pipes are to blame for large amounts of human medicines getting into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water, a new study reveals.Researchers found that tens of thousands of doses of drugs get into Chesapeake Bay in Maryland every year due to seeping sewer pipes."Pharmaceuticals enter freshwaters through multiple pathways, including effluent from wastewater treatment and septic systems, as well as agricultural runoff," said lead author Megan Fork, a postdoctoral research associate at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y. "An important, but often overlooked contributor is aging and faulty wastewater infrastructure, which is common in many older cities."This type of pollution occurs worldwide and can have a...

MONDAY, Aug. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- You've heard the warnings about kids who are forever glued to their screens, but all that screen time can have devastating health effects for grown-ups.If you're under 60, too much time using a computer, watching TV or reading could boost your risk for a stroke, Canadian researchers warn."Be aware that very high sedentary time with little time spent on physical activity can have adverse effects on health, including increased risk of stroke," said study author Dr. Raed Joundi, a stroke fellow at the University of Calgary, in Alberta.For the study, which was published Aug. 19 in the journal Stroke, Joundi's team looked at 143,000 Canadian adults who had no history of stroke, heart disease or cancer.Over about nine years, these adults averaged...

SUNDAY, Aug. 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Regular skin checks to look for signs of melanoma could save your life.Self-exams for the deadliest type of skin cancer should be done at least once a month in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror and also with a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas, said Dr. Arun Mavanur, a surgical oncologist.You also need to get checked by a doctor if you have risk factors for melanoma, such as: unprotected or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light; lesions or moles; a family history of melanoma; a personal history of skin cancer; a weakened immune system; fair skin, freckling and light hair."Generally, if you're at increased risk for melanoma -- especially if you have lesions or moles -- you should be examined by a dermatologist at least...