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TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- By now, most folks know that a loss of smell and taste are a hallmark of COVID-19 infection, but new research shows it can continue up to five months after the virus first strikes."It was apparent from the beginning of the pandemic that a significant percentage of people lost their capacity to smell," said researcher Dr. Nicolas Dupre, director of neuromuscular and neurogenetic disease clinic at Laval University in Quebec. "This is quite common in many infectious diseases, but in COVID, the effect was much more important."In other viruses, smell and taste usually return after the sinuses are clear. But in COVID-19, the virus might penetrate the small area of the brain called the olfactory bulb, which is important for the recognition of smell,...

TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- While more than 57 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States and many Americans eagerly await their turn to get a shot, not everyone wants one.Vaccine skepticism isn't new, but you may be able to persuade skeptical loved ones to change their minds."Some people are probably thinking still that COVID-19 is like flu where you're sick for three or four days, and then you think you're fine after that," said Glen Nowak, director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication at the University of Georgia. "But research shows that many people's symptoms persist for weeks or even months, with loss of taste and smell frequently one of the symptoms experienced by those with 'mild' illness."Key reasons for vaccine...

TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The link between heart-lung fitness and brain health may begin at an early age, new research shows.The study revealed that 4- to 6-year-olds who could walk farther during a timed test also scored higher on tests of thinking abilities and other measures of brain function.Most studies of the link between brain health and heart-lung ("cardiorespiratory") fitness have focused on older kids and adults. The new findings suggest that this link is evident even earlier in life, according to the researchers.The study included 59 preschoolers who walked as far as they could in six minutes. They were then given tests to assess their intellectual abilities and how well they could focus. Mental flexibility was also checked in 33 youngsters."Preschool...

TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Many older Americans lack knowledge about antibiotics, with some admitting to using leftover medication, a new survey reveals.More than 2,200 adults, aged 50 to 80, were questioned. Nine out of 10 said they're cautious about using antibiotics, and nearly that number knew that overuse of the drugs can lead to them becoming ineffective, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA).Also, almost 56% agreed that doctors overprescribe antibiotics, but about one-third mistakenly thought that antibiotics could effectively treat colds or the flu. However, these illnesses are caused by viruses, while antibiotics kill bacteria.The results show the need for health care providers to educate older patients about the proper...