Information about various infectious diseases is constantly evolving. I am hoping to summarize some of that in these newsletters. New information will be in BOLD.
COVID-19
General Information
Another study has found that COVID vaccinations (especially in people who also had a history of COVID-19 infection itself) is 81% - 92% effective in preventing future LONG COVID (Clinical Infectious Diseases).
New research shows that people with Long COVID have markedly increased inflammatory markers compared to people who have recovered from acute COVID-19 infections normally (Nature Immunology). Past studies have similarly showed that Long COVID seems to be associated with an immune system that is turned on by the acute infection and then is not turned off.
COVID levels are continuing to decrease in Northern California as well as the Central Coast.
The Infectious Disease Society of America recently recommended that people who have a compromised immune system, as well as those living with/ around immunocompromised people, should be vaccinated for COVID-19.
At this time, the new guidelines recommend vaccinating for COVID in the spring.
Public health researchers in Norway and Sweden did NOT find an associated of the COVID-19 vaccine and the incidence of muscle inflammation. Also, the WHO vaccine safety committee did not find any link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder.
The CDC released data showing that "COVID vaccine administered last fall sharply decreased the risk of emergency department and urgent care visits in children." (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report). The risk decreased by 76% in kinds under age 4, and by 56% for kids aged 5 to 17.
Similarly, a recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the flu, RSV, and Covid vaccines were safe and effective and led to significant decreases in hospitalizations.
The above notwithstanding, the FDA plans on adding a "black box warning" on COVID-19 vaccines, warning of the life-threatening or disabling reactions that must be considered. It was left unclear if such warnings related to the mRNA vaccines or all COVID vaccines. I am not aware of that the FDA provided information as to what data prompted this new black box warning.
Other Infectious Diseases:
FLU:
Japan has had an early influenza season this year and has just announced that they are in the middle of a nationwide flu epidemic. This early and severe flu outbreak is continuing now.
South Korea and the United Kingdom are also seeing much flu activity, thought to be brought on by a new flu virus strain "H3N2." In fact, the United Health Service in the UK is predicting that this will be the worst flu season in a decade. Children and young adults seem to be particularly effected in the UK.
Australia had its worst flu season on record this year.
Last year's flu season was the worst in a long while and led to the highest number of hospitalizations since 2010/2011.
Although the current flu vaccines was not formulated to include the new strain H3N2, it should still lessen the severity of influenza if you do get it.
In the United States, we are seeing flu activity up by at least 7% just in the last week. So far, there have been almost 2 million people sick,19,000 people hospitalized, and 750 people who have died this season of the flu virus.
Nonetheless, we are NOT seeing a lot of influenza in Northern California at this time
RSV:
There has been a marked recent increase in babies and children hospitalized for RSV.
A recent study found that Pfizer's RSV vaccine is more than 90% effective in older adults in preventing the disease (Clinical Infectious Diseases).
RSV levels are the lowest they have been in the last 3 years, if we look at the Sutter system only.
NOROVIRUS:
We have discussed norovirus in the past: it leads to severe nausea/ vomiting and diarrhea and is often seen on cruise ships.
Luckily, scientists are developing a norovirus vaccine, so hopefully we can cruise with more comfort in the future!
Norovirus cases continue to increase in the U.S. this year and, indeed, have doubled over the last few months.
MEASLES:
Before the measles vaccine became available in 1963, 3 to 4 million people in the U.S. were infected with measles each year, 48,000 ended up in the hospital, 400-500 died.
There is NO scientific evidence that measles vaccines lead to autism, cancer, or heart disease.
We are continuing to see more measles in the U.S. At this time, there are about 1,700 people who were infected in 2025. By comparison, there were 285 cases in 2024 and 13 cases in 2020. South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona are seeing outbreaks at this time.
Canada has now lost its status of having eliminated measles. The U.S. is on track to lose its measles-elimination status in short order.
OTHER MEDICAL NEWS:
Some months ago, I noted that the shingles vaccine was associated with a decreased likelihood of developing dementia. Well, a recent follow up study (Cell) confirmed this finding and showed that the vaccine decreased your chance of developing dementia by 20%! Even if you have dementia already, getting the vaccine may keep you from dying of dementia.
Yet another study in BMC Medicine found that the antioxidants found in tea, coffee, cocoa, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil are great for your heart. Bring on the dark chocolate!
About Dr. Sujansky's Life in These Times
And, just like that, the Holidays are upon us!
I have completed my annual cookie baking Sunday with two old friends from college, a tradition we have had for the last 30 years or so. We are planning on ice skating in San Francisco this week. We even went curling (so much fun and really funny-looking too!) last week. The tree is trimmed and my boys will soon both be home for a few weeks. Now, that is reason for gratitude!
I wish all of you some joy, rest, and peace in this time and hope that 2026 blesses all of us with the same.
