An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
February 28th, 2021
Another COVID-19 Vaccine — and Barney, Explained
Busy few days on the COVID-19 vaccine front, specifically related to the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. February 26, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee reviewed the data on the vaccine, voting unanimously that the benefits outweighed the risks. February 27, the FDA granted the single-dose vaccine emergency use authorization. And February 28-March 1, […]
February 21st, 2021
Why Are COVID-19 Case Numbers Dropping?
We don’t know. That part is easy. Also easy is that case numbers really are falling — it’s not just reduced testing — and it’s happening pretty much everywhere. Urban areas and rural. Red states and blue. Places with broad vaccine rollouts and those with hardly any. North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. […]
February 15th, 2021
Time to Fix the HIV Testing Algorithm — and Here’s How to Do It
Remember the revised HIV testing algorithm that debuted in 2014? The one that was supposed to solve all our problems? First, it included a “highly sensitive” screening test that started with a “4th Generation” combination antibody/antigen test. This decreased the window period between acquiring HIV and having a positive test, thanks to the antigen. Great! […]
February 7th, 2021
Does Taking Vitamin D Prevent or Treat COVID-19?
Vitamin D supplementation — critical in prevention and treatment of COVID-19? Or does it do nothing — except further enrich the vitamin and supplements industry, which is worth more than 100 billion dollars? The challenge is figuring out which of these is the truth, and after several weeks of thinking about the issue, I find […]
Paul E. Sax, MD
Associate Editor
NEJM Clinician
Biography | Disclosures & Summaries
Learn more about HIV and ID Observations.