Everyone poops. I learned that from children's books from when my kids were little. I've also earned a living learning that lesson (i.e I'm a gastroenterologist). Since COVID is shed in poop, one way to track population experience of the pandemic is by testing wastewater. In communities throughout [Read More]
COVID 19
Omicron Coronavirus Variant
The Delta variant of the coronavirus got it's start in India. Over a billion densely populated humans was good fodder for a SARS-CoV2 mutation that made it more transmissible. We should recall the dark days before vaccination when funeral pyres were burning 24/7 in the Subcontinent. Delta spread [Read More]
Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
The vaccines are here! I gratefully received my first shot Sunday December 20, 2020 at 11:15 am at St. David's South Austin Medical Center. I watched on CSPAN as the FDA had an open panel discussion regarding the data surrounding the Pfizer vaccine. They repeated that action regarding [Read More]
COVID-19 rising as leading cause of death
SARS-CoVA 2 is now the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States this year. Heart disease and all cancer deaths still exceed the number of Coronavirus deaths. What is frustrating about this is that some Americans feel that this is not a big deal and that we are all overreacting. I was just so [Read More]
Coronavirus Vaccine
The first phase 3 vaccine trial is underway! Moderna is the biotech company partnering with the National Institutes of Health that is first off the blocks. Phase 1 trials test safety. Phase 2 trials test efficacy and safety in a slightly larger number of people. Then phase 3 trials are done in even [Read More]
Treating COVID-19
Is the pandemic still on? Didn't know because I've been on vacation with my family in Colorado for the week. They're still celebrating it over there. We road tripped for the first time as so many Americans are doing. Some friends claim that RV sales have jumped 600%. (I'm so glad I'm not a [Read More]
IBS & COVID-19
Checking in from the pandemic -- how's it going out there? Yes, I know. We're shuckspod. That realization can cause anxiety. Anxiety often is a trigger for those affected with irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is a neurologic disorder of the GI tract. It's like a seizure. Nerves [Read More]
Rising COVID-19 Numbers
Take a look at the following Austin Dashboard of COVID infections. Cut and copy the following link on your browser. https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html… According to cell phone data, we were the most locked-down around April 20, 2020. The reward for that comes a month [Read More]
Reopening Businesses
States across the Union are re-opening. The future is uncertain and unpredictable. But we have models that can tell us what the future will look like based on how many new COVID infections occur. It appears that the Feds have abrogated responsibility to the States. Statewide policies do not [Read More]
COVID-19 and Children
Kids and COVID. First thing, kids also are vulnerable to COVID 19, don't forget. While the news is all about the elderly or those with underlying health condition such as diabetes or obesity, kids also get infected. Good news is that nationwide, they comprise less than 2% of all infections. I [Read More]
Hesitation to Get Medical Care Due to COVID-19
How's your pandemic going everybody? Yeah, mine, too. Sheesh..... we'll get through it, I hope. It's been a rough ride for everybody. So much so that even people with straight up legitimate emergencies are NOT going to seek care. How do we know that? Some of the evidence is data driven and some [Read More]
Reopening Businesses and COVID-19
Businesses are set to re-open with some limitations this week. Personally, I would divide this opening into two segments: Medical and Non-medical. For the medical portion, I believe it is the appropriate thing to do. In Austin and Travis County, about 6 people die each DAY from cancer and heart [Read More]
