Human coronaviruses are the second most common cause of the common cold, and symptoms usually are mild to moderate. However, coronaviruses that infect animals sometimes change and become a new human coronavirus (as was the case with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in 2003). COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus […]

The UAB Sports Medicine Cardiology Clinic helps young athletes with heart (cardiac) problems return to the playing field quickly and safely—including patients affected by COVID-19. Located at UAB Hospital-Highlands, the highly specialized clinic focuses on young athletes who need cardiac care along with sports medicine treatment. Because COVID-19 can sometimes lead to serious heart conditions, we recommend a medical evaluation for all young athletes who have had COVID-19 with symptoms.

Even with multiple COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, there are still groups of people who do not receive the full benefit of vaccines due to immunosuppressed conditions that prevent the body from making sufficient antibodies. But one alternative treatment option is providing hope.

The UAB Medicine Monoclonal Antibody COVID Clinic (MAC) and the COVID Respiratory Clinic now offer same-day and next-day appointments.

Viruses spread fast during the cold and flu season, which peaks during the winter months. The good news is that the steps you take to avoid catching and spreading the flu also help with COVID-19.

Rachael Lee, MD, one of UAB Medicine’s infectious disease physicians, answers questions submitted by Instagram users about the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and about safety and prevention.

Some of the people most vulnerable to COVID-19 are those who are unable to leave their homes due to an illness or physical condition yet are at risk of contracting the disease if a caregiver or health care provider inadvertently brings it into their home. To protect this vulnerable population of people in the Birmingham area, members of the House Calls team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are bringing the vaccine to their patients and to eligible caregivers.

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, which is April 18-24 this year, is an annual celebration of the medical laboratory professionals who play a vital role in health care. UAB Medicine takes great pride in the highly skilled medical technologists who work in these labs.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals tightened restrictions on visitors and who could access certain areas. This meant that no photographers, videographers, or others could visually document what was happening inside COVID-19 intensive care units.

For more than a year now, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every area of daily life. Masking, social distancing, vaccine distribution, and other issues have led to what many health care experts call “COVID fatigue”.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of clinical staff has been a significant problem for health care organizations. UAB Medicine formed a Pandemic Staffing Task Force to address our nursing shortage, and its call for help received a campus-wide response from nurses, faculty, students, and other staff.

Studies are ongoing to determine whether nutritional supplements such as zinc have an effect on people with COVID-19.