Morning Medical Update: End-times for health care mask mandates; How Modern Natural Language Processing Is Improving Healthcare; You Think You Have Long COVID: What Now?

End-times for health care mask mandates

Researchers will present a study to European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Copenhagen that suggests surgical masks have done little to prevent COVID-19 since the Omicron variant emerged. The study took place in June 2022 at St. George’s Hospital in London.

How Modern Natural Language Processing Is Improving Healthcare

Experts say to expect clinical level natural language processing technology to be in use in the next five years. Working alongside electronic health records and artificial intelligence, NPL will have the ability to read clinical notes and store the data for future use. This will lead to greater patient outcomes and relieve physician burnout.

You Think You Have Long COVID: What Now?

AS of annuary 2023, 28% of people have had long COVID or still have it. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that long COVID is, “New or worsening of symptoms three months after COVID infection with symptoms lasting at least two months, without any other explanation.” Common symptoms include brain fog and joint pain. Experts say that most do recover, albeit slowly. Treatments include physical therapy and medications, but each case is specific to each patient.