University of Denver & National Jewish Health
The University of Denver (DU) and National Jewish Health are partnering to help students and faculty stay safe on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. National Jewish Health brings a long history of care and research into respiratory, cardiac and immune-related issues and has developed multiple diagnostic testing platforms for the coronavirus. This expertise in testing, developing protocols, and assessing care needs are part of the services brought to DU by National Jewish Health experts.
May 11, 2021
COVID-19 Variants & Vaccines: Why Does a Virus Mutate?
As of April 25, 2021, more than 42% of the U.S. population have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine. Many are asking how effective are the vaccines against the mutant or variant strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Viruses, like all living things, go through mutations throughout their lifespan. If a mutation provides a survival advantage, then that mutated version becomes the dominant strain. Just like the chameleons have evolved to change skin pigment shades to avoid predators, the COVID-19 virus keeps on evolving to avoid its predator – the human immune system. Read More
May 4, 2021
Your Mental Health and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic affects each person differently, but a common theme has been its impact on mental health. The pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty, isolation and change. These effects can lead to heightened anxiety, feelings of depression, frustration, anger and more.
“Many people are longing for how life used to be,” said CJ Bathgate, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist at National Jewish Health. “Others are comparing effects of this pandemic to the effects seen after 9/11, because that is the last major event in the U.S. to cause widespread change to daily life.” Read More
April 27, 2021
Answers to Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
What questions do you have about the COVID-19 vaccines? In our Facebook Live event, we got answers from Jared Eddy, MD, infectious disease expert and the director of Infection Prevention at National Jewish Health in Denver.
April 20, 2021
Side-by-Side Comparison: COVID-19 Vaccine
When it's your turn, GET VACCINATED!
All of these COVID-19 vaccines will protect you, but here's a side-by-side comparison. Remember to talk with your doctor if you have concerns about getting the vaccine.
Read More
April 13, 2021
How to Check for Shortness of Breath
Shortness of Breath During COVID-19 Pandemic
Shortness of breath is a symptom of COVID-19. During the pandemic, it’s important to watch for new or worsening shortness of breath or respiratory problems. Contact your health care provider immediately if you experience any changes in your breathing, as it may be a sign of COVID-19. Read More
April 6, 2021
Handling Stress & COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic may be stressful for adults and children. Coping with stress can make you, your loved ones and the community stronger.
What Does Stress Look Like?
- Fears, anxiety and depression about health, work, finances and school
- Difficulty sleeping, eating and concentrating
- Other health conditions getting worse
- Using unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol, tobacco or other drugs
- Concerns about loved ones
Read More
March 30, 2021
A Better Fitting Mask
New recommendations and information from various studies show that there are easy ways to increase the protection from COVID-19 by changing how you wear a facemask.
Surgical Masks
You can improve how a surgical mask fits by making a small knot in each ear loop. This makes the mask fit closer to your face to block more particles and increase protection. Read More
March 23, 2021
Travel During 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As you plan to travel for health care appointments, vacation or business, remember that cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the U.S. and around the world. Travel can increase your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Social distancing, mask wearing and frequent handwashing are key to preventing you from catching this virus.
Use these tips to be prepared and have a safe trip. Read More
March 16, 2021
How Social Gatherings Spread COVID-19 – and How to Reduce Your Risk
COVID-19 is highly contagious. It is spread through indoor air and on infected surfaces.
Here are two common places where you could be infected, and how to reduce your risk.
Read More
March 9, 2021
Life after Vaccination — To Mask or Not to Mask — That Is the Question
Before COVID-19 vaccination began, social distancing and wearing masks have been our main methods of protection against the potentially deadly, airborne COVID-19 infection.
As the vaccination roll out continues, and more and more people acquire immunity, it is natural to hope for a day, not far in the future, where we do not have to wear masks all the time or practice strict social distancing to return to “normal life.” Read More
March 2, 2021
10 Tips for Safe Winter Fun with COVID-19
Here are some suggestions for keeping busy, managing stress and staying active this winter. Remember to wash hands frequently, stay socially distanced and seek medical attention, either in person or virtually, if you feel like you are becoming ill — don’t wait. Read More
February 23, 2021
Self-Care for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Taking Care of Yourself When You Have COVID-19
If you are diagnosed with coronavirus or think you might have it, here’s how to care for yourself and family members.
Stay Home Until
- You have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (that’s three full days of no fever without taking any fever reducing medicine)
- Other symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, have improved
- At least seven days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
Read More
February 16, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Development
Ever since the emergence of COVID-19 in January 2020, labs around the world have been looking to develop effective vaccines against SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As of Dec. 8, more than 68 million people have developed COVID-19 and 1.5 million have died. In normal times, vaccines take years to decades to develop. Given the extent of the coronavirus disease, and the severe social economic impact it has caused, governments and private institutions around the globe have poured unprecedented amount of effort and money into vaccine development. Read More
February 9, 2021
Types of Vaccines
Scientists around the world are working on the development and distribution of vaccines for COVID-19. It is not known if we will need a COVID-19 vaccine every year. Many COVID-19 vaccines currently in development are two-dose vaccines, including the two recently approved vaccines – one from Pfizer and one from Moderna. Both offer minimal protection after the first dose and fuller immunity within seven days of the second dose. What is not known is if we will need a COVID-19 vaccine every year. Read More
February 2, 2021
Social Distancing, Self-Isolation and Self-Quarantine
What is social distancing and how will it help slow the COVID-19 virus?
Social distancing is a public health tactic used to slow down the spread of a contagious disease like coronavirus. When a person coughs or sneezes, a spray of small liquid droplets goes into the air. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets and any virus the droplets may contain. Social distancing is being careful about what you are exposed to and who you are around. Read More
January 26, 2020
The Difference Between Tests for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Molecular (Swab) Test
This test uses a long swab to collect material, including physical pieces of coronavirus, from the back of the nose where it meets the throat. A positive result indicates that viral genetic material is present, but it does not indicate that bacterial or other infections also are present. A negative result indicates that the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease was not found. It is possible to have a very low level of the virus in the body with a negative test result. Read More
January 19, 2020
Coronavirus this Winter: Three C s to Avoid and One to Embrace
Question: What do these very different locations have in common?
- A mega church in a bustling South Korean city
- An upscale hotel in Boston
- A funeral home in a small Georgia town
Answer: They all became centers of COVID-19 spread and hot spots for super-spreader events because of the three Cs of coronavirus — Contact, Closed, Crowded. As winter approaches, there is real concern about a resurgence in COVID-19 numbers. It’s important to remind ourselves of how the virus spreads, what can we do to minimize our risk. Let us look at some of the factors that make it easier for the infection to spread. Read More
January 12, 2020
COVID-19 Vaccine Development
Ever since the emergence of COVID-19 in January 2020, labs around the world have been looking to develop effective vaccines against SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As of Dec. 8, more than 68 million people have developed COVID-19 and 1.5 million have died. In normal times, vaccines take years to decades to develop. Given the extent of the coronavirus disease, and the severe social economic impact it has caused, governments and private institutions around the globe have poured unprecedented amount of effort and money into vaccine development. Read More
January 5, 2020
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Q: What is vaccination?
A: Vaccination is a medical process that is critical to the prevention and control of infectious-disease outbreaks. Vaccines are already used to prevent millions of deaths every year from diseases like tetanus, measles and influenza.
A vaccine is a medical preparation of biologic material that is introduced into the body in order to provide the recipient with immunity (an effective host defense) against an infectious disease. Read More
December 29, 2020
How Do Facemasks Work?
The coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus. It can be spread when infected and asymptomatic people exhale during breathing, speaking, singing, coughing and sneezing. In addition to inhaling SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, people can be infected by touching contaminated surfaces. Wearing facemasks and washing hands protect you from the virus. Read More
December 22, 2020
How Social Gatherings Spread COVID-19 – and How to Reduce Your Risk
COVID-19 is highly contagious. It is spread through indoor air and on infected surfaces.
Here are two common places where you could be infected, and how to reduce your risk.
Read More
December 15, 2020
Household Cleaning and Disinfecting for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Wear gloves
Use disposable gloves when cleaning and doing laundry. Throw away gloves after each use and wash hands.
Clean surfaces
Before disinfecting, if surfaces are dirty, clean them with a detergent or soap and water.
Hard surfaces
To disinfect hard surfaces, use an EPA-approved product on this list or use a diluted household bleach solution of 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
Read More
December 8, 2020
Going to the Doctor During COVID-19
Staying on top of your health needs is one of the keys to good health. Unfortunately, many non-urgent health care needs were paused during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. For people with chronic conditions, this was particularly challenging. As we manage through the next many months of this pandemic, returning to regular care, seeing your doctor and following care advice, will be more important than ever. Read More
November 30, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Symptoms
Most coronaviruses, such as the common cold, are not dangerous.
Coronaviruses mainly cause an infection in the nose, sinuses or upper throat, but can lead to pneumonia and bronchitis. People who have diabetes, heart and/or lung diseases, immune deficiency, or infants and older adults have a higher risk of being affected by a coronavirus. Read More
November 24, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Hand Washing
Learn how to get a good scrub down hand washing using the porcupine, peacock, motorcycle rev and backscratch techniques to make sure you are not part of the 95 percent that don’t wash correctly. Read More
November 17, 2020
Travel During 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As you plan to travel for health care appointments, vacation or business, remember that cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the U.S. and around the world. Travel can increase your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Social distancing, mask wearing and frequent handwashing are key to preventing you from catching this virus.
Use these tips to be prepared and have a safe trip. Read More
November 10, 2020
Your Mental Health and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic affects each person differently, but a common theme has been its impact on mental health. The pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty, isolation and change. These effects can lead to heightened anxiety, feelings of depression, frustration, anger and more.
“Many people are longing for how life used to be,” said CJ Bathgate, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist at National Jewish Health. “Others are comparing effects of this pandemic to the effects seen after 9/11, because that is the last major event in the U.S. to cause widespread change to daily life.” Read More
November 6, 2020
Why Flu Shots Are Important During COVID-19