Posts by: Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana brings more than 8 years of academic research and experience as well as Scientific writing and editing to her role as a Science and Research writer. She also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, where she also received her PhD in Health Science and Technologies, with a specialty in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

June 1, 2017June 1, 2017

PPV23 Vaccine’s Effectiveness Against Community-acquired Pneumonia Not Yet Consistent, Researchers Say

The PPV23 vaccine, designed to protect against community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, is not uniformly effective among the general population, immuno-compromised individuals and those with underlying risk factors, according ... Read more

May 23, 2017May 23, 2017

Initial Antibiotic Treatment Fails in Nearly One in Four Pneumonia Patients, Study Finds

An initial antibiotics regimen fails to cure pneumonia in one in four patients who acquire the disease outside hospitals and care facilities, according to a study. The failures lead to ... Read more

May 16, 2017May 16, 2017

Risk of Heart Attack Increases 17 Times in Week Following Respiratory Infection

The risk of having a heart attack increases 17 times in the seven days after a respiratory infection, including pneumonia, according to recent research from Australia. The study, “Triggering of ... Read more

May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

Penicillin-G/V May Reduce Pneumonia Severity and Mortality, Study Suggests

Patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and treated with penicillin-G/V had less severe pneumonia than patients treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics or combination therapy, according to a new study conducted in Denmark. The findings, “Penicillin ... Read more

April 6, 2017April 6, 2017

Antibiotic Omadacycline Shows Promise in Treating Community-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Paratek Pharmaceuticals’ investigational antibiotic omadacycline may become a valuable therapeutic option to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), according to results from a Phase 3 clinical trial. The OPTIC trial (NCT02531438) ... Read more

March 28, 2017March 28, 2017

Community-acquired Pneumonia Linked to Lingering Quality of Life Problems in Elderly

Older adults treated for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are likely to have a poorer quality of life and be at a greater risk of death in the year after they are discharged from a hospital compared to the ... Read more

March 23, 2017March 23, 2017

Swallowing Difficulties Due to Brain Diseases May Increase Risk of Pneumonia

Swallowing difficulties associated with neurological disorders may increase the risk of pneumonia, according to researcher Don Bolser of the University of Florida, who studies coughing mechanisms. Air enters the lungs ... Read more

March 7, 2017March 7, 2017

Unhealthy Environments Kill One in Four Kids Under Age 5, WHO Reports

Increased environmental pollution is associated with poor health and an increased incidence of health conditions such as pneumonia, according to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO). Unhealthy environments caused ... Read more

February 14, 2017February 14, 2017

Polyphor Receives Grant to Develop Antibiotics Targeting Resistant Bacteria

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Polyphor received an award from the London-based Wellcome Trust to fund the development of a novel antibiotic drug class that will target strains of resistant bacteria, including those = associated with pneumonia. ... Read more

January 19, 2017January 19, 2017

Community-acquired Pneumonia Not ‘Seasonal Disease,’ But Can Often Strike in Winter

Cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are more frequent during the winter but can occur during other seasons, a new study says. Researchers say the condition should not be considered a ... Read more