GP Robert Walton looks at Cochrane evidence on probiotics, an increasingly popular and natural way of avoiding upper respiratory infections such as colds, flu and infections of the throat, nose and sinuses.
Immunology & Infection
Covid tests: how good are LFTs (lateral flow tests)? A short blog
Can you rely on the result of your LFT (lateral flow test)? Here’s a brief look at the latest evidence on how well LFTs for COVID-19 work.
COVID tests: how accurate are LFTs?
Jac Dinnes from University of Birmingham discusses the latest evidence in her Cochrane Review and what it tells us about the accuracy of the lateral flow tests (LFTs) for diagnosing COVID-19.
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus): Cochrane evidence
Sarah Chapman looks at a new Cochrane Review on how useful signs and symptoms are for diagnosing COVID-19.
COVID-19 evidence: a Cochrane round-up
Sarah Chapman and Selena Ryan-Vig highlight Cochrane evidence on COVID-19 and other health effects of the pandemic, with links to reviews, blogs and other Cochrane resources.
Avoiding malaria on holiday: the evidence
In this blog for people taking tropical holidays Robert Walton, a general practitioner, brings you up to date with the latest research on malaria prevention.
Exercise and acute respiratory infections: might regular exercise help protect us?
Sarah Chapman looks at the Cochrane evidence on whether exercise affects our susceptibility to acute respiratory infections.
Biologics for treating arthritis: are they the greatest advance this century?
In this blog for people with severe arthritis Robert Walton, Senior Fellow in General Practice at Cochrane UK and a very general practitioner, examines Cochrane evidence about biologics, a new generation of drugs to help people with this disabling long term condition.
Antibody tests for COVID-19: what use are they in practice?
A blog for GPs on antibody tests for COVID-19
Travel-related measures for controlling the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus): new Cochrane evidence
Sarah Chapman looks at a new Cochrane rapid review with evidence on the effectiveness of travel-related measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
MMR vaccines: do they work and are they safe?
Siobhan McCormack looks at the latest Cochrane evidence on MMR vaccination and at guidance on vaccination during the COVID19 pandemic.
Convalescent plasma to treat people with COVID-19: the evidence so far
Sarah Chapman blogs new Cochrane evidence on convalescent plasma as a possible treatment for COVID-19