Richard Harris

Sepsis is one of the most common causes of death for hospitalized patients. The search for an effective treatment has been frustrating.

A seemingly easy and cheap treatment for a deadly disease has failed in a major study. Vitamin C is apparently not useful for sepsis after all. That's a lesson for similar COIVD-19 treatments.

Researchers are trying to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines from original study participants. The quest is hampered because many people who first received a placebo shot are opting for the vaccine.

Scientists say the pandemic will only end in the U.S. when we achieve what's called herd immunity. Play with our simulations to see how immunity can stop an outbreak in its tracks.

Scientists are trying to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines from original study participants. That quest is hampered because many people who received a placebo shot have now opted to get the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines appear to work against the new coronavirus strains, though scientists are warily watching a variant first seen in South Africa. Vaccines may need updates to keep pace with the virus.

Mutant coronaviruses can make vaccines less effective. At the same time, vaccines can contribute to virus mutations, but this is a slow process that should be manageable.

At least 70% of people will need to be immune from the coronavirus before COVID-19 can recede through a process known as herd immunity. Vaccines can play a role. But reaching the goal won't be easy.

Drugs for COVID-19 are sorted into three basic categories: They work, they don't work, or there simply isn't enough information to know. A generic steroid is one medicine that proved helpful.

First, can someone who has been vaccinated still spread the disease? Second, will the vaccine remain effective as the virus itself evolves? And third, how long will the vaccine's protection last?

There are many questions remaining about COVID-19 vaccines, such as how long protection will last and whether vaccinated people can spread the virus. Immunologists are working hard to get the answers.

Antibody-based drugs that bind to the coronavirus to prevent it from invading cells can help patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. But the medicines can be tough to find in time.

While logistical challenges have hampered use of antibody drugs to treat people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, recent results show the medicines can be worthwhile.

Monoclonal antibody drugs for COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms are not widely used, in part because doctors aren't sure they work. New data could provide more confidence in these drugs.

The rollout of vaccines for COVID-19 has been slower than expected. Reasons include local logistics, lack of funding and staffing struggles during the winter holidays.

Colorado health officials found the variant of COVID-19 that spreads faster than the common strain. U.K. scientists identified the strain last week. It has spread in the U.K. and to other countries.

Monoclonal antibodies to prevent severe COVID-19 aren't being used as widely as expected. Medical staff shortages and patient transportation problems are two of the reasons.

The Food and Drug Administration says it will soon grant emergency authorization to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. NPR shares the latest news.

Common devices to measure oxygen in the blood don't work as well in people with darker skin, according to a new study. They are useful, but experts warn readings should be interpreted more carefully.

Fingertip devices that measure oxygen in the blood can sometimes give erroneous readings in people with dark skin, doctors report. The devices can say oxygen levels are normal when they're not.