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Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common and potentially severe medical conditions that occur regularly in both military and nonmilitary populations. Military members, however, have a 21% higher incidence [...]

Background The long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on physical fitness are unclear, and the impact of vaccination on that relationship is uncertain. Methods We compared survey responses in a 1-year study of US military service members with (n = 1923) and without (n = 1591) a history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We fit Poisson regression models to estimate the association between history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and fitness impairment, adjusting for time since infection, demographics, and baseline health. Results The participants in this analysis were primarily young adults aged 18–39 years (75%), and 71.5% were male. Participants with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to report difficulty exercising (38.7% vs 18.4%; P <.01), difficulty performing daily activities (30.4% vs 12.7%; P <.01), and decreased fitness test (FT) scores (42.7% vs 26.2%; P <.01) than those without a history of infection. SARS-CoV-2-infected participants were at higher risk of these outcomes after adjusting for other factors (unvaccinated: exercising: adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 3.99; 95% CI, 3.36–4.73; activities: aRR, 5.02; 95% CI, 4.09–6.16; FT affected: aRR, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.19–2.98). Among SARS-CoV-2-positive participants, full vaccination before infection was associated with a lower risk of post-COVID-19 fitness impairment (fully vaccinated: exercise: aRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70–0.95; activities: aRR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64–0.91; FT: aRR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76–1.00; boosted: exercise: aRR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.51–0.74; activities: aRR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.41–0.65; FT: aRR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.49–0.70). Conclusions In this study of generally young, healthy military service members, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with lower self-reported fitness and exercise capacity; vaccination and boosting were associated with lower risk of self-reported fitness loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patient-reported outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are an important measure of the full burden of coronavirus disease (COVID). Here, we examine how (1) infecting genotype and COVID-19 vaccination correlate with inFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) Plus score, including by symptom domains, and (2) FLU-PRO Plus scores predict return to usual activities and health. Methods The ep idemiology, i mmunology, and c linical c haracteristics of pandemic infectious diseases (EPICC) study was implemented to describe the short- and long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a longitudinal, observational cohort. Multivariable linear regression models were run with FLU-PRO Plus scores as the outcome variable, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models evaluated effects of FLU-PRO Plus scores on return to usual health or activities. Results Among the 764 participants included in this analysis, 63% were 18–44 years old, 40% were female, and 51% were White. Being fully vaccinated was associated with lower total scores (β = −0.39; 95% CI, −0.57 to −0.21). The Delta variant was associated with higher total scores (β = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.45). Participants with higher FLU-PRO Plus scores were less likely to report returning to usual health and activities (health: hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.57; activities: HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.67). Fully vaccinated participants were more likely to report returning to usual activities (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.48). Conclusions Full SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is associated with decreased severity of patient-reported symptoms across multiple domains, which in turn is likely to be associated with earlier return to usual activities. In addition, infection with the Delta variant was associated with higher FLU-PRO Plus scores than previous variants, even after controlling for vaccination status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are the standard for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. If less invasive alternatives to NP swabs (eg, oropharyngeal [OP] or nasal swabs [NS]) are comparably sensitive, the use of these techniques may be preferable in terms of comfort, convenience, and safety. Methods This study compared the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in swab samples collected on the same day among participants with at least one positive PCR test. Results Overall, 755 participants had at least one set of paired swabs. Concordance between NP and other swab types was 75% (NS), 72% (OP), 54% (rectal swabs [RS]), and 78% (NS/OP combined). Kappa values were moderate for the NS, OP, and NS/OP comparisons (0.50, 0.45, and 0.54, respectively). Highest sensitivity relative to NP (0.87) was observed with a combination of NS/OP tests (positive if either NS or OP was positive). Sensitivity of the non-NP swab types was highest in the first week postsymptom onset and decreased thereafter. Similarly, virus RNA quantity was highest in the NP swabs as compared with NS, OP, and RS within two weeks postsymptom onset. OP and NS performance decreased as virus RNA quantity decreased. No differences were noted between NS specimens collected at home or in clinic. Conclusions NP swabs detected more SARS-CoV-2 cases than non-NP swabs, and the sensitivity of the non-NP swabs decreased with time postsymptom onset. While other swabs may be simpler to collect, NP swabs present the best chance of detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA, which is essential for clinical care as well as genomic surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The inFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome Plus (FLU-PRO Plus) is a patient-reported outcome data collection instrument assessing symptoms of viral respiratory tract infections across 8 body systems. This study evaluated the measurement properties of FLU-PRO Plus in a study enrolling individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Data from a prospective cohort study (EPICC) in US Military Health System beneficiaries evaluated for COVID-19 was utilized. Adults with symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with FLU-PRO Plus survey information within 1 week of symptom onset were included. Reliability of FLU-PRO Plus was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; 2 days' reproducibility). Known-groups validity was assessed using patient global assessment (PGA) of disease severity. Patient report of return to usual health was used to assess responsiveness (day 1–6/7). Results Two hundred twenty-six SARS-CoV-2–positive participants were included in the analysis. Reliability among those who reported no change in their symptoms from one day to the next was high for most domains (ICC range, 0.68–0.94 for day 1 to day 2). Construct validity was demonstrated by moderate to high correlation between the PGA rating of disease severity and domain and total scores (eg, total scores correlation: 0.69 [influenza-like illness severity], 0.69 [interference in daily activities], and –0.58 [physical health]). In addition, FLU-PRO Plus demonstrated good known-groups validity, with increasing domain and total scores observed with increasing severity ratings. Conclusions FLU-PRO Plus performs well in measuring signs and symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 infection with excellent construct validity, known-groups validity, and responsiveness to change. Standardized data collection instruments facilitate meta-analyses, vaccine effectiveness studies, and other COVID-19 research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the rationale for intercultural communication studies. Examines the following reasons: interpersonal adjustment, job skills, and cosmopolitanism. (PD)

The communication taxonomies we live by are represented by curricula, tables of contents, and the line items of budgets. Many of these are political products. Communication means different things at different times to different people, even to the same person. Therefore the communication taxonomy changes, is relative rather than absolute, and is probabilistic. Its categories are fuzzy sets, and generally multimodal. Computers can manage this complexity. Beyond a taxonomy, the field of communication rests on a philosophy and choices of priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral observations of communication interaction patterns were gathered for traditional and ''poster paper'' presentations at the 89th Meeting of the Society (7-11 April 1975, Austin, Texas). Affective reactions of poster paper authors and audience members were also surveyed. The overall response to poster sessions was very positive, suggesting continuation of the new mode of technical communication. Poster paper authors were somewhat more positive in their responses than other participants. Although poster sessions produced much more verbal interaction, patterns of interaction did not appear to differ from those observed in traditional presentations. Several problems particular to poster sessions were identified and suggestions for improvement are offered. Subject Classification: [43]05.50; [43]10.85. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]