Low-dose CT chest scans could help detect pneumonia in at-risk patients while exposing them to only small amounts of radiation, a new study has found. The research, published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, shows that ultra-low-dose scans can effectively detect pneumonia in patients with compromised immune systems, enabling doctors to treat the infection before it becomes life-threatening. According to the researchers, these scans expose patients to just 2% of the radiation dose used in a standard CT scan.

"This study paves the way for safer, AI-driven imaging that reduces radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic accuracy,” lead researcher Dr Maximiliano Klug, a radiologist with the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, said in a news release. He added that CT scans are the gold standard for detecting pneumonia but there are concerns regarding the risk posed by repeated exposure to radiation. There is a solution- ultra-low-dose CT scan. However, the problem is that these scans can be grainy and hard to read, researchers said.

Study Gives Solution To This

To overcome that, Klug's team developed an AI program that could help "de-noise" low-dose scans, making them sharper and easier to read. Between September 2020 and December 2022, 54 patients with compromised immune systems who had fevers underwent a pair of chest CT scans -- a normal dose scan and an ultra-low-dose scan. The AI program cleaned up the low-dose scan, and then both sets of images were given to a pair of radiologists for assessment. Radiologists had 100% accuracy in detecting pneumonia and other lung problems with the AI-cleaned low-dose scans, but 91% to 98% accuracy in examining the scans that hadn’t been improved through AI, results show.

"This pilot study identified infection with a fraction of the radiation dose," Klug said. "This approach could drive larger studies and ultimately reshape clinical guidelines, making denoised ultra-low dose CT the new standard for young immunocompromised patients.

How Can You Detect Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The symptoms can range from milk to severe, which includes:

Coughing with or without cough

Fever

Chills

Trouble breathing

Chest pain, especially when breathing deeply or coughing

Sweating or chills

Rapid heart rate

Loss of appetite

Bluish skin, lips, and nails

Confusion.

How to detect Pneumonia in coughing newborns and toddlers?

Pneumonia can severely affect newborns and young children as their lungs are comparatively more sensitive. As per Dr Goyal, young children can cough for various reasons including seasonal infections and tonsillitis, which is very common in this age group. But if they look visibly irritable and have poor sleep patterns, then parents must reach out to an expert. "I am not saying that parents must visit a hospital but any local paediatrician would be able to detect pneumonia in your kid.

India’s first indigenously developed gender-neutral quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Cervavac, has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Serum Institute of India announced today.

WHO prequalification marks an important regulatory milestone and opens the possibility of UN agencies procuring Cervavac and supplying it to eligible countries. It could also expand access to HPV vaccination for both boys and girls globally.

“WHO prequalification of Cervavac is an important step in strengthening the global response to HPV. This milestone reflects the effectiveness of the vaccine and creates the opportunity for countries to prevent HPV-related risks. We are pleased to see this indigenously developed vaccine reach this achievement, and look forward to contributing to immunization coverage, advancing global healthcare,” said Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer, Serum Institute of India, in a statement.

What Is Cervavac?

Cervavac is a recombinant quadrivalent HPV vaccine that targets HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has already approved Cervavac vaccine for girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years. HPV types 16 and 18 are associated with several cancers, while types 6 and 11 are responsible for most genital warts.

In girls and women, Cervavac is indicated for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18, as well as genital warts caused by types 6 and 11.

In boys and men, it is indicated for the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18 and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11.

The vaccine was developed with support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in collaboration with the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Gates Foundation.

The WHO prequalification is the 32nd received by the Serum Institute for its products and biologicals.

Who Is Eligible for Cervavac?

Cervavac is approved in India for girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years.

Children aged 9 to 14 years receive the vaccine as a two-dose schedule, with doses given at 0 and six months. Those aged 15 to 26 years receive three doses at 0, two and six months.

The vaccine is administered intramuscularly and is available in 0.5 mL single-dose and 1 mL two-dose vial presentations.

Could Cervavac Join India’s Vaccination Program?

Cervavac is yet to be incorporated into India’s Universal Immunization Program (UIP).

The vaccine is currently being studied as a single-dose vaccine. An ongoing study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is assessing whether one dose produces sufficient and sustained antibody protection compared with a single dose of Gardasil.

The results are expected in 2027. Evidence from the study could help determine whether Cervavac can be recommended as a single-dose vaccine and considered for inclusion in India’s national immunization program.

Rajesh Gokhale, secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, said Cervavac was initially not introduced into the national program because it required two doses. “The single-dose will come in (to the national program) after it has been clinically tested,” he was quoted as saying.

Cervavac currently costs around Rs 2,000 in the private market, although its potential price for government procurement has not been disclosed.

India’s HPV Vaccination Drive And Cervical Cancer Burden

India launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls in February 2026, using Gardasil-4, developed by Merck.

Cervavac was launched in India in September 2022 after Phase 2/3 trials found it to be non-inferior to Gardasil. At the time, Serum Institute had indicated that the vaccine could potentially be supplied to the government at a substantially lower price through public procurement.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in India, with about 80,000 new cases reported annually and more than 42,000 deaths. India accounts for roughly one-fifth of the global cervical cancer burden.

The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but its health effects continue to be studied. Now, a new study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with an increased risk of developing six allergic conditions in children and adults.

The study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, examined the potential burden of allergic diseases following COVID-19 infection among people aged 1 to 64 years.

Which Allergic Conditions Were Linked To COVID?

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using 1:2 propensity-score matching to assess the association between COVID-19 infection and the development of allergic conditions over 18 months.

The study found that COVID-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of six allergic conditions:

• atopic dermatitis,
• asthma,
• food allergy,
• rhinoconjunctivitis,
• medication allergy
• urticaria (hives).

Also read: ‘American Covid’ Strain Drives 50% Surge in UK Hospital Admissions: XFG Symptoms to Know

Among the active-duty subgroup, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis were significantly associated with previous COVID-19 infection.

Among children, all the conditions except food allergy showed a significant association with infection.

The researchers also found that higher sponsor rank, evaluated as a potential indicator of socioeconomic status, was associated with a slight protective effect against developing asthma.

What's the Link Between COVID And Allergies?

Researchers from the Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, said the findings highlight a potential public health burden from allergic diseases following COVID-19 infection.

They emphasized the importance of monitoring for allergic conditions after infection so they can be identified and treated promptly.

The findings could point toward a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and type 2 inflammation, an immune pathway involved in several allergic diseases.

Further, the researchers explained that SARS-CoV-2 was found to disrupt the immune system and affect multiple organs during and after infection.

This was seen early in the pandemic with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Later, long COVID emerged, with symptoms including fatigue, persistent cough, breathlessness, nasal congestion, runny nose and rash.

Read More: CSIR-CCMB Scientists Find Flu & COVID Viruses May Affect A Protein Linked To Parkinson’s Disease

In a blogpost, Dr. Alan Khadavi, an allergy and asthma specialist in Los Angeles, described that several factors could explain the association between COVID-19 and allergic disease. These include

1. Changes In Type 2 Inflammation

SARS-CoV-2 may alter immune regulation and promote type 2 inflammation, an immune pathway involved in several allergic conditions.

2. Mast Cell Activation

COVID-19 may activate mast cells, which release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. This can contribute to symptoms such as itching, hives, nasal congestion and wheezing.

3. Respiratory Changes

Inflammation in the nose, sinuses and lungs following COVID-19 could potentially make the respiratory system more sensitive to environmental triggers.

4. Increased Indoor Exposure

Pandemic-related lifestyle changes also increased time spent indoors, potentially increasing exposure to dust mites, pets, mold, cockroach allergens and indoor air pollutants.

Can COVID Make Existing Allergies Worse?

Respiratory viruses are known to trigger asthma flare-ups. According to Dr. Khadavi, COVID-19 could add to this risk because immune changes may persist in some people after infection.

However, the study found an association, not causation. Its retrospective design means it cannot prove that COVID-19 directly causes allergic disease or that type 2 inflammation is the underlying mechanism.

Nearly 750,000 eye-care products, including eye drops and ointments, have been recalled over sterility concerns in the US, according to the US FDA.

Also Read: Russia Plague Outbreak: Lab Worker Dies Of 'Unknown Infection' After Suspected Exposure; CDC Monitors The Situation

The recall covers nine products, including more than 500,000 Walgreens-branded lubricant eye-drop units, plus products sold under AvKare, Reliable-1, Cameron Pharmaceuticals, TRP The Relief Products and Major.

The massive recall was initiated in August 2026 by Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC, based in Dupo, Illinois. In September, the FDA labeled the recall as a Class II, meaning exposure “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Also read: Nearly 40,000 Bottles Of Popular Eye Drops Recalled Due To Potential Contamination

List of Recalled Eye Care Products

As per the FDA, a total of 747,844 units of the products recalled include:

AvKare

• AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, Sterile, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottle - 12,864 packs
• AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, Sterile, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) EACH, 1.0 FL OZ (30 mL) TOTAL, 2 count Twin Pack - 107,377 packs.

Reliable -1

• Reliable -1 Laboratories, Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic Solution, 5%, Sterile, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles - 11083 bottles
• Reliable-1 Laboratories Lubricating Tears, Sterile, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles - 47616 bottles

Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops

• Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, Sterile, 0.5 OZ (15 mL) bottles - 301114 bottles
• Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) 1.0 FL OZ (30 mL) TOTAL, 2 count Twin Pack - 199600 packs.

TRP The Relief Products

• TRP The Relief Products Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Sterile Eye Drops, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles - 14538 bottles

Major LubriFresh

• Major LubriFresh P.M. Nighttime Ointment, Net wt. 0.125 oz. (3.5 g) tubes -34368 tubes

Lubricant Eye Drops-Cameron Pharmaceuticals

• Lubricant Eye Drops-Cameron Pharmaceuticals, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5%, Eye Lubricant, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles - 19284 bottles

Why Is Contamination In Eye Drops A Serious Concern?

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Eye drops are different from other medicines as they are intended to be strictly sterile at all times. The FDA notes that ophthalmic medicines pose a heightened risk because they could bypass some of the body's natural defences.

Contaminated eye drops can introduce microorganisms directly onto the eye and potentially cause infection.

Depending on the type and severity of contamination, an eye infection can cause symptoms ranging from redness and irritation to pain, discharge, vision changes and, in severe cases, serious damage to the eye. This is why sterility is a major safety requirement for ophthalmic products.

This particular recall is based on a potential contamination and lack of assurance of sterility. It does not mean that every bottle is contaminated or that everyone who used the product will develop an infection.

The FDA has not indicated that every user of the recalled product will experience adverse effects. However, consumers who have a recalled bottle should stop using it rather than taking the risk.

What Should You Do If You Have The Recalled Eye Drops?

If you have the recalled bottle of eye drops, check the lot number and expiration date on the packaging. If your bottle matches the recalled product, stop using it.

Consumers should also follow the recall instructions for returning or disposing of the product and can contact a healthcare professional.

The FDA also advises people to stop using eye drops and seek medical advice if they develop eye pain, discharge, changes in vision, or significant discomfort.