A Young Athlete's Breathing Problems Weren't Asthma. What Were They?
Young athletes — especially girls — can struggle with a breathing problem that appears to be asthma. The real cause of the problem is in the vocal cords.
Medical Treatments
FDA's Hahn Apologizes For Overselling Plasma's Benefits As A COVID-19 Treatment
The Food and Drug Administration's chief said Sunday the therapy reduces deaths among COVID-19 patients by 35%. On Monday he apologized, acknowledging that statistic greatly exaggerates any benefit.
When FDA Might Approve A Coronavirus Vaccine
New vaccines usually take years to get the approval of the Food and Drug Administration. But the Trump administration suggests the FDA may greenlight a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.
Researcher Criticizes FDA's Exaggeration Of Plasma's Efficacy In COVID-19 Treatment
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Dr. Eric Topol of the Scripps Research Translational Institute about his concerns about the use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment.
Postal Service Slowdowns Cause Dangerous Delays In Medication Delivery
Mail-order prescriptions are another victim of recent changes to post office operations around the country. For some people, getting your mail on time could be a matter of life or death.
Veteran's Appendectomy Launches Excruciating, Months-Long Battle Over Bill
An uninsured Colorado man who had appendicitis owed $80,232 after two surgeries. After months of negotiating with the hospital, he still owes far more than most insurers would pay for the procedures.
HHS Chief Alex Azar Defends Authorization Of Plasma To Treat COVID-19
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the Food and Drug Administration allowing the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19.
Coronavirus Update: Convalescent Plasma Treatment And Risks Of Reinfection
NPR takes a look at the effectiveness of convalescent plasma in treating COVID-19 and discusses a patient in Hong Kong who got infected with the coronavirus twice.
Another COVID-19 Medical Mystery: Patients Come Off Ventilator But Linger In A Coma
Doctors are researching why some patients remain unconscious for days or weeks, even after sedating drugs are withdrawn. They also worry that these patients aren't being given time to recover.
Dr. Anthony Fauci Has Surgery To Remove A Polyp From Vocal Cord
The condition stems from overusing the voice, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.