Virology
A Viral Battle in the Rice Field
By Gertrud U. Rey | | Basic virology, Commentary, Gertrud Rey, Information
by Gertrud U. Rey Across Asia and beyond, rice crops are frequently attacked by planthoppers and leafhoppers – insects that damage plants during feeding and transmit viruses that can wipe out entire harvests. The chemical insecticides typically used by rice farmers can pose environmental and health risks, and they often also become less effective over …
Nipah Virus
By Gertrud U. Rey | | Basic virology, Commentary, Gertrud Rey, Information
by Gertrud U. Rey Recent news reports have confirmed two cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India. In response, authorities have quarantined nearly 200 individuals and expanded surveillance efforts both in neighboring countries and among travelers arriving from India. These developments raise an important question: What is Nipah virus, and is it a …
Why We Vaccinate Newborns Against Hepatitis B
By Gertrud U. Rey | | Basic virology, Commentary, Events, Gertrud Rey, Information
by Gertrud U. Rey On December 16, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopted new recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Under this policy, parents may defer vaccination if the mother tests negative for hepatitis B virus (HBV). This decision disregards …
A Viral Risk Factor for Lupus
By Gertrud U. Rey | | Basic virology, Commentary, Gertrud Rey, Information
by Gertrud U. Rey Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus that typically spreads through saliva and is known for causing infectious mononucleosis (i.e., “mono”). There is an established causal link between infection with EBV and the development of multiple sclerosis. Emerging evidence now suggests that EBV may also play a significant role in …
Vaccine Modalities – Part 2
By Gertrud U. Rey | | Basic virology, Commentary, Gertrud Rey, Information
by Gertrud U. Rey Last month’s post provided an overview of various traditional vaccine technologies. The current post highlights more recent advances in the field. Genetic vaccines introduce nucleic acids (DNA and/or RNA) into a recipient’s cells. Once inside the cells, these genetic instructions are used by the cell’s machinery to produce a specific protein. …
Vaccine Modalities – Part 1
By Gertrud U. Rey | | Commentary, Gertrud Rey, Information
by Gertrud U. Rey During the last 50 years, vaccination efforts have prevented about 154 million deaths worldwide, with the measles vaccine alone responsible for a large portion of this achievement. Childhood vaccinations in particular have not only led to a 40% reduction in global infant deaths throughout the same time period, but they are …
David Tuller
Trial By Error: Norway Disability Case Exposes Flaws in Draft Guideline for “Long-Term Fatigue–including ME/CFS”
By David Tuller, DrPH A recent disability case in Norway provides a good example of why the draft of a new guideline for “long-term fatigue—including ME/CFS” is so problematic. As I reported last week, the draft guideline, produced by the Norwegian Directorate of Health*, generally favors the biopsychosocial approach. The guideline offers few specifics about …
Trial By Error: Why is Professor Crawley Still on the COFFI Steering Committee?
By David Tuller, DrPH Several years ago, the leaders of the biopsychosocial ideological brigades decided to create the Collaborative On Fatigue and related symptoms Following Infection, or COFFI. According to its website, COFFI’s “overarching aim” is “to investigate factors influencing the development of long-term symptoms (in particular fatigue) following certain infectious diseases.” Akershus University Hospital …
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Trial By Error: Aussie GPs Still Push Graded Exercise Therapy
By David Tuller, DrPH When I was in Australia for the first time in 2018, it was clear that the country’s general practitioners were fervent supporters of the biopsychosocial ideology when it came to ME/CFS. That hasn’t changed, according to a recent exchange of views published in the Australian Journal of General Practice. The debate …
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Trial By Error: Dutch Agency Funds CBT Training Program Based on Flawed Long COVID Trial
By David Tuller, DrPH Here is how bullshit replicates itself in today’s medical world: Conduct a flawed trial, declare success despite serious questions, then develop health policy based on these hyped-up claims. ZonMW, a major Dutch healthcare funding agency, is supporting a new program led by Professor Hans Knoop, a longtime supporter of the fraudulent …
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Trial By Error: More on Norway’s Problematic Draft Guideline for “Long-Term Fatigue–including ME/CFS”
By David Tuller, DrPH I posted a piece yesterday on Norway’s draft guideline for “long-term fatigue—including ME/CFS.” But my post was already outdated! The draft guideline was written by a team from the Norwegian Directorate of Health and is open for public comment until May 4th. A working group of 25 individuals from a range …
Trial By Error: Norway’s Problematic Draft Guideline Combining Long-Term Fatigue and ME/CFS
By David Tuller, DrPH On February 4th, the Norwegian Directorate of Health published a draft of a “national professional guideline” for diagnosis, management and treatment of “long-term fatigue—including ME/CFS.” A consultation period for the draft lasts for three months. All comments must be received by May 4th. The draft is intended to replace a 2015 …