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Despite the vaccine against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) being reported to be safe and effective, the unwillingness to vaccinate and doubts are still common. The aim of this international study was to assess the major reasons for the unwillingness to vaccinate in a group of students from Poland (n = 1202), Bangladesh (n = 1586), India (n = 484), Mexico (n = 234), Egypt (n = 566), Philippines (n = 2076), Pakistan (n = 506), Vietnam (n = 98) and China (n = 503). We conducted an online cross-sectional study that aimed to assess (1) the percentage of vaccinated and unvaccinated students and (2) the reasons associated with willingness/unwillingness to the vaccine. The study included 7255 respondents from 9 countries with a mean age of 21.85 ± 3.66 years. Only 22.11% (n = 1604) of students were vaccinated. However, the majority (69.25%, n = 5025) expressed a willingness to be vaccinated. More willing to vaccinate were students in informal relationships who worked mentally, used psychological/psychiatric services before the pandemic, and studied medicine. There are cultural differences regarding the reasons associated with the unwillingness to vaccinate, but some 'universal' might be distinguished that apply to the whole group.

Introduction and Objective. COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV 2 is a still serious danger. The disease which triggered off the COVID-19 pandemic and one of the biggest health crises in many years, began in the city of Wuhan, China, in 2019. The aim of this review is to distinguish most of the specific and non-specific manifestations of the disease among children. Review Methods. The literature review was based on different types of articles including reviews, meta-analyses, systemic reviews, and randomized controlled trials on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Key words featured COVID-19, MIS-C, SARS-CoV-2 manifestations, and specific, and non-specific manifestations of COVID-19. The literature search was performed until September 2023, and concerned only paediatric patients. Brief description of the state of knowledge. Research based on already published studies prevents the forming of firm conclusions. There are different symptoms of COVID-19 infection, some of them are typical, mild, and do not concern medical care units. There are also some non-specific manifestations, often related to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which are more severe and sometimes demand involving intensive care units. Conclusions. A large group of infected children with asymptomatic or present mild symptoms of COVID-19. Nonspecific manifestations, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, psychiatric, neurological, ophthalmic, dermatological, or rheumatological symptoms, can potentially be misleading and require more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection might be presented in many various specific and non-specific manifest and symptoms from different systems. Also, the psychotic symptoms are documented but the explanation for their pathophysiology remains debatable and a complex matter. The main objective of this paper is to present cases of patients without a history of psychiatric disorders who developed the first episode of psychosis during the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and methods: Two cases of not-related patients with no previous psychiatric history developed psychotic episodes during COVID-19 infection. In both cases chronologically first they experienced symptoms of infection, secondly, delusions and psychomotor agitation that required psychiatric hospitalization. Full remission was observed after antipsychotic treatment in both cases. Results: Even though the pathophysiology of the post-COVID-19 psychiatric symptoms remains unclear, some reports that indicate associations between the infection and the onset of such symptoms. The infection itself, by the induction of cytokine storm followed by the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is considered to stimulate the potential onset of the psychosis, however, other factors such as medications used during treatment (with a particular emphasis on glucocorticosteroids) or psychological factors should be considered as well. Conclusions: Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 might develop serious psychotic episodes even without a prior psychiatric history. Besides, psychiatric symptoms might be the first the even the only manifestations associated with the active SARSCoV-2 infection which seems to be very challenging especially in cases of rapid psychotic episodes without any clear respiratory symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become a worldwide threat resulting in a pandemic in 2020. SARS-CoV-2 infection manifests itself as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is evidenced in a vast number of either specific or nonspecific symptoms. Except for typical (but nonspecific) symptoms such as fever, dry cough, or muscle weakness, the infected patients might also present atypical symptoms including neurological, dermatological, or ophthalmic manifestations. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the onset, progression, and types of ophthalmic symptoms induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection recognized amongst the infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choices regarding coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak may imply the development as well as the severity of emotional disorders. The aim of this web-based cross-sectional study was to: (1) assess the coping strategies for stress in a population of Polish students and (2) evaluate the impact of those strategies on the severity of depression, stress, and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown. To evaluate emotional distress, we used the DASS-21 scale and coping strategies Brief-COPE Inventory. The study included 2172 respondents (73% female, 27% male) with a mean age of 22.1 ± 2.2. Students more frequently chose stress coping strategies belonging to the 'approach' coping strategies (M = 29.60 ± 6.89) compared to 'avoidant' coping strategies (M = 22.82 ± 5.78). The intensification of distress in women caused a turn to religion (p = 0.001), while men used substances (p < 0.001) and a sense of humor (p < 0.001). Medical students coped best with emotional distress, which is very encouraging for their future profession. The highest level of DASS total score was associated with the usage of avoidant coping strategies, prior use of psychiatric or psychological support, and loneliness. Planning interventions to prevent emotional disorders in students requires the identification of factors contributing to increased emotional distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains a huge challenge for contemporary healthcare systems. Apart from widely reported acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the virus affects many other systems inducing a vast number of symptoms such as gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological, cardiovascular, and many more. Currently it has also been hypothesized that the virus might affect female and male reproductive systems; SARS-CoV-2 infection could also have a role in potential disturbances to human fertility. In this article, we aimed to review the latest literature regarding the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on female and male reproductive systems as well as fertility, in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continually evolving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in a vast number of either acute or chronic medical impairments of a pathophysiology that is not yet fully understood. SARS-CoV-2 tropism for the organs is associated with bilateral organ cross-talks as well as targeted dysfunctions, among which acute kidney injury (AKI) seems to be highly prevalent in infected patients. The need for efficient management of COVID-related AKI patients is an aspect that is still being investigated by nephrologists; however, another reason for concern is a disturbingly high proportion of various types of kidney dysfunctions in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Even though the clinical picture of AKI and COVID-related AKI seems to be quite similar, it must be considered that regarding the latter, little is known about both the optimal management and long-term consequences. These discrepancies raise an urgent need for further research aimed at evaluating the molecular mechanisms associated with SARS-CoV-2-induced kidney damage as well as standardized management of COVID-related AKI patients. The following review presents a comprehensive and most-recent insight into the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, recommended patient management, treatment strategies, and post-mortem findings in patients with COVID-related AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a significant impact on both physical and mental health. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to (1) evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress levels among students from Polish universities during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) assess the risk factors of the higher intensity of emotional distress. We conducted an online survey using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess well-being. The study included 2172 respondents (73% female, 27% male) with a mean age of 22.1 ± 2.2. Moderate to extremely severe scores of depression, anxiety, and stress were reported by 43.4%, 27.3%, and 41.0% of the respondents, respectively. Higher scores of DASS-21 were related to female sex (odds ratio (OR) = 3.01), studying sciences (OR = 2.04), co-residence with the roommates (OR = 1.25), suffering from a mental disorder (OR = 5.88), loneliness (OR = 293.30), the usage of psychiatric support before pandemic (OR = 8.06), poor economic situation (OR = 13.49), and the lower scores were found for being currently employed (OR = 0.4). This study highlights an urgent need for (1) crisis-oriented psychological and psychiatric support for students during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) preparing appropriate psychological interventions to improve the mental health of students for a possible similar situation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]