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Hammaker: How the COVID-19 vaccine works
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At Vail Health this week, we received our first shipment of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, and after it is approved by the FDA with an Emergency Use Authorization, we expect to receive the Moderna mRNA vaccine in the coming weeks.
While the vaccine is new and has been produced quickly, mRNA technology has been around for many years. The vaccine essentially takes a piece messenger RNA from the viral cell and causes our bodies to produce the protein that triggers the immune response and antibodies to ward off infection.
An mRNA vaccine does not actually contain the virus itself. An analogy is to think of it as an email sent to the muscle cells at the injection site that shows what a piece of viral protein looks like and then — like a Snapchat message — it disappears. Our bodies will develop an immune response to kill the viral protein and remember how to recognize it in the future. It is an amazing technology and a breakthrough in modern medicine.
Read the full article at VailDaily.com >
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Understanding ACL Tears: From Risk to Recovery - Part 1
Some say an ACL tear is a rite of passage for those who live and play in the mountains. Everyone who has experienced it wears an invisible badge of honor, and most are quick to share their story with the newest members of this not-so-elite club.
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Understanding ACL Tears: From Risk to Recovery - Part 2
“Pop!” It’s that dreaded sound and unforgettable feeling of an ACL tear. Not everyone who tears an ACL experiences the sensation, but those who do have a strong indication that a visit to the orthopaedic surgeon is going to be necessary.
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Understanding ACL Tears: From Risk to Recovery - Part 3
While ACL tears are common, and super-humans like Lindsey Vonn make reconstructive surgery look easy, the reality is that recovery is a process and it’s different for every person. Because the timeline is so unpredictable, Dr. Tom Hackett, a complex knee surgeon at The Steadman Clinic, recommends managing your expectations when it comes to the recovery timeline.