On Aug. 14, 2024, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. There have been over 15,600 cases and over 530 deaths reported in the…
Tag: Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases spike when kids return to school − here’s what you can do about it
Ready or not, back-to-school season is here, and kids will be bringing home more than homework. They’ll be carrying germs, too. These viruses and bacteria will be agents that cause…
Vaccines tell a success story that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Trump forget – here are some key reminders
Vaccinations have provided significant protection for the public against infectious diseases. However, there was a modest decrease in support in 2023 nationwide for vaccine requirements for children to attend public…
Toxoplasma is a common parasite that causes birth defects – but the US doesn’t screen for it during pregnancy
Imagine the shock of your baby being born with a swollen brain, blindness and debilitating seizures. Now imagine learning that these devastating conditions could have been prevented if you took…
A microbiologist explains how to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool or on the trail
As flowers bloom and temperatures climb, many are eager to get back outside. But while the Sun may be shining, there is a dark side that can make the great…
Infections after surgery are more likely due to bacteria already on your skin than from microbes in the hospital − new research
Health care providers and patients have traditionally thought that infections patients get while in the hospital are caused by superbugs they’re exposed to while they’re in a medical facility. Genetic…
What if every germ hit you at the exact same time? An immunologist explains
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected]. What would happen if all…
Rabies is an ancient, unpredictable and potentially fatal disease − two rabies researchers explain how to protect yourself
A feral kitten in Omaha, Nebraska, tested positive for rabies in November 2023. It died of the raccoon variant of the virus, which is typically found only in the Appalachian…
Flesh-eating bacteria infections are on the rise in the US − a microbiologist explains how to protect yourself
Flesh-eating bacteria sounds like the premise of a bad horror movie, but it’s a growing – and potentially fatal – threat to people. In September 2023, the Centers for Disease…
