At a pharmacy in Iowa, a 42-year-old Black gay man couldn’t find a medication he needed. The pharmacist, a white woman, told him they didn’t stock that medication. But while…
Tag: Infectious diseases
Avian flu has infected dairy cows in more than a dozen states – a microbiologist explains how the virus is spreading
The current strain of avian flu, H5N1, is responsible for the culling of millions of domestic birds and has sickened more than a dozen farmworkers in 2024, most recently in…
West Nile virus season returns − a medical epidemiologist explains how it’s transmitted and how you can avoid it
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the continental U.S., with an average of 2,464 reported cases per year. Every August, West Nile season ramps up, primarily…
What is mpox? A microbiologist explains what’s known about this smallpox cousin
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…
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…
