After a relatively quiet fall, there’s been another spike in cases of bird flu in Michigan. When state officials announced on Dec. 16, 2024, that bird flu had been found…
Tag: Viruses
Why winter makes you more vulnerable to colds – a public health nurse explains the science behind the season
You’ve probably heard “Don’t go outside in the winter with your hair wet or without a coat; you’ll catch a cold.” That’s not exactly true. As with many things, the…
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…
Strep throat can easily be confused with throat infections caused by viruses – here are a few ways to know the difference
“My sore throats, you know, are always worse than anybody’s.” So declares Mary to Anne in “Persuasion,” Jane Austen’s 1817 book. Most of us can relate to this feeling. There…
Cytomegalovirus lies dormant in most US adults and is the leading infectious cause of birth defects, but few have heard of it
“Why didn’t anyone tell me about this virus?” is a frequent response I hear from parents upon learning their newborn is infected with cytomegalovirus, or CMV. Although more than half…
