Dolly Parton isn’t hanging up her heels just yet. The 79-year-old country music legend took to Instagram this week to reassure fans she’s still going strong after her sister’s public request for prayers sparked concern. “I know lately, everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am,” Parton said in a video posted on X … Read more
One celeb-loved wellness treatment may not B healthy after all. Vitamin infusions — which deliver mixtures of vitamins, minerals and other supplements into the bloodstream through an IV — are growing in popularity thanks to claims that they quickly boost energy, immunity and hydration. IV hydration spas offering these pricey therapies are popping up across … Read more
Talk about bad blood. Health experts are sounding the alarm over a disturbing trend where drug users swap blood to score a secondhand high. Called “bluetoothing,” the gruesome movement is fueling a wave of new HIV infections in hotspots around the globe, including Fiji and South Africa. Health experts are sounding the alarm over a … Read more
From subway cars to office cubicles, New Yorkers are hoarse and hacking this fall — sidelined by stubborn symptoms that just won’t quit. While official data indicates that overall respiratory illness activity remains low across the city, experts say the effects of a late-summer surge caused by one particular virus are still being felt. “[It] … Read more
A “fit and healthy” young man was forced to have both of his legs amputated just days before his 21st birthday – after his flu-like symptoms turned out to be sepsis. Levi Dewey was left in an induced coma with just a 30% chance of survival after being struck down with the life-threatening condition. The … Read more
Globally, sepsis infection is the leading cause of death in children, taking more than 3.4 million lives per year, according to the Sepsis Alliance — and 85% of these deaths occur before age 5. Sepsis among children is a very difficult and elusive problem for physicians to diagnose and treat, with almost 10% of cases being … Read more
Just in time for respiratory virus season, a highly transmissible COVID-19 strain is fueling a wave of infections across the US. The XFG variant, informally known as “Stratus,” has been driving up case numbers. Stratus’ ability to evade immune system defenses has propelled it past NB.1.8.1 (aka “Nimbus”) as the dominant Covid strain. The increased … Read more
It’s about thyme! The flu is one of the most common and contagious diseases — it causes up to 41 million illnesses, 710,000 hospitalizations and 52,000 deaths each year in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s often diagnosed with a nasal or throat swab that’s tested for the presence … Read more
A new study from the CDC found that infection rates for a drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” are on the rise, increasing nearly 70% between 2019 and 2023. The increase was primarily driven by the NDM gene, which makes bacteria particularly difficult to treat. Only two antibiotics are known to effectively combat these infections, and both are … Read more
Don’t sweat the fall stuff — including respiratory viruses. Cases of the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tend to increase in the autumn and winter as people spend more time indoors. Drier air also helps these viruses survive and spread more easily. Here are the best ways to protect yourself from … Read more
Her kidney stone was giving her trouble from 9 to 5 — and beyond. Dolly Parton, 79, nixed an appearance at a Dollywood event celebrating the Tennessee theme park’s new NightFlight Expedition attraction this week after developing a kidney stone and infection. Parton addressed the disappointed crowd with a pre-recorded video message in a cheerful … Read more
A school-aged child in L.A. recently died after developing a rare neurological disease years after contracting the measles. Authorities didn’t reveal many details about the case, except that the child was infected with measles as an infant, before they were eligible for the vaccine. Measles is a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to … Read more
Do newborns need the hepatitis B vaccine to B healthy? That’s slated to be deliberated Thursday at a meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The influential vaccine advisory panel is expected to vote to recommend delaying a shot typically given at birth to age 4, NPR reported. “There is going to … Read more
It’s ah-choo much for the body to handle. Viral infections like the flu and COVID-19 can “awaken” dormant breast cancer cells hiding in the lungs, paving the way for deadly metastatic disease, a new study finds. “Our findings indicate that individuals with a history of cancer may benefit from taking precautions against respiratory viruses,” Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, … Read more
A kiss might steal your heart — but this one could stop it. Health experts are warning about a deadly parasitic infection spread by so-called kissing bugs, which have now been found in 32 states across the country. At least eight Americans have caught Chagas disease through local transmission, leading scientists to urge the CDC … Read more
As if giving birth isn’t difficult enough, about 14 million women each year lose a significant amount of blood within 24 hours of delivery. “Because a mother’s entire blood volume can pass through the uterus in just eight to 11 minutes at term, heavy bleeding can escalate rapidly,” Dr. Kameelah Phillips, a board-certified OB/GYN and … Read more
Welcome to Club Meds. More than 4 out of 10 senior citizens take five or more prescription medications — a phenomenon known as polypharmacy, research shows. This practice increases the risk of addiction and medication errors, like taking the wrong dosage or skipping doses altogether. Potential consequences include hospitalization, mental impairment and painful falls. Many … Read more
California health officials are warning about a surge in a potentially deadly fungal infection. The state is reporting 6,761 cases of valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, through July this year. That means California is on pace to top last year’s record of 12,595 cases. There were fewer than 1,000 cases logged in the year … Read more
You’ve been itching to avoid this antibiotic — maybe for no reason. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by a Scottish bacteriologist. The medication has since become a common treatment for a range of bacterial infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. But not everyone can tolerate penicillin. People allergic to … Read more
Talk about opening Pandora’s box. One reality TV star is holding herself up as a cautionary tale after she accidentally forgot she’d used a tampon — and walked around for a month with it still inside her. Savannah Miller, who appeared on season 7 of Netflix’s The Circle, discussed the “truly humbling experience” with The … Read more