An increasing number of patients are requesting “unvaccinated” blood for transfusions, which can delay care and pose risks to patients’ health, experts warn. There is no evidence that unvaccinated blood presents any safety benefit, according to a new study published in the journal Transfusion. There is currently no process for checking whether donated blood comes from vaccinated … Read more
The most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) is also high-risk for several types of cancer, as one woman learned. Married for nearly 30 years, Eileen McGill Fox immediately went for an STI screening after learning of her husband’s infidelity in 2017, and was initially negative for syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV. A year later, though, Fox … Read more
Taking care of your health never gets old. As we age, it’s important to maintain healthy habits — including proper nutrition, regular exercise and quality sleep — and to follow recommended preventive care, such as cancer screenings and vaccines. Keeping it simple, here are the two key things women should do each decade to stay … Read more
A deadly vaccine-preventable disease is making a comeback. A highly contagious and fast-moving infection that primarily affects children under five years of age is back, as fewer babies get vaccinated year after year. And doctors who have been trained in the past 40 years have never seen a case before. As vaccinations rates among children … Read more
This might make you think twice about skipping your annual shot. A new study suggests older Americans who get a high-dose version of a common vaccine may face a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia than those who stick with the standard jab. The protective effect appears strongest in women — who are about twice … Read more
This week, Southern England was rocked by what health officials called an “explosive” wave of meningococcal meningitis infections that resulted in 11 “probable” and 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths, according to the latest count from the UK Health Security Agency. The agency first alerted the public on March 15 about the outbreak of this … Read more
Sacramento health officials sounded the alarm about a potential measles outbreak on Monday after more than 100 children were exposed to an unvaccinated child at an educational enrichment program. It’s far from the only community at risk. The US has already passed 1,000 confirmed cases this year, with infections “worse than expected” in Utah and … Read more
Measles is back in a big way — and it’s catching some doctors off guard. In North Carolina, hospital staff took a staggering two hours and 20 minutes to isolate 7-year-old twin brothers who arrived at an Asheville ER last month with fever, cough, rash, pink eye and cold-like symptoms, KFF Health News reports. The … Read more
Flu and COVID and allergies, oh my! With a record-breaking flu season still underway — and spring allergies just around the corner — you may find your medicine cabinet packed to the brim with painkillers and decongestants. But a new treatment in development could be a game-changer when it comes to universal protection against a … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I am having a baby in five months. My doctor is recommending that anyone who visits the baby in the first three months be up to date on vaccines (Tdap, flu, COVID and RSV, if age 60-plus). We have decided to follow our doctor’s recommendations. Some of my family members are resistant to … Read more
Measles is back with a vengeance — and the danger doesn’t end when the rash fades. The US saw a dramatic rise in cases last year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting the highest numbers of the highly contagious respiratory disease in more than 30 years. And the numbers keep climbing. Federal … Read more
The CDC announced on Monday that it has updated its recommended vaccine schedule for children, reducing the number of immunizations all kids should receive from 17 to only 11. Effective immediately, the new guidelines recommend that six shots, which had previously been given to all children, only be given to those who are high risk, … Read more
A vaccine to protect against fentanyl’s deadly effects is headed for clinical trials in humans. The vaccine, which showed positive results in studies of mice and rats, is designed to block fentanyl from entering the brain, blocking its effects and preventing overdoses. If approved, it would become the first treatment to prevent overdoses of fentanyl, which … Read more
Surviving measles doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. In 2025, the US saw a dramatic spike in cases, with the CDC reporting the highest levels of the highly contagious disease in over 30 years. Now, health experts are sounding the alarm about a little-known complication that can make your body forget how to fight off … Read more
Parents of little boys have a responsibility — and it’s not just to raise good men. According to a new study published in Bulletin of Mathematical Biology this month, a single choice moms and dads make when their sons are tweens could have a major impact on women later. “We do not have to be … Read more
The flu had a glow-up. This year’s flu season is proving to be worse than normal, with hospitalizations up significantly compared to last year, and the CDC reporting 4.6 million cases of the flu so far. But with peak flu season still going on until at least February, signs of the unusual “super flu” variant … Read more
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal vaccine advisory committee voted on Friday to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they’re born. A loud chorus of medical and public health leaders decried the actions of the panel, whose current members were all appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert … Read more
Worth a shot? Over 6 million Americans live with dementia, a progressive condition that affects memory, reasoning, judgment and language skills. There is no known cure for dementia, but new research suggests that a common vaccine may help prevent its onset and slow its progression. Dementia affects memory, reasoning, judgment and language skills. Rido – … Read more
There’s a new kid on the block this cold and flu season — and it could prove worse than your average winter sniffles. The flu strain known as subclade K is ringing alarm bells due to its potential severity and resistance to current vaccines, public health experts warn. The strain is rapidly spreading internationally, with … Read more
This year’s flu season is already raising alarms among public health officials and infectious disease experts. According to the BBC, the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) has issued an “SOS” warning amid growing concern that this winter could bring one of the most severe influenza waves in recent memory. “This flu season is going to be unusually … Read more