Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, has been described by one prominent researcher as the “worst disease that no one knows about.” Each year, this respiratory virus infects millions of people and sends hundreds of thousands of them to the hospital. Unfortunately, this virus is responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The very young and very old are most susceptible to the virus due to their weaker immune systems. Furthermore, when the virus is circulating with other seasonal viruses, such as influenza and COVID-19, the sheer volume of infections can put a great strain on the healthcare...

When the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Roe vs. Wade decision in the summer of 2022, it opened up the floodgates for legal battles to play out across the country. The Roe vs. Wade ruling from 1973 was a landmark decision that guaranteed access to abortion in all 50 states. However, with the overturning of that ruling, the legality of abortion fell to the jurisdiction of each state. Several legal tests have been undertaken since then. One of these recent challenges has to do with the legality of the abortion pill known as mifepristone. Recently, the Supreme Court ordered that...

Spring has sprung in most places in the U.S., a welcome change from the cold weather. However, spring can be difficult if you are among the more than 100 million people with asthma and/or allergies, especially if you have to be outside.  Unless allergies are a common challenge for you, it can be difficult to know what to do if you suddenly find yourself sniffling, sneezing, coughing, or finding it harder to breathe. Being able to differentiate allergies from other viral infections like COVID-19 can make allergies easier to treat. Also, if you have asthma, you can take steps to breathe easier...

Fungus plays a complex role in our lives. While some forms are harmless or even helpful, others can threaten our health. Medical facilities around the world are dealing with one such fungus known as Candida auris, which has become more threatening in recent years.  Candida auris is increasingly showing up in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. It is spreading globally, causing severe sickness in patients. This article discusses the spread of this public health threat, the symptoms of infection, and how to contain it.  What Is Candida Auris?  Candida auris (C. auris) is an antimicrobial-resistant...

In 2003, when the George W. Bush presidential administration announced its public health campaign to help reduce the burden of AIDS, it was seen as ambitious. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is still “the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease,” according to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At the time of its proposal, PEPFAR was designed to help improve the health inequities in AIDS and STI prevention, specifically on the African continent.  As this successful public health program celebrates its 20th...