Infectious diseases Archive

A 2023 study suggests that toothbrushing twice daily can lower rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia in seriously ill hospitalized patients.

With climate change, rising temperatures are making many regions dry within the US and beyond. The effects of droughts on the planet and our health are complex, and include water shortages, higher risk of disease, changes in habitability, and worse air quality.

A 2023 study found that patients in intensive care units (ICUs) were less likely to die and spent less time on a ventilator during their stay when their teeth were brushed twice daily. Toothbrushing appears to protect patients from pneumonia, the most common ICU-acquired infection.

We think of measles as a minor viral infection in children that goes away without compilcations, but it can have complications, and they can be serious or even fatal. Here's how to protect yourself, your circle, and your community — and why you should

Who should get COVID vaccine boosters and when will remain in flux for at least another year. This summer, the FDA instructed the vaccine makers to have the next COVID vaccine target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant. The CDC will be issuing specific recommendations by October, but infectious disease experts expect the newer vaccine to provide the most benefit for people over 65 and those younger with chronic conditions.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious health complications in some people. It's also highly preventable through vaccination. Here are the facts that everyone — especially parents — needs to know about measles.

If you hear your child start coughing, it's natural to wonder: could this be the flu, or is it another virus like COVID or RSV, or even a common cold? Here's what to know about similarities between these illnesses and what to do if your child does have the flu.