Sensationalist media coverage of the novel coronavirus risks spreading fear rather than keeping the public informed.
Researchers Tian Xia and Zijie Lin test a plasma prototype for preventing airborne transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus at a Michigan pig farm.
Robert Coelius/Michigan Engineering, Communications & Marketing
Viruses are small enough to pass through filters, including face masks. Disabling viruses with electrically charged gases could be a better way to curb airborne transmission.
To how many others will one infected person spread the infection?
Bim/E+ via Getty Images
Epidemiologists want to quickly identify any emerging disease’s potential to spread far and wide. Dependent on a number of factors, this R0 number helps them figure that out and plan accordingly.
With coronavirus continuing to spread, you may wonder: How do I know if I might have it? An infectious disease expert explains.
A worker in Wuhan, China removes biomedical waste from the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where many patients of the coronavirus have been treated, on Jan. 22, 2020.
AP Photo/Dake Kang
The coronavirus that has sickened hundreds in Wuhan, China, has worried health officials and other humans across the globe. Should people in the US worry?
When a certain percentage of a population has been vaccinated, it prevents an infectious disease from spreading. But that threshold depends on the disease.
Many myths make the rounds during flu season.
Shutterstock
The headlines paint a picture of a frightening flu season. While this season set in earlier than usual, it’s not necessarily more severe than previous years.
It’s quicker to use hand sanitiser than soap and water, which means people might be more likely to use it.
Shutterstock
Ian Barr, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
Headlines about this year’s flu season have been alarming. It’s true, we are having a serious season – but the data doesn’t indicate it’s the worst one we’ve ever had.
Early indications are that the vaccine has been a reasonably good match in the 2019 season.
Shutterstock
The flu vaccine is built on the strains expected to circulate in a given year. While the majority of strains circulating this year are matched in the vaccine, there’s one strain we didn’t predict.
You might feel a bit off after your flu shot but this doesn’t last long.
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock
The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to start working and only protects against influenza, so you can still get sick from other viruses after your flu shot.
You might feel terrible. But your runny nose, sore throat and aches are signs your body is fighting the flu virus. And that’s a good thing.
from www.shutterstock.com
Children’s immune systems are more vulnerable to the flu; even kids who are otherwise healthy can develop complications. The best way to protect children is by having them vaccinated.