Q: I've heard that an increasing number of older adults are being admitted to hospitals with pneumonia. What is pneumonia and how dangerous is it for older adults?
A: Pneumonia is a common and serious illness. It often begins with cold symptoms. A few days later, the person develops fever, chills, difficulty breathing and worsening cough. Older patients may not have all of these symptoms, but instead have confusion, dizziness, incontinence and/or a decreased appetite. More >>
| Q: Nearly every week, I hear something about bird flu on the news. What exactly is it?
A: It’s a virus that lives in the intestinal tracts of wild birds, including geese and ducks. They have developed immunity to it over many decades. More >>
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| Q: What Is Shingles and Who Is at Risk?
A: Shingles is a viral infection of certain nerves, often on the face, chest or abdomen. The red-based, blistered rash affects one-half of the body. It is a painful eruption which varies from mild to severe. People over age 60 risk developing long-lasting, pain called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). More >>
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| Q: What is whooping cough?
A: Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. The illness is characterized by severe coughing spasms that can last from three weeks to two months. More >>
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| Q: I read that the immunization schedule just changed. What should I do?
A: It is likely your pediatrician already knows about the changes to the immunization schedule. Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) change the guidelines because of new research into the effectiveness of a particular vaccine or because of new vaccines. More >>
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| Q: I’ve heard that if I take antibiotics, it can cause a bacterial infection. Is this true? If so, can I prevent it?
A: It is true. Antibiotics can harm the “good” bacteria in the intestines. More >>
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| Q: My child has been sick, and he plays outside a lot. Could he have Lyme Disease?
A: In the early stages, Lyme Disease mimics many other flu-like illnesses. Fatigue, fever and aching joints could be Lyme or many other conditions. More >>
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| Q: What is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
A: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare infectious disease caused by a bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) commonly found on the skin. More >>
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| Q: I always thought E. coli infections came from undercooked beef, but now I hear raw spinach and green onions can cause it. What’s going on?
A: E. coli is short for Escherichia coli, bacteria that live in the colon and stools of many mammals, including humans. These bacteria aid the digestion process. There are many strains, and the one that causes severe diarrhea in humans – E. coli O157:H7 – lives in the digestive tracts of cattle, deer, goats and sheep, but is most common in cattle. More >>
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| Q: I heard that using antibacterial hand soap doesn't prevent germs or illness. In fact, I heard it's harmful to my health. How can that be true?
A: An FDA panel has confirmed after numerous studies that the use of antibacterial soap is no better than plain glycerin hand soap to reduce infectious disease. More >>
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| Q: Do I need a flu shot this year?
A: If you want to reduce your chance of getting the flu (influenza), you should get vaccinated. More >>
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| Q: I've been hearing a lot in the news about MRSA recently. What is it?
A: MRSA is a type of bacterial infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. It stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, otherwise known as a "super bug." More >>
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