Why is there so much sickness in the wintertime?

One explanation is that we’re all cooped up inside. People are more susceptible to germs because they aren’t spending time outdoors like they do in warm weather.

Another reason is that some viruses thrive in cold temperatures. Winter air is crisp and dry which dries out your nasal passages and sinuses. Some doctors believe that these imposters recirculate in your heating system. When you inhale them through your dry nose, they enter your body.

Typically, your body secretes mucus to line your nasal passages and sinuses. This mucus traps germs and prevents you from getting sick.

[Read more…]

Thailand’s slowly growing 2018 chikungunya outbreak took a dramatic leap in December. In that span, the number of reported cases jumped from almost 540 to approximately 2,140.

Just over 1,600 new patients contracted chikungunya from November to mid-December. Potential further chikungunya cases are waiting to be confirmed.

Phuket Public Health Office Chief Tanit Sermkaew discussed the rising danger with The Phuket News. “Chikungunya virus infections are increasing in areas where people live close together, especially in densely populated areas in Rassada, Wichit and Talad Yai (in Phuket Town), as well as in Rawai.”

[Read more…]

With the wider implementation of drones being used in a variety of different industries, it’s opened up the door for possibilities in the health sector. Drone technology may be getting us closer to helping with health issues worldwide—particularly when it comes to vaccinations.

While vaccines are available for many diseases, a lot of regions can’t gain access to those vaccines. Parts of the country may not have the ability to store these immunizations are have accessible roads. Due to this, thousands of people die each year from preventable diseases.

Recently, drone technology has successfully delivered vaccinations to a one-month-old baby in Vanuatu. The vaccines were for tuberculosis and hepatitis. The child was the first person to ever be delivered vaccinations via drone.

[Read more…]

During flu season, we usually know what the problem is after getting a high fever. The same goes for a bout of nausea, fatigue or body aches. From late fall through early spring, with a peak of activity occurring sometime between December and February, those symptoms tip us off to the virus. The flu comes with a set of very noticeable symptoms that often stop us in our tracks.

But, even with those troublesome signs, for most people the virus remains mild.

That’s not the case for everyone though. For older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with a compromised immune system, the flu can be very severe and in some cases lead to death.

[Read more…]

What goals and New Year’s Resolutions do you have as we wrap up 2018?

Maybe you haven’t thought about them yet. How about traveling more in 2019?

This post gives you the top six travel destinations for the New Year according to Lonely Planet. These great countries include nations like Sri Lanka, Germany, Zimbabwe, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, and Jordan. We’ve also added some useful travel tips with the list of each country.

[Read more…]

The current measles crisis is moving quickly throughout the United States. There’s even a good chance details of the outbreak have already changed by the time you’re reading this.

Although, as of December 17, measles is hitting hard throughout 26 states. It has been specifically hard-hitting in New York.

Measles is highly contagious. It is a virus that’s spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, and a sore throat. A rash can also form throughout the entire body. The rash generally starts on the head and slowly makes its way down through the rest of the body.

[Read more…]

Asian longhorned ticks came on the scene in the United States a couple of years ago. Since the, the bugs have continued to pose an imminent threat to livestock and citizens.

This new species was first discovered on a sheep in New Jersey. Back in August of this year, six states across the U.S. confirmed illnesses from this species of tick.

Now, a total of nine states or about 45 counties, have reported the Asian longhorned tick on people, as well as domestic animals and farms. These states, along with New Jersey, include Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, West Virginia, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut.

[Read more…]

If you’ve ever done any research into vaccinations, you may have come across the different kind of viruses in those vaccines.

Some vaccines contain a dead or inactive version of the virus they’re protecting against. Other use a weakened or live version of the virus.

But, what’s the difference between weakened and dead vaccines?

[Read more…]

Travelers and locals in tropical and subtropical areas know the dangers of malaria. One parasite makes the mosquito-borne disease one of the world’s most dangerous diseases.

The CDC estimated about 216 million cases of malaria around the world in 2016. Of those cases, 445,000 resulted in death.

In the United States alone there are close to 2,000 cases a year, despite no local transmission. Travelers and immigrants return from countries with malaria, unknowingly spreading the disease.

[Read more…]

Since October, there have been over 52 cases of E. coli as a result of eating romaine lettuce.

Months after it started, the outbreak doesn’t seem to be slowing down either. Cases of E. coli are still popping up in 15 states in the United States. There are also dozens of cases being reported in Canada as well.

In the U.S., E. coli cases have been present in states such as Wisconsin, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, and Michigan.

[Read more…]