During cold and flu seasons, you may dread the thought of becoming ill. A bad bout of the flu can keep you out of work or out of school for several days to several weeks. If you have a high natural immunity, you will be less susceptible to viral...
How do I know if I need any travel immunizations? If you are traveling outside the continental United States, Hawaii or Alaska, it would be wise to visit your healthcare provider to determine if you indeed need vaccinations. Before your visit, you...
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it difficult to breathe. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that smoking is its leading cause, and symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness,...
Immunizations are widespread for a host of childhood diseases. Most children have them before they even begin school. Many schools now require current immunization records before admitting a child for the new school year. It is important for you...
If you participate on a school athletic team or have a child who does, chances are you'll need to schedule an appointment with a doctor for a sports physical. In fact, most states require that kids undergo a sports physical before they can even...
If you think taking vitamin C can help prevent getting the stomach flu, you're mistaken. While vitamin C contains antioxidant properties that may help strengthen the immune system, the only way to prevent the stomach flu is to avoid acquiring the...
The Center For Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, divides travel vaccinations into three categories: routine, recommended and required. Depending on which area of Europe you are traveling to, you may not need any additional vaccinations. Always...
In November 2010, the federal government announced that more than $7 million in grants would be given to 14 states to improve child care wellness. The disparities in health-care access and the growing obesity rate among children in the United...
If climbing is your passion, then no doubt climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is on your lists of climbs you want to conquer at some point in your lifetime. This five to eight day climb has challenged thousands of climbers over the years and continues to...
Aside from the exotic scenery, most international triathlons won't be too different from stateside triathlons. The sport's international governing body, the International Triathlon Union, oversees federations for participating continents and...
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people planning international travel see their physician at least a month prior to their travel dates for appropriate immunization. The reason for this is that some vaccinations take several...
Getting the flu during pregnancy can pose threats to your unborn child, largely due to increased risk of miscarriage, premature labor and other pregnancy complications. Because a pregnant woman has reduced immunity, the flu presents greater direct...
Vaccinations are common during childhood but they're also somewhat controversial. According to KidsHealth website, some parents fear the effects of vaccine in the body and as a result question the idea of vaccinating their children. If you're...
The cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, has the amazing ability to prevent cancer from occurring. Researchers developed the vaccine because of statistics which show that cervical cancer affects approximately 10,000 women a year in the US....
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, the best way to prevent flu infections is to get vaccinated each year. Yearly vaccinations are recommended as the formula changes each year in anticipation of newly...
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. It may resolve within a few months of contracting it, or it may become chronic, possibly leading to liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer or death. Hepatitis B is...
Vaccines are not without side effects, and that includes the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil. Cervical cancer has been linked to certain strains of the Human papilloma virus (HPV), and the Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV. Essentially, the...
Bringing home your new baby can be overwhelming as well as exciting. In time, caring for your child will be second nature. The first few months, however, are often full of questions. Don't hesitate to call your baby's pediatrician or more...
Childhood immunizations are given primarily as recommended by pediatric organizations and your child's physician. Vaccinations serve a purpose in protecting your child from serious illnesses, but, in certain cases, immunizations are not...
Gardasil is a vaccination available to women for the prevention of cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Gardasil protects girls and women ages 9 to 26 against four different types of HPV, according to Merck, manufacturers of...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend vaccinating babies against the flu because babies, in particular, are at high risk for severe flu-related complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation. While the flu...
Meningitis is a bacterial infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. According to Drugs.com, meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an...
Taking your baby to the pediatrician for a round of shots is not easy, but it is essential in protecting him from preventable--and potentially life-threatening--diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies receive their...
More than 250,000 people are infected with hepatitis B virus in the U.S. every year. Infection is most common in young adults who are sexually active or work in hospitals and medical laboratories. Hepatitis B virus damages liver cells, causing the...
The hepatitis A and B vaccinations are intended to provide protection against the viruses that cause hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis is a viral illness that can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis. These vaccinations are recommended by a physician...
There are many ways to protect your 1-year-old from injury and harm. One is to get your child vaccinated. Vaccination not only protects children from illness and disease, it also boosts their immune system. This protects the general public, as...
Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis can be present in a latent or active form. The latent form is dormant and causes no symptoms. The active form, however, can be deadly. The bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine, or BCG,...
Flu-related complications result in over 35,000 deaths each year according to the website flu.gov. For this reason the Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccination as the best way to protect yourself from catching this virus. The live flu...
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus and usually contracted by consuming contaminated food or water. Learn more about hepatitis A, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.
A pap smear is a gynecological test designed to detect premalignant and malignant processes in the cervix and uterus. Get tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating cervical and uterine cancer in this medical video.
Rubella, or German measles, is an often benign outbreak of little red bumps that usually pass in one to five days. Learn more in this health video.
Measles, also called rubeola, is primarily a respiratory infection caused by a highly contagious virus found all over the world. Measles can be serious, especially in small children. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and...
