As we battle a global pandemic, there is another respiratory illness that we also need to be vigilant about. Everybody knows the importance of an annual influenza vaccination. But, can the flu shot do more than help prevent you from getting the flu? A study done by the University of Miami has shown some promise in protecting against certain conditions that are associated with COVID-19.

In the study, published in the peer-reviewed publication PLoS One has found that getting your annual flu vaccine could protect you against other sicknesses that can accompany COVID-19. While it cannot prevent coronavirus, and should not be used as a replacement for the COVID-19 vaccine, this new study provides promising evidence of reduction of long-term symptoms of the virus.

[Read more…]

A virus is a pathogen that can cause an individual to develop an illness. A disease is a physical condition that causes the body to change its normal composition. A virus can cause a disease which in turn can cause someone to become sick.

[Read more…]

The saying travel is good for the soul actually has some value. In recent years travel has been a difficult task. Now that the world is reopening, more and more people are looking forward to getting back out there.

Traveling has several positive effects on your mental health. Traveling has the ability to take you out of our daily routine and into new surroundings and experiences, and this can reset your body and mind.

[Read more…]

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Usually, a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord causes swelling. There are millions of meningitis cases worldwide, and some forms of meningitis are more serious than others.

[Read more…]

History tells us that it takes more than vaccines to end a pandemic, this is still true. The science behind disease transmission, infection, and prevention can only get us so far. Ending a pandemic requires scientific advancement and social cooperation.

Vaccination efforts for smallpox began in 1796 when Edward Jenner observed that people who previously contracted cowpox were unaffected by smallpox. After observing this, he began to work on developing a vaccine.

[Read more…]