The liver is one of the largest and busiest organs in the body. Your liver spends its days processing nutrients, filtering blood and fighting infection, among other important jobs. That’s why the hepatitis virus, which infects the liver, can be a major threat to this vital organ. When your liver is inflamed or damaged, it cannot function correctly. The most common hepatitis viruses in the United States are hepatitis A, B and C. These viruses cause liver infections and while...

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While most people with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health within a few weeks, others have symptoms that linger for months after recovery. Even people who have had mild versions of the virus can experience persistent or late symptoms. These people are often referred to as "long haulers" and the condition has been termed post-COVID syndrome or "long COVID-19."

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Whether it is a urinary tract infection, sinus infection, or an infected wound, most people consider these things to be a part of life. While many infections clear up on their own or with antibiotic medications, some infections progress to a life-threatening condition called sepsis. According to the Sepsis Alliance, 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with sepsis every year. What’s more, sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, accounting for 35% of all deaths...

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Last winter, the community took several precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. From masks and social distancing to virtual work and school to cancelled events, an unforeseen positive side effect was a less intense flu season.   Flu cases documented during last year’s flu season were historically low by a wide margin. Medical professionals haven’t seen anything like it.   So with many precautions still in place amidst an ongoing pandemic, you may be wondering: is...

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At the first sign of a scratchy throat or cough, people can’t help but wonder whether they’ve contracted COVID-19 — and rightfully so. But just because you have a sore throat and cough, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve contracted COVID-19. Pollen counts are high, affecting you or someone you know with seasonal allergies. COVID-19 and seasonal allergies both affect the respiratory system and share similar symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell them apart. One way to...

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When you are suffering from a respiratory infection, you risk spreading the infection through your cough. In fact, each cough expels thousands of tiny, infectious droplets that travel up to six feet away. Those droplets can be inhaled by others or land on their face. Droplets also can fall on and contaminate nearby surfaces, where they can be easily transferred to another’s hands. Coughing etiquette, combined with facial coverings and social distancing, is the best way to...

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Fever, dry cough and shortness of breath are the telltale signs of a COVID-19 infection. But, those aren’t the only symptoms that have been linked to the virus. Other symptoms include chills, muscle or body aches, sore throat, fatigue and congestion. As we learn more about this dangerous virus and its full range of symptoms, doctors are uncovering yet another set that are unusual and uncommon. From lesions to vomiting to deadly blood clots, doctors are discovering COVID-19 is...

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What is COVID-19?  COVID-19 stands for “COronaVIrus Disease 2019.  COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS-CoV2 which is a type of coronavirus.  It is characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath, but it is only one of many viruses that can cause similar symptoms. In the context of the current outbreak, COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, and coronavirus are often used interchangeably.

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Reviewed January 2025 By now, you’ve probably heard about human papillomavirus (HPV). Maybe you heard about it in a TV commercial, read about it in a magazine, or maybe you or your child’s doctor recommended the HPV vaccine. But, why is everyone talking about it? Should you be concerned? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and nearly 80 million people in this country have...

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Did you know the liver is the second largest organ of the entire body, after the skin? It’s also incredibly important: essential for food digestion, stores a large amount of your body’s energy and is a cleaning machine, eliminating toxins in the body. Hepatitis, usually caused by a type of virus, is an inflammation of the liver. There are 5 types of Hepatitis, but Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common. Each type has different symptoms and treatment options. There are also...

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The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 related viruses. Each HPV virus is identified by a number, known as its “type or strain.” Some of these viruses do nothing at all, some strains lead to genital warts while others can lead to serious types of cancer. HPV is very common. In fact, at least 14 million people become infected each year. Some estimate at least 40 percent of Americans have at least one strain. The virus is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus, during vaginal, anal or oral sex. HPV is so common that nearly all men and women come in contact with an HPV virus at some point in their lives.

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month. While we mostly think of trips to our child’s primary care physician for shots, it’s very important to maintain our immunization record as we age. Even if you received all of the recommended vaccines as a child, the protection on certain immunizations can decrease over time. You could also be at a higher risk for certain diseases due to travel, job, age, lifestyle or other health conditions.

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Warmer weather is in full force now, and for many of us this season means outdoor activities including camping and exploring, plus the insects that call these spots home. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 36,000 cases of Lyme disease reported each year and hundreds to thousands of cases go unreported. Since the CDC began tracking this disease, the number of annual cases has increased dramatically. Between 2004 and 2016, researchers found cases almost doubled from 19,804 to 36,429. Before we get into possible causes of this increase, let’s explore what Lyme disease is and how to tell if you may have been infected.

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In the United States, about one million people are living with HIV infection, but it’s estimated that 1 in 7 of those infected is not aware that that he or she is HIV positive. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is where HIV-negative people take a medication to reduce their risk of getting HIV. Currently the only FDA-approved medication for PrEP is Truvada, which is taken once daily for prevention.

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