'Tis the season for joy, travel and ... germs. Don’t let sickness steal your holiday cheer. In no particular order, here are ten tips to protect yourself and your loved ones — pets and plants included — from the season’s biggest health hazards.
Influenza affects the nose, throat and lungs, and spreads through coughs and sneezes. While most recover, some cases become serious. Flu shots, handwashing, masks and clean air help prevent infection and protect vulnerable groups from severe infection.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a disease that primarily affects birds. It is caused by a virus related to those that cause seasonal flu. A subtype of the bird flu virus known as H5N1 can infect mammals, including humans.
With winter comes a trio of respiratory illnesses, sometimes referred to as a “triple-demic”: influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Learn how to avoid viruses during the cold, dry weather.
From the beginning, the COVID-19 pandemic has been plagued by myths and misunderstandings about how the disease spreads and how people can protect themselves from the disease. We've come a long way in understanding COVID-19, but distrust of the vaccine prevails to the great detriment of public health.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common, highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages. In healthy adults and older children, RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
New research reveals that intense COVID-19 viral exposure may diminish the shielding effects of vaccination and previous infection, resulting in “leaky” protection.
As climatic conditions and population growth causes frequent infectious disease outbreaks, a new study shows limited availability of software tools that can accurately forecast risks.
On May 3, the FDA approved a vaccine to prevent respiratory syncytial virus in older adults. Dr. Cindy Prins answers some common questions about RSV disease and the new vaccine.
Researchers who study outbreak transmission dynamics can offer insight to the spread and containment of COVID-19 based on past emerging coronaviruses. UF biology professor Derek Cummings has investigated outbreak dynamics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in 2002, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which emerged in 2012.
