An “Infectious disease” is a broad term that can cover a wide variety of conditions. From the common cold and flu to tuberculosis, syphilis, yellow fever and even the Black Plague. Infectious diseases have haunted humanity since before recorded history to the current COVID-19 pandemic that has recently infected more than 170 million people globally. Since it spans so many…
And it just might save your life. We get it. Just a cursory glance at the name of this procedure would gross the average person out. It is understandable. The idea of transplanting a donor’s feces into your system can be off-putting. But for those struggling with chronic diarrhea and colitis resulting from a difficult condition called Clostridium Difficile (C.…
So, What Exactly Is the Epstein-Barr Virus? The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common viruses in the world. It was discovered and published in scientific journals in 1964 by Michael Anthony Epstein and Yvonne Barr, hence its name. It is also known as “Human Herpesvirus 4” and is a member of the herpes virus family. The CDC…
What is a Clinical Trial? When you visit your doctor and receive a prescription for medication or are given a vaccination, at that moment, you are directly benefiting from the work many others have done before you. The path from understanding a disease to treating it with medicines is long, complicated, and expensive. To make sure prescription medicines are safe…
For many people, the only time they’ve heard of typhoid has been in historical accounts of grim 1800s-era pioneers becoming infected on their way to the American west, or perhaps through the cautionary tale of Typhoid Mary, who refused to wash her hands, and spread typhoid through her cooking so frequently that she was banished to an island for the…
Samantha Isaacs, a mother of four, had a history of healthy pregnancies. She saw trouble brewing only two days after her youngest son was born, however, when he failed a newborn hearing test in the hospital. She was first told he might have fluid in his ears following a C-section, but months later, he was diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus, or…
It can happen in many different ways. You may have received a diagnosis from your primary care physician. Alternatively, you may have received a preliminary diagnosis and referral from an emergency room doctor. You may have had your condition for some time, and perhaps have moved to a new area. Whatever the case may be, it is imperative to choose…
What is Shingles? Many Floridians in their lifetime experience some form of illness from the varicella-zoster virus be it in the form of chickenpox or shingles. Shingles, although not life threatening, can be extremely painful and debilitating. Shingles can cause a rash that can appear anywhere on your body and can cause severe pain, burning, numbness, and itching. Those who…
In November of 1991, Los Angeles Lakers point guard, and basketball superstar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson sent shockwaves around the world when we announced that he had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He announced that he would be retiring from the NBA, at the height of his decorated career, no less.
