As we head into the fall, many public health experts and frontline physicians are concerned about how they’re going to deal with this year’s annual influenza pandemic on top of the ongoing [...]
Category: Flu vaccine
Does getting a flu shot increase coronavirus risk?
A few weeks ago, the Washington D.C./northern Virginia (“Washington Beltway”) region was declared a coronavirus “hot spot.” But this week, as the region hits its transmission peak, I fear the [...]
7 tips to avoid the flu without resorting to a vaccine
“It’s never too late to get your flu shot.” “Getting the flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu.” “You protect others when you get a flu shot.” You’ve probably heard a version of [...]
Prevent the flu with my tried-and-true “Lady Macbeth plan”
Last year, I went on Medicare. Which means I finally get to choose my own doctor. And I went right back to my old doctor, who I saw from 1984 to 2012. Thankfully, he keeps up with the science and [...]
Don’t be fooled by the CDC’s latest “potion”
A few years ago, I first jested that the brew made by the three witches in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth reminds me of the flu vaccine concocted each year by the Centers for Disease Control [...]
Outlast winter’s wrath — without a cold, the flu, or nagging joint pains
This winter, we’ve had some teeth-chattering temperatures and plenty of snow across the country. And there’s no sign it’ll stop any time soon. Of course, all this frightful winter weather can be [...]
8 simple steps to defy the highest U.S. death rate in 100 years
Right before the holiday season started last November, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released some very grim statistics about rising mortality (death) rates in the U.S. In 2017, 2.8 [...]
The alarming dangers of popular self-serve kiosks
At this time of year, I give a lot of attention to the annual flu epidemic. But there are many other infectious diseases lurking out there, against which you need to protect yourself. In fact, [...]
Could the latest vaccines actually spread the flu?
The annual flu season is in full swing. And I’m sure you’re still hearing all kinds of recommendations about the best ways to protect yourself — including the predictable mantra, “It’s not too [...]
3 surprising ways to prevent the flu — without a useless vaccine
I recently came across a guide for doctors about how to identify and treat this year’s flu virus. And, as you might expect, the guide was full of propaganda about the completely useless flu [...]