Author Interviews, Infections / 12.03.2026

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_72776" align="alignleft" width="148"]dr_william_schaffner.jpg Dr. Schaffner[/caption] Dr. William Schaffner M.D. Professor of Medicine Preventive Medicine, Health Policy Division of Infectious Diseases Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Interview arranged with the assistance of the Infectious Disease Society of America. MedicalResearch.com: What are the symptoms of HMPV? How is it transmitted? Are some individuals more susceptible to infection or more serious disease?  Response: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)  is a seasonal respiratory virus that has a worldwide distribution, causing late winter/early spring outbreaks in temperate zones.  It cocirculates with other seasonal respiratory viruses including influenza, COVID, and RSV.  Virtually all children have experienced infection by age 5; persons experience HMPV reinfections throughout life.  The virus is transmitted through close personal contact, most efficiently indoors.  Infection with HMPV can produce a spectrum of clinical symptoms ranging from a common cold to acute respiratory distress.  Persons at increased risk of severe disease include older persons and those with chronic medical conditions.
Dermatology, Infections / 06.03.2026

[caption id="attachment_72704" align="aligncenter" width="500"]head-lice-cdc-phil.jpg CDC image[/caption] Every year, an estimated 6–12 million children in the United States between the ages of 3 and 11 contract head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). For most families, the first response is a trip to the pharmacy — and that response is increasingly likely to fail. Decades of widespread, often incorrect use of over-the-counter (OTC) pediculicides has driven a well-documented phenomenon: the emergence of "super lice," strains that carry genetic mutations conferring near-complete resistance to the insecticides most commonly found on pharmacy shelves. This article examines the clinical and biological reasons OTC treatments fail so frequently, reviews what the research literature says about resistance and re-infestation, and explains why professional nit removal services represent the most evidence-aligned path to genuine, lasting resolution.
Author Interviews, Infections, Nature, NYU/NYMC / 25.02.2026

[caption id="attachment_72626" align="aligncenter" width="500"]C. auris- CDC image.jpg Candida auris CDC Image[/caption] MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_72627" align="alignleft" width="200"]Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D.Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology and of Medicine New York Medical College Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D.[/caption] Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D. Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology and of Medicine New York Medical College MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The research was prompted by the rise of Candida auris (C. auris) as a critical fungal pathogen that has caused global outbreaks in healthcare facilities with high mortality rates. C. auris is particularly difficult to control because it can survive on physical surfaces for extended periods. Current diagnostic methods (such as culture-based approaches or mass spectrometry) are often costly, slow, and require complex equipment in centralized laboratories, which delays effective clinical responses. There is an urgent need for rapid tests that can both identify the fungus and measure its level of drug resistance.
Author Interviews, Infections, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Pediatrics / 18.02.2026

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_72499" align="alignleft" width="174"]Dr. Alex Gileles-Hillel MDFounder and director of Gileles Lab Hadassah Medical Center Dr. Gileles-Hillel[/caption] Dr. Alex Gileles-Hillel MD Founder and director of Gileles Lab Hadassah Medical Center Along with Dr. Joel Reiter MD from the Faculty of Medicine Hebrew University and Senior Pediatric Pulmonologists at the Hadassah Medical Center with Dr. David Gozal MD, MBA, PhD from Marshall University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) experience increased morbidity, including cognitive difficulties, daytime dysfunction, and poorer academic performance, as well as a higher risk of future cardiometabolic disease such as hypertension and obesity. In addition, pediatric OSA has been shown to impair immune responses and alter immunologic function, although the clinical consequences of these changes remain incompletely understood.
Author Interviews, Infections, Pediatrics, Vaccine Studies / 12.02.2026

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_72376" align="alignleft" width="190"]MedicalResearch.com Interview with: William Schaffner, MD Professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN 37203 Dr. Schaffner discusses the recent increase in the incidence of measles infections. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The fundamental reason leading to the increase in measles cases in the US is that some parents are withholding their children from routine measles vaccination: Failure to vaccinate. As a result, there are neighborhoods, schools, and communities that now have vaccination rates substantially below the 92% to 95% needed to prevent outbreaks of infection. Measles is the most contagious virus we know, so it takes very high vaccination rates to prevent transmission and to avert outbreaks. Vaccine hesitancy has many causes: Lack of knowledge of the severity of measles, concern over vaccine side-effects, low trust in public health, a desire to do things more “naturally” and it can also have political overtones, among others. The measles vaccine is extraordinarily effective; the routine two-dose series confers 97% to 98% protection for life. The rare “breakthrough” infections that occur in vaccinated persons are generally milder, with fewer complications than in persons who are unvaccinated. The US was certified as having eliminated measles in 2000 because of high vaccination rates across the country. Sadly, the US is likely to lose that designation because of sustained measles transmission, reverting us back to the bad old days. It is particularly sad for any of our children to have to endure measles and its consequences. All these cases could have been prevented by vaccination. MedicalResearch.com: What roles do a decrease in US immunization rates and/or increased immigration from under-vaccinated area play in this increase? Response: The substantial majority of unimmunized children in the US were born and raised in this country. They usually are members of middle- or upper-income families. The most frequent importers of measles into the US are our own unimmunized children who travel abroad, encounter measles virus and bring it back to their homes where the virus then spreads among the child’s schoolmates and playmates, creating an outbreak. MedicalResearch.com: Since many, especially younger, health care providers have never seen a case of measles, are there characteristic features clinicians should be aware of? Response: Measles vaccination has been so successful that many young and middle-aged doctors have never seen a case. Beginning 7-21 days after exposure, the onset of illness is characterized by high fever and malaise. Shortly thereafter the classic “three Cs” occur: Coryza, conjunctivitis and cough. Inside both cheeks white papules (Koplik spots) appear. The characteristic rash soon follows – it is erythematous, blanching, starting on the face and moving down the body, becoming darker over time. The rash may be quite subtle in dark-skinned persons. The common complications of measles include diarrhea, otitis media as well as viral and bacterial pneumonia. More serious complications include encephalitis which occurs approximately once per thousand infections. MedicalResearch.com: Are there areas, i.e. airports, sporting venues etc. where measles transmission is more likely? Response: Measles is readily transmitted among susceptible persons indoors. As most of the cases are in children, daycare, schools, religious services, birthday parties, and such are common venues for transmission although other sites such as airports and sporting events occasionally have been implicated. MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians do if they have a suspected case of measles? Response: All cases of suspected measles should be reported immediately to the local health department. Disclosures: I have no relevant disclosures. The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Some links may be sponsored. Products, services and providers are not warranted or endorsed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website. Dr. Schaffner[/caption] William Schaffner, MD Professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN 37203 Dr. Schaffner discusses the recent increase in the incidence of measles infections. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response:  The fundamental reason leading to the increase in measles cases in the US is that some parents are withholding their children from routine measles vaccination: Failure to vaccinate.  As a result, there are neighborhoods, schools, and communities that now have vaccination rates substantially below the 92% to 95% needed to prevent outbreaks of infection.  Measles is the most contagious virus we know, so it takes very high vaccination rates to prevent transmission and to avert outbreaks.  Vaccine hesitancy has many causes:  Lack of knowledge of the severity of measles, concern over vaccine side-effects, low trust in public health, a desire to do things more “naturally” and it can also have political overtones, among others. The measles vaccine is extraordinarily effective; the routine two-dose series confers 97% to 98% protection for life.  The rare “breakthrough” infections that occur in vaccinated persons are generally milder, with fewer complications than in persons who are unvaccinated.  The US was certified as having eliminated measles in 2000 because of high vaccination rates across the country.  Sadly, the US is likely to lose that designation because of sustained measles transmission, reverting us back to the bad old days.  It is particularly sad for any of our children to have to endure measles and its consequences.  All these cases could have been prevented by vaccination. CDC Image MedicalResearch.com: What roles do a decrease in US immunization rates and/or increased immigration from under-vaccinated area play in this increase?   Response:  The substantial majority of unimmunized children in the US were born and raised in this country.  They usually are members of middle- or upper-income families.  The most frequent importers of measles into the US are our own unimmunized children who travel abroad, encounter measles virus and bring it back to their homes where the virus then spreads among the child’s schoolmates and playmates, creating an outbreak.
Author Interviews, Global Health, Infections / 09.02.2026

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_72322" align="alignleft" width="180"]David O. Freedman, M.D.Professor Emeritus of Infectious Diseases Editor of the Textbook of Travel Medicine World Health Organization—Member,  Emergency Committee on Zika Virus                 University of Alabama, Birmingham USA Dr. Freedman M.D.[/caption] David O. Freedman, M.D. Professor Emeritus of Infectious Diseases Editor of the Textbook of Travel Medicine World Health Organization—Member,  Emergency Committee on Zika Virus University of Alabama, Birmingham USA MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this outbreak? Response: India has reported 2 confirmed (PCR and ELISA) Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal State where the Kolkata megalopolis is located; the state borders Bangladesh. Symptom onset in both cases was late December 2025 in 2 health care workers. One patient has improved while the other remains in the ICU. All samples from 200 contact persons tested negative for NiV.  No further confirmed cases have been detected in West Bengal Bangladesh has reported 1 confirmed NiV case in Rajshahi Division which neighbors India. Symptom onset was January 21, 2026, and the patient expired on January 28. The patient reported no travel history but reported repeated consumption of raw date palm sap between 5 and 20 January.  All 35 contact-persons are being monitored and have tested negative for NiV and no further cases have been detected to date.
Author Interviews, Infections / 22.01.2026

[caption id="attachment_72087" align="aligncenter" width="500"]hand-hygiene-after-discharge.jpg Photo by Burst[/caption] Leaving the hospital is often a relief, but for many patients, it also marks the start of a critical recovery phase. Once home, the responsibility for infection prevention shifts largely from clinical staff to patients and caregivers. This transition can be challenging, especially for individuals recovering from surgery, managing chronic illness, or living with weakened immune systems. Reducing infection risk at home is not about recreating a hospital environment. It’s about understanding where risks exist, how infections spread, and what practical steps make the biggest difference during recovery.

Why the Post-Discharge Period Is High Risk

Hospital discharge does not mean infection risk disappears. In fact, the days and weeks following discharge are when many infections emerge. Surgical wounds are still healing, medical devices may still be in use, and the immune system may be compromised by illness or treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day, and a significant number of infections are identified after patients return home. Understanding this risk helps patients and families take prevention seriously without becoming overly anxious.
Author Interviews, Herpes Viruses, Inflammation, Vaccine Studies / 21.10.2025

[caption id="attachment_71064" align="alignleft" width="200"]Ali Dehghani, DODepartment of Medicine University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University Presenting Author, IDWeek 2025 Dr. Dehghani[/caption] MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Ali Dehghani, DO Department of Medicine University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University Presenting Author, IDWeek 2025 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which can inflame blood vessels and the nervous system. Evidence over the past decade has linked shingles to higher risks of heart attack, stroke, and dementia—but it was unclear whether the shingles vaccine might lessen those long-term effects.   [caption id="attachment_71061" align="aligncenter" width="500"]herpes-zoster-cdc-image CDC PHIL Image[/caption] MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response:  Using data from over 100 U.S. health systems, we followed adults age 50 and older for up to five years. We found that people who developed shingles had a 20–30% higher risk of cardiovascular events, vascular dementia, and death compared with similar adults without shingles. Those who had received the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) before their infection had substantially lower long-term risks—about 25% fewer major cardiac events, 40% lower early mortality, and nearly 50% less vascular dementia over time.
Author Interviews, CDC, Infections / 10.09.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: CDCKristina Betz MD, PhD Measure Development and Validation Unit Lead, NHSN Surveillance Branch Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MedicalResearch.com: Would you briefly explain what is meant by sepsis? i.e., how common is it, how serious, what are the major causes? Response: Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that happens when the body’s response to an infection causes vital organs to stop working properly. Sepsis is often caused by bacteria, but it can also happen because of other infections, like viruses such as COVID-19. Sepsis is one of the main reasons people go to the hospital and can be very dangerous. In the United States, about 1.7 million adults go to the hospital each year because of sepsis. Sadly, about 350,000 of these people die in the hospital or are sent to hospice care. Even if people survive sepsis, it can cause long-lasting problems. They might have new health issues, not be able to go back to work, need to go back to the hospital, or even die later on. Source: Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements | Sepsis | CDC, What Is Sepsis | Sepsis Alliance
Author Interviews, COVID -19 Coronavirus, Pediatrics, Weight Research / 09.09.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_70576" align="alignleft" width="200"]Thao-Ly Phan, MD, MPH Medical Director, Nemours Children's Health Professor of Pediatrics Thomas Jefferson University Dr. Thao Ly Phan[/caption] Thao-Ly Phan, MD, MPH Medical Director, Nemours Children's Health Professor of Pediatrics Thomas Jefferson University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been extensively studied in adults, but there has been limited exploration of its effects on children and adolescents. While several studies have described weight gain trends in children during the pandemic, less is known about how having a diagnosis of COVID-19 contributed to these trends. Our study drew on the NIH’s National Clinical Cohort Collaborative database, a real-world database of electronic health data from over 90 institutions across the country.  We used this dataset’s unique features to compare a diverse group of more than 11,000 children diagnosed with COVID-19 to a matched cohort of children without a diagnosis of COVID-19.
Environmental Risks, Infections / 26.08.2025

In clinical settings and community health discussions alike, food security and nutrition are common priorities. But one important factor is often overlooked: packaging’s role in reducing spoilage, preserving nutrient integrity, and protecting patients from foodborne illness. From hospitals and long-term care facilities to home health environments, minimizing food waste isn’t just about economics or sustainability. It’s a public health issue—one that starts with how food is packaged, stored, and protected from contamination. The High Stakes of Spoiled Food in Healthcare In the U.S., nearly 40% of all food goes to waste—often due to spoilage that starts with inadequate storage. But in healthcare environments, the stakes are even higher. Spoiled food can pose a serious risk to vulnerable populations, including:
  • Immunocompromised patients
  • Older adults in assisted living
  • Children in pediatric or school-based settings
  • Individuals with chronic illnesses or food sensitivities
Even minor lapses in storage or temperature control can lead to foodborne illnesses with severe consequences, especially for these groups.
Author Interviews, Infections / 24.08.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_70374" align="alignleft" width="200"]Dr. Neta Shlezinger Ph.D.Koret School of Veterinary Medicine Hebrew University Dr. Neta Shlezinger | Credit: Zuckerman Faculty Scholar Zuckerman Institute[/caption] Dr. Neta Shlezinger Ph.D. Koret School of Veterinary Medicine Hebrew University with  Dr. Marina Campos Rocha Ph.D., Dr. Vanda Lerer, PhD., and student John Adeoye MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  What are the main findings? Response:  Fungal pathogens pose a growing threat to global health, particularly for immunocompromised individuals. Today, we appreciate that fungi kill more people each year than malaria and tuberculosis combined. Aspergillus fumigatus stands out as a leading cause of invasive fungal infections, responsible for approximately 65% of all invasive mold infections in humans. These infections carry mortality rates that can exceed 50%, even with standard care. Treatment options remain limited: only a handful of antifungal drug classes are clinically available, and resistance is increasingly reported to all of them. As a result, the search for novel therapeutic strategies is now focused on fungal-specific virulence factors — targets that are essential for fungal survival and pathogenicity in the host but are absent in humans. Meanwhile, research in recent years has revealed that many fungi harbor viruses. These mycoviruses are surprisingly prevalent, but their impact on fungal physiology and, crucially, on fungal pathogenicity in humans has remained largely unexplored. Our study set out to fill this gap by examining a double-stranded RNA virus, Aspergillus fumigatus polymycovirus 1 (AfuPmV-1M), that naturally infects A. fumigatus. We found that this virus isn’t just a silent passenger — it’s wired into key fungal stress response pathways, helping the fungus survive heat stress, evade oxidative damage, and persist in the lung environment. In other words, it acts like a backseat driver — quietly steering the fungus toward enhanced survival and virulence. When we “cured” the fungus of its virus, it produced fewer spores, made less melanin, became more vulnerable to stress, and caused milder infections in mice. Seeing this, we explored a therapeutic twist: fight the virus to clear the fungus. We treated infected mice with antiviral compounds during fungal infection and observed reduced mycovirus levels and improved survival. Together, these results suggest that mycoviruses can be overlooked drivers of fungal disease — and targeting them may represent a novel, host-sparing therapeutic strategy.
Author Interviews, General Medicine, Infections / 14.08.2025

Maintaining high hygiene standards is essential to healthcare safety, yet those efforts can be undermined by shortcomings in cleaning and laundry routines. While surfaces may look clean, unseen risks from poorly executed protocols can endanger both patients and staff. The Overlooked Role of Laundry in Preventing Contamination Linens, scrubs, and other textiles in healthcare settings are constantly exposed to contaminants like bodily fluids and harmful pathogens. Without precise cleaning and handling, these items can transfer infections between individuals. Simple mistakes—such as washing at the wrong temperature or storing items improperly—can turn everyday laundry into a contamination source. Commercial laundry services are built to meet strict healthcare hygiene requirements. They use high-grade detergents, specialized washing methods, and secure handling practices to ensure textiles are thoroughly sanitized. Any deviation from these standards, whether through cost-cutting or human error, can compromise safety.
Author Interviews, General Medicine, Infections / 14.08.2025

In healthcare environments, patient rooms, exam tables, and surgical tools receive rigorous attention and rightly so. But there are equally important areas that often escape scrutiny: the non-clinical zones. Hallways, break rooms, reception desks, and admin offices may not appear critical to infection control, but they are frequently trafficked, highly interactive areas that can compromise the integrity of a facility’s overall hygiene strategy. These shared spaces are more than just pass-throughs or places to grab a coffee; they’re the connective tissue of a healthcare facility. Staff travel through them constantly, often in and out of clinical settings, without always thinking about the residue they may leave behind or pick up. In fact, the transient nature of these spaces makes them potential conduits for cross-contamination, impacting both staff well-being and patient safety. Healthcare is about more than treating illness; it’s about creating a safe, welcoming environment for healing. That includes every square foot of the building, not just the areas marked “sterile.”

Author Interviews, Cancer Research, HPV / 13.06.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_69031" align="alignleft" width="150"]Pragati Advani MD, MPH, DrPHAssistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery And on faculty with the Department of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo, NY Dr. Advani[/caption] Pragati Advani MD, MPH, DrPH Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery And on faculty with the Department of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: In oncology, a study of second primary malignancy (SPM) is an emerging field that is predominantly driven by our success in identifying and treating the first primary cancers (FPCs). HPV is responsible for nearly a third of all infectious agent-related FPCs (including cancer of the oropharynx, anus, vulva, vagina, cervix and penis). Advances in diagnostic and treatment methods have resulted in improved survivorship among these patients. However, they remain at risk for developing a SPM. No studies thus far had examined the risk of SPMs after HPV-associated FPCs, stratified by cancer site and gender.
Dental Research, Infections / 26.05.2025

Proper management of dental surgical instruments is a requirement for patient safety and professional integrity, not only a sensible practice. Whether you are a seasoned dentist, an ambitious dental assistant, or a student learning the ropes, understanding the reasons behind sterilization you to keep your practice clean, your patients well, and your reputation impeccable. Dental Tools Must Be Sterilized

What Are Dental Tools and Why Sterilization Matters

Dental tools comprise a broad spectrum, from explorers and probes to scalers, handpieces, forceps, and mirrors. Direct contact with these tools with saliva, blood, and soft tissue Microbes ride without adequate cleaning and sterilization, possibly causing cross-contamination.
  • Cross-contamination risk: If the instrument is not sterilized, one patient's oral flora can soon become another's issue.
  • On unsterilized instruments, bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis B and C or even HIV may survive.
  • Especially hazardous in healthcare settings are strains like MRSA, which are antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Imagine a simple probe tracing along a patient’s gum line; what seems harmless can, if contaminated, introduce severe infection.
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Colon Cancer, Gastrointestinal Disease, HPV / 07.05.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_68399" align="alignleft" width="150"]Ashley Robinson, MD, lead authorSecond-year internal medicine resident Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Dr. Robinson[/caption] Ashley Robinson, MD, lead author Second-year internal medicine resident Advocate Lutheran General Hospital MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Briefly, anal cancer makes up around 1% of gastrointestinal cancers and more than 90% of all anal cancers are caused by chronic human papillomavirus or HPV infections. In previous research, it has been noted that women over the age of 65 have rates that were increasing more than other groups and myself along with my colleagues and the principal investigator of this project, Dr. Eli Ehrenpreis, wanted to further characterize these findings, looking into more specific details of these previously noted trends. Using data from a public database ran by the National Cancer Institute called the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, also known as SEER, and their statistical analysis software, SEER*Stat, we analyzed anal cancer incidence trends, looking at differences between sex, age, and ethnicity in order to further identify specific groups that have more rapidly increasing rates than others.
Infections / 30.04.2025

Types, Causes, and Symptoms of Meningitis Meningitis is a serious illness that can strike quickly. If not treated quickly, meningitis can lead to brain damage or even death. Many survivors are left with lasting problems like hearing loss or learning difficulties. These effects can be life-changing. It is shocking that even newborn babies develop meningitis, sometimes due to the negligence of healthcare professionals during pregnancy or labor. If you are a parent facing the same issue, hire a birth injury lawyer from the Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Alliance for proper legal guidance to hold the negligent party accountable. Before that, it is good to know the types, causes, and symptoms of meningitis to understand the condition better. What is Meningitis? Meningitis occurs when the thin layers covering the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. This inflammation can come from germs or other non-infectious things, like cancer or medicine. Meningitis can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk than others. Newborns, older adults, and people with weak immune systems often face a higher chance of getting it.
Infections, Laboratories / 27.03.2025

Editor's note: Please remember there are other causes of a sore throat besides Strep bacteria, some of which may be serious including Mono (mononucleosis), Haemophilus, Whooping cough and others. Please consult your health care provider for specific medical advice. Information in this post is for background education only and not to be construed as specific medical advice. [caption id="attachment_67583" align="aligncenter" width="500"]sore-throat-strep-tests Photo by Picas Joe[/caption] A sore throat can be annoying. But if it comes with fever and swollen glands, it might be strep throat. Rapid strep throat tests give you quick results. But those color changes on the test strip can be confusing. Many people don’t know what they mean. Understanding these results is essential to knowing whether you are suffering from a viral infection or a strep throat. This guide explains strep test colors, what they mean, and what to do next.

How a Strep Throat Test Works

There are two main types of tests: the rapid antigen test and the throat culture.
  • Rapid antigen tests work by detecting proteins (antigens) from the strep bacteria using a chemical reaction .
  • In the throat culture method, the sample is placed in a lab to grow bacteria if present.
Both tests are reliable, but the rapid antigen test is widely used because of its speed, especially in clinics and urgent care settings.
Infections / 26.03.2025

common-cold-versus-flu.jpg   The cold winter months are notorious for all kinds of viral and bacterial illnesses to spread, with   Influenza (flu) and the common cold the two most prevalent and contagious respiratory illnesses. Although they may share many of the same symptoms, they are caused by different viruses. The flu is caused by influenza viruses only while the common cold is caused by a number of different viruses. Despite their similarities, knowing the difference between the two is important for the right diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of the Common Cold vs. Flu

The common cold is predominantly caused by rhinoviruses, while viruses such as parainfluenza and seasonal coronaviruses can also be responsible. However, these strains of coronaviruses are not the same as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Rhinoviruses spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. They can also be contracted by touching an infected person (shaking hands, kissing) or contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose, mouth, or eyes.  The flu is caused by influenza viruses, types A, B, C, with Influenza A and B the most common strains that are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks. Like colds, the flu spreads through respiratory droplets and surface contact, but it tends to be more severe and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and worsening of chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease and diabetes. 
Infections, Legal-Malpractice, Nutrition / 18.03.2025

    [caption id="attachment_67245" align="aligncenter" width="500"]E. Coli- Causes Symptoms Treatments Image source[/caption] Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium often found in humans and animals' intestines. Some strains can cause severe illness, while most are harmless. Contaminated food, water, and person-to-person contact are the most frequent sources of infection. In a thriving coastal city like San Diego, where fresh produce and seafood are widely consumed, outbreaks can pose a significant public health concern. Restaurants, grocery stores, and food suppliers must adhere to strict health regulations to prevent contamination. When an outbreak occurs, those affected may seek legal recourse. An award-winning San Diego E. coli lawyer helps victims navigate legal complexities, ensuring they receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering.
Author Interviews, Infections / 12.03.2025

  human-pathogens.jpg   Have you ever pondered how invisible microbes can trigger illnesses around us? Did you know millions fall ill, even fatally, due to human pathogens each year? These unseen threats are ever - present, silently invading our bodies and causing diseases ranging from mild colds to severe ones like AIDS and tuberculosis. Accurate detection of these pathogens is crucial for our health protection.

What are Human Pathogens?

Human pathogens are disease - causing microbes and parasites. An infection occurs when pathogens invade tissues, multiply, and trigger a reaction from the host's tissues to the pathogens and their toxins. Mammalian hosts initially respond to infections with an innate response, often involving inflammation, followed by an adaptive response. These organisms colonize host tissues, prompting the host immune system to produce specific antibodies against them.
Author Interviews, Infections, NEJM, STD / 06.03.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_66982" align="alignleft" width="150"]Dr. lenka_vodstrcil Dr. Vodstrcil[/caption] Lenka Vodstrcil PhD Senior Research Fellow Deputy Head, Genital Microbiota and Mycoplasma Group President, Sexual Health Society of Victoria Associate Editor, Sexually Transmitted Infections School of Translational Medicine, FMNHS, Monash University Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred Hospital Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, University of Melbourne [caption id="attachment_66983" align="alignleft" width="150"]STM - Catriona Bradshaw Dr. Bradshaw[/caption] Catriona Bradshaw MMBS(Hons), PhD, FAChSHM, FAHMS Professor (Research), Head of Research Translation and Mentorship and of The Genital Microbiota and Mycoplasma Group Melbourne School of Translational Medicine, Monash University and Alfred Hospital Principal Research Fellow at the Burnet Institute   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: One in three women globally have bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition that causes a malodourous discharge, and associated with serious gynaecologic and obstetric sequelae (including miscarriage and preterm birth) and increases the risk sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Women with symptoms are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, however, over 50% of women experience BV recurrence within 3-6 months. The recurrence rate is even higher at 60-80% among women with an ongoing regular partner. Current practice is to simply retreat women experiencing BV recurrence with the same antibiotics, which leaves them (and clinicians) frustrated and distressed. We and others have accumulated a body of evidence to show that BV has the profile of an STI. BV-associated bacteria are detected in men in the distal urethra and on penile-skin, and couples share these organisms. However, to date, has not been recommended for BV as it is for other STIs. This is largely because men do not usually have any symptoms, and past partner-treatment trials in the 1980s and 1990s, which only used oral antibiotics for men, failed to prevent BV recurrence, which was taken as conclusive evidence against sexual transmission. Reviews of these trials have since identified their limitations. Given the evidence of male carriage of BV-associated bacteria at two genital sites, we hypothesised that both sites needed to be targeted with antimicrobial therapy to prevent re-infection post-treatment. The aim of our study was to assess if male partner-treatment concurrently with female treatment using a combination of oral and topical antibiotics for the first time, would decrease BV recurrence over 12 weeks compared to the current standard practice of treating women only.
Antibiotic Resistance, Author Interviews, Infections / 18.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jennifer Machado Soares Affiliation: University of São Paulo and Texas A&M University Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Antibiotic treatments are becoming less effective due to the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Alternative treatments such as Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) have emerged and can act as an adjuvant to traditional antibiotic therapy. aPDT utilizes a photosensitizer activated by light to generate reactive oxygen species that can inactivate pathogens.
Infections, Ophthalmology / 15.02.2025

[caption id="attachment_66639" align="aligncenter" width="500"]stye-eye-infection Image Source[/caption] Eye health is an essential part of our overall well-being, yet many of us often overlook the delicate balance required to keep our eyes clear of infections and irritations. Styes and other eye infections can be both uncomfortable and disruptive, affecting our daily lives.  In this article, we’ll explore what styes are, the range of eye infections that can occur, and provide actionable advice on treatment and prevention strategies. With the right knowledge and habits, you can keep your eyes healthy and reduce the likelihood of these common issues.

Understanding Styes

Styes are one of the most frequent eye conditions encountered by people of all ages. These painful, red bumps on the eyelid are typically caused by a bacterial infection in the oil glands or hair follicles of the eyelid.

What is a Stye?

A stye, or hordeolum, often appears as a swollen, pus-filled bump near the edge of the eyelid. They are usually localized and can cause significant discomfort, especially if the affected area is touched or rubbed frequently. Although styes generally resolve on their own, their presence can be a signal that the eye’s natural defense mechanisms are under stress.
Author Interviews, Infections / 05.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_66392" align="alignleft" width="200"]Prof. Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D., HCLDDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology New York Medical College Department of Pathology, Westchester Medical Center Valhalla, New York Prof. Chaturvedi[/caption] Prof. Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D., HCLD Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology New York Medical College Department of Pathology, Westchester Medical Center Valhalla, New York, MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How does Candida auris differ from Candida albicans, ie in clinical presentation or treatment?    
  1. Candida aurisis a newly discovered yeast that is considered a global health threat by the CDC and WHO. The sudden emergence and rapid spread of this multidrug-resistant pathogen is being explained by several published hypotheses. These include global warming, salt water tolerance, or agriculture use of fungicides as plausible causes. In the US, the NY-NJ metropolitan area was the first to suffer from drug-resistant Candia auris clade I genotype. None of the earlier hypotheses could explain the appearance in NY-NJ. Here, we set out to answer two related questions: “why NY-NJ?” and “why clade I?”
  2. Candida albicansis a well-known commensal yeast that frequents human mucosal surfaces in the mouth, vagina, etc. In contrast, Candida auris is a newly discovered yeast that colonizes the skin of hospitalized patients and long-term care residents. A small subset of those colonized develop Candida auris bloodstream and deep tissue infections.
  3. Candida auris differs from  albicans in its ability to cause healthcare-associated infection outbreaks. Candida auris is also prone to rapid acquisition of the resistance of multiple antifungal drugs. Finally, C. auris bloodstream infections cause high mortality.
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