FDA: A Fresh Take on What “Healthy” Means on Food Packages
With so many food options out there, it is helpful to have information on food packages that can empower you to identify healthier choices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing to update its definition of “healthy.” That includes the nutritional criteria a product must meet to put the claim “healthy” on the package. […]
CDC: What is Sepsis?
Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection, including COVID-19, can lead to sepsis. In a typical year: Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Most cases of sepsis start before a […]
FDA: Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance
Learn when to use antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are drugs that fight infections caused by bacteria NOT viruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like the common cold, most sore throats, and the flu. Taking antibiotics for viral infections will NOT: Using antibiotics for viruses can put you at risk of getting a […]
CDC: Contamination in Food Production
It takes several steps to get food from the farm or fishery to the dining table. We call these steps the food production chain. Contamination can occur at any point along the chain—during production, processing, distribution, or preparation. Production Production means growing the plants we harvest or raising the animals we use for food. Most […]
FDA: Plan, Prepare and Protect Your Pet Before, During and After an Emergency
When it comes to planning for emergencies, pet owners should consider their pets too. They make us laugh. They are usually waiting for us when we get home from work and school. They give us unconditional love. They are often our best friends. And they depend on us for everything: food, water, healthcare. They are […]
CDC: Consequences of Obesity
People who have obesity, compared to those with a healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions. In addition, obesity and its associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the US health care system. Obesity also affects military readiness. Health Conditions Obesity in children and adults increases the […]
FDA: Is Food Safe if it Has Chemicals?
Assessing the safety of additives and other chemicals in food includes scientific study of how much of a chemical is in a food and how much we’re likely to eat. You may have seen news or online content about chemicals in our foods. Perhaps you’re wondering, is a food safe to eat if it contains […]
CDC: Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick
When you may have a respiratory virus… Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren’t better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.* What to know If you never […]
FDA: Medical Devices for Weight Loss and Weight Management
Weight-loss and weight-management devices go hand in hand with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. If your health care professional advises you to lose weight, you’re not alone. More than 70% of adults in the U.S. are overweight or have obesity, according to federal statistics, with more than 40% considered obese. Overweight and obesity are linked […]
CDC: How Norovirus Spreads
Norovirus is very contagious and spreads very easily and quickly in different ways. You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit in your mouth from a person infected with norovirus. If you get norovirus illness, you can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can’t see without a microscope. […]