CDC: Alpha-gal Syndrome
What is alpha-gal? What is alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)? Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic condition. AGS is also called alpha-gal allergy, red meat allergy, or tick bite meat allergy. AGS is not caused by an infection. AGS symptoms occur after people eat red meat or are exposed to other products containing alpha-gal. A […]
CDC: E. coli Outbreak – Organic Walnuts
Fast Facts Recalled Food: Gibson Farms, Inc. organic walnut halves and pieces Almost all sick people purchased organic walnuts from bulk bins in food co-ops or natural food stores in California and Washington. What You Should Do What Businesses Should Do Symptoms of E. coli Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/walnuts-04-24/index.html
FDA: Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
According to scientists at the FDA, caffeine can be part of a healthy diet for most people, but too much caffeine may pose a danger to your health. Do you drink just one cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning, hoping the caffeine in it will jump-start your day? Do you follow […]
CDC: What is Giardiasis?
Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis (or “Giardia” for short). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in stool (poop). Once outside the body, Giardia can sometimes survive for weeks or even months. Giardia can be found in every region of the United States and around […]
CDC: Water Treatment Options When Traveling
When visiting places with unknown water quality—whether you head to a remote location to camp or hike or travel to a new place—it may be necessary to disinfect the water to kill waterborne germs before using it. Drinking contaminated water or using it for cooking, washing food, preparing drinks, making ice, and brushing teeth can […]
CDC: Fentanyl Test Strips – A Harm Reduction Strategy
What are fentanyl test strips? Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). FTS provide people who use […]
FDA: Artificial Intelligence and Medical Products
What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. AI systems use machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments; abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner; and […]
CDC: World Immunization Week
Every year for World Immunization Week, the last week of April, the global immunization community celebrates the lifesaving power of vaccines. The 2024 theme, Humanly Possible, celebrates 50 years of the World Health Organization’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). CDC has supported EPI since it began in 1974 with the goal of providing universal access to lifesaving […]
FDA: Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products – What You Should Know
If you decide that you want to make your hair less frizzy or straighter, you may choose to go to a professional stylist at a hair salon for a hair straightening or smoothing service. Most hair smoothing or straightening products release formaldehyde gas, a known human carcinogen as classified by the International Agency for Research […]
CDC: Whooping Cough Signs and Symptoms
Whooping cough may begin like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. Symptoms of whooping cough usually develop within 5 to 10 days after you come into contact with the bacteria that cause it. Sometimes symptoms do not develop for as long as 3 weeks. Early symptoms: […]