FDA: FDA’s Critical Role in Ensuring Safe and Effective Flu Vaccines
The flu (influenza) vaccine you get at your doctor’s office or pharmacy is the result of year-round work of highly skilled microbiologists, epidemiologists, physicians and other public health experts. Sound complicated? It is. As new strains of flu viruses emerge, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration closely coordinates with sister agencies and works with manufacturers […]
CDC: Bed Bugs
What are bed bugs? Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1mm to 7mm (roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny), and can live several months without a blood […]
FDA: Clinical Trial Diversity
Clinical trials are research studies involving human volunteers to evaluate medical products like medications, vaccines, or devices for safety and effectiveness. These studies may also show which medical products or therapies work best for people with certain illnesses or for certain groups of people. Ensuring people from diverse backgrounds join clinical trials is key to […]
CDC: Sore Throat
Is it painful to swallow? Or is your throat scratchy? A virus may be causing your sore throat. Causes Causes of sore throat include: Of these, infections from viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria. These bacteria are called group […]
FDA: Good Dog, Bad Food: Foods for People That Are Bad for Your Dog
If you consider the family dog, well, family—and are apt to toss him a piece of your food now and then—proceed with caution. Some foods meant for human consumption can be dangerous, and even deadly, to your dog. How are people and animals different when it comes to food? According to Carmela Stamper, D.V.M., a veterinarian […]
CDC: About Alzheimer’s Disease
What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Who has Alzheimer’s Disease? In 2023, as many as 6.7 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. Social Determinants Conditions such as where people are born, live, work and play can have a profound effect on a person’s health, including their risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. What do we […]
FDA: Pregnancy
From the FDA Office of Women’s Health Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant? Having a baby can be a joyous time that comes with changes as you go through each stage of pregnancy. The FDA has lots of resources to help you make good choices about medicines, foods, and other products for you […]
CDC: Reducing Fatigue in the Workplace
Fatigue can affect any worker in any job and may have serious consequences for worker safety and health. Providing easy-to-understand information for employers and workers about ways to reduce fatigue will help to minimize risks and improve the safety of all workplaces. How does fatigue affect workers? Fatigue has been described as “a feeling of […]
FDA: Medicines for Your Pet: What’s The Difference Between FDA-approved & Pharmacy-compounded Drugs?
If you’ve ever had to give your cat a dose of medicine, you know that it can go sideways quickly. While no cat enjoys the process, some might be more cooperative depending on how the drug is given. For example, some cats tolerate taking pills easier than liquid, while others make the pill-giving process into […]
CDC: Reducing exposures during 3D printing
3D printers that make objects from plastics can release very small, potentially harmful particles and gases. Some ways to reduce exposures to these chemicals include using a 3D printer in a room with lots of fresh, uncontaminated air provided by the ventilation system or open windows and doors, using lower emitting plastics, following the printer […]