Can you still have symptoms of Lyme disease after you’ve completed your...
DEAR DOCTOR K: My neighbor was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Why does he still have symptoms, even though he has completed his treatment? DEAR READER: The great majority of people diagnosed with Lyme...
View ArticleIs there a treatment or vaccine being created for Ebola?
DEAR DOCTOR K: Like everyone, I'm afraid that the Ebola virus could spread in the United States. There must be research underway to find treatments, and vaccines to prevent it in the first place....
View ArticleWhat is MRSA and why is it so dangerous?
DEAR DOCTOR K: What is MRSA? What makes it so dangerous? DEAR READER: We have a brain, and bacteria don't. So you'd think bacteria wouldn't be able to outsmart us. But they sure can figure out ways to...
View ArticleWhat is fifth disease and is it contagious?
DEAR DOCTOR K: A child in my son's class has "fifth disease." What is this? Is it contagious? What can I do to prevent my son from catching it? DEAR READER: Fifth disease, also known as erythema...
View ArticleWhat is malaria and how can I prevent it?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I am traveling abroad in a few weeks. My travel clinic has prescribed antimalarial medication. Can you tell me more about malaria and how to prevent it? DEAR READER: Malaria is a serious...
View ArticleHow can I protect myself and my family against Lyme disease?
DEAR DOCTOR K: A young pop singer who battled Lyme disease was recently on the cover of People magazine. I know it's silly, but if a celebrity can get a disease, I feel I'm more vulnerable. What should...
View ArticleWhy am I being tested for tuberculosis? I thought that was eradicated.
DEAR DOCTOR K: Why does my doctor want to test me for tuberculosis? I thought that was eradicated a long time ago. DEAR READER: It would be wonderful if tuberculosis (TB) had been eradicated long ago....
View ArticleHow are the West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis illnesses spread?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I've been hearing about West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis. How do these illnesses spread? What can I do to protect myself? DEAR READER: West Nile and Eastern equine...
View ArticleI’m a healthy 55-year-old man. Should I get the shingles vaccine?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm a healthy 55-year-old man. Should I get the shingles vaccine? And while you're at it, what exactly is shingles? DEAR READER: Shingles is a condition that results in a rash and pain....
View ArticleHow can I prevent recurrent UTIs?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm in my 30s and fairly healthy. However, I keep getting urinary tract infections. My husband and I want to know what I can do to prevent them. DEAR READER: Many women know well the...
View ArticleShould I get a flu vaccine this year even if last year’s vaccine didn’t...
DEAR DOCTOR K: I got the flu vaccine last year and still got the flu. Should I even bother with the flu vaccine this late? DEAR READER: Yes, you should, but don't expect perfect protection this year,...
View ArticleWill a pertussis booster shot for me help protect my grandkids from whooping...
DEAR DOCTOR K: My son says that if I get a booster shot for pertussis, it will help protect his kids from getting whooping cough. That seems far-fetched to me. DEAR READER: It's not far-fetched. Even...
View ArticleQuestions and answers about Zika virus
DEAR READERS: Not surprisingly, we've been getting lots of letters about the Zika virus. In today's column, I'd like to answer the questions that many readers are asking. Related Posts: More questions...
View ArticleMore questions and answers about Zika virus
DEAR READER: In yesterday's column, I answered questions about the Zika virus. Today, I'd like to answer several more, and also talk about how we can protect ourselves against this and other epidemics....
View ArticleWhat is sepsis?
DEAR DOCTOR K: My father had routine surgery. Soon after, he developed something called sepsis that almost killed him. He's OK now, but I'd like to understand what happened to him. DEAR READER: He and...
View ArticleDoes the immune system really change with the seasons
DEAR DOCTOR K: A friend heard about a study that said a person's immune system changes with the seasons. That seems incredible to me. But if it's true, it's fascinating. Do you know what she is talking...
View ArticleDo products that claim to boost immunity actually work?
DEAR DOCTOR K: I guess everyone wants a strong immune system. But is there anything to the claims of products that advertise that they boost immunity? DEAR READER: In a word, no. Our immune system does...
View ArticleIs there any new information on the link between Zika virus and birth defects?
DEAR DOCTOR K: In a recent column, you said that doctors were still conducting research to see if the Zika virus does, as feared, cause birth defects -- particularly, babies born with small heads and...
View ArticleHow likely is it that the Zika virus will make it’s way to the U.S.?
DEAR READERS: In yesterday's column, I discussed new evidence that the Zika virus probably causes a brain birth defect that leads to small heads and brains (microcephaly). This can occur when a...
View ArticleDoes my son need to get the HPV vaccine?
DEAR DOCTOR K: A friend says that my young son should get the vaccine that protects girls against cervical cancer. That doesn't seem to make sense. Can you explain? DEAR READER: Your friend is right,...
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