Vaccines and immunizations Archive

Diseases & Conditions

Bracing for flu season: Steps to protect yourself right now

Updated August 16, 2021

Healthy aging and longevity

A vaccine that can prevent shingles

Published August 1, 2021

The best way to avoid shingles and long-lasting pain that may result from it is to get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix), given in two doses. The vaccine contains a protein from a dead varicella-zoster virus. The shot is 90% effective and is recommended for adults ages 50 or older, even those who have had shingles before, received an older shingles vaccine called Zostavax, or don’t recall having had chickenpox. People should avoid the vaccine if they currently have shingles, are allergic to components of the vaccine, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cancer

7 strategies to prevent cancer

Published August 1, 2021

Making healthy lifestyle changes can prevent an estimated 40% of cancers. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy body weight. People can also help prevent cancers by seeking recommended cancer screenings. Some screenings merely identify cancers early, but others, such as colonoscopies and Pap tests, can find precancerous conditions and are actually able to prevent cancer.

Pediatric health

Supporting a bullied child

Published July 7, 2021

If you learn your child has been bullied, ignore the temptation to fantasize about retaliation and focus on your child's immediate needs instead. Parents can't stop bullies from crossing paths with their children, but they can teach their children how to manage such situations.

Pediatric health

New information for parents on myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines

Published July 1, 2021

Reports of young people developing myocarditis and pericarditis after getting one of the mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have made some parents reluctant to get their children vaccinated. It's understandable to worry about such a side effect, but before choosing not to vaccinate, it's important to look at the whole picture.

Heart Health

COVID-19 and cardiovascular concerns: An evolving story

Published July 1, 2021

Physicians’ understanding of how a COVID-19 infection affects the heart is still evolving. More definitive answers require long-term, randomized clinical trials that control for different factors (including varied medical histories and medication use) to study how COVID-19—and possible therapies—affect people who have or are at risk for heart disease. Like other infectious organisms, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) can increase the risk of blood clots and may damage the heart, but the danger is less common than initial reports suggested.

Cancer

Adjusting gut bacteria may improve response to cancer treatment

Published July 1, 2021

Gut bacteria may play a role in response to cancer treatments that target the immune system.

Healthy aging and longevity

5 important blood tests beyond the basics

Published July 1, 2021

Five blood tests beyond basic blood work may be worth pursuing for older adults. For example, a test to determine one’s vitamin B₁₂ level might be helpful, since older adults sometimes have trouble absorbing that vitamin. Likewise, older adults have less ability to absorb sunlight through the skin, which may lead to less production of vitamin D. Other blood tests to consider include those for HIV or hepatitis C infection, and a test to measure fasting blood sugar.

Pediatric health

Making visits to the dentist easier for people with autism spectrum disorder

Published June 29, 2021

Proper dental care is essential for all children, including learning how to brush and going for regular dental visits. But for children with autism spectrum disorder, the sensory aspects of a dental office may be uncomfortable, difficult, or overwhelming. But there are things parents can do to make these visits easier.

Pediatric health

Children not yet vaccinated against COVID-19? What to do

Published June 21, 2021

Now that many people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, it feels like things are starting to return to something resembling normal. But because the vaccines have not yet been approved for those under 12, families with children under this age need to be careful and thoughtful as they plan summer activities.

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Vaccines and immunizations Archive

Articles

Bracing for flu season: Steps to protect yourself right now

A vaccine that can prevent shingles

7 strategies to prevent cancer

Supporting a bullied child

New information for parents on myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 and cardiovascular concerns: An evolving story

Adjusting gut bacteria may improve response to cancer treatment

5 important blood tests beyond the basics

Making visits to the dentist easier for people with autism spectrum disorder

Children not yet vaccinated against COVID-19? What to do

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