Health Topics

We are getting to that time of year again, cold and influenza season.  Your co-workers and friends will start having a cough, runny nose, congestion, and fevers.  You may be wondering, what is the difference between an upper respiratory infection also known as the common cold and influenza? Both influenza and colds are caused by …

Well, it is that time of year again, summer. With the warmer weather, most people will be enjoying an increase in outdoor activities such as baseball games, gardening, and swimming. As we spend more time outside, we increase our exposure to ultraviolet radiation. If the proper precautions aren’t taken, this increased exposure to UV rays …

We have all heard the term shingles and possibly have even heard commercials advertising a vaccine for shingles. So what exactly are shingles, and how does an individual become infected with shingles? The medical name for shingles is herpes zoster virus. It is a reactivation of a previous infection with the varicella-zoster virus, which is …

Fever blister, also known as cold sores are a nuisance that causes annoyance and discomfort to millions of Americans.  The condition is caused by a contagious herpes virus, either herpes simplex one or herpes simplex 2.  Over 95% of cases are caused by herpes simplex virus one (HSV1).  The virus causes “blisters” or small sores …

As we spend more time outside in the summer, we are exposed to mosquitos and therefore mosquito bites.  These bites are not only itchy and uncomfortable but mosquito bites can also be a vector for illness. They transmit viruses such as West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, and Zika virus to name a …