Lately, some folks have been talking about a super painful sore throat linked to COVID. They're calling it "razor sore throat. " It sounds scary, but is it really something new? Doctors say no. They've seen bad sore throats with COVID before. It's not a sign of a new, extra scary virus. The symptoms we see now are pretty much the same as before. Sure, some people mi...
A significant heatwave is on its way to Eastern Ontario, with Kingston and nearby areas like Odessa and Frontenac Islands in the bullseye. Starting Sunday afternoon, residents can expect a sharp increase in temperature and humidity, making it feel much hotter than it actually is. This heatwave is expected to last through the week, with daytime highs ranging from 31 t...
Wisconsin is gearing up for a warm weekend, but there's a catch. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting south, bringing hazy skies and air quality concerns. This isn't just a minor issue. It's a reminder of how interconnected our environment is. The wildfires, fueled by drought in central and western Canada, have already burned out of control in over 150 places. T...
A measles case has been confirmed in Austin, Texas. This isn't the first time measles has made an appearance in Texas, but it's the first time in Austin. The infected person is a young child who caught the virus while traveling abroad. The rest of the family is vaccinated, which is a good thing because measles is extremely contagious. It spreads through the air when ...
This winter, the United States is dealing with a unique challenge – a "quademic" of flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus. While the first three affect the respiratory system, norovirus causes nasty stomach issues. Experts are concerned because norovirus is particularly vicious this year, with a new strain circulating. This means our bodies ...
You might not have heard of HMPV, but it's been around for a while. Discovered back in 2001 in the Netherlands, this virus is part of the RSV family and can cause symptoms like coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. Kids, seniors, and folks with weaker immune systems are at higher risk for severe cases. There's no vaccine yet, which is why it's making headlines, e...
In Stanislaus County, health officials confirmed the first human case of bird flu. A resident who had contact with infected dairy cattle showed mild symptoms and received antiviral treatment. The virus, known as H5N1, has been spreading among birds and causing outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry. California has seen at least 36 human cases during the 2024 outbreak, m...
Even though autumn is here, don't let your guard down against those pesky mosquitoes in Rhode Island. Recently, health officials found that some mosquitoes are still carrying serious diseases like Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus. In a recent batch of 87 mosquito samples from across the state, one tested positive for EEE and another for West Nile...