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Category Archives: Infectious Disease
Straight No Chaser: Can HIV Be Eliminated From the Body?
Looking at the above picture, you would think it shows Ervin “Magic” Johnson donating blood. This is a topic begging to be discussed. As most everyone knows, Magic famously ret
Straight, No Chaser In The News: The Latest on the Ebola Virus Story
It’s easy to see how complicated decisions and confusing actions feed into a narrative that to a previously unaware public can look like a conspiracy or a continuation of privile
Straight, No Chaser: Ebola Virus
Ebola virus has been in the news quite a bit lately. The disease it causes illustrates the ongoing value of basic measures of prevention and the difference in implementing strategi
Straight, No Chaser In The News: Ebola Virus – Likely Not Coming Soon To a City Near You
We must be doing something right when so many of you are asking about Ebola virus. I say that because of the incredibly high probability that neither you nor I will ever see a case
Straight, No Chaser: Abscesses (Boils)
Whether you call them boils, pus pockets or abscesses, they hurt. Abscesses are infections that localize and collect pus beneath the skin. Although previous Straight, No Chaser pos
Straight, No Chaser: Preventing and Treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
At some point, you’ve got to be on board with the notion that you need to prevent some of the things that ail you. All men who have UTIs are at higher risk for having another one
Straight, No Chaser: Treatment of Food Poisoning
The vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and all around bad feelings you may get with food poisoning is extremely unpleasant. We’ve previously discussed preventative measu
Straight, No Chaser: Food Contamination and Protecting Yourself From Foodborne Illness
Those of you who are regular readers of Straight, No Chaser may have heard me say that everything you place in your mouth either harms or helps you. Your mouth is the direct point
Straight, No Chaser: Tetanus (Lockjaw)
If there could possibly be anything cool about tetanus, it’s that the overwhelming majority of us have never seen it and never will. At first thought, that could seem odd becaus
Insect Bites – Clues on What Bit You
Introduction This Straight, No Chaser focuses on insect bites and offers clues as to what type insect may have stung or bit you. One of the really interesting things about being a
Straight, No Chaser: Step on a Nail? What Happens Next?
What would you do if you stepped on a nail? What if the nail was rusty? Does it make a difference if you were wearing shoes? Is stepping on a nail dangerous? Why does everyone pron
Straight, No Chaser: Toxic Shock Syndrome
Straight, No Chaser has addressed Staphylococcus (aka Staph) infections on several occasions; in fact, Staph is the microorganism that is responsible for all those MRSA (methicilli
Straight, No Chaser: New Findings and Other Vaccine News
Introduction This Straight, No Chaser provides vaccine news of interest. If this doesn’t convince you, nothing will. You’ll want to read until the end. The most recent
Straight, No Chaser: Your Questions About Measles (Rubeola)
In discussing the recent measles outbreak, the most common response I received was “So? What’s measles anyway?” It has been that long since measles has been a problem in the
Straight, No Chaser In the News: The Measles Outbreak and Not Getting Vaccinated
Here’s a cautionary tale to those who rely on non-medical sources to guide their health decisions. The measles vaccine became available in 1963. Prior to then, the virus causin
Straight, No Chaser: Here's When Your Sore Throat Needs Antibiotics – The Centor Criteria
I enjoy giving you tips that provide insight into what your physician is thinking. Some of these considerations are so simple that you can use them at home. In many examples, these
Straight, No Chaser: Simple Questions About Sore Throats
Sore throats. So common. So simple. So sore. Here are a group of frequently asked questions to help you sort out the whys and what next considerations for you and your family. How
Straight, No Chaser: Extracting Ticks and Preventing Tick Bites
Springtime is the beginning of the outdoor season for many. Whether you’re camping, hunting, playing paintball, hiking or engaged in other activities in the woods or tall grass,
Straight, No Chaser: Avoiding Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they present. This thought occurred to me when I saw Bill Gates talking about efforts to elimina
Straight, No Chaser: Sexual Assault (Rape) and What To Do If You're a Victim
In this series on sexual assault (aka sexual violence, rape), I’m going to lean on best practices largely provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S.
