Deb Balzer (@DebBalzer)
Deb Balzer is a Senior Communications Specialist at Mayo Clinic. She began her career as a TV news producer in Rochester, NY, before joining CONUS Communications, a pioneering national news satellite organization. She also field produced for ABC, CNN, the Rachael Ray Show and Farmers’ Almanac TV. Joining Mayo Clinic in 2015, Deb writes, produces and collaborates on medical stories with Mayo Clinic’s leading experts, providing trusted health and medical information to help patients.
It's the peak of the cold and flu season. Typically, the season peaks between December and February, people may continue to get sick as late as May.[...]
The nation continues to be in the thick of cold and flu season. Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist Dr. Pritish Tosh says many people who[...]
Since the first of the year, nearly two dozen people from six states–California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania – were reported to have[...]
"Vaccinations prevent infections before they occur," says Dr. Vandana Bhide, a pediatrician and internal medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic. She says, "Childhood diseases, once thought to[...]
More than 5,300 cases of mumps infections were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2016, and nearly 500 cases in January[...]
More than 45-percent of American men are infected with genital HPV, according to a recent study published in JAMA Oncology. The study also found the HPV[...]
Many Americans are feeling pretty lousy this winter, thanks to a common cold or influenza virus. Of those, a sizable number will seek medical attention to[...]
Norovirus or influenza? Both are highly contagious viral infections, but they are not the same. Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist Dr. Pritish Tosh says people often[...]
If you are hesitating to get your annual influenza vaccine, Dr. Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, wants to bust some myths[...]
Influenza in the U.S. is approaching peak levels, says Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist Dr. Pritish Tosh. "We are seeing a fairly dramatic increase in[...]
It's the height of flu season but not all symptoms of the flu virus point to influenza. Sudden fever and headache also may be symptoms[...]
The American College of Physicians has come out with new guidelines for treating Type 2 diabetes. The group advises clinicians to prescribe metformin to patients with Type 2[...]