Infectious Diseases - December 2015 Archives

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard that nonprescription decongestants can have significant side effects. Is this true? ANSWER: While many people rely on nasal ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard many times that handwashing is the best way to prevent illness. But how often is it enough? I have small children, and I want to keep them as healthy as possible. Is hand sanitizer a good alternative to soap and water? ANSWER: You’re correct that frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and to keep from spreading any illness you may have to someone else. There’s no magic number for how often you should wash. Just try to make sure your hands are consistently clean. Soap and water always work well. But if you don’t have access to a sink, hand sanitizer is a good choice, too. Bacteria, viruses and other germs surround us every day and live in the same environments we do. As you touch objects, surfaces and other people, germs can be transferred to your hands. When you then touch your eyes, your nose or your mouth, the germs can get inside your body and potentially make you sick. Cleaning your hands gets rids of the germs, lowering your risk for illness.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been found in the Rochester community. Many Rochester schools, sports teams and day ...

A new government report this month says the rate of hospital-acquired infections has dropped 17% since 2010. Unfortunately, the rate held steady last year, ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Winter fitness: Safety tips for exercising outdoors Chilly temperatures don't have to put your fitness routine on hold. Stay safe and warm with these cold-weather exercise tips. Polycythemia vera Getting older increases the risk of having this blood disorder. The good news? Proper treatment may ease symptoms. Find out more. EXPERT ANSWERS Acupuncture for back pain? Find out what the research says about easing chronic low back pain with acupuncture. Flu symptoms: Should I see my doctor? If you're at high risk of flu complications and have signs of the illness, see your doctor. PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Essential thrombocythemia Chronic hives: When should I see my doctor? Myelofibrosis Protect your joints as you clean when you have rheumatoid arthritis Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters.

Earlier this month, the CDC reported that between 2008 and 2014, the number of new cases of diabetes in the U.S. declined by 20 ...

Watch today's Mayo Clinic Minute Influenza can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people, especially those with other health conditions ...

It takes less than a minute, fights off infection and anyone can do it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says handwashing is ...

Join experts from the Minnesota Department of Health and Mayo Clinic for a Twitter chat about flu and flu vaccine moderated by the Star ...

National Handwashing Awareness Week Basic rules to prevent illness during the cold and flu season are as simple as knowing how to wash your hands properly, when to wash your hands, what products to use and why you should pay special attention to skin cleanliness. "Teaching kids healthy hygiene habits is essential, because young children are more likely to bring respiratory illnesses home from school or daycare, which can infect your entire family," says Peggy Decker, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Health System pediatrician. Dr. Decker encourages people to keep the 5 Ws in mind when teaching your children about proper hand hygiene.

December 1, 2015 marks World AIDS Day, the first ever global health event. More than 36 million people worldwide are living with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the United States alone, more than 1.3 million Americans carry the virus — that's according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there is no universal cure for HIV, there are better medical treatments available allowing more people to live longer and with a better quality of life. Mayo Clinic HIV specialist Stacey Rizza, M.D., says, "It is important that all adults in the United States be screened for HIV, so that those infected can be identified, linked to care and treated for HIV early in the disease. With effective HIV therapy, people can live long healthy lives and significantly decrease the chance of transmitting the virus to other people." What is HIV? HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. Without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS. Having an HIV infection does not mean you have AIDS. Left untreated, the disease typically progresses to AIDS in about 10 years.