As the new coronarvirus extends its reach, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, experts say. “As with any respiratory virus, the main recommendations hold true with the novel coronavirus,” said Dr. Rachael Lee, a health care epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). “Wash your hands, cover…  read on >

President Donald Trump drew a direct comparison between the seasonal flu and the new coronavirus in his first press conference on COVID-19 last week, saying that Americans might have more to fear from flu than the headline-making virus. But a closer comparison of the two viruses creates a more worrisome picture of what could happen…  read on >

More than 200,000 people in the United States have pulmonary fibrosis, but more than eight in 10 Americans don’t know the symptoms of the lung disease, a new survey finds. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease that causes scarring of the lungs. Symptoms include persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. There is no…  read on >

Vaccines protect you and your family against a number of diseases, so it’s crucial to keep them updated, health experts say. “It’s important to review your vaccination records with your health care provider,” said Libby Richards, associate professor of nursing at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. “Vaccinations aren’t just for kids. Adults need them,…  read on >

SUNDAY, March. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Following the first U.S. coronavirus death, the Trump administration on Saturday placed travel restrictions on three countries that are battling COVID-19 outbreaks. A complete travel ban was issued for Iran, while the highest-level travel advisory was issued for parts of Italy and South Korea. The travel advisory urges…  read on >

If you child has allergies or asthma, you need to take that into consideration when selecting a summer camp. “Parents and kids alike who are dealing with asthma or severe allergies need to know there’s a good fit and that the child’s medical needs are being met,” said Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the…  read on >

FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Just how prepared the United States is to quell an outbreak of coronavirus on American soil came into question on Thursday, as federal officials changed guidelines for testing after a whistleblower complaint. The complaint claimed some federal health workers had been allowed to interact with quarantined Americans without…  read on >

The coronavirus is on the cusp of becoming a global pandemic and experts say that, if it does, older people and men could be most at risk for serious illness and death. Men have died from coronavirus at nearly twice the rate as women, and the virus has been shown to sicken and kill older…  read on >