Verywell Health

Being active in daily life as an older adult may lower your risk of dementia. In a new study, people who exercised regularly had the lowest risk of dementia. those who did chores also saw benefits. Visiting with family and friends often also lowered the risk of dementia. New research...

A recently confirmed polio case in Rockland County, New York has sparked concerns about whether people need a polio booster vaccine. The polio case was found in an unvaccinated, previously healthy young adult who developed leg paralysis. Since the case was identified, health officials said they've also found evidence of poliovirus in wastewater samples, including in New York City.

Rashes, lesions, blisters, and pimples are common symptoms of monkeypox. A rash caused by monkeypox can cause pain, itching, and irritation. Topical and oral treatments only reduce symptoms of a monkeypox rash—they do not treat the disease. Experts say it's important to cover a rash and lesions and avoid...

A preprint study found that 27% of the participants saw rebound COVID-19 symptoms even without taking antivirals like Paxlovid. Viral rebound may occur if the viral levels briefly fell below the detection limit or if the virus re-emerged after remaining in a reservoir. If you have viral or symptom rebound,...

Testing for monkeypox allows clinicians to treat the illness and trace cases to minimize the spread. Health providers can currently only test for monkeypox in people who have developed lesions. Tests are available nationwide at doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, and some sexual and community health clinics. The U.S....

The WHO no longer recommends a drug called colchicine to treat COVID-19. It also no longer recommends the use of fluvoxamine for COVID-19, except in clinical trials. There's insufficient evidence that the drugs are of any benefit when it comes to reducing the risk of severe infection or hospitalization from COVID.

The next step of the COVID-19 booster rollout will involve a “bivalent” vaccine that targets the ever-evolving Omicron variant. The vaccine isn’t here yet, but will likely be available in the fall. What is a bivalent vaccine? And how is it different from current boosters?. Bivalent Vaccines...

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. A new study found that women who ate a high-sodium diet got heart health benefits from upping their intake of potassium-rich foods, especially when it came to blood pressure. Even if you’re eating more potassium, you...

Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. What it means: A treatment or substance with no real medicine in it. Where it comes from: From Latin, placebo, "I shall please" Where you might see or hear it: When researchers are testing a new treatment, they...

According to the CDC, mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset. If you test negative on a rapid antigen test, make sure to get tested again a few days later to ensure you don’t get a false negative. Experts recommend...

The bivalent boosters are expected to have wider eligibility and be recommended for everyone. The Biden administration has already secured more than 170 million doses of the bivalent vaccines and may start rollout in late fall or early winter. Those who are eligible for second boosters now are encouraged to...

TikTok’s viral Pink Sauce has been sold across the country for $20 a bottle. Complaints have emerged about both food quality and inaccuracies found on the food label, putting into question whether we should be buying food online from small businesses. The FDA dictates a set of rules companies...

Paxlovid is an antiviral medication that can help shorten the course of illness with COVID-19 and prevent serious complications. There are defined parameters for who is eligible for the medication, and it shouldn't be used to treat severe COVID. Experts recommend calling your doctor if you're unsure if you qualify.

Glucerna meal replacement shakes sold in 24-count cases at Costco, BJ’s, and Sam’s Club have been voluntarily recalled for potential bacterial contamination. The manufacturer, Lyons Magnus, has also recalled other nutritional beverages. The shakes may be contaminated with a bacteria called Cronobacter sakazakii. A manufacturer of Glucerna shakes...

People who take beta-blockers or antiplatelet medications may have higher risks of heat-induced heart attacks, according to a recent study. The study did not prove that the medications caused this increased risk. Other factors may be at play. Researchers advise people to take caution to try to stay cool during...

In a new study, the cancer drug rituximab worked better at preventing MS relapses than a common multiple sclerosis treatment called Tecfidera. Instead of taking daily medication, patients received rituximab infusions every six months. Rituximab is not FDA-approved for multiple sclerosis, but the trial results suggest it is an affordable...

While BA.5 continues to dominate the U.S. COVID-19 cases, health officials are keeping an eye on another Omicron subvariant, called BA.2.75. Some Twitter users and media reports have unofficially called BA.2.75 “Centaurus” after a Twitter user dubbed it as such. BA.2.75 was first detected in India in May....

Preliminary research suggests that a special chewing gum may help reduce the risk of Omicron transmission in people who are infected. The special plant-based gum traps viral particles and reduces viral load to undetectable levels. The study's researchers plan to start clinical trials next week. A new study suggests that...

A recent study found that frequent daytime napping is associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and a higher risk of having a stroke. Experts say that napping is not necessarily harmful, rather it could be a sign that someone is having trouble with sleep at night or that they have a sleep disorder or health condition.

Monkeypox is now a national public health emergency, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared on Thursday. The designation gives officials more power to address the outbreak. Under a public health emergency, federal agencies gain more flexibility to coordinate a containment strategy. This includes accessing emergency funds to develop...