DISEASE

DNA Analysis of Beethoven's Hair Reveals New Clues About His Death

The composer suffered from hearing loss and a number of mysterious ailments before his death at age 56. His hair is providing some answers.

Celine Dion performs in London's Hyde Park.

What Is Stiff-Person Syndrome?

Celine Dion recently announced that she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and progressive neurological disorder that only affects about one or two out of every 1 million people.

Paddy Considine stars as King Viserys in 'House of the Dragon.'

'House of the Dragon' Star Paddy Considine Reveals What Disease King Viserys Is Suffering From

'House of the Dragon' star Paddy Considine shares the details on the disease afflicting his character, King Viserys Targaryen.

COVID boosters targeting Omicron are here.

The CDC Has Approved New COVID Boosters Targeting Omicron Subvariants—Here's What You Should Know

Thinking of getting a booster? Here's what you should know.

Wellcome polio vaccine dropped on to sugar lump for child patient.

9 Essential Facts About Polio

Go check those medical records to see if you’re vaxxed, and meanwhile, learn more about the polio with these nine facts.

A healthcare worker prepares to administer the monkeypox vaccine in London.

7 Times the World Health Organization Declared a Public Health Emergency (Including for Monkeypox)

All of the WHO's declarations of emergency since 2007 have been for viral diseases.

Ticks are selfless when it comes to sharing the bacteria causing Lyme disease.

Over 14 Percent of the World's Population Has Contracted Lyme Disease, According to a New Study

The tick-borne illness causing inflammation and fatigue may be more prevalent than we knew.

Monkeypox is cause for some concern, but not alarm.

Monkeypox: What You Need to Know About the Disease

The blistering viral illness is seeing an uptick in cases. Here's why you shouldn't be too worried.

A cutting-edge mosquito is flying into California and Florida soon.

Billions of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Are Set to Descend on California and Florida This Summer

Californians may not know it on sight, but there’s going to be something different about their mosquitoes this summer.

An 1858 cartoon shows Death rowing down the polluted River Thames.

How London's Great Stink Turned the Tide of Victorian Pollution

In 1858, Londoners were overwhelmed with the stench rising from the River Thames. Joseph Bazalgette built an entire sewer system to get rid of of the smell.

Not all Olympians get medals—but they all get condoms.

The Stimulating History of Free Condoms at the Olympics

Birds do it, bees do it, even Olympic athletes performing near-superhuman feats do it—so Olympic organizers like to make sure they do it safely.

Intestinal Worms Just Helped Researchers Identify an Ancient Roman Chamber Pot

Roughly 1500 years ago, someone in Sicily suffered from intestinal worms. Here’s why researchers are excited about that.

Here's how to make sure your masks are legitimate.

How to Identify Counterfeit N95 Masks

Packaging that says "FDA approved" is a clear sign that your N95 face mask is fake. Here's how to identify the real thing.

Watercolor drawing of the leg of a patient, age 50, who had scurvy for 12 months' standing.

11 Facts About Scurvy

Scurvy’s mysterious cause wasn’t identified until the 20th century. Here are a few facts from the disease's long and miserable history.

The plague devastated Eyam in the 17th century.

How One Small English Village Sacrificed Itself to Stop the Plague From Spreading

Eyam, England's drastic response to the plague—including quarantines and social distancing—influenced later medical practice.

This Fashion Brand Lets Shoppers Choose How Much Money Goes to Charity for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Give back during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and save big during this Sleeper sale, which goes to support Kvitna, a breast cancer education charity.

Onions Are the Source of a Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak—Here’s What You Need to Know

Could your unlabeled onions contain salmonella? You don’t want to find out—better to throw them away.

Australia Is Vaccinating Hundreds of Its Koalas Against Chlamydia

Many of Australia’s koalas have chlamydia, which is making it extra difficult for them to keep their population numbers up.

James Gillray's 1802 cartoon depicted anti-vaxxers' predictions of the smallpox vaccine's effects.

8 of History's Most Misguided Anti-Vaxxers

Life-saving medical advances shouldn't be scary, but these notorious anti-vaxxers in history didn't get the memo.

Preschoolers waiting to be vaccinated for smallpox outside their doctor's office.

Mandatory Vaccines for Schools Began in Boston Nearly 200 Years Ago

The prospect of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools has been ruffling some feathers lately. It’s not a new issue.

Wondering How Safe an Activity Is? This COVID-19 Risk Calculator Will Tell You

Choosing “COVID-safe” activities is much easier said than done. This COVID-19 risk calculator can help.

These 25 Countries Have the Highest COVID-19 Vaccination Rates

Roughly 5.86 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, and these are the 25 countries with the highest vaccination rates worldwide.

You never know what's lurking in your salami.

The CDC Says You Should Be Heating Your Charcuterie Meats to Avoid Salmonella

Until a formal food recall happens, the best way to avoid this latest salmonella outbreak is to cook your charcuterie board meats.

6 Facts About the Delta Variant and COVID-19

From how it mutated to how COVID-19 vaccines stack up against it, here's what you should know about the delta variant of the coronavirus.