Evidence-Based Medical Knowledge You Can Trust
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, spreading through contact, food, water, or vectors.
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Summary: EMERGENCY WARNING: If your dog displays blue, purple, or pale gums, rapid or severely labored breathing, extreme collapse, high fever exceeding 104°F (40°C), coughing up bright red blood, or complete inability to keep fluids down, seek immediate emergency veterinary medical care. These red-flag … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Answer: EMERGENCY WARNING: If you or someone in your care experiences severe difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, sudden confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or a pale, gray, or blue discoloration on the lips, skin, or nail beds, seek … Read more
If you’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19, you may be wondering: can your furry best friend catch it too? The short answer is yes—but the good news is that the risk is low, and serious illness in dogs is extremely rare. Here’s what every pet owner needs to know about COVID-19 transmission between humans and dogs, … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Answer: EMERGENCY WARNING: If you or someone in your care experiences sudden chest pain or tightness, severe shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back, unexplained sweating, dizziness, sudden confusion, or blue/gray discoloration of the lips or face, call … Read more
Quick Summary EMERGENCY WARNING: If you or someone you are caring for experiences persistent chest pain or squeezing pressure, severe or sudden shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, fainting or sudden loss of consciousness, or a pale, gray, or blue discoloration of the lips, face, or … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Summary: EMERGENCY WARNING: If you experience severe chest pain, shortness of breath, a rapid or fluttering heartbeat, severe swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or sudden dizziness within hours to days of vaccination, seek immediate emergency medical care (call 911 in the U.S.). … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick summary: EMERGENCY WARNING: If you or someone in your care experiences sudden, severe neurological changes—such as one-sided facial drooping, sudden weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, slurred speech or difficulty understanding language, sudden severe confusion, loss of balance, or sudden loss of … Read more
Zero-calorie sugar substitutes have long been marketed as healthy alternatives to refined sugar. Found in everything from sugar-free chewing gum and toothpaste to low-calorie jams, ice creams, and yogurts, xylitol is standard across modern diet pantries. However, major new clinical research raises critical questions about its long-term cardiovascular safety. The largest observational study of its … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Summary EMERGENCY WARNING: High-dose intake of concentrated sugar substitutes can sometimes mask, trigger, or coincide with life-threatening cardiovascular or neurological emergencies. Seek immediate emergency services care if you or someone you look after experiences sudden, heavy pressure or a crushing sensation in the chest, … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Takeaways EMERGENCY WARNING: Seek immediate emergency care (call 911 in the U.S. or go to the nearest emergency room) if a person with suspected or confirmed measles develops severe shortness of breath, rapid or labored breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, extreme lethargy, confusion, inability … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Summary EMERGENCY WARNING: Excess thyroid hormone can cause a dangerous cardiovascular event known as a thyroid storm. Seek immediate emergency medical care or call emergency services if you or someone in your care experiences crushing chest pain, a sudden racing or skipping heartbeat (palpitations) … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Key Takeways EMERGENCY WARNING: If you or someone you are caring for experiences severe trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new-onset confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or a pale, gray, or blue discoloration on the lips, skin, or nail beds, seek immediate … Read more
A coordinated public health response is currently underway in Northern Tasmania following confirmation that a child who attended two separate early learning facilities in the Launceston area has been treated for tuberculosis (TB). The health alert was triggered after Public Health Tasmania notified administrators at Goodstart Early Learning Kings Meadows regarding the diagnosis. The affected … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Quick Answer EMERGENCY WARNING: If you or a loved one have recently traveled to an area with an active Ebola outbreak and develop a fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, or unexpected bleeding, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call ahead to your local emergency department … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Key Takeways EMERGENCY WARNING: Salmonella infection can cause severe, life-threatening dehydration and bloodstream infections. Seek immediate emergency medical care if you or someone in your care experiences a high fever over 102°F, bloody diarrhea, continuous vomiting that prevents keeping fluids down, or signs of severe … Read more