Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Not Just for Hospitals — What You Should Have
Introduction Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has long been associated with hospitals, where healthcare workers wear gowns, masks, and gloves. However, PPE is not exclusive to medical settings. Various everyday situations can warrant simple protective gear—household cleaning tasks, carpentry, yard maintenance,...
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Handwashing Revisited: Simple Hygiene Habits That Save Lives in Outbreaks
Introduction Handwashing is a simple habit that has saved many lives over centuries. People often forget how significant this practice is in stopping harmful germs. Routine hygiene steps—especially proper handwashing—lower transmission of flu, respiratory infections, and common pathogens like norovirus. ...
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Isolation vs Quarantine: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Introduction Disease outbreaks can disrupt societies rapidly. During these events, health officials often call for isolation or quarantine measures to limit the spread of harmful pathogens. While these terms might sound similar, they describe distinct but related strategies. Individuals, families,...
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Long COVID: Preparing for the Long-Term Health Impacts After an Emergency
Introduction Emergencies such as pandemics often leave an enduring impact beyond their immediate crisis. While widespread attention goes to controlling the initial outbreak, the long-term health repercussions can be profound. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals faced weeks of acute...
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Monkeypox and Beyond: Lesser-Known Outbreaks and How to Stay Informed
Introduction Global health emergencies often spotlight high-profile threats such as COVID-19 or influenza. Yet, many lesser-known outbreaks regularly surface worldwide. Diseases like monkeypox, Marburg virus, Lassa fever, or others might not garner the same headlines, but they pose real risks...
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Emergency Use Authorization: How Vaccines and Drugs Get Approved Fast in Crises
Introduction Medical emergencies can appear unexpectedly, affecting large populations and overwhelming healthcare services. During such times, public health leaders often seek faster ways to make new or experimental vaccines and drugs available. Traditional approval processes usually involve extensive testing and...
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The Flu vs a Pandemic: Why Seasonal Flu Preps Can Help for Bigger Outbreaks
Introduction Seasonal flu spreads each year in many regions worldwide. It often causes fever, fatigue, muscle soreness, and other symptoms that keep people home from work or school. This annual cycle may feel routine, yet the flu remains a significant...
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Contact Tracing Apps: Did Technology Help in COVID, and Will We Use It Again?
Introduction Contact tracing is an essential method to limit infectious diseases by identifying people exposed to an infected individual. Traditional contact tracing involves interviews, phone calls, and in-person follow-ups. This approach can be slow and resource-intensive, especially if an illness...
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From SARS to COVID: How Pandemic Responses Have Evolved (and Need to Improve)
Introduction Pandemic planning has grown more urgent in the modern age. In 2002–2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) appeared and sparked global concern. The disease demonstrated that novel pathogens could spread quickly by air travel and create sudden outbreaks. Public...
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Global Disease Watch: Top 5 Emerging Viruses to Keep an Eye On
Introduction Viruses are continually changing, driving new outbreaks across different regions. In recent years, scientists have observed significant shifts in disease patterns. Global travel, trade, and urban growth can spread infections faster. Climate changes also help certain disease carriers, including...
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