It’s World HIV/AIDS Day. Where do things stand with HIV? Before we drop some knowledge, let’s take a moment to remember and honor those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. This Nerd lost Stuart and Bob, uncle figures and mentors in my childhood and young adulthood. I credit them for my love and passion for public Read more…
It can be helpful for some people with treatment resistant depression or major depressive disorder. Ketamine is a medication commonly used during surgery and was first developed to be an anesthesia medication with fewer side effects. It is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist and has been studied for nearly 20 years in mental health because Read more…
Most people just need one dose of the 2023 updated COVID-19 shot. The specific recommendations for various ages, previous vaccine status, and brands are in the tables in this post! Back in September 2023, the CDC recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. People aged 5+ years just need one Read more…
🥳 Free COVID-19 tests are once again available in the US as of Monday, Nov 20, from covidtests.gov. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Each household can receive four tests. 📈 With lots of gatherings ahead and COVID cases on the rise, it’s always a good idea to have tests on hand. 📢 Please share this post to spread the Read more…
A: Taking an antibiotic when it’s not needed contributes to antimicrobial resistance and can put you and others at risk of more severe infections. TLDR: Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses mutate in ways that make common treatments ineffective. More and more antibiotics are losing their effectiveness due to antimicrobial resistance, so Read more…
Adults 60 years and older are at a higher risk for severe RSV and complications like pneumonia and hospitalization because our immune systems get weaker as we age. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (usually called RSV) is typically thought of as an infection that is bad for infants and children. But you can get RSV at any age. Read more…
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or spreading illness? Think in terms of harm reduction: a little bit better is a little bit better. Small steps you take to Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls answer your questions about fall vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Hosted by: – Ashley Ritter, APRN, PhD: TNG Founding Member & Contributing Writer – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled by Science https://youtu.be/o6VIv6eWXhM?si=tPF-mXLGojFvtZ1J ➡️ Welcome and Intros (0:00-0:59) ➡️ Who needs an RSV vaccine and why? What Read more…
A: Potentially, yes! Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) may reduce birth control effectiveness and may increase risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy. The new GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have been a breakthrough in treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes. They significantly improve blood glucose levels and lower body weight. Read more…
It’s not “just a flu.” The flu is much more dangerous than a regular cold, especially for young kids, older people, and during pregnancy. The flu can kill over 50,000 people a year in the US in a bad year. “It’s just a bad flu.” We often heard this as a way to minimize the Read more…
A: Yes. The flu shot covers FOUR strains – you don’t want to catch it again! TL;DR: It’s hard to know which flu strain you got or which one will be dominant in the next few months. Go ahead and get that shot even if you had confirmed or suspected influenza. The current flu vaccine Read more…
Brianna is a Geriatric and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of nursing experience caring for older adults living with serious illnesses including dementia, cancer, and severe brain injury. Dr. Morgan has a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Basis of Behavior (2008), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2012), a Masters in Adult Read more…
Tl;dr: Congenital syphilis is a disease that occurs when a pregnant person passes the infection on to their baby during pregnancy and can be very serious. Rates of congenital syphilis have significantly increased in the last decade. Congenital syphilis can be prevented by finding and treating syphilis in pregnancy. Unfortunately, lack of access to pregnancy Read more…
A: Yes! Being strategic about your search terms can help you more effectively identify credible, fact-checked information and avoid just bringing up a bunch of websites promoting the rumor or false claim. TL; DR: MediaWise recommends keywords include specific names or places, target the specific topic or claim, and help focus the results on credible Read more…
Tl;dr: The bandwagon effect describes when we adopt beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors because we think other people are doing so. This type of cognitive bias causes us to make decisions based on what we think is popular, rather than what we think is right. Slowing down decision making, avoiding peer pressure, and keeping ourselves accountable Read more…
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) causes slightly fewer side effects on average, but the difference is modest at best. People who get the Novavax shot are somewhat less likely to report symptoms at the injection site (e.g. soreness) or throughout the body (e.g. fatigue). Mild to moderate side effects are still very common with Novavax. Read more…
Address any concerns, talk about the news in an age-appropriate way, and check in regularly. Many children have questions about what is happening in the world. They may feel afraid, upset, confused, and even guilty. Helping them talk about what they see or hear and how they take in information can help them to process Read more…
One in three people have some pain or redness at the injection site following a flu shot. Around one in five has a more systemic reaction, such as fever, headache, or tiredness. This year’s flu vaccines cover four strains of influenza. Most people receive an injectable vaccine, although a nasal mist is also available for people ages 2 Read more…
A: Period poverty refers to the additional costs (financial, social, or societal) incurred from menstruating. TLDR: Over two thirds of people who menstruate have trouble paying for period supplies, many of whom are low income or from a historically marginalized group. Expanding access to more affordable or free supplies can make it easier for these Read more…
PTSD is complex, but in a nutshell, it is the body’s response to a stressful or fear provoking event. It causes our bodies to go into a constant state of preparation to fight something dangerous or scary. Over time this can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and physical health symptoms. PTSD is not something Read more…
