Most tick bites are painless and cause only minor signs and symptoms, such as redness, swelling or a sore on the skin. But some ticks transmit bacteria that cause illnesses, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In general, to transmit Lyme disease a tick needs to be attached for at least 36 hours. Other infections can be ...Read more

The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently added to the list of symptoms for the novel coronavirus.

Because of a wide range of ailments reported by patients, the CDC has expanded the list of potential symptoms that originally was shortness of breath, cough and fever.

In April, the CDC added chills, repeated shaking ...Read more

Without medication to manage her plaque psoriasis, Jennifer Brown's face, scalp, trunk and neck periodically become covered in painful red, flaky patches so dry they crack and bleed.

She has gotten relief from medications, but they come at a high price. For a while she was on Humira, made by AbbVie, with an average retail price of roughly $8,...Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Today, like every day, Eric Verdin will cycle the steep hills of Marin County. He'll wait until noon to eat his first meal. He'll wear a mask and stay socially distanced. He'll be asleep no later than 11 p.m.

Despite his excellent health, the 63-year-old scientist and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging knows he ...Read more

WASHINGTON -- As the coronavirus outbreak swept the country, President Donald Trump for months promised high-tech solutions just over the horizon: thousands of new ventilators, miracle drugs and vaccines developed at "warp speed."

He has shown decidedly less enthusiasm for simpler steps such mask-wearing and social distancing. That has ...Read more

A vaccine to prevent COVID-19 is perhaps the best hope for ending the pandemic. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent infection with the COVID-19 virus, but researchers are racing to create one.

Coronavirus vaccine research

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome...Read more

It's the season of summer picnics and barbecues. Make sure your family gathering doesn't end up with a bout of food poisoning. More than 1 million Americans each year become sick with salmonella infection. Most people get sick from eating foods contaminated with salmonella bacteria including fresh produce, raw eggs and uncooked meat. Dr. Summer ...Read more

When pain radiated from Fred Thomas' neck down his arm and he couldn't feel his fingers anymore, he knew it was time to talk to a doctor.

After getting an MRI ordered by his primary-care doctor, the 49-year-old land surveyor had several phone conversations with a Rothman Orthopaedic Institute specialist he'd never met to discuss the problem and...Read more

Barely three months ago, the anti-malarial drug that President Donald Trump touted seemed like such a sure bet against COVID-19 that Susanna Naggie had a tough time setting up a national clinical trial comparing it to placebo. Colleagues said giving a fake pill would be unethical since the real thing might save lives.

Now, hydroxychloroquine, ...Read more

With a tiny brush, briefly swab the vagina to collect cells. Then slide the swab into a screening kit and drop it into the mail.

Proponents believe a simple test like this, which can be done at home, may help the U.S. move closer to eradicating cervical cancer. The National Cancer Institute plans to launch a multisite study next year involving ...Read more

Is there a hotter nutrition term than “superfood”? The term typically refers to foods with particular health benefits, but is this merely a marketing term, or is there actually science behind these superfoods?

“There is no legal definition of ‘superfood,’ but the broadest definition is it’s a food that has extraordinary nutritional ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I recently took my daughter to the pediatrician because her cold caused her eyes to become red. The doctor said the redness was pinkeye. Last time my daughter had pinkeye we were given eyedrops to treat it, but this time we were told it was likely caused by a virus and eyedrops wouldn’t do any good unless her symptoms change....Read more

If a snake bites you, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, then take these first-aid steps.

Most snakes aren't dangerous to humans. Only about 15% worldwide and 20% in the United States are venomous. In North America, these include the rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead. Their bites can cause severe injuries...Read more

Carmen Quintero works an early shift as a supervisor at a 3M distribution warehouse that ships N95 masks to a nation under siege from the coronavirus. On March 23, she had developed a severe cough, and her voice, usually quick and enthusiastic, was barely a whisper.

A human resources staff member told Quintero she needed to go home.

"They told...Read more

MONROVIA, Calif. -- Most mornings, like clockwork, you could find Art Ballard pumping iron.

At least five days a week, he drove to Foothill Gym, where he beat on the punching bag, rode a stationary bike and worked his abs. After he joined the gym five years ago, he dropped 20 pounds, improved his balance and made friends.

At 91, he's still ...Read more

Poison ivy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to an oily resin called urushiol (u-ROO-she-ol). This oil is in the leaves, stems and roots of poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.

Wash your skin right away if you come into contact with this oil, unless you know you're not sensitive to it. Washing off the oil may reduce your chances of ...Read more