If you are unsure about whether you'll be vaccinated for COVID-19, you are not alone. It's natural to have reservations about something so new.

Dr. Ivan Porter II, a Mayo Clinic nephrologist, was among the first to roll up his sleeves to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Dr. Porter says that he hopes others who are eligible ...Read more

We've heard it before: Wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid crowds, and wash our hands regularly. These are all important ways to protect ourselves from the coronavirus and from spreading it to others.

But what happens if you took those safety precautions and were hanging out with a friend who later tests positive for the coronavirus?...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — As the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine ramps up across the country, Philadelphia data show that most of those vaccinated in the city are white, a trend reflected statewide.

The vaccine is still largely available only to health-care workers and residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; paramedics and EMTs in...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a runner who has previously participated in 5K and 10K races, as well as half-marathons and full marathons. I would rely on water and nutrition stations at the events to help fuel my performance. Now due to COVID-19, these events are going virtual. I signed up for my first virtual run. What are some tips so I can best ...Read more

Ask any nutrition professional or doctor and they’ll tell you that your energy level is determined by endless variables both inside and outside of your control, like genetics and age. Sleep is, of course, one of the most important factors for boosting our body’s energy stores that we do have control over. But food plays a big role, too.

...Read more

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or total upper airway obstruction that result in arousals from sleep, and changes in oxygen levels during sleep. OSA is one of the most common conditions I see as a sleep medicine specialist. This is not surprising, considering that OSA is estimated to ...Read more

CHICAGO – In her last trimester, in the midst of dealing with family and work issues as well as preparing for a new baby, Michelle Emebo felt stressed.

“I didn’t realize how much it was impacting me until I went to see my health care provider and my blood pressure was up,” she said.

Doctors monitored her high blood pressure, which ...Read more

One year into a changed world, the numbers defy comprehension. More than 21 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States — a rate approaching one in 15 people — plus untold millions who had mild or no symptoms and were never identified. Add the millions who have now received their first doses of vaccine, and it is fair to wonder:...Read more

Democrats have argued for more generous pandemic relief, more pressure on drugmakers to lower prices and more attention to systemic racism in health care. On Jan. 20, with control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, they’ll have the power to choose which health care proposals get a vote in Congress.

The victories of the Rev. ...Read more

Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.

You know that exercise does your body good, but you're too busy and stressed to fit it into your routine. Hold on a second — there's good news when it comes to exercise and stress.

Virtually any form...Read more

If you have signs or symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it's important that you contact your health care provider right away for medical advice. But COVID-19, the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu (influenza) cause many similar symptoms.

So how can you tell if you have COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory ...Read more

A year after the coronavirus pandemic roared into the United States, the therapeutic options for COVID-19 remain limited, reinforcing the vital importance of the new vaccines.

The only fully approved COVID-19 drug, the antiviral remdesivir, has shown modest benefit, at best, in hospitalized patients. Two "monoclonal antibodies" — synthetic ...Read more

Q: How can I be sure my daughter’s car seat straps are tight enough over her bulky winter coat?

A: Winter is a tricky time for car seats. As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn under the harness of a car seat.

In a car crash, fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving ...Read more

CHICAGO – While the pandemic was turning the world upside down, front line worker Abigail Hardin was writing a survival guide.

A Rush University Medical Group rehabilitation psychologist who counsels patients from intensive care to rehab, Hardin drew on her professional experiences to write “The COVID-19 Survival Guide: How to Prepare for, ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My son is turning 6 soon, and we usually schedule a well-child visit with his pediatrician around his birthday. I know he needs several vaccinations, but with COVID-19 still being around, I'm wondering if I should postpone the appointment. Is it safe for him to see the doctor and get vaccinated now?

ANSWER: Visiting a health ...Read more

CHICAGO – Sara McIntosh made her first pair of shoes in 1974.

Her baby girl (who’s now 47) was starting to walk, and McIntosh wanted to craft a pair of soft-soled shoes to hug and protect her little feet. McIntosh needed a new pair for herself, too, and making them from the leather of old shoes squared with the sustainable lifestyle she and...Read more

The first troll Dr. Shikha Jain encountered was angry about vaccines.

The person responded a few years ago to Jain’s tweet about getting a flu vaccine with a message criticizing her appearance and telling the doctor she obviously didn’t know anything about medicine.

Even before COVID-19, doctors faced harassment just for sharing health ...Read more

Added stress of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the cold, dark days of winter, can do a number on a person's mental health and could lead to seasonal affective disorder ― a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons.

Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist, says one of the most effective treatments for ...Read more