Resurgence of Worrisome Diseases
PodcastDX
Several preventable diseases are experiencing a resurgence due to declining vaccination rates. These include: Diphtheria: A bacterial infection that can lead to a thick membrane in the throat and respiratory failure. Tuberculosis: A bacterial infection that can affect the lungs and other organs. Chickenpox: A viral infection that can cause blisters and scarring. Polio: A viral disease that can cause paralysis. Measles: This highly contagious virus can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Mumps: A viral...
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Understanding POTS with Dr. Diana Driscoll
PodcastDX
This Week on PodcastDX: Understanding POTS with Dr. Diana Driscoll This week we are honored to welcome none other than Dr. Diana Driscoll, a world-renowned authority on the autonomic nervous system. An optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), Dr. Driscoll is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other conditions once thought to be “invisible.” Dr. Driscoll has dedicated her career to improving the lives of those affected by autonomic disorders. Her journey began as a patient...
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy SMA with Gyzele Brown
PodcastDX
Gyzele Brown is a proud native of Greenville, MS, now residing in Cleveland, MS. She is the owner and operator of Gyzele’s Salon and Spa, where she’s dedicated to not only transforming looks but also impacting lives through her work. A graduate of Delta State University and Goshen Cosmetology School, Gyzele’s journey began with a background in speech and hearing science — yet her passion for hair and beauty took center stage. Beyond her career, Gyzele is a proud mother of three amazing children who all have spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease. Her journey...
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The Trifecta: EDS, POTs & MCAS
PodcastDX
What do we mean when we see the word "Trifecta" ? In Horse Racing you would be talking about a bet where you must pick the first, second, and third-place horses in the precise order they finish. In skincare, "The Trifecta" can refer to a set of three essential skincare products that work together for visible results, like a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. But in this show where we discuss healthcare conditions, "" refers to the three specific diseases which are often found to occur together. For today's show that means EDS, (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) POTs (Postural...
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Friedreich's Ataxia with Alexia Baker
PodcastDX
This week we talk with Alexis, 25, was diagnosed with Friedreich ataxia (FA) five years ago and since then, has been using her voice and social media platforms to raise awareness for the rare disease. Alexis recently started a foundation, whose goal is to raise money to provide new walkers and wheelchairs for those in need. She currently lives in Tennessee, loves fashion and is currently planning a wedding to her fiancée. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare, inherited disease. It damages the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the cerebellum part of the brain. It also leads to heart...
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Hemiplegic Migraine
PodcastDX
Migraine can present in a variety of ways. Hemiplegic migraine is a rare form of migraine where people experience weakness on one side of their body (hemiplegia) in addition to the migraine headache attack. The weakness is a form of migraine aura and occurs with other forms of typical migraine aura like changes in vision, speech or sensation. Our guest on today's show is Amber is a Registered Nurse turned blogger and patient advocate for those with chronic illnesses. Amber Blackburn is a Registered Nurse turned blogger and patient advocate for those with chronic...
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Dangers in the Beauty Industry
PodcastDX
This week we discuss dangers in the beauty industry. From a client's perspective, the issues might not be as severe, but the clinicians who must deal with chemicals day in and day out are at a greater risk. The average woman uses 12 different beauty products every day — cleansers, conditioners, hair dyes, fragrances, skin care products, scented lotions, nail polish, and makeup, to name a few. Take a quick glance at the labels, and you'll see a cocktail of chemical components. You might assume that all these ingredients have been tested to ensure that they're safe for long-term...
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Elderly Fade
PodcastDX
This week's episode has the cohosts talking about social isolation and earlier death among the elderly population. Studies have shown that loneliness is associated with a higher risk of mortality in older adults. For example, one study found that individuals experiencing loneliness at one or more points in time had a higher hazard for mortality compared to those who never experienced loneliness. Loneliness can trigger physiological stress responses, potentially leading to chronic inflammation and reduced immunity. These factors can contribute to the development of...
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Tularemia or Rabbit Fever
PodcastDX
Tularemia is a highly infectious disease you get from the bacterium F. tularensis. You can get it from bug bites, infected animals, contaminated water or food, and particles of bacteria in the air. Tularemia can affect your skin, eyes, throat, lungs and intestines. Tularemia should be treated as soon as possible with antibiotics. We will not have a guest for this week, but would love to invite anyone who has been diagnosed with Tularemia to be a guest on a future show. Tularemia causes your lymph nodes to painfully swell and other symptoms in your lungs, eyes, throat and intestines,...
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Blastomycosis
PodcastDX
Our guest for this week is Sara Olson. Sara (her TikTok name is ) is from the Wolf River area of Wisconsin which just happens to hold the highest concentration of the fungus that causes Blastomycosis. When Sara got Blastomycosis in January 2024, she thought it was 'just the flu'. With a chest xray, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. Several rounds of antibiotics didn't help so she did a CT scan where they found an embolism. Still not knowing anything else, they continued treating her for bacterial pneumonia. They did a swab of her sputum in which her health...
info_outlineThis week we will discuss another respiratory virus that has been really hitting hard here in the United States this season.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious virus that is usually mild, but can severely affect the lungs and respiratory airways in older adults
While you may not have heard of it yet, RSV is not a new virus and may be more of a health concern than you think—even if you're healthy. And if you're aged 60 or older, you can get RSV.
But don’t worry, by coming here you’ve taken a savvy first step toward learning about RSV so you can be informed. Let’s dive in.
What are the symptoms of RSV?
Symptoms of RSV can range from mild to severe and can last up to 2 weeks. RSV can cause severe symptoms in older adults.
RSV symptoms may include:
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Fever
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Cough
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Sore Throat
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Runny Nose
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Congestion
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Headache
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Tiredness
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include older adults, especially those 65 years of age and older, adults with chronic heart or lung disease, and adults with weakened immune systems.
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How does RSV spread?
Similar to some other respiratory infections, a cough or sneeze can easily spread RSV. And while you're typically contagious for 3-8 days, some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, can be contagious for as long as 4 weeks—even after they stop showing symptoms.
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There’s a trio of viruses spreading in the U.S. — COVID-19, the flu and RSV — and some in the medical world are calling it a “tripledemic.”
Public health officials have seen “elevated” levels of all three viruses circulating in the U.S. If you’re feeling sick, it can be tough to differentiate among COVID-19, the flu and RSV because they share similar symptoms and can also look like the common cold.
When it comes to COVID-19, the CDC reports cases and deaths have risen in the past few weeks, as of Dec. 16. Meanwhile, Walenksy said at the briefing that flu and RSV cases are higher than what’s been historically typical this season.
It’s possible that you might be sick with one of the viruses. But keep in mind that from late August through March, it’s also a prime time to get a cold
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Am I sick with COVID, RSV, the flu or simply a cold?
Before getting into symptoms, one characteristic COVID-19, the flu and RSV shares is that they’re respiratory infections affecting the airways, lungs, sinuses and throat. The cold is similar in that it is an upper respiratory infection affecting the nose and throat.
COVID-19 and the flu have quite a few overlapping symptoms, according to the CDC, including:
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Fever
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Cough
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Trouble breathing
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Feeling tired
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Sore throat
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Headache
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Vomiting
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Runny or a stuffy nose
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Diarrhea is listed as a flu and COVID-19 symptom by the CDC. However, while anyone with COVID-19 can experience diarrhea, it is more likely that children with the flu will experience the symptom, according to the agency.
The CDC notes that COVID-19 symptoms may take longer to show up after an initial infection compared with the flu.
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Overall, the flu is the most likely to result in muscle aches and a fever compared to COVID-19, a cold and RSV, according to NYU Langone Health.
In the U.S., the flu and RSV is hitting children hard and overwhelming hospitals, NPR reports.
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RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, can affect anyone with “cold-like” symptoms and has the potential to be most severe for babies and older adults, according to the CDC.
The most common symptoms of RSV and a cold
Similarly to COVID-19 and the flu, RSV symptoms, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Trouble breathing, including wheezing and shortness of breath
• Feeling tired
• Stuffy nose
Other symptoms include sneezing, flaring nostrils, lack of appetite, and “head bobbing or chest caving in between and under ribs with each breath,” the American Academy of Pediatrics reports.
The common cold also shares overlapping symptoms of COVID-19, the flu and RSV, according to Mayo Clinic.
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Some include:
• Low-grade fever
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Congestion
Meanwhile, sneezing, body aches and a mild headache are also cold symptoms. Getting evaluated for COVID-19 or the flu
With COVID-19 and the flu, the CDC reports that “you cannot tell the difference between” the pair based on symptoms.
Luckily, there is a test that can detect whether you have COVID-19, the flu and even RSV that you can get through a health care provider.
If all three are ruled out, there’s potential that you could have a cold.
Generally, good habits to prevent yourself from getting sick include washing hands, avoiding touching your face, avoiding close physical contact, staying home and cleaning surfaces
(CREDITS: https://bit.ly/3jIWxbG)
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