Health and Wellness

As COVID-19 cases spike, health officials are discovering that many people currently testing positive were infected while they were with people they know – not in work or classroom situations, but in casual social gatherings. That’s not surprising. We let down our guards when we’re home or out having fun. While it’s become natural – and required…

You’re sick with coughing, sneezing and a fever. Do you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19? All three are contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms. The only way to tell for certain that you have COVID-19 is through a diagnostic test, but here are some guidelines on symptoms of a cold, the flu and…

As we approach the fall and winter holiday season, how can you plan festivities and still protect your guests, family and the community during COVID-19? The CDC offers suggestions to supplement local and state regulations that are in place. Different types of celebrations hold different risks of spreading the virus. Holding a holiday event with…

Whatever our political opinions, we share one common view about medicine: Each one of us wants to stay healthy and wants access to a trained, knowledgeable and kind healthcare provider when we get sick. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that medicine is not just a personal issue or choice. Elected officials also play a…

If you caught the COVID-19 virus and are now well, your illness and your strength can help others. In this week’s health tip, we turn to Dr. Jane Gibson, an expert in molecular pathology and genetics at the UCF College of Medicine, on how convalescent plasma – blood plasma collected from people who have recovered…

To effectively battle COVID-19, we all need reliable, accurate information. But what if you can’t understand the medical information your healthcare provider gives you? Health literacy is the ability to get, read, understand and use information to make appropriate health decisions and to be able to follow your provider’s instructions for treatment. But too many…