Fevered Mind

Health

Why Ebola Scares Us More Than Everyday Killers

Jay K. Varma M.D. on June 8, 2026

Ebola terrifies us because it feels gruesome and foreign. That fear can distort our perception of risk, but, when guided well, it can also strengthen public health.

Ebola terrifies us because it feels gruesome and foreign. That fear can distort our perception of risk, but, when guided well, it can also strengthen public health.

Health

Why the Hantavirus Outbreak Feels Different

Jay K. Varma M.D. on May 12, 2026

The hantavirus outbreak highlights one of the hardest tasks in public health: giving practical advice during dangerous outbreaks when scientific uncertainty still exists.

The hantavirus outbreak highlights one of the hardest tasks in public health: giving practical advice during dangerous outbreaks when scientific uncertainty still exists.

Child Development

How Parents Can Assess the Health and Safety of Child Care

Jay K. Varma M.D. on April 6, 2026

When choosing a child care facility, parents should consider health practices, staff stability, and the safety of the physical environment.

When choosing a child care facility, parents should consider health practices, staff stability, and the safety of the physical environment.

Aging

How Infectious Diseases Shape How We Age

Jay K. Varma M.D. on December 29, 2025

Infections accelerate aging by damaging cells and organs. Preventing them with vaccines, hand hygiene, masks, and clean air can extend healthy years of life.

Infections accelerate aging by damaging cells and organs. Preventing them with vaccines, hand hygiene, masks, and clean air can extend healthy years of life.

Stress

Can Breathwork Help You Stay Healthy in Winter Virus Season?

Jay K. Varma M.D. on December 16, 2025

Breathwork can ease stress and alter immune markers. Can it also prevent infections during the winter virus season?

Breathwork can ease stress and alter immune markers. Can it also prevent infections during the winter virus season?

Media

Why Health Experts Must Rethink Communication

Jay K. Varma M.D. on December 1, 2025

False health information spreads rapidly online, while expert voices often go unheard. To rebuild trust, experts must focus on authenticity, immediacy, and emotional connection.

False health information spreads rapidly online, while expert voices often go unheard. To rebuild trust, experts must focus on authenticity, immediacy, and emotional connection.

Environment

How Much Should We Really Worry About Microplastics?

Jay K. Varma M.D. on November 9, 2025

Headlines warn of microplastics in our food and bodies, but a major European review finds the level of exposure from packaging is lower than reported. Here’s what to do and not do.

Headlines warn of microplastics in our food and bodies, but a major European review finds the level of exposure from packaging is lower than reported. Here’s what to do and not do.

Health

Why Splitting Children's Vaccines is a Bad Idea

Jay K. Varma M.D. on October 20, 2025

Some officials want to split the MMR vaccine into separate shots for measles, mumps, and rubella. The science is clear: Combined vaccines protect children best and save lives.

Some officials want to split the MMR vaccine into separate shots for measles, mumps, and rubella. The science is clear: Combined vaccines protect children best and save lives.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Can an Over-the-Counter Nasal Spray Prevent COVID and Colds?

Jay K. Varma M.D. on September 30, 2025

Azelastine, a common nasal spray for allergies, reduced the risk of COVID-19 and colds in one small trial. Larger studies are needed before recommending widespread use.

Azelastine, a common nasal spray for allergies, reduced the risk of COVID-19 and colds in one small trial. Larger studies are needed before recommending widespread use.

Health

Trouble Eating Red Meat? You Might Have a Tick-Borne Allergy

Jay K. Varma M.D. on September 16, 2025

Is red meat making you sick hours after eating? You could have alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy caused by tick bites that’s spreading rapidly across the United States.

Is red meat making you sick hours after eating? You could have alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy caused by tick bites that’s spreading rapidly across the United States.

Health

How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Spreads Doubt and Mistrust

Jay K. Varma M.D. on September 2, 2025

A 2020 report uncovered how anti-vaccine activists use fear, misinformation, and algorithms to spread doubt. Here’s what that means for today's measles and pertussis resurgence.

A 2020 report uncovered how anti-vaccine activists use fear, misinformation, and algorithms to spread doubt. Here’s what that means for today's measles and pertussis resurgence.

Health

How Flu Shots Prevent Heart Attacks

Jay K. Varma M.D. on August 19, 2025

Flu shots don’t just protect against fever and cough. Experts recommend them to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Flu shots don’t just protect against fever and cough. Experts recommend them to reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Beauty

Time for Botox? What You Don’t Know Could Paralyze You

Jay K. Varma M.D. on August 4, 2025

Wrinkle treatments can boost confidence—but if you're not careful, they can land you in the hospital. Here's how to get Botox safely and avoid a rare but serious complication.

Wrinkle treatments can boost confidence—but if you're not careful, they can land you in the hospital. Here's how to get Botox safely and avoid a rare but serious complication.

Environment

Floodwater Safety: 6 Steps to Avoid Getting Sick

Jay K. Varma M.D. on July 22, 2025

Floods are rising, and so are hidden water risks. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family from contaminated water in lakes, rivers, beaches, and the tap.

Floods are rising, and so are hidden water risks. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family from contaminated water in lakes, rivers, beaches, and the tap.

Health

Could This Shot Prevent HIV?

Jay K. Varma M.D. on July 8, 2025

You can now be protected from HIV infection with an injection given every six months. Should you get it?

You can now be protected from HIV infection with an injection given every six months. Should you get it?

Sex

Is Kissing Spreading Gonorrhea?

Jay K. Varma M.D. on June 24, 2025

Gonorrhea may be spreading undetected in the throats of men and women and may be transmitted by kissing. Here's why you should consider getting your throat swabbed.

Gonorrhea may be spreading undetected in the throats of men and women and may be transmitted by kissing. Here's why you should consider getting your throat swabbed.

Infertility

‘Cat Ladies’ and Declining Birth Rates: Is There a Link?

Jay K. Varma M.D. on June 10, 2025

Is cat ownership both a trope of a childless woman and an actual cause for fewer children being born? Studies show that a parasite spread by cats might cause male infertility.

Is cat ownership both a trope of a childless woman and an actual cause for fewer children being born? Studies show that a parasite spread by cats might cause male infertility.

Denial

How to Talk to a Germ Denier

Jay K. Varma M.D. on June 3, 2025

You can’t win every debate about infectious diseases and vaccines, but you can protect your credibility and sanity. Here’s how to talk to a germ denier without burning out.

You can’t win every debate about infectious diseases and vaccines, but you can protect your credibility and sanity. Here’s how to talk to a germ denier without burning out.

Health

8 Signs You Are Talking to a Germ Denier

Jay K. Varma M.D. on May 28, 2025

Think you can spot health misinformation? These 8 signs will help you recognize germ denial—before it spreads to someone you know.

Think you can spot health misinformation? These 8 signs will help you recognize germ denial—before it spreads to someone you know.

Health

The New Denial of Germ Theory Threatens Public Health

Jay K. Varma M.D. on May 20, 2025

A rising movement questions whether microbes cause disease. Here's why denying germ theory is dangerous, and what it means for science, health policy, and public trust.

A rising movement questions whether microbes cause disease. Here's why denying germ theory is dangerous, and what it means for science, health policy, and public trust.