The University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences include the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Graduate School of Public Health. The schools serve as the academic partner to the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Together, their combined mission is to train tomorrow’s health care specialists and biomedical scientists, engage in groundbreaking research that will advance understanding of the causes and treatments of disease and participate in the delivery of outstanding patient care. Since 1998, Pitt and its affiliated university faculty have ranked among the top 10 educational institutions in grant support from the National Institutes of Health. For additional information about the Schools of the Health Sciences, please visit www.health.pitt.edu.
Talking about vaccines with trusted health care providers and with family can help wade through the sea of information – and misinformation.
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Jaime Sidani, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Beth Hoffman, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, and Maya Ragavan, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
With COVID-19 shots finally available for infants and preschoolers, knowing how to combat misinformation on social media and elsewhere could be more important than ever.
A variety of pain-relieving drugs are available both over the counter and by prescription.
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Rebecca Seal, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Benedict Alter, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
Different painkillers provide relief in different ways. The most effective medication is the one that best targets the type of pain you’re experiencing with minimal side effects.
Millions of U.S. children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years will soon be eligible for COVID-19 shots.
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The FDA’s authorization of COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 4 years will bring relief for millions of parents. Pending CDC endorsement, shots for this group will be available within days.
Sepsis begins with infection by bacteria or a virus. This panoramic ilustration inside a blood vessel shows rod-shaped bacteria, red blood cells and immune cells called leukocytes.
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Emily Brant, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Kristina E. Rudd, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
Sepsis onset can be difficult to recognize, in part because its symptoms can mimic those of many other conditions. A treatment delay of even a few hours can make the difference between life and death.
High insulin prices are leaving some people who need the drug without access.
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Robert Bittner, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
As people age, their eyes lose the ability to focus on close objects. A new eye drop treatment called Vuity can improve vision without the need for glasses, contacts or surgery.
Palliative care tries to support a patient’s quality of life.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought immunology terms that are typically relegated to textbooks into our everyday vernacular. These stories helped us make sense of the ever-evolving science.
The time change can make you feel jet-lagged.
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Lisa Bodnar, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
Children who are fed diets high in added sugars are more likely than children with lower sugar intakes to have a number of negative health consequences as they develop.
Health care providers are just one trusted source of information for parents on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children.
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Jaime Sidani, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Beth Hoffman, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, and Maya Ragavan, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
Pediatricians and other health care providers can take some concrete steps toward building trust and counteracting anti-vaccination misinformation.
Discuss with your doctor whether or not you need a booster – and if so, which vaccine will work best for you.
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As boosters are authorized for all three COVID-19 shots available in the US, the ability to swap out vaccine types looks to be a boon to the immune system.
Your teeth will be better off if you refrain from chomping on ice cubes.
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Recent computer modeling shows the upcoming flu season might see a surge in cases. Coupled with COVID-19’s continued threat, doctors are again urging Americans to get their shots.
The FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 designated a new class of OTC hearing aids.
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Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Elaine Mormer, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
Only 3.7% of people in the U.S. with hearing difficulty own hearing aids. Thanks to a federal law in progress of being implemented, OTC hearing aids may help bridge the gap.
The huge number of active coronavirus infections offers plenty of opportunity for mutations to occur and new variants to arise.
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Vaughn Cooper, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Lee Harrison, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
When the coronavirus copies itself, there is a chance its RNA will mutate. But new variants must jump from one host to another, and the more infections there are, the better chance this will happen.
COVID-19 vaccines have been proved safe and effective. But it’s understandable to have questions.
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