This week marks the annual International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) and the 2023 theme is “Celebrate the Fundamentals of Infection Prevention.” The fundamentals of infection prevention may sound basic, but they are proven methods for preventing illness and death. These actions work and are appropriate for everyone from families at home to infection prevention professionals [...]
With October here, we have entered into respiratory illness season, and it’s important to take precautions now to avoid serious illness. Today’s blog on the upcoming flu season wraps up our series of blogs on the respiratory virus season, RSV, and COVID-19. Below we explain the precautions you can take now, how to find vaccines, [...]
As summer comes to an end and fall and winter approach, respiratory illnesses are also headed our way. There are three well-known respiratory viruses that spread more during this season as well as common cold viruses: The flu COVID-19 Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) The new respiratory season began on Oct. 1 and cases of [...]
More than three years ago, COVID-19 emerged as a new respiratory infection never experienced before. Today, we know and understand COVID-19 infections better, and the once-unknown illness has become endemic not only in the U.S., but the world. Now that COVID-19 is a common respiratory illness, it is time to adjust our surveillance reports to [...]
The old adage “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” is also true for preparedness. As National Preparedness Month comes to a close, it’s a great time to make sure your family is prepared. Take the opportunity to prepare now before an emergency happens so [...]
Last week ADHS, alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognized Fungal Disease Awareness Week. The annual event focuses on the growing challenges surrounding the spread of infectious fungi across the United States. While many different types of fungal diseases call Arizona home, one of the most common is Valley fever. Valley fever [...]
Following the approval this week of a new COVID-19 vaccine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's important for Arizona families to get updated on the newest guidance The CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older get a new, updated vaccine for COVID-19, commonly referred to as the "updated monovalent [...]
Arizona’s hot and dry summer appears to have contributed to fewer virus-carrying mosquitoes than usual so far. However, the monsoon season isn’t over yet, as last night’s storms proved. It’s important to continue thinking about mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus (WNV) as we will likely see an increase in infected mosquitoes. Checking your yard [...]
While it may feel like summer is just kicking off, the monsoon season has officially started and that means some safety measures should be mixed in with your summer fun. What is the North American Monsoon? The monsoon involves changes in seasonal winds that can cause extreme weather conditions including extreme heat, dust storms, sudden [...]
For reasons that aren't always clear, men simply don't go to the doctor as often as women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women visit their healthcare provider 40% more often than men. That may be an explanation for what the Washington Post recently called a "silent crisis in men's health." Data [...]
