If your doctor is considering prescribing a biologic drug—now given for a wide range of conditions from autoimmune diseases to cancer—you first will have to...
William Schaffner, MD
Articles by this author
How Long Does a Common Cold Last?
A common cold can linger longer than most of us realize—often seven to 10 days…and potentially as long as two to three weeks. Cold symptoms—including...
Stay Healthy and Stress-Free When Traveling
Going on a trip, whether for business or pleasure, can create travel stress—what if you miss your plane, lose your luggage, get sick? You can...
How Long Does the Flu Last? Symptoms and Recovery
Time to brush up on your flu facts, from flu symptoms to how long the flu lasts, says Bottom Line’s infectious disease expert William Schaffner,...
When Simple Illnesses Don’t Go Away
You probably think of an infectious disease like a cold, flu, or COVID-19 as an acute problem. They make you sick for a while, and...
Fungal Infections on the Rise
Mycosis or fungal infections are caused by a fungus, such as a yeast or mold, rather than a bacterium or virus. There are millions of...
Pneumonia: Prevention Is Your Top Priority
Pneumonia can happen any time—not just during the cold months. And since it can become very serious, even life-threatening, prevention should be your top priority,...
Pneumonia Is Still a Threat
With all the attention on COVID and influenza, it’s easy to forget that pneumonia is a serious health threat. An infection that attacks the air...
Your Adult Vaccination Checklist
We all are weary of the constant messaging to get COVID-19 vaccines—but that doesn’t make the need for immunizations for other infectious diseases any less...
