VIDEO: Are We Headed Toward A Post-Antibiotic World?
Antibiotics are one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine. But they come with a catch: If you abuse them, you lose them.
pandemic
Why Chinese Scientists Are More Worried Than Ever About Bird Flu
A rapidly evolving strain of bird flu has killed a record number of people this year in China. Scientists are concerned about its potential to spur a global pandemic.
The Next Pandemic Could Be Dripping On Your Head
Bats, birds and tourists love a good cave. And so do viruses. Scientists say this mixture could trigger a deadly outbreak.
Why Killer Viruses Are On The Rise
If you think there are more dangerous infectious diseases than ever, you're right. One big reason: pushing animals like this one out of their homes.
From Vector To Zoonotic: A Glossary For Infectious Diseases
The world of infectious diseases has more than a few words and phrases you might want to know more about. We've got definitions for 11 key terms.
Germ History: From Measles To Syphilis, How We Created The Golden Age Of Germs
Ten thousand years ago, many of our deadly human diseases didn't exist. What happened?
CDC Seeks Controversial New Quarantine Powers To Stop Outbreaks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants more flexibility in deciding whom to quarantine and why. But critics say the changes the agency has proposed raise civil liberties questions.
Inside A Secret Government Warehouse Prepped For Health Catastrophes
More than $7 billion in drugs, vaccines and supplies are stashed in warehouses to be tapped in case of a pandemic or an attack with chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. NPR got a peek at one.
Do You Know What 'Vector' And 'Endemic' Mean? We Can Help — Sort Of
When it comes to talking about infectious diseases, researchers have their own special jargon. But even they aren't always 100 percent sure of the definitions.
This Holiday Season, Give The Gift Of World Disease
We played the latest version of Pandemic with four real-life epidemiologists. And it made them sweat!