Your Health

Cough? Check. Fever? Check. But bet you didn't think that this common fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum, could be making you sick.

A Fungus Causes More Unexpected Illnesses In Montana

12:50pm May 14, 2015

by Nancy Shute

The infectious disease world is not short on surprises. Take the people in Montana and Idaho who looked like they had pneumonia. It turned out they had a fungal disease never before seen there.

If the Food and Drug Administration has approved a type of prescription contraception, then insurers must cover at least one option at no cost to the consumer.

Free Contraceptives Must Be Free, Obama Administration Tells Insurers

10:26am May 13, 2015

by Phil Galewitz

The notice to insurers comes after reports found many health plans weren't providing no-cost birth control for all prescription methods, a requirement under the Affordable Care Act.

Workers try to remove some of the 11 million gallons of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez off Alaska in 1989. The ship's third mate may have been up for 18 hours before the accident.

Short On Sleep? You Could Be A Disaster Waiting To Happen

10:25am May 13, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

Megadisasters like Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez oil spill were set off by people who were sleep-deprived. Researchers say they're able to pinpoint how lack of sleep derails decision-making.

WHO Announces New Guidelines For Naming Human Diseases

7:22pm May 12, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director general for health security at the World Health Organization, about how the WHO names human diseases.

Queue Listen Now

Health & Safety

Despite Recent Measles Outbreak, Resistance To Vaccinations Persists

5:08pm May 11, 2015

by Scott Hensley

Childhood vaccination remains a potent public health weapon against the spread of many illnesses, including measles. But an NPR poll finds objections and worries about vaccination remain, too.

When it comes to treating headaches, neurologist Carolyn Bernstein says, "There is no magic pill."

For Headaches, A Lifestyle Change May Be Better Than A Doctor Visit

5:07pm May 11, 2015

by Patti Neighmond

Each year more than 12 million Americans go to the doctor because of severe, chronic headaches. Many are sent for expensive tests. Researchers say all this testing isn't doing people much good.

Queue Listen Now

A high school football team charges onto the field.

Concussions Can Be More Likely In Practices Than In Games

2:28pm May 11, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Long hours in practice might account for the higher concussion risk in high school and college football, a study finds. Some schools are retooling practice to reduce the number of hits.

Queue Listen Now

In a FIT zone at Bell Street Park in East Palo Alto, Calif., friends from the neighborhood now gather regularly to play volleyball.

Can Volleyball Fight Crime? East Palo Alto Says, 'Game On'

2:01pm May 11, 2015

by Jeremy Raff

A California city with a crime problem — shootings, drug dealing and gang activity — finds that getting more kids and cops playing sports together regularly in the park can make a big difference.

People Have Misconceptions About Miscarriage, And That Can Hurt

8:28am May 11, 2015

by Katherine Hobson

Miscarriages are common — but people think they're rare, a survey finds. And they often blame the woman. Readers tell us that those mistaken beliefs make the experience even more painful.

Ebola Hides In The Eyes Of A Man Who Was Considered Cured

10:38pm May 08, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Weeks after being diagnosed with Ebola, a doctor came down with a dangerous eye infection. Ebola was lurking there. Other Ebola victims face the risk of blindness through these delayed infections.

Queue Listen Now