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… When fall arrives, many of us know it’s time to get the annual flu, or influenza, shot. It’s also a good time to consider what other vaccines or … important for older adults. Our immune system helps the body fight infection, but it gets weaker as we age. Vaccines help to strengthen the immune system. Other vaccines that are … ill or need to go to the hospital if infected with the virus. They also reduce the risk of getting the disease. New booster shots targeting the Omicron variants became available in fall …

… after their meals. Germs like bacteria, viruses, and parasites—or the toxins they produce—can get into your food and make you sick. “The difficult thing is you can’t see these germs, and you … taste them,” says Dr. William Alexander, an NIH expert in food-borne illnesses. Germs can get into your food many ways. They may already be in some foods you buy, like raw meat, eggs, or … bacteria, and other microscopic threats.] … , and those over 65 years old. If you aren’t getting better after a couple of days, have a fever higher than 100 degrees, bloody stool, or are …

… Sometimes, the pace of modern life barely gives you time to stop and rest. It can make getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis seem like a dream. But sleep is as important for … NIH. “Healthy sleep encompasses three major things,” she explains. “One is how much sleep you get. Another is sleep quality—that you get uninterrupted and refreshing sleep. The last is a … Why do we need to sleep? People often think that sleep is just “down time,” when a tired brain gets to rest, says Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, who studies sleep at the University of Rochester. “But …

… Did you ever have chickenpox? If so, you’re at risk for getting a disease called shingles. About 1 out of every 3 people will get shingles at some point in their lives. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus becomes … can take 3 to 5 weeks to heal. However, the pain could last much longer. It’s possible to get shingles more than once. As you get older, your risk for getting shingles grows. Shingles …

… know how to keep their eyes healthy? Do they know what to do if their eye is injured or they get something in it? It’s important for kids to learn how to take care of their eyes and know … injured, so they can act fast and get help. One of the most common eye injuries for kids is getting hit in the eye with an object, like a ball, rock, or an elbow. If that happens, they can …

… Are you and your family getting enough exercise? Being active can help you improve your health and feel better. It can … recently updated advice about how much physical activity you and your family should try to get. The new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is based on the latest research on how … at a time. Swim, garden, walk the dog, dance, or bike your way to feeling better. Whatever gets you moving counts! Strengthening your muscles is important too. At least two days each week, …

… Getting enough vitamins and minerals is important for your health, and there’s a long list of … at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University. Current guidelines recommend adults get 600 to 800 IUs (international units) of vitamin D each day. Those amounts are very important. …

… Not all headaches are the same. They can differ in how severe the pain is and how often you get them. Some people may get them only once in a while. Others may get them daily. What causes … a sudden, severe headache along with a stiff neck, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Or if you’re getting headaches more often or more severely over time. Learn more about headaches . …

… stretches of DNA that you inherit from your parents. They define features like your risk for getting a disease. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get the disease. Many other factors can influence your risk of disease, like how much physical … to understand what puts women at higher risk for breast cancer. It’s not clear why one person gets cancer but another doesn’t. His team is looking at differences between identical twins, …

… more comfortable. Balance practice helps prevent falls, which become a concern as you get older. Strength training, also called resistance training or weight training, is particularly … That can help you keep up the activities you enjoy—at any stage of your life. It’s not about getting big muscles, explains Dr. Wendy Kohrt, an aging expert at the University of Colorado. In … muscle groups on two or more days a week. The benefits of strength training increase as you get older, says Fielding. Maintaining strength is essential for healthy aging. “Loss of muscle …