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COVID-19 measures lessened how often we get sick from many other viruses. But one common virus has been on the rise this year. It’s called respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. RSV is usually more common in the fall, winter, and spring. But this year, infections have surged over the summer. This is likely because of the lifting of COVID-19 precautions, like masking and social distancing, says Dr.…

About 14 million adults in the U.S. have alcohol use disorder (AUD). There are effective treatments. But a recent study found that they are rarely used. People with AUD often aren’t able to control their drinking. It can affect their health, relationships, and job. Treatments can help. These include talk therapy and FDA-approved medications. Three drugs have been approved to treat AUD. These help…

Burns are skin or tissue damage, usually caused by heat. Burns often happen in the home. Some are caused by fire. They can also be caused by hot liquid, steam, and certain chemicals. Burns are defined by how deep they are and how large an area they cover. First degree burns are the least serious. They affect only the thin top layer of skin. A sunburn is a common example. They usually heal on…

Eating disorders are serious and can be fatal. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may be signs of an eating disorder. They affect all types of people. It’s important to seek treatment early. Learn more about the signs and treatments for eating disorders.

You may not give your liver much thought. But it performs essential functions every day. Like other parts of the body, fat can build up in your liver. That may damage the liver and lead to serious health problems. It’s normal to have some fat in your liver cells. But too much can interfere with your liver’s normal functioning. The liver acts as a filter to remove toxins from your blood. It helps…, Fat Build Up, Certain health conditions, your genes, your diet, and your digestive system can make you more likely to develop fatty liver disease. When this happens, it is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. “About one-third of U.S. adults have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,” says Dr. Rohit Loomba, a liver disease expert at UC San Diego Health. People with obesity or type 2 diabetes are at greater risk…, Finding Fatty Liver, Most people who have fatty liver disease don’t end up with liver damage. But some develop [qtip:inflammation|Heat, swelling, and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection.] and damage in their liver cells. This stage of fatty liver disease is known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. If NASH gets worse, it can cause permanent scarring and liver hardening. Liver…, Undoing Early Damage, The most effective fatty liver treatment involves a change in lifestyle. Weight loss is helpful. “But the weight loss has to be pretty significant,” says Loomba. You have to lose about 7% of your body weight to resolve NASH. You’ll need to lose at least 10% to reduce fibrosis, or scarring. Losing weight can also help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause…

You may have gotten your driver’s license the day you turned 16. By the time you retire, you could have driven daily for more than half a century. But for some people, there comes a time in the aging process when driving becomes dangerous. “On the whole, older drivers are safe,” says Dr. Marian Betz, an expert in healthy aging at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. “They tend to…

COVID-19 vaccines are a key tool in fighting the pandemic. They slow the spread of the virus. They’ve also been shown to reduce COVID-19 deaths. A study estimated how many deaths were prevented because of the vaccines. Researchers collected data on state vaccination rates and COVID-19 deaths. They used the data to create a statistical model. Based on the model, COVID-19 vaccines saved nearly 140,…

Find in-depth stories covering NIH’s cutting-edge biomedical research. Learn about the current state of research for many fields and where they may be heading., NIH Research in Context, comes out quarterly. Read the latest story on early-life nutrition.

From an early age, we learn that nutritious foods and physical activity can help us stay healthy. Growing evidence now suggests that social connections may also be key to good health. Socially connected people tend to live longer. They’re at lower risk for serious health problems. Social bonds are also linked to our mental health, eating habits, and much more. Despite the links between our social…, Social Bonds,  , Many factors can contribute to a person feeling lonely. These include the quality of your personal relationships, your community, and society in general. Your personal health, life stage, and personality can also have an impact. People who are socially isolated or feel lonely are more likely to have heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, or anxiety. They’re also at increased…, [qtip:inflammation|Heat, swelling, and redness caused by the body’s protective response to injury or infection.], , which can have effects on cardiovascular health.” Long-lasting inflammation has also been linked to cancer and other health problems. And our ability to biologically respond to stressors weakens with age. Necka notes that there’s a difference between social isolation and loneliness, but the two are related. Social isolation means you have few connections or contacts with others. Loneliness has…, W, ho’s at Risk?, Everyone feels lonely now and then. But certain factors can raise the likelihood of persistent loneliness or social isolation. These include living alone, having trouble walking or moving, or having problems with vision or hearing. Other risk factors include financial struggles and mental health issues. Living in a rural, unsafe, or hard to reach neighborhood also raises your risk. So do major…, Coupling Up,  , “Marital status, or intimate relationships, are also an important feature of our social networks,” says Dr. David Sbarra, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Arizona. Married people tend to live longer and have other health benefits compared to the unmarried. But the quality of the relationship, whether supportive or fraught, can have an impact. “In a high-quality relationship,…, New Connections, “If you’re feeling lonely or socially disconnected, it can feel intimidating to try to form new connections,” Necka says. “High-quality connections are best. But even brief interactions can make a difference. It can be a first step.” For example, you might go to the grocery store at the same time every week and see the same clerk. You can smile and strike up a brief conversation. Or you notice…

Strong, healthy relationships are important throughout your life. Your social ties with family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others impact your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. “We can’t underestimate the power of a relationship in helping to promote well-being,” says NIH psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Valerie Maholmes. Studies have found that having a…, What Is Healthy?, Every relationship exists on a spectrum from healthy to unhealthy to abusive. One sign of a healthy relationship is feeling good about yourself around your partner, family member, or friend. You feel safe talking about how you feel. You listen to each other. You feel valued, and you trust each other. “It’s important for people to recognize and be aware of any time where there is a situation in…, Social Ties Protect, Studies have shown that certain factors seem to protect people from forming unhealthy relationships over their lifetime. The protection starts early in life. NIH-supported research has shown that the quality of an infant’s emotional bond with a parent can have long-lasting positive or negative effects on the ability to develop healthy relationships. “The early bond has implications that go well…, Helping and Getting Help, At any age, your relationships matter. Having healthy relationships with others starts with liking yourself. Learn what makes you happy. Treat yourself well. Know that you deserve to be treated well by others. Having an unhealthy or abusive relationship can really hurt. The connection may be good some of the time. You may love and need the person who hurts you. After being abused, you may feel…