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woman with shingles on the right side of her forehead and face. (Photo: Anna See)

Adult Chickenpox

Preventing Shingles Through Vaccination While this season is usually associated with the flu vaccine, adults, especially those who are older than 50, should also consider getting a vaccine for shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes
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Measles are on the rise in Europe. In the U.S. so far this year, the CDC has reported 124 cases in 22 states and D.C. (Photo: Getty Images)

97 Percent Effective

Immunization Best Defense Against Measles High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red, watery eyes. It may not be the flu. It could be measles. Measles cases are on the rise in Europe, with more than 40,000 cases and 37 deaths in the first six months of 2018. In the United States, the
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Poison ivy is commonly confused with other plants, such as box elder, fragrant sumac and Virginia creeper. Notice that poison ivy has three divided leaves, with the center leaflet on a longer stalk. It also produces white, waxy berries along the stem in summer. (Photo: Missouri Department of Conservation)

Irritating Itch

Easing the Itch of Poison Ivy and Poison Oak April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring troublesome plants such as poison ivy and poison oak that can cause mild to severe allergic reactions. The signature leaves of three of the poison ivy plant carry an oil called
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