https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWBBNyq8_Q2edICDDvl8qofhrx2HALDb/view?usp=sharing Flu activity is climbing in Washington state, but experts say it’s not too late to protect yourself. “Every flu season is unique. Last year was rough, and this year looks similar,” says UW Medicine’s Dr. John Lynch, an infectious disease expert. According to the CDC , emergency department visits for the flu in Washington state are moderate but increasing. “The biggest risk groups are the very

Sokurenko & Kollman Labs An E. coli bacterium (pink) attaches to a cell surface (lower left, blue) and antibodies mimic host cell receptors to trick another E. coli bacterium (upper right) into binding to them instead of a host cell. Pathogens can create sticky situations. When microbes invade the body to cause an infection, often one of their first lines of attack is to cling tenaciously to the surfaces of targeted human cells. Certain antibodies employ unusual tactics to ke

The diagnostic lab test could help thousands be cured, but adequate insurance reimbursement is vital, researchers say. Alice C. Gray I llustration of finger-stick blood draw for hepatitis C testing with inserted sketch of the virus. A new rapid test for hepatitis C could help identify many more patients who could be cured of the deadly disease, but its use may be limited unless insurers’ reimbursement rises to cover its high cost, according to researchers from the University

OLYMPIA – Vaccines save lives. Childhood immunizations prevent serious illness, hospitalization, long-term complications, and death. They also help stop the spread of disease in families, schools, and communities. Changed federal recommendations have removed routine childhood immunizations for several diseases that can have serious health impacts, including hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, RSV, influenza, and meningococcal disease. Weakening routine childhood vaccine recommenda

First detection of this strain in a human, risk to the public remains low OLYMPIA – A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian . Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently considers the risk to the publi

OLYMPIA – Benefits from Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program are a vital source of support for Washington workers. More than 218,000 individuals have claimed Paid Leave benefits in 2025 thus far, totaling more than $1.76 billion dollars.   Starting Jan. 1, 2026:   The premium rate will be 1.13%. The rate for 2025 is 0.92%.   Employers will pay 28.57% of the total premium and employees will pay 71.43%.   The program is funded by premiums collected from employees an

In a study, 850 patients had similar outcomes across both treatment types. Text-based psychotherapy can be as effective as live video sessions for patients being treated for depression, new research suggests.  The study , published Oct. 30 in JAMA Network Open, compared outcomes of 850 adults who received either message-based psychotherapy or weekly video-based psychotherapy through a commercial online mental health platform, Talkspace.    “We found that patients improved at

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month….   While Black and white women have similar rates of being diagnosed with breast cancer, Black...

7 Breast Cancer Symptoms 1. A new lump or thickened area that looks and feels different 2. Changes in size of breast size and shape...

The 29 Black men interviewed for this study related that, in many instances, their providers dismissed the PSA test as unnecessary....

10 foods that kills parasites/worms In your body 1. Garlic kills parasites naturally 2. Pumpkin seeds destroys eggs 3. Pineapple contains...

It’s our hope to live a healthy life and eat foods that help to Keep us going strong. However, sometimes in our efforts to do that we can...

Standing Order improves vaccine access for everyone 6 months and older OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued...

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month…. One in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is much more aggressive...

There’s so much about health and wellness I want to share with you all. My hope is to send articles that are helpful. I welcome your...

Higher temperatures may become more typical, so people should pay attention to hot-weather forecasts and take due caution.     Heat can...

An infectious-diseases doctor warns that low vaccine rates could also spark outbreaks of measles and pertussis as kids return to school. ...

4 Benefits of drinking water 1. It lubricates the joints - Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contains around  80%  ...

Hello FACTS Newspaper, Limit yourself from being around stressful and toxic people:  Refuse to listen to gossipy, judgmental people who...

Hello FACTS Newspaper, Limit yourself from being around stressful and toxic people:   Refuse to listen to gossipy, judgmental people who...

OLYMPIA - As families across the state prepare for back to school, the  Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is reminding parents...

Hello FACTS Newspaper Readers,   It’s normal to forget sometimes I hope you aren’t stressing over this fact.  It becomes a concern when...

Hey, my spiritual brother—the time is winding down, and we’re getting close to the end of these articles. But God is all-knowing,...

Hello FACTS Newspaper readers, Being constipated is a private thing and no one wants to know anyway. But the truth is we all suffer...