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Key Themes From Our SurveyPeople are feeling more confident about the vaccines and about their rollout.Americans are recognizing that life after COVID vaccination may not be an immediate “return to normal” after all.Variants and lingering questions about what’s safe and what’s not complicate our COVID-19 future.More than a year after COVID-19 lockdowns started in earnest, Americans are finally coming to grips with the fact that life may not return to normal any time soon....

Key Takeaways When vaccine availability was first announced in December of last year, Renee Michelet Casbergue, PhD, a 66-year old Louisiana resident and retired professor of Louisiana State University, was excited at the prospect of getting vaccinated along with her 98-year-old mother-in-law, Sylvia Casbergue. Like many others in the U.S., they were eager to secure their best shot at protection against COVID-19. However, vaccine rollout in the U.S. has been off to a rocky start....

Key TakeawaysIn California and New York, deadlines for healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated approached this week. Thousands of employees got the shot before the deadline.A handful of states don’t allow unvaccinated employees to undergo regular COVID-19 testing, meaning they must get the shot or be terminated.Some workers refuse to be vaccinated, causing some health systems to fire employees and contributing to concerns about staff shortages in already strained hospital settings....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsACIP RecommendationsState-Mandated VaccinesAlternative SchedulesCurrent Vaccination Rates Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents ACIP Recommendations State-Mandated Vaccines Alternative Schedules Current Vaccination Rates In the United States, the immunization schedule for children 0 to 18 years of age is based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent group of experts housed within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....

Key TakeawaysA new poll shows that most people who were enthusiastic about vaccination in January or wanted to “wait and see” are now vaccinated.Nearly 70% respondents who were vaccine hesitant or resistant in January remain unvaccinated. Most of them say they are concerned about side effects or insufficient testing.Many people who chose to get the shot reported positive feelings about it, crediting family, friends, and doctors for persuading them. Key Takeaways A new poll shows that most people who were enthusiastic about vaccination in January or wanted to “wait and see” are now vaccinated....

Key TakeawaysTwo preliminary studies have found that the B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appear to be more resistant to the COVID-19 vaccines than the original virus, but that the vaccines are still very effective.The two variants hit India in February, where vaccination rates are still low.Experts say that getting as many people as possible vaccinated against COVID-19 is the only way to stop more variants from arising and curbing the pandemic for good....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVaccine Types and RoutesRecommended VaccinesSchedule at a GlanceVaccine HesitancyCOVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Vaccine Types and Routes Recommended Vaccines Schedule at a Glance Vaccine Hesitancy COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids Vaccines protect babies and children from potentially life-threatening diseases. Widespread childhood vaccination has reduced or eliminated deadly diseases likepolioandsmallpox.Vaccines currently prevent around 3.5 million to 5 million deaths per year....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat’s Considered AbnormalCausesWhen to Seek Medical CareTreatmentManaging Vaginal Bleeding Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What’s Considered Abnormal Causes When to Seek Medical Care Treatment Managing Vaginal Bleeding Most people who menstruate experiencevaginalbleeding each month during theirperiods.Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurs between periods,after sex, aftermenopause, or before menstruation. Unusual vaginal bleeding also includes heavy or irregular periods. Severe causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding include hormonal changes, medication side effects, health conditions of the uterus, and cancer....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is VCF?EffectivenessSide EffectsIs VCF Right for You?How to Use It Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What Is VCF? Effectiveness Side Effects Is VCF Right for You? How to Use It Vaginal contraceptive film (VCF) is a superthin film that is inserted into the vagina. It then dissolves and releases nonoxynol-9, a chemical that kills sperm (spermicide). You can buy VCF film without a prescription....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesIndicationsApplicationCleaning InstructionsStorage Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Indications Application Cleaning Instructions Storage Types of Vaginal Cream and Their Uses In addition to vaginal creams, there are also vaginal gels, ointments, and suppositories. Antifungal Vaginal Cream Ayeast infectionis an overgrowth of theCandida albicansfungus that normally reside in the vagina. Most cases can be treated with an OTC antifungal vaginal cream or suppository....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Causes Treatment Complications Diagnosis When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Healthy vaginal discharge is normal and natural. This fluid keeps the vagina clean and provides lubrication.Normal dischargeis clear, white, off-white, or pale yellow and has a characteristic scent. Healthy discharge ranges from clear to milky white, and amounts fluctuate with the menstrual cycle....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Discharge?Red or BrownWhiteYellow and GreenPinkGrayClearWhen to Seek Care Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What Is Discharge? Red or Brown White Yellow and Green Pink Gray Clear When to Seek Care Vaginal discharge color and consistency can change, and its meaning can depend on whether the discharge is red, brown, white, clear, yellow, green, orpink. Most vaginal discharge is normal. Sometimes, certain colors may indicate a problem that needs treatment....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to Seek a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Treatment Complications Diagnosis When to Seek a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Pain, burning, and itching are just a few symptoms ofvaginal dryness. Often an embarrassing topic to discuss, vaginal dryness will affect most people with a vagina at some point in their lifetime. Lowestrogenlevels typically cause vaginal dryness, which leads to painful sex and pelvic discomfort....