Heather delivers the scoop on the disease caused by measles, including symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, what's in the very safe vaccines, and dangerous complications and long-term health problems of natural infection. Marked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.

This episode was updated in March 2026 to include analysis of the institutional failures that allowed one fraudulent paper to reshape global vaccine trust — because individual villainy alone doesn't explain how this much damage was done, or how to prevent it from happening again.

In this vaccine safety episode, Heather describes how Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent science cost the world the elimination of measles and hurt children. With evidence to back it up, she goes into detail on what he did and how he still manipulates parents fears to make money. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.

All citations linked in the blog post at infectiousdose.com

This episode was updated in March 2026 to include analysis of why the vaccine-autism myth felt believable to so many parents, how failures in science communication allowed it to persist long after the evidence was clear, and what it would actually take for the conspiracy to be real.

Do vaccines cause autism?

In this episode, Heather examines one of the most persistent and emotionally charged claims about vaccines. She walks through where the idea came from, how it spread, and what decades of research involving millions of children have found.

She explains why early concerns were taken seriously, how they were investigated, and why the scientific consensus is now clear: vaccines are not linked to autism.

If this question has ever given you pause, this episode provides a thorough, evidence-based answer.

All citations at Infectiousdose.com Marked explicit for mild language.

This is the original Pathogen Perspectives episode rebranded for Infectious Dose, originally published in 2020. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine platforms other than mRNA, that were in clinical trials around the world. These include self-replicating mRNA, DNA, Protein-based, Attenuated virus, Inactivated virus, Repurposed vaccines, and virus vector vaccines. Heather discusses what each platform is and their pros and cons. 

This episode was originally published in 2021 and was updated in March 2026 in two ways: safety (overall plus in pregnancy and kids) and immunity duration sections reflect five years of real-world data, and systems-level analytical segments have been added on why the most common mRNA conspiracy theories are biologically impossible, how the system failed us, and how to do better going forward. Updated text is in green in the corresponding blog post.

This is the original episode published in 2021, rebranded for Infectious Dose. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use in the US. She covers: ·        What is mRNA ·        How mRNA vaccines work ·        How we know they are safe ·        Why they cannot change your DNA ·        How long might immunity last ·        Why those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 should get vaccinated ·        Comparison between the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and more.

All citations are in the blog post at infectiousdose.com

Organizer–sociologist Jon Shaffer, PhD, (Defend Public Health / University of Vermont) joins Heather to talk about turning evidence into local, winnable public-health protections. We dig into why “apolitical” public health backfires, how real teams (not one-off mobilizations) build durable power, and practical, nonpartisan roles for scientists and clinicians—even if you only have an hour a month. Though this moment really deserves more from each of us.

In this episode: • Why public health is inherently political—and what it costs to ignore that • Organizing vs. advocacy vs. lobbying (and why teams are the power unit) • What a mini-campaign looks like and how it strengthens a new team • Overcoming fear with relationships, stories, and clear, winnable demands • Why state-level organizing fits local political culture—and actually wins

Take action: • Join a digital action today: https://www.defendpublichealth.org/get-involved • Set up a 1:1 with Jon to plug into a state team: jonshaff@gmail.com                                       

Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own.

(Full blog post + transcript at infectiousdose.com )

West Nile virus is back in the headlines, with new human cases in the U.S. and steady activity in Europe. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather tracks the current outbreak season through CDC and ECDC surveillance and state-level reports, explores how the virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, and examines what happens when you get infected. Most infections are silent, but for a small fraction, West Nile unleashes a devastating attack on the nervous system. With no proven treatments and no human vaccine, prevention remains our best defense—making this one of the most enduring mosquito-borne threats in the U.S. and beyond.

This episode is a little different. After relaunching and dropping 18 episodes since April, Heather finally shares the personal story behind why she left her blog/podcast/social media—and why she came back. From life upheaval and burnout to pandemic loss and resilience, this is the story behind Infectious Dose. If you're new here, it's a great place to understand the mission behind the mic. And if you've been following since the early days—this one’s for you.

As global focus drifts and vaccine narratives fade, polio—a disease once on the brink of eradication—is finding new paths to persist. In this episode, Heather unpacks the World Health Organization’s latest alerts on circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2), explores newly issued travel advisories, and traces the virus’s quiet resurgence. From the politics of prevention to the myths that still haunt public memory, we examine how a preventable disease is returning, not because science failed, but because we stopped listening.

This Fourth of July, we’re serving flaming absurdity alongside a tribute to scientists under attack. In this science-meets-comedy special, Heather tackles the patriotic chaos of backyard BBQs, rogue mortars, and the bacterial battleground of summer salads. Featuring real disaster stories, expert food tips, and a powerful closing tribute to U.S. scientists with an original poem that will leave you ready to Stand Up For Science. Laughter, learning, and lighter fluid: this is Grill, Thrill, & Kill.

More than five years since the start of COVID-19, the virus is still here — evolving, spreading, and leaving lasting impacts. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather—a virologist-turned-science writer—examines the costs of the erosion of protective messaging, what new data say about reinfection, and the risks of losing vaccine access under a shifting political landscape. From airborne transmission to long COVID, this episode unpacks the real-time consequences of disinformation, underreaction, and systemic neglect.

Because the pandemic isn’t over—we’ve just stopped talking about it.

What if our biggest mistake in vaccine communication wasn’t misinformation—but misexpectation?

In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather digs into the seductive myth of sterilizing immunity—the idea that a “perfect” vaccine blocks infection completely—and explores how this scientific fable has distorted public expectations, undermined trust, and set back our ability to fight infectious diseases.

From the remote Faroe Islands in 1846 to the fractured COVID-19 response, Heather takes listeners on a journey through vaccine history, immunology, and public health strategy. We break down what herd immunity really is (and isn’t), why breakthrough infections aren’t failures, and how chasing an unmeasurable ideal can derail real-world protection.

Forget perfection. This episode is about what actually works: disease prevention, reduced transmission, and building public trust—one honest conversation at a time.

In this episode, Heather delves into the story of Sin Nombre virus and the disease it causes, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. From its rodent origins and rapid progression to the public health response and scientific breakthroughs that followed, we explore how a rare virus rewrote the rules of infectious disease in North America—and why it remains a threat, even in obscurity.

Heather gives updates on 2025 measles outbreaks in every region of the world and discusses global efforts to curb them. She also debunks the deadly lies about measles from RFK Jr. in her fan favorite segment WTF-RFK! and answers listener questions in her new segment Hot Zone Hotline. 

Explicit rating is for mild and limited profanity because, I mean, RFK. 

This episode was updated in March 2026 to include a brief note acknowledging why vaccine decisions feel uniquely weighted during pregnancy — and why that instinct, while completely understandable, doesn't mean that caution and vaccination are in conflict.

Are vaccines safe during pregnancy—and why are they recommended?

In this episode, Heather explains how maternal immunization works, why certain vaccines are given during pregnancy, and how they protect both mother and baby. She walks through what the immune system is doing during this time, how antibodies are passed to the fetus, and what research shows about safety.

She also addresses common concerns and misconceptions, and explains why vaccination during pregnancy is one of the most effective ways to protect newborns in their earliest, most vulnerable weeks of life.

All citations at Infectiousdose.com

Invasive meningococcal disease strikes fast—and often without warning—especially in close-contact environments like college dorms and military barracks. While it’s rare, the consequences can be devastating: death within hours, or lifelong complications like limb loss and brain damage. In this episode Heather explains all about how Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that many carry unknowingly, transforms from harmless passenger to lethal invader. With rising case numbers and low vaccine uptake, especially for serogroup B, understanding the risks and protections has never been more urgent.

In the 5th episode in her vaccine safety series, Heather gives straightforward, science-based answers to some of the most common questions about what’s in vaccines including an in-depth look at what's in several specific vaccines and the truth debunking false claims you've seen recently in the media. 

This week, Heather pulls back the curtain on how she figures out what’s true. From gut checks and trusted sources to the brutal training of grad school and the constant practice of science writing, she shares the habits that help her navigate conflicting claims—like the current confusion around COVID vaccine access. You don’t need a PhD to think like a scientist, just the right process.

Anthrax is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to science. Its ability to survive harsh environments and reemerge as a deadly pathogen centuries later is a biological marvel—and a global health concern. Heather covers all you want to know about anthrax from its formidable spore structure and use as a bioweapon, to its recent outbreaks and potential to transform cancer therapy. 

This episode was updated in March 2026 to include analysis of why the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is so easily misrepresented — because explaining what the court is isn't enough if we don't also explain why its structure makes it such an effective target for misinformation.

What is the “vaccine court”—and what does it actually do?

In this episode, Heather breaks down the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), why it was created, and how it’s often misunderstood. She explains how the system evaluates claims, what standards of evidence are used, and why decisions from this court are frequently misrepresented as proof that vaccines are unsafe.

If you’ve heard that “the courts have ruled vaccines cause harm,” this episode provides the context needed to understand what those rulings really mean—and what they don’t.

All citations at Infectiousdose.com Marked explicit for mild language.

Is bird flu’s resurgence a warning sign worth heeding? Heather digs into the science, the stakes, and what this latest avian alarm could mean for global health.

Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.

This episode was updated in March 2026 to include a brief note acknowledging why the childhood vaccine schedule looks alarming at first glance — and why that instinct, while completely human, doesn't reflect how the immune system actually works. 

Heather breaks down one of the most common concerns parents have about vaccines: the childhood schedule. Why are so many given so early? Is it too much for a baby’s immune system?

In this episode, she walks through how the immune system actually works, why modern vaccines are designed the way they are, and what decades of research show about safety. She also explains why delaying or spacing out vaccines can leave children vulnerable when they need protection the most.

If you’ve ever looked at the schedule and felt overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Infectiousdose.com Marked explicit for mild language.

Heather brings you a bonus mini Booster Dose episode to explain everything you need to know about the new changes in FDA-approved access to fall COVID shots, who’s eligible by brand/age, what counts as “underlying,” off-label/insurance realities, why ACIP mainly affects coverage (not labels), a brief CDC leadership update, and practical protections—documentation, ventilation, high-filtration masks, testing, and an antiviral plan.

Back-to-school season means new teachers, new friends…and a whole new round of germs. From runny noses to strep throats, pinkeye to flu, classrooms are a breeding ground for illness once the school bell rings. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather breaks down the most common fall outbreaks in kids, when to keep children home, and the prevention strategies that actually make a difference.

You’ll also hear about the role vaccines play in keeping kids healthy, what to do if masks aren’t welcome in your school, and how new attendance policies—like the controversial one in Tennessee—make it even harder for parents to do the right thing. This episode is a practical, parent-friendly guide to surviving sick season with sanity intact.

In this gripping episode, we dive into the world of Vibrio vulnificus—a flesh-eating bacterium once confined to warm southern waters, now making deadly appearances from Florida to Cape Cod.

We begin with real-life cases from the 2025 surge across the U.S., then uncover the science behind this microscopic killer: how it invades, how it spreads, and why it’s rising globally. From wound infections to raw oysters, climate change to coastal vulnerability—this is a public health warning.

Because with Vibrio vulnificus, a bigger boat won’t help.

Chikungunya is sweeping through southern China in its largest recorded outbreak—and it’s not just a local problem. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather takes you inside Foshan’s summer surge, unpacks how this mosquito-borne virus travels the globe, and explores why its painful symptoms can linger for months or even years. You’ll hear how two species of mosquitoes are redrawing the map of where chikungunya can strike, why genetic changes have made it more adaptable, and what public health responses—from targeted mosquito control to controversial government overreach—look like on the ground. Whether you’re a traveler, a science enthusiast, or just someone who hates mosquito bites, this is your deep dive into the past, present, and future of a virus that won’t stay put.

What do vaccines really contain? Why do people still believe they cause autism? And who keeps spreading these lies?

In honor of Immunization Awareness Month, this special episode of Infectious Dose is your guided tour through our vaccine safety series. Heather maps out the key episodes that break down myths, expose disinformation campaigns, and explain the real science behind some of the most common vaccine fears. From “Too Many Too Soon” to the truth about mRNA vaccines and RFK Jr.’s ACIP overhaul, this curated “booster dose” is perfect for new listeners, long-time followers, or anyone seeking facts they can trust. Use it to figure out which episode to listen to next or share with a friend on a quest for the truth about vaccines, who's not sure where to start.

In this episode, Heather unpacks one of 2025’s most urgent and underreported global health crises.

Cholera—an ancient disease we know how to prevent and treat—is resurging across dozens of countries. But this isn’t about biology alone. From Sudan’s displaced families to Angola’s overcrowded clinics and the gold fields of the DRC, people are dying not from mystery—but from neglect.

You’ll learn what cholera is, how it spreads, how communities are stepping up where systems have failed and why that isn't enough.

Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses known to science—but its cultural legacy may be even more enduring. Rabies has stalked the screen for decades, not just as a disease, but as a symbol of primal fear, uncontrollable rage, and the thin line between animal and human. This episode investigates the biology of rabies bites and its eerie neurological symptoms, while examining its transformation into a metaphor for rage, madness, and monsterhood in popular media. Featuring deep dives into Cujo, a shocking Criminal Minds episode, and a host of pop culture references from Old Yeller to 28 Days Later, this episode traces how rabies bites into our deepest fears—both real and reel.

Our public health safety net is unraveling. In this episode, we explore why infectious disease surveillance — once our invisible safety net — is quietly vanishing, and what that means for early outbreak detection. Dr. Jim Alwine breaks down common misunderstandings around gain-of-function research and explains how fear-driven narratives like the lab leak theory have warped public perception and policymaking. We also examine how recent regulatory changes are limiting the ability of U.S. scientists to study viruses...and what systems we urgently need to restore if we want to be ready for the next pandemic.

Take Action:

• https://www.defendpublichealth.org/get-involved

Further Reading & Resources:

• TWiV 1121: SARS-CoV-2 Still Didn’t Come from a Lab https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-1121/ 

• Oversight of Pathogen Research Must Be Carefully Calibrated (J. Virol.) https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00176-23

• Virology Under the Microscope: A Call for Rational Discourse https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00089-23

• Improving the Health of America Together – DPH https://www.defendpublichealth.org/resource/improving-health-americans-together-evidence-based-framework-addressing-root-causes

• Field Research Is Essential to Counter Virological Threats (J. Virol.) https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00544-23

🔗 Full article links, summaries, and transcript: infectiousdose.com/jim-alwine

Step into the shoes of a 1970s CDC outbreak detective as a mysterious cluster of fatal pneumonia cases pulls you into the shadows of a crumbling city hotel. In this immersive Month of the Macabre episode, you’ll chase clues through fog-filled ballrooms and forgotten ventilation shafts, racing to stop an invisible killer before it spreads. Along the way, the case, inspired by a real investigation, reveals just how crucial—and fragile—our public health defenses can be. Pair this one with The Andromeda Strain or The Bay and get ready for a suspenseful story of fog, fever, and fieldwork.

In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather McSharry talks with Terry Virts—retired NASA astronaut, Air Force colonel, and candidate for Congress in Texas—about what happens when leadership ignores science.

Drawing on his experience in aviation, spaceflight, and risk analysis, Terry discusses the real-world consequences of sidelining evidence in public health, climate, and emergency preparedness. The conversation covers COVID-era misinformation, vaccines, measles outbreaks, healthcare access in Texas, and the dismantling of scientific institutions.

The episode also explores the parallels between spaceflight safety systems and high-containment biosafety labs—highlighting why science-based leadership isn’t optional when lives are on the line.

🔗 A full transcript PDF is available in the companion blog post at InfectiousDose.com. And Terry's campaign website is: https://www.terryvirts.com/

Follow Terry: @AstroTerry on Insta/Twitter/Bluesky and astro_terry on Threads

Follow Heather: @pathogenscribe on Insta/Twitter/Bluesky/Threads

This week in “Seasonal, Not Safe,” we confront the truth about influenza in 2025–2026. It’s not “just the flu.” From the tragic stories of children lost to fast-moving infections, to the science of how influenza spreads, mutates, and turns deadly — this episode explores what’s really happening this season. We break down the rise of Subclade K, current global flu patterns, new U.S. vaccine policy controversies, and what makes the flu virus so evasive. Plus: how antiviral medications work, why vaccination rates are falling, and what’s coming next in the push for a universal flu vaccine. 

All citations and updates available in companion blog post at infectiousdose.com

Headed into holiday travel season? This episode of Infectious Dose is your go-to guide for staying healthy on the road — without panic, shame, or disinfecting your entire row like you're filming a CSI episode. We talk practical prevention for planes, airports, road trips, and cruises, including how to avoid RSV, norovirus, and long COVID, what to pack in your health kit, why snacks matter, and how to travel with kids without losing your mind — or your mask. Smart tips, real science, and relatable chaos, all in one episode.

NOTE: PDF Infection Prevention Travel Checklist available for listeners in the blog post at infectiousdose.com

Welcome to Outbreak After Dark, a new monthly ritual within Infectious Dose, where the science stays real but the stories get darker, weirder, and yes—sometimes just plain gross.

In this Halloween premiere, Ocularium, Heather is joined by cohosts Kate and Sam, to share true “medical horror” stories about parasites that call the eye home: Loa loa, Onchocerca volvulus, Acanthamoeba, and Thelazia gulosa.

🍂 Grab your themed snacks and cider, settle by the fire, and prepare to see infectious disease in a whole new light—if you can keep your eyes open. 🧠 Learn more and get the recipes at infectiousdose.com

What if you couldn’t wake up—and your mind kept trying to lecture its way out of the dark?

In this week’s Month of the Macabre episode, “The Sleep Lecture,” a neurologist begins a talk on encephalitis lethargica—the mysterious “sleepy sickness” that swept the world a century ago—only to discover she’s become part of her own subject. Based on true clinical records and modern research, this immersive narrative blurs the line between dream and science, between consciousness and coma.

Listen with the lights low. And maybe don’t fall asleep just yet.

Listener Note: The medical and historical details in this episode are based on real research, but the people and institutions are fictional. Any similarity to real individuals or places is entirely coincidental.

In this special Month of the Macabre episode, Infectious Dose steps into gothic territory with a haunting reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven—rewritten for the age of science denial.

The R@VN follows a man who built his fame on rejecting vaccines and mistrusting public health—until a disease he dismissed returns to claim him. As paralysis sets in, his smart-home AI, the Rational Autonomous Virtual Nexus (R@VN), becomes both witness and judge, speaking in clinical tones that sound increasingly like prophecy.

What begins as denial ends as digital haunting—a parable for the consequences of rejecting science.

It’s fiction… but the danger is real. Listen to the end for a post-credits scene.

🪶 Listen for:– A modern retelling of The Raven with Poe’s original rhythm and rhyme– The intersection of technology, hubris, and health– How polio still haunts us—and why vaccine denial makes it rise again

💉 Related episode: A Plague Returned

Note: R@VN is a fictional artificial intelligence system created for storytelling purposes. Any resemblance to actual products, companies, or technologies is purely coincidental.

The R@VN is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (1845), now in the public domain.

In 1692, the people of Salem believed the Devil walked among them.

But centuries later, scientists and historians would wonder: could the culprit have been something far more earthly—a hallucinogenic fungus lurking in their daily bread?

This Month of the Macabre episode of Infectious Dose examines the ergotism theory behind the Salem witch trials, blending science, history, and haunting “found tapes” that may hit too close to home. From convulsive fits and crawling skin to the toxic fungus Claviceps purpurea, we explore the blurred line between infection and imagination—and how fear itself became contagious.

Listener note: this episode doesn’t end where you think it will. 

See the blog post at infectiousdose.com for more information.

This New Year’s Eve episode isn’t about resolutions — it’s about a reset.

In Still Curious: A New Year’s Reset (Without Resolutions), Heather reflects on a difficult year for science, public health, and trust, and makes the case for curiosity as a quieter, steadier way forward. Rather than focusing on optimism or big promises, this episode explores what it means to pause, to stay engaged without burning out, and to carry curiosity into the new year even when certainty feels loud.

The episode closes with a gentle midnight mantra for anyone listening alone, early, or in need of calm at the turn of the year.

Companion blog post at infectiousdose.com

This month’s Outbreak After Dark is a special holiday episode — and a heavier one.

In A Consumption Christmas Carol , we reimagine Dickens’ classic ghost story through the real epidemic that haunted Victorian London: tuberculosis. Long before antibiotics, TB shaped daily life, art, poverty, and policy — romanticized in parlors, devastating in tenements, and deadly across all social classes.

Guided by familiar spirits of past, present, and yet to come, we trace how tuberculosis was misunderstood, aestheticized, and ultimately revealed as an airborne infectious disease — one that remains among the world’s deadliest today. This episode blends historical storytelling, medical science, and reflection on why some diseases never truly stay in the past.

Because this is a weightier story, we close the episode gathered by the fire for a post-Carol decompression — sharing snacks, drinks, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and space to process the history together.

🕯️ Outbreak After Dark is the after-hours storytelling series of Infectious Dose, where science, history, and a little gothic atmosphere meet. 

This episode is an original reimagining inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

This episode was updated in March 2026 to explicitly frame the hepatitis B birth dose controversy through a systems-level lens — examining how evidence-based vaccine policy can be destabilized when institutional safeguards are removed, and why recognizing those failures is essential to restoring public trust.

This episode unpacks everything you need to know about hepatitis B and the life-saving vaccine that helps prevent chronic liver disease and liver cancer later in life. From the biology of the virus to the science behind the birth dose, we explore how this vaccine works, why it’s given so early, and what’s at stake now that ideology is overriding evidence in U.S. vaccine policy.

We also confront a dangerous shift in public health: the dismantling of expert-driven systems in favor of anti-vaccine rhetoric. The result isn’t just political—it’s personal. And it puts newborns at risk.

In this episode:

• How hepatitis B infects the liver and evades the immune system
• Why newborns are uniquely vulnerable to chronic infection
• The history and science behind the universal birth dose
• What the ACIP overhaul means for public trust and public health
• Vaccine safety, ingredients, and long-term effectiveness
• Debunking the most common lies circulating on social media

All citations are in the blog post for this episode at infectiousdose.com

This episode was updated in March 2026 to clarify that the analysis presented already reflects the systems-level framework used throughout this vaccine safety series — examining what the claim gets right, where institutional safeguards failed, and what evidence would actually be required to support the claims being made. 

A leaked FDA memo sparked headlines claiming the COVID vaccine killed children — but the memo included no evidence, no data, and no scientific analysis. In today’s episode, Heather unpacks what the memo actually said, why experts across the field immediately rejected its conclusions, and how vaccine safety is truly evaluated. She explains the real risks of COVID in kids, from MIS-C to long COVID, and why misinformation from inside federal agencies threatens public trust and puts families at risk. Clear, compassionate, and evidence-driven, this episode gives parents the clarity they deserve.

NOTE: All sources are cited in the blog post for this episode at infectiousdose.com

There’s more to your favorite winter rituals than nostalgia.

In this episode, we dive into how centuries of winter traditions—across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas—offered accidental protection against infectious diseases. From citrus in stockings to cloves in mulled wine, from kimchi to candlelight, we trace how ancient practices around food, air, warmth, and cleaning helped communities stay healthier in the harshest season.

Learn how:

• Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove helped preserve food and reduce pathogens

• Fires, feasts, and fermentation doubled as primitive infection control

• Cleaning rituals and seasonal isolation slowed the spread of disease

• Modern public health can still draw lessons from these old traditions

We also address how today’s world—sealed homes, global travel, and misinformation—has changed the game, and why clear science is more important than ever.

🎙️ Plus: a discussion of the recent HHS decision under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to remove the statement “vaccines do not cause autism” from federal pages—and why this political move contradicts decades of scientific evidence.

See the corresponding blog post at infectiousdose.com for all citations.

In this Outbreak After Dark episode, we revisit Thanksgiving’s origin story through the lens of infectious disease. Heather, Sam, and Kate dive into the epidemics that devastated Indigenous nations before the Pilgrims ever arrived, the microbial mismatches between Old World and New, and the narratives that still distort how we talk about “the First Thanksgiving.” It’s a campfire conversation that blends history, science, myth-busting, and respect for the communities whose histories were altered by plague long before the feast.

All episode citations and recipes are in the blog post at infectiousdose.com

This week’s episode dives into the roots of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. How did routine cuts, UTIs, and pneumonias become untreatable? What systems helped superbugs evolve — and why is the problem accelerating worldwide?

We explore the science, the policies, the failures, and the future of drug-resistant microbes in A Prescription for Pestilence: The Global Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance.

NOTE: All cited references are linked in the blog post for this episode at infectiousdose.com

Rift Valley fever is back — and it’s hitting harder than it has in years. In this episode, we trace the 2025 outbreak from Mauritania to Senegal, explore how the virus hides between rainy seasons, and reveal what scientists have learned from unexpected hotspots in Tanzania. From mosquitoes and livestock to people and policy, this is Rift Valley fever: when the rains bring life and loss.

Don't miss today's (Nov 12, 2025) free webinar on RVF: The World Health Organization is hosting a free EPI-WIN webinar at 1pm CET, which is 7pm EST called “Rift Valley Fever and Community Protection: Gaps, Needs and Priorities,” and it brings together experts from WHO, Senegal, and Rwanda.

What are biological weapons—and what are they not?

In this episode, Heather is joined by bio-risk consultant and biodefense researcher Conor Browne for a grounded, reality-based conversation about biological weapons, biodefense, and why public discourse around these topics so often goes wrong.

Together, they unpack what actually defines a biological weapon, why intent and delivery matter, and how real historical programs differ from the conspiratorial narratives dominating social media and politics. They explore state and non-state capabilities, the real constraints involved in weaponization, and why most pathogens—even deadly ones—are not practical weapons.

The conversation also tackles some of today’s most misunderstood ideas, including gain-of-function research, lab accidents versus deliberate release, dual-use research of concern (DURC), and the limits of attribution when outbreaks occur. Along the way, Conor explains why sloppy language isn’t just misleading—it can actively undermine public health and national security.

This episode is a clear-eyed look at biological threats without fear-mongering, designed to replace panic with understanding and precision.

Topics covered include:

• What actually qualifies as a biological weapon

• Why dangerous pathogens ≠ weapons

• Historical bioweapons programs and what they really looked like

• State vs. non-state actor capabilities

• Why lab accidents are not weapons

• Gain-of-function research, DURC, and political distortion

• How misinformation increases real biological risk

Spiders inspire some of our deepest fears—but are they actually as dangerous as we think? In this Outbreak After Dark episode, Heather, Sam, and Kate dig into the real science behind spiders, venom, and so-called “spider bites,” separating evidence from exaggeration. Along the way, they unpack persistent myths, medical misattribution, and why spiders loom so large in outbreak lore—despite rarely being the culprit. Creepy? Yes. Deadly? Usually not. Welcome to Outbreak After Dark.

Editor's Note: While this episode leans into humor and fear, spiders play an important ecological role and are rarely a danger to humans. 

See companion blog post at infectiousdose.com for full transcript and references.

RSV is one of the most common respiratory viruses — and a leading cause of hospitalization in young children worldwide.

In this solo episode, I explain what RSV is, how it spreads, and what illness typically looks like in babies, children, and adults. We cover when RSV can be managed at home, how to recognize breathing-related red flags, when to go to the ER or call an ambulance, and what supportive care actually helps.

The episode also looks at the current RSV landscape, including rising cases in parts of the U.S. and new prevention tools — maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies — that are dramatically reducing severe RSV disease in infants. Clear, practical, and evidence-based.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx

This short, standalone episode is a statement of ethics.

It explains why this podcast will not remain silent in the face of state violence, the dismantling of public health, and the normalization of harm against vulnerable people. It clarifies the ethical boundaries that guide the work behind Infectious Dose: that science is for everyone, but cruelty, authoritarianism, and the protection of abuse are not neutral positions.

This episode is not a scientific explainer and not an invitation to debate. It exists to make clear where this podcast stands, why silence is not an option, and why evidence, accountability, and human rights are inseparable from public health.