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It is not recommended to wipe hand sanitizer underneath your nose. Commercially purchased alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be used only as directed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Being in well-ventilated spaces, like outdoor areas, as well as physically distancing and wearing face coverings reduces your risk of acquiring COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) indoor spaces – especially crowded areas with less ventilation – carry a higher risk. While indoors, maintaining at least 6 feet of space between people and wearing a face covering are recommended.

It is important to continue taking care of your health and medical conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please do not delay getting emergency care for any health condition. For specific medical concerns, we recommend calling and discussing them with your health care provider. Additionally, one may ask about alternative ways to access medical care during this time, such as telehealth visits.

The risk of acquiring COVID-19 through playing recreational sports depends on the type of activity. Lower risk activities include performing skill-building drills alone or with members of your household. The risk increases with team-based practice and competition to higher risk activities such as community or regional/national competitions.

One should seek emergency medical care immediately for any of the following potential COVID-19 symptoms: trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, or any other severe/concerning symptoms.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted plenty of discussion about questionable treatments and “must-try” preventive measures. With so much misinformation and difference of opinion out there, how can you know what to trust? We recommend doing thorough research and following the advice of the experts and your own your health care provider.

The COVID-19 pandemic is making the 2020 school year a complicated one for students, parents, and educators. Along with being concerned about the disease itself, parents are worried about their children’s emotional responses to the disruptions it brings. But health care experts say there are ways to help kids face these classroom challenges.

This past spring, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) reported that emergency rooms across the United States were seeing a large drop in heart attack admissions. UAB Medicine also saw a decrease in cardiovascular event cases, due to patients’ fear of COVID-19. UAB Medicine responded by expanding its telehealth services and creating policies to protect patients and staff, so that it could safely provide cardiovascular care to those who need it.

There have been many milestone birthdays at UAB Medicine lately. Two years ago we marked the 50th anniversary of the very first transplant procedure at UAB, and just last year the entire enterprise celebrated its 50th birthday. Now, UAB Medicine’s distinguished pharmacy residency program is celebrating 50 years of service.

No specific diet regimen, like Keto or Whole 30, has been shown to make someone more or less susceptible to getting COVID-19. A well-balanced diet is best to help support one’s immune system.

The seasonal influenza vaccine will not interfere with the body’s ability to fight off COVID-19. Both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and influenza virus will be circulating in our communities this fall and winter. We strongly recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older (with rare exceptions) receive the influenza vaccine this fall. This is to prevent either acquiring the influenza virus or developing severe influenza, which may lead to hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, or death.

Studies have looked at the effect of temperature and humidity on survival of other respiratory viruses, like SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and influenza. Studies are ongoing to assess whether SARS-CoV-2 behaves similarly with respect to latitude, temperature, and humidity variation.