Illness

In February 2023, CDC's panel of experts updated their recommendations for COVID boosters moving forward based on the main goal of preventing severe disease (not necessarily infections). The summary? One shot per year is enough for everyone moving forward. However, we know that some people may have some more questions, so we wanted to dive into the reasoning behind the decision a bit more.

Knowing what your body's baseline temperature is can help you spot changes in your health and take action early.

You’re busy and want to get back to your life ASAP - I hear ya. Surely there are magical home remedies that will heal you overnight, right? While I won’t go that far, there are some vitamins and nutrients that may give your immune system a little boost.

It’s the time of year when getting together is common, but with winter illnesses, it can be hard to know how to stay healthy. Here are some considerations to help you navigate the holiday season.

Specific tips for specific illnesses/symptoms are great - and we've got lots of 'em. But if you'd like the CliffsNotes version, you're in the right place.

We’re excited: the FDA updated their Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the updated bivalent COVID booster shot covering the BA.4 and BA.5 variants (in addition to the original strain) for anyone 6 months and above. Kinsa's epidemiologist hits a few FAQs.

It’s rare to hear actual good COVID-related news, but it does happen! Available now, a new and improved round of booster shots are available, to better match current COVID strains. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions...

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ve probably heard about an emerging infectious disease called monkeypox. What is it and what can we do?

The time has come! COVID vaccinations have finally been approved for our youngest kiddos, ages 6 months up to 5 years old! What do you need to know?

Nearly half of adults experience night sweats for one reason or another. While most of them aren't worrisome, they are still quite disruptive to your sleep (and possibly your sleeping partner)!

When alphabet soups of letters (and numbers) to name COVID-19 subvariants become commonplace…our eyes start to glaze over. Here we break down what you need to know about the new strains in town. 

If you're high-risk for serious illness due to COVID and you haven't heard of Paxlovid, listen up! (Please.) This prescription medication reduces the risk of hospitalization. Find out if you're eligible!

Many people have been hit with COVID-19 and then we've got another bucket of people who just can't get out of its grasp. Long COVID affects millions of people worldwide and while there's still a lot to learn, there are some things you can do to understand it and start to regain some semblance of your pre-COVID self.

Just as the Omicron wave (or BA.1) was slowing down in the United States, we started to hear about a new sub-variant known as BA.2. Based on what’s known so far, we’re not too worried about it, and here's why.

Recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 70% of Americans eligible for the COVID booster have received one. With CDC data showing that the original two-dose regimen plus a booster is 90% effective at preventing hospitalization (yep, even with Omicron circulating), we wondered - what happened to the 30% of people who are eligible for the booster shot but haven’t gotten it yet?

Do I go to the gym? How should I respond to that dinner invite from friends? My favorite artist is having a concert, should I go? Lead epidemiologist, Danielle, walks through her risk-benefit calculus as she makes these daily decisions.

The flu is one of the most uncomfortable viruses to have. Find out what you can do to alleviate symptoms and learn when to reach out to the doctor.

My husband tested positive for COVID 3 days before Christmas. This meant my husband, myself and our two daughters spent the holidays attempting to make sense of the ever-changing COVID isolation guidelines.

Ease the discomfort of a sore throat and know when to call the doctor.

What is shingles, how did you get it and how can you treat it? Can it be prevented in the first place? (Hint: if you're over 50, yes!)

This article is for generally healthy folks 50+ who have had chickenpox in the past (psst! this is almost all of you!).

Our clinical and epidemiology teams comb through clinical research to answer your top questions on vaccine efficacy, protection from prior infection, how to best protect yourself and loved ones and, yes, how on earth to pronounce "Omicron."

Learn what hand, foot, and mouth disease is and what you can do to alleviate symptoms.

If someone in your child's classroom has been diagnosed with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease, let us help you with the do's and don'ts so you can keep it out of your household!

Let's cover normal side effects and how to minimize the discomfort following a COVID-19 vaccine or booster.

Join us as Kinsa's Director of Content sits down to interview Nurse Blake about why she decides to get the flu vaccine each year!

If the stomach virus is circulating around your child's classroom, let's figure out how to avoid it!

(We dare say) Kinsa's staff epidemiologist just made learning why the annual flu vaccine is safe and worthwhile... fun.

Tips for avoiding the common cold when it's circulating around your child's classroom!

Tips for avoiding strep throat when it's circulating in your child's classroom!

We cover some FAQs about the flu vaccine so you can make an informed decision beforehand.

Know what to do after a positive COVID test. Or maybe you haven't taken a test but you think it's COVID. Plus, how to entertain little ones during quarantine!

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, known commonly as RSV, is a respiratory virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms. Learn how to stay comfortable at home and when to reach out for help.

Find out how to soothe body aches when you're feeling under the weather.

Runny and stuffy noses are generally caused by a virus and need to simply run their course, but there are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process and/or find a bit of comfort.

Coughing is important to protect our airways or to clear out gunk (or both). There are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process and/or find a bit of comfort while your body battles this virus.

Kinsa's clinical & epidemiology teams address the top concerns we've heard from Covid-vaccine-hesitant friends, family & Kinsa users.

Did you know oral, underarm and rectal temperature readings will vary? Rectal temperatures tend to be the most accurate and best for fever readings. Be sure to note what method was used to take your temperature.

Traveling with kids while making sure no one falls sick can be intimidating. With proper planning, you can ensure the whole family stays healthy throughout the trip.

As a new parent, you might be checking your baby's temperature quite often. If your newborn spikes a fever, here are some next steps to give them the best care.

Pediatricians recommend taking a baby's rectal temperature for accuracy. Use this step-by-step for taking rectal temperatures with a Kinsa smart thermometer.

We know germs are everywhere. We compiled a list of the biggest germ hotspots that need closer attention. Find out which ones may be making your kids sick.

With kids returning to school and in-person learning, cold and flu could increase. We created a shopping list with all the essentials to keep your kids healthy this school season.

From ibuprofen to acetaminophen, over-the-counter medicines for kids can be confusing. We made a short guide to help you safely choose the right medicine for your kids.

Stock your baby's medicine cabinet to be prepared for anything when illness strikes. Make sure to include a cold medicine, fever reducer and gas relief option.

Smart thermometers are everywhere and it's important to choose the right one for your kids. See why pediatricians and parents love using a Kinsa smart thermometer over the others.

Gingivostomatitis can often be confused with normal teething depending on severity. Find the signs and symptoms so you can help treat Gingivostomatitis in your child.