The human body is made up of trillions of bacteria, most of which are helpful or do not affect us much at all. Sometimes adding a bit of good bacteria to the mix can promote health.

One of the childhood vaccinations recommended by the CDC is the one for pneumococcal bacteria. This bacteria can cause some types of meningitis.

Cervical cancer isn’t all that common in this country anymore. Virtually all of the cases that do develop arise because of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Two vaccines are available to attack the major cancer-causing strains of this virus. But not all young women get vaccinated.

All types of preventive medicine offer benefits and risks, and vaccines are no exception. But often, the risks related to getting a disease may be greater than the risks of the vaccine.

Most people get the flu vaccine for the obvious reason: to protect them from the flu. But there may be other benefits to the shot as well.

Giving birth is an amazing experience, but it's not walk in the park. A mother having an infection around the time of giving birth can raise the stakes for both mother and baby as well.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that has become rare in the US. But outbreaks of the disease can still occur, often after a person becomes infected abroad and carries the disease back home. Now it appears that people in Texas are becoming infected with the virus.

Vaccines protect people from diseases. Pregnant women who get vaccinated can pass on that protection to their developing babies. And it seems some of that protection may last even after birth.

Health officials celebrated when a safe and effective vaccine to protect against HPV (human papillomavirus) was made available to the public.  But a vaccine can't protect the public if it isn't being used.

Measles was largely wiped out in the United States years ago, but still poses a threat around the globe. New cases of measles found in foreign travelers in California are causing concern.