Obesity raises the risk for issues like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but could obesity also increase the risk for an infection of the gut? Researchers are exploring the possibility.

For years, health officials have been aiming to increase rates of flu vaccination across the US each flu season. While new data shows that more and more people seem to be getting vaccinated, the rates of the increases are slower than desired.

People at risk for certain infectious diseases are usually disqualified from being blood donors. However, new research suggests that they may still be safe organ donors.

The fall brings cooler weather, autumn colors and, unfortunately, thoughts of flu season. So far this year, the flu season seems to be off to a slow start.

This summer, several outbreaks of illness caused by the parasite  Cyclospora swept across the US. Many of those illnesses occurred in Texas, and the infection source was unknown.

Hundreds of thousands of ready-to-eat refrigerated foods — from cole slaw and potato salad to baked beans and deviled eggs — have been recalled because of possible Listeria contamination.

Tuberculosis might not be a huge concern in the US these days, but a new report on the state of tuberculosis around the globe showed that international progress still needs to be made.

The main purpose of the flu vaccine is to protect against influenza. But it may offer other benefits as well.

A baby who catches whooping cough often requires hospitalization. Only babies over 2 months old can receive the vaccine for this illness. But  if many others in the community are vaccinated against the disease, that may help protect these young babies from it.

It's not uncommon for hospitalized patients to have weakened immune systems that aren't able to fight off infections. And that can make a hospital stay a risk to sick people.