Coccidioidomycosis, or valley fever, may sound strange to those unfamiliar with it. Nevertheless, this fungal infection can be serious. And now it seems some Californians are becoming familiar with the condition.

News has been developing fast from the H7N9 bird flu outbreak in China. But what do we know about the patients who have been infected with the disease? Are there common threads in these cases?

Officials across the globe have been closely watching the developments of bird flu cases in China, and now the zone being monitored has expanded.

After surgery, the body needs to focus on healing. Smoking may interfere with this healing process. People who smoke after surgery could be putting their bodies at serious risk for complications.

Counts of infections from the H7N9 strain of bird flu have been increasing since the first case was reported at the end of March.

The reports of the H7N9 bird flu strain in China have had health officials on alert. The latest development could cause further concern and potentially mean easier transmission of infection.

Increases in the number of cases of the avian influenza in China, including a case with no symptoms, have health officials preparing for the possible discovery of new cases.

Counts of bird flu cases in China continue to rise, but news of at least one patient’s recovery is announced.

Tensions are rising as reports of increasing numbers of bird flu cases in China continue to develop.

Though hospitals are the place to receive care fast, smaller hospitals might not be keeping up with the bigger ones. It appears the quality of care delivered does vary between hospitals.