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Description
Infectious dose is the shot of science you need to protect yourself from misinformation. Heather McSharry, PhD, an expert in viral pathogenesis, brings her blog to the airwaves to help bridge the dangerous gap between the science of infectious diseases and public misperception. On the podcast website, infectiousdose.com, all episodes have corresponding blog posts with the information contained in the episode along with links or PDFs for all sources used. To prevent unwelcome surprises, episodes with limited, mild profanity are marked as explicit.
*Podcast intro and outro music are adapted from Heather Nova’s song, I Miss My Sky. Used with permission.
*Podcast intro and outro music are adapted from Heather Nova’s song, I Miss My Sky. Used with permission.
30 Episodes
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This week, Heather pulls back the curtain on how she figures out what’s true. From gut checks and trusted sources to the brutal training of grad school and the constant practice of science writing, she shares the habits that help her navigate conflicting claims—like the current confusion around COVID vaccine access. You don’t need a PhD to think like a scientist, just the right process.
Heather brings you a bonus mini Booster Dose episode to explain everything you need to know about the new changes in FDA-approved access to fall COVID shots, who’s eligible by brand/age, what counts as “underlying,” off-label/insurance realities, why ACIP mainly affects coverage (not labels), a brief CDC leadership update, and practical protections—documentation, ventilation, high-filtration masks, testing, and an antiviral plan.
Back-to-school season means new teachers, new friends…and a whole new round of germs. From runny noses to strep throats, pinkeye to flu, classrooms are a breeding ground for illness once the school bell rings. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather breaks down the most common fall outbreaks in kids, when to keep children home, and the prevention strategies that actually make a difference.
You’ll also hear about the role vaccines play in keeping kids healthy, what to do if masks aren’t welcome in your school, and how new attendance policies—like the controversial one in Tennessee—make it even harder for parents to do the right thing. This episode is a practical, parent-friendly guide to surviving sick season with sanity intact.
In this gripping episode, we dive into the world of Vibrio vulnificus—a flesh-eating bacterium once confined to warm southern waters, now making deadly appearances from Florida to Cape Cod.
We begin with real-life cases from the 2025 surge across the U.S., then uncover the science behind this microscopic killer: how it invades, how it spreads, and why it’s rising globally. From wound infections to raw oysters, climate change to coastal vulnerability—this is a public health warning.
Because with Vibrio vulnificus, a bigger boat won’t help.
Chikungunya is sweeping through southern China in its largest recorded outbreak—and it’s not just a local problem. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather takes you inside Foshan’s summer surge, unpacks how this mosquito-borne virus travels the globe, and explores why its painful symptoms can linger for months or even years. You’ll hear how two species of mosquitoes are redrawing the map of where chikungunya can strike, why genetic changes have made it more adaptable, and what public health responses—from targeted mosquito control to controversial government overreach—look like on the ground. Whether you’re a traveler, a science enthusiast, or just someone who hates mosquito bites, this is your deep dive into the past, present, and future of a virus that won’t stay put.
What do vaccines really contain? Why do people still believe they cause autism? And who keeps spreading these lies?
In honor of Immunization Awareness Month, this special episode of Infectious Dose is your guided tour through our vaccine safety series. Heather maps out the key episodes that break down myths, expose disinformation campaigns, and explain the real science behind some of the most common vaccine fears. From “Too Many Too Soon” to the truth about mRNA vaccines and RFK Jr.’s ACIP overhaul, this curated “booster dose” is perfect for new listeners, long-time followers, or anyone seeking facts they can trust. Use it to figure out which episode to listen to next or share with a friend on a quest for the truth about vaccines, who's not sure where to start.
In this episode, Heather unpacks one of 2025’s most urgent and underreported global health crises.
Cholera—an ancient disease we know how to prevent and treat—is resurging across dozens of countries. But this isn’t about biology alone. From Sudan’s displaced families to Angola’s overcrowded clinics and the gold fields of the DRC, people are dying not from mystery—but from neglect.
You’ll learn what cholera is, how it spreads, how communities are stepping up where systems have failed and why that isn't enough.
Rabies is one of the deadliest viruses known to science—but its cultural legacy may be even more enduring. Rabies has stalked the screen for decades, not just as a disease, but as a symbol of primal fear, uncontrollable rage, and the thin line between animal and human. This episode investigates the biology of rabies bites and its eerie neurological symptoms, while examining its transformation into a metaphor for rage, madness, and monsterhood in popular media. Featuring deep dives into Cujo, a shocking Criminal Minds episode, and a host of pop culture references from Old Yeller to 28 Days Later, this episode traces how rabies bites into our deepest fears—both real and reel.
This episode is a little different. After relaunching and dropping 18 episodes since April, Heather finally shares the personal story behind why she left her blog/podcast/social media—and why she came back. From life upheaval and burnout to pandemic loss and resilience, this is the story behind Infectious Dose. If you're new here, it's a great place to understand the mission behind the mic. And if you've been following since the early days—this one’s for you.
As global focus drifts and vaccine narratives fade, polio—a disease once on the brink of eradication—is finding new paths to persist. In this episode, Heather unpacks the World Health Organization’s latest alerts on circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2), explores newly issued travel advisories, and traces the virus’s quiet resurgence. From the politics of prevention to the myths that still haunt public memory, we examine how a preventable disease is returning, not because science failed, but because we stopped listening.
This Fourth of July, we’re serving flaming absurdity alongside a tribute to scientists under attack. In this science-meets-comedy special, Heather tackles the patriotic chaos of backyard BBQs, rogue mortars, and the bacterial battleground of summer salads. Featuring real disaster stories, expert food tips, and a powerful closing tribute to U.S. scientists with an original poem that will leave you ready to Stand Up For Science. Laughter, learning, and lighter fluid: this is Grill, Thrill, & Kill.
More than five years since the start of COVID-19, the virus is still here — evolving, spreading, and leaving lasting impacts. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather—a virologist-turned-science writer—examines the costs of the erosion of protective messaging, what new data say about reinfection, and the risks of losing vaccine access under a shifting political landscape. From airborne transmission to long COVID, this episode unpacks the real-time consequences of disinformation, underreaction, and systemic neglect.
Because the pandemic isn’t over—we’ve just stopped talking about it.
What if our biggest mistake in vaccine communication wasn’t misinformation—but misexpectation?
In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather digs into the seductive myth of sterilizing immunity—the idea that a “perfect” vaccine blocks infection completely—and explores how this scientific fable has distorted public expectations, undermined trust, and set back our ability to fight infectious diseases.
From the remote Faroe Islands in 1846 to the fractured COVID-19 response, Heather takes listeners on a journey through vaccine history, immunology, and public health strategy. We break down what herd immunity really is (and isn’t), why breakthrough infections aren’t failures, and how chasing an unmeasurable ideal can derail real-world protection.
Forget perfection. This episode is about what actually works: disease prevention, reduced transmission, and building public trust—one honest conversation at a time.
In this episode, Heather delves into the story of Sin Nombre virus and the disease it causes, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. From its rodent origins and rapid progression to the public health response and scientific breakthroughs that followed, we explore how a rare virus rewrote the rules of infectious disease in North America—and why it remains a threat, even in obscurity.
Heather gives updates on 2025 measles outbreaks in every region of the world and discusses global efforts to curb them. She also debunks the deadly lies about measles from RFK Jr. in her fan favorite segment WTF-RFK! and answers listener questions in her new segment Hot Zone Hotline.
Explicit rating is for mild and limited profanity because, I mean, RFK.
Pregnant and wondering which vaccines are safe? Heather separates myths from facts & shares exactly what science says about vaccine safety during pregnancy—because you and your baby deserve the best protection!
Invasive meningococcal disease strikes fast—and often without warning—especially in close-contact environments like college dorms and military barracks. While it’s rare, the consequences can be devastating: death within hours, or lifelong complications like limb loss and brain damage. In this episode Heather explains all about how Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that many carry unknowingly, transforms from harmless passenger to lethal invader. With rising case numbers and low vaccine uptake, especially for serogroup B, understanding the risks and protections has never been more urgent.
In the 5th episode in her vaccine safety series, Heather gives straightforward, science-based answers to some of the most common questions about what’s in vaccines including an in-depth look at what's in several specific vaccines and the truth debunking false claims you've seen recently in the media.
Anthrax is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to science. Its ability to survive harsh environments and reemerge as a deadly pathogen centuries later is a biological marvel—and a global health concern. Heather covers all you want to know about anthrax from its formidable spore structure and use as a bioweapon, to its recent outbreaks and potential to transform cancer therapy.
Heather digs in to the truth about the vaccine court and how its history of claims supports that vaccines are safe!
Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.
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