Nancy Shute

Many people think of measles as a mild childhood illness. But people who got the measles during outbreaks in the United Kingdom say they were so sick they missed two weeks of school or work.

A spike in severe respiratory infections in children has the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asking doctors and patients to act quickly if children wheeze or have difficulty breathing.

Why does that sleek polyester T-shirt reek after 10 minutes, while the old-school cotton stays relatively sweet? Polyester attracts very different microbes, which may account for that special stink.

People are getting the message about the dangers of secondhand smoke at home, a CDC study says. But half of smokers still light up in the house, putting the health of relatives and friends at risk.

It used to be that dry-eye syndrome was considered a problem for middle-aged women. But with all those screens we're staring at, that nasty sandy feeling is becoming much more common.

Young women diagnosed with breast cancer are increasingly choosing to have both breasts removed. A big study says that doesn't improve their survival odds any more than less drastic treatments.

You probably haven't thought about whether your phone could help diagnose alcohol withdrawal. Well, it can. An app for doctors measures tremors and may help tell if someone's faking it to get drugs.

Everybody worries about losing eyesight or hearing, but the sense of smell may help people stay safe. People with impaired odor detection are more likely to eat spoiled food or let pans catch on fire.

If you're grossed out by the idea that tiny relatives of scorpions are living in the pores of your nose, you're not alone. But everybody's got Demodex mites, a study finds. And they're kind of cute.

Both the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association say vapors from electronic cigarettes pose a health threat to bystanders, and that the devices should be regulated like tobacco.