Health Trends

Feb 13, 2025

The Best Over-the-Counter Medicines for COVID-19 in 2025

If you have a fever, we recommend taking an acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. Talk with your doctor or provider if you are unable to take acetaminophen about alternatives.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Aug 13, 2024

6 Top Tips to Know If Your Symptoms Are the Flu or COVID-19 in 2024

Suffering from a sore throat, cough or just feeling run down? Learn how symptoms differ between the COVID-19 and the flu.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Mar 4, 2024

Recovering from COVID-19: CDC Issues New Isolation Guidelines for 2024

The Centers for Disease Control has issued new isolation guidelines for 2024 as well as booster recommendations for older adults.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jan 25, 2024

8 Top Remedies to Soothe a COVID-19 Sore Throat in 2024

Since sore throats stem from many illnesses, it is important to know if your sore throat is COVID-19 or something else.

By Ajsa Nikolic, MD, MHA

Health Trends

Sep 7, 2023

The 5 Best Ways To Prevent Colds and the Flu in 2023

Toss those tissues when you're done using them -- don't stuff them in your pocket! And get your flu shot!

Health Trends

Dec 20, 2022

How to Safely Host Holiday Gatherings During COVID-19 and Flu Season

The good news is you can still be the “host or hostess with the mostest” with just a few tweaks to your usual plans.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Sep 13, 2022

Omicron COVID-19 Booster Shots Are Now Available: Eligibility Guide

COVID-19 booster shots targeting the omicron variant’s BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are now available. Here's what you need to know.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD and Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Mental Health

Sep 9, 2022

How Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Our Children?

This time in our kids’ lives could shape how they connect with others and the world around them for years to come.

By Angelia Spurgin, PhD

Conditions & Treatment

Aug 9, 2022

Acupuncture and COVID-19

Acupuncture can help decrease COVID-19 symptoms while boosting the body's immune response to the virus and reducing stress.

By Shen Kang Fu, DACM, LAc

Food & Fitness

May 16, 2022

Can I Exercise with COVID-19?

If you're recovering from COVID-19, you may want to ease back into your workout routine. Consider these tips from Ochsner physical therapists before hitting the gym.

Conditions & Treatment

May 16, 2022

How COVID Brain Fog Affects Communication and How to Stop It

Brain fog, memory loss and communication struggles are increasingly being linked to COVID-19. Ochsner speech therapists weigh in on what you can do to stop it.

By Taylor Magaw, MA, SLP

Food & Fitness

Dec 26, 2021

How To Safely Celebrate New Year’s During COVID-19

Making it through 2021 is a cause for celebration.

By Melissa Love, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Oct 14, 2021

Rapid COVID-19 Testing at Home Is Getting Easier

Recent announcements by the White House and the Food and Drug Administration are likely to make at-home, rapid COVID-19 testing easier and more feasible.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Sep 28, 2021

Breast Cancer Screenings During COVID-19

Early detection is key when dealing with breast cancer, but what does that look like during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Conditions & Treatment

Sep 20, 2021

Can a Cold Cause a Fever?

A fever can be a symptom of many different sicknesses, including the common cold. However, while people with a cold can develop a fever, it tends to be one of the less common symptoms.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Sep 8, 2021

Mu COVID Variant: What You Need to Know

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently identified the Mu COVID variant as a variant of interest. Here is what you need to know.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD and Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Mental Health

Aug 24, 2021

How to Deal With College Anxiety on Top of COVID-19 Worries

Returning to college after spending more than a year in COVID-19-required quarantine may come with its own challenges.

Prevention & Wellness

Aug 23, 2021

Ochsner Experts Help Patient Make Informed Decision About COVID Vaccine

Bettye Hill-Davis, a retired kindergarten teacher, says she was hesitant about getting the COVID vaccine because of her medical conditions. That was until she watched a Facebook Live hosted by Ochsner experts.

Prevention & Wellness

Aug 16, 2021

School Mask Mandates: What You Should Know

The number one thing we can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is get vaccinated. But because children under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine, the second-best thing we can do is wear a mask.

By Sarah Saussy, NP

Conditions & Treatment

Jul 12, 2021

Are Louisiana and Mississippi Delta Variant Hot Spots?

As variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta variant, continue to emerge in our communities, it has never been more important for people to get vaccinated.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Jun 29, 2021

Are Headaches Signs of COVID-19?

While respiratory problems are more common, the CDC does list headache and stomach issues as possible symptoms of COVID-19.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jun 3, 2021

What to Know About the Moderna Vaccine Trial in Teens

On the heels of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial and approval, Moderna is performing its own trial on youths ages 12 to 17.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

May 27, 2021

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Causing Heart Inflammation in Children?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is looking into reported cases of a heart condition called myocarditis in patients who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

May 16, 2021

I Can’t Smell Anything. Do I Have COVID-19?

Anosmia is the loss or altered sense of smell, and could be a symptom of COVID-19.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD and Edward McCoul, MD, MPH

Health Trends

Apr 23, 2021

7 Things You Need To Know About Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card

If you received the COVID-19 vaccine, you know that you will receive a CDC vaccine card. But after you get this card, is there anything special you should do with it? Here are answers to some of your common questions on the COVID-19 vaccine card.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Mar 15, 2021

Do Fully Vaccinated People Need to Quarantine After COVID-19 Exposure?

The CDC recently announced that fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 if they are not displaying symptoms. These new guidelines are a step towards returning to pre-COVID-19 activities.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Mar 1, 2021

Is it Safe to Donate Blood During the Pandemic?

With the safety precautions Ochsner has in place, you can feel safe when donating blood at Ochsner Blood Bank.

Prevention & Wellness

Feb 23, 2021

7 Ways to Boost Your Immune System During COVID-19

Whether it’s the common cold, the flu or COVID-19, these seven key strategies will help you boost your immune system and protect your wellness year-round.

By Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD

Conditions & Treatment

Feb 1, 2021

When Will I Be Able to Smell Again After Having COVID-19?

Learn more about loss of smell after COVID-19.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jan 29, 2021

COVID-19 and Disabilities

The life-altering effects of COVID-19 have been tougher on people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders than anyone else.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Jan 26, 2021

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Transplant Patients?

As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to roll out, we know that transplant patients wait in great anticipation. Here are some of the most common questions concerning COVID-19 vaccination among the transplant community.

By Jonathan Hand, MD

Health Trends

Jan 25, 2021

How to Celebrate Mardi Gras Safely During COVID-19

Even though parades are canceled due to COVID-19, we can still find creative ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, while staying safe. Here are the safest ways you can celebrate Mardi Gras this year.

Prevention & Wellness

Jan 12, 2021

Is It Safe to Date During COVID-19?

If you're single and ready to mingle, read on for our guide to dating safely during COVID-19.

By Addy Reine, MD

Health Trends

Jan 5, 2021

What’s in the COVID-19 Vaccine?

For most people, it can be confusing, trying to understand what goes into a vaccine. Here is a quick guide to help you understand.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Jan 5, 2021

How Does a Pandemic End?

For a pandemic to end, the virus must reach a point where it cannot easily find hosts to catch it and spread the virus further, which is known as herd immunity. The best way to reach herd immunity is through vaccination.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Dec 15, 2020

What Are the Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

More than 37,000 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine during the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials with no significant side effects.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Nov 30, 2020

How Are Vaccines Approved?

Learn about the many steps vaccine makers must follow before any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine, is approved in the United States.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Nov 24, 2020

A Physician's Firsthand Experience Working the Frontlines During COVID-19

Dr. Jack Heidenreich Jr. shares his story of diagnosing one of the first COVID patients in Louisiana, catching the virus himself and seeing those close to him lose their battle to it.

By Jack W. Heidenreich, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Nov 18, 2020

COVID-19 and Christmas: How to Celebrate Safely and Merrily

Regardless of how you celebrate this year, it’s essential to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Nov 4, 2020

COVID-19 Food Service Guidelines

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed the way we used to dine out and food service guidelines.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Oct 1, 2020

Is Sore Throat a Sign of Coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, also known as the coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms that develop with COVID-19 can vary. Could a sore throat be a sign of coronavirus?

By Norman Vince Hill, MD

Health Trends

Aug 14, 2020

Can COVID-19 Cause Strokes?

Richard Zweifler, MD, discusses with Cuong Bui, MD, what a stroke is, and the increased risk of one particular type of stroke from COVID-19.

By Cuong Bui, MD and Richard Zweifler, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Aug 8, 2020

What are the long-term effects of COVID-19?

Since the onset of COVID-19, millions of people have contracted the disease. While many have recovered, they still may face some long-term effects post recovery

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Health Trends

Aug 8, 2020

Is Vomiting a Sign of Coronavirus?

Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath and, possibly, a sore throat. But according to the CDC, vomiting may be a symptom, too.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jul 9, 2020

Don't Delay! The Importance of Scheduling Surgeries

Procedures can have a serious impact on your health. If you've had to delay care, it is time to get back on track with your care so you can get back to doing the things you love.

By Jessica Gorham, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Jul 6, 2020

Why Wearing Face Masks Is Important

Face masks are absolutely necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 2 wear one while in public settings.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Health Trends

Jun 18, 2020

Can You Catch Coronavirus from Swimming?

The CDC currently states that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential risks.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Jun 16, 2020

Coronavirus and Pets

The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is very low. However, you should treat pets like you would any other human family member and follow certain guidelines.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Food & Fitness

Apr 29, 2020

Facts or Fiction: Nutrition and COVID-19

There is a lot of confusing information out there regarding COVID-19 and nutrition.