Best pathogenperspectives Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 27: Neuro Invasion - The Silent Siege of West Nile Virus 23:35

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3h ago23:35

23:35

West Nile virus is back in the headlines, with new human cases in the U.S. and steady activity in Europe. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather tracks the current outbreak season through CDC and ECDC surveillance and state-level reports, explores how the virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, and examines what happens when you get infecte…

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Episode 26: Not Smarter, Just trained - How I Sort Fact from Fiction 40:09

6d ago40:09

40:09

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 li…

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Episode 25 1/2: Booster Dose - New COVID Vaccine Access Explained 14:37

12d ago14:37

14:37

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…

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Episode 25: Classroom Contagions - A Back-to-School Survival Guide 52:58

18d ago52:58

52:58

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 preventi…

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Episode 24: No Boat Big Enough - The Rise of Vibrio Vulnificus 31:55

25d ago31:55

31:55

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 …

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Episode 23: Blood and Bone - The Battle Against Chikungunya 38:04

1M ago38:04

38:04

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…

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Episode 22: Booster Dose - A Guided Tour Through the Infectious Dose Vaccine Safety Files 24:48

1M ago24:48

24:48

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 exp…

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Episode 21: Dying of Thirst - Cholera in the Age of Abundance 32:33

2M ago32:33

32:33

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 n…

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Episode 20: Biting Mad - When Rabies Becomes the Reel Villain 45:46

2M ago45:46

45:46

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…

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Episode 19: Rebooting the Mission - The Podcast is Back. Here's the Messy, Honest, Human Story Behind It 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

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 plac…

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Episode 18: A Plague Returned - Polio and the Paralysis of Progress 44:59

2M ago44:59

44:59

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. Fro…

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Episode 17: Grill, Thrill, & Kill - A 4th of July Comedy Special (Stand-Up for Science) 21:55

2M ago21:55

21:55

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. sci…

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Episode 16: COVID Critical - Complacency and Consequences in an Unfinished Pandemic 1:00:13

3M ago1:00:13

1:00:13

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 sh…

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Episode 15: Protection, Interrupted - How Chasing Sterilizing Immunity Fails the Herd 30:05

3M ago30:05

30:05

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 …

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Episode 14: No Name, No Mercy - The Hantavirus That Killed Betsy Arakawa 1:09:29

3M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

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…

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Episode 13: Un-Vaccinated - the Global Measles Emergency 1:06:50

3M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

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…

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Episode 12: Vaccine Safety 8 - Expecting Protection: Building vaccine confidence for moms-to-be 49:53

4M ago49:53

49:53

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!By Infectious Dose

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Episode 11: Close Quarters, Silent Threat - Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Dorms and Barracks 54:24

4M ago54:24

54:24

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 meningi…

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Episode 10: Vaccine Safety 7 - Inside the Vial: the Truth About What’s Actually in Vaccines 41:19

4M ago41:19

41:19

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.…

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Episode 9: Sleeper Cells - How Anthrax Hides, Strikes, and Could One Day Heal 42:22

4M ago42:22

42:22

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 p…

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Episode 8: Vaccine Safety 6 - The Vaccine Court and Adjudication of Autism Cases 34:38

5M ago34:38

34:38

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.By Infectious Dose

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Episode 7: Fowl on the Play as Bird Flu Heats Up 26:48

5M ago26:48

26:48

Is bird flu’s resurgence a warning sign worth heeding? Heather digs into the science, the stakes, and what this latest avian alarm could mean for global health. Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.By Infectious Dose

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Episode 6: Vaccine Safety 5 - Too Many Too Soon? 17:12

5M ago17:12

17:12

Heather goes in-depth on why the current vaccine schedule is safe and effective for children and newborns. Infectiousdose.com Marked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.By Infectious Dose

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Episode 3: Vaccine Safety 3- Vaccines do NOT Cause Autism 17:03

5M ago17:03

17:03

In the first of several episodes on vaccine safety, Heather explains how we know vaccines are safe and do not cause autism. She provides all her sources and links in the corresponding blog post at Infectiousdose.com. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.By pathogenperspectives

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Episode 4: Vaccine Safety 4 - The Continuing Crimes of Andrew Wakefield 21:22

5M ago21:22

21:22

In the second vaccine safety episode, Heather describes how Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent science cost the world the elimination of measles and hurt children. With evidence to back it up, she goes into detail on what he did and how he still manipulates parents fears to make money. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.…

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Episode 5: The Monster That is Measles 35:32

5M ago35:32

35:32

Heather delivers the scoop on the disease caused by measles, including symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, what's in the very safe vaccines, and dangerous complications and long-term health problems of natural infection. Marked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.By pathogenperspectives

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Episode 2: Vaccine Safety 2: Other COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms 38:11

5M ago38:11

38:11

This is the original Pathogen Perspectives episode rebranded for Infectious Dose, originally published in 2020. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine platforms other than mRNA, that were in clinical trials around the world. These include self-replicating mRNA, DNA, Protein-based, Attenuated virus, Inactivated virus, Repurp…

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Episode 1: Vaccine Safety 1: mRNA COVID Vaccines Explained 25:34

5M ago25:34

25:34

This is the original Pathogen Perspectives Episode published in 2020, rebranded for Infectious Dose. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use in the US. She covers: · What is mRNA · How mRNA vaccines work · How we know they are safe · Why they cannot change your DNA · How long might immunity…

Pathogenperspectives Podcasts

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Infectious Dose

Infectious Dose

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Episode 27: Neuro Invasion - The Silent Siege of West Nile Virus 23:35

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Episode 26: Not Smarter, Just trained - How I Sort Fact from Fiction 40:09

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Episode 25 1/2: Booster Dose - New COVID Vaccine Access Explained 14:37

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Episode 25: Classroom Contagions - A Back-to-School Survival Guide 52:58

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Episode 24: No Boat Big Enough - The Rise of Vibrio Vulnificus 31:55

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Episode 23: Blood and Bone - The Battle Against Chikungunya 38:04

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Episode 22: Booster Dose - A Guided Tour Through the Infectious Dose Vaccine Safety Files 24:48

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Episode 21: Dying of Thirst - Cholera in the Age of Abundance 32:33

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Episode 20: Biting Mad - When Rabies Becomes the Reel Villain 45:46

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Episode 19: Rebooting the Mission - The Podcast is Back. Here's the Messy, Honest, Human Story Behind It 17:40

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Episode 18: A Plague Returned - Polio and the Paralysis of Progress 44:59

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Episode 17: Grill, Thrill, & Kill - A 4th of July Comedy Special (Stand-Up for Science) 21:55

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Episode 16: COVID Critical - Complacency and Consequences in an Unfinished Pandemic 1:00:13

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Episode 15: Protection, Interrupted - How Chasing Sterilizing Immunity Fails the Herd 30:05

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Episode 14: No Name, No Mercy - The Hantavirus That Killed Betsy Arakawa 1:09:29

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Episode 13: Un-Vaccinated - the Global Measles Emergency 1:06:50

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Episode 12: Vaccine Safety 8 - Expecting Protection: Building vaccine confidence for moms-to-be 49:53

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Episode 11: Close Quarters, Silent Threat - Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Dorms and Barracks 54:24

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Episode 10: Vaccine Safety 7 - Inside the Vial: the Truth About What’s Actually in Vaccines 41:19

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Episode 9: Sleeper Cells - How Anthrax Hides, Strikes, and Could One Day Heal 42:22

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Episode 8: Vaccine Safety 6 - The Vaccine Court and Adjudication of Autism Cases 34:38

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Episode 7: Fowl on the Play as Bird Flu Heats Up 26:48

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Episode 6: Vaccine Safety 5 - Too Many Too Soon? 17:12

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Episode 3: Vaccine Safety 3- Vaccines do NOT Cause Autism 17:03

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Episode 4: Vaccine Safety 4 - The Continuing Crimes of Andrew Wakefield 21:22

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Episode 5: The Monster That is Measles 35:32

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Episode 2: Vaccine Safety 2: Other COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms 38:11

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Episode 1: Vaccine Safety 1: mRNA COVID Vaccines Explained 25:34