Welcome to Outbreak After Dark , a new monthly ritual within Infectious Dose , where the science stays real but the stories get darker, weirder, and yes—sometimes just plain gross. In this Halloween premiere, Ocularium, Heather is joined by cohosts Kate and Sam, to share true “medical horror” stories about parasites that call the eye home: Loa loa , Onchocerca volvulus , Acanthamoeba , and Thelazia gulosa. 🍂 Grab your themed snacks and cider, settle by the fire, and prepare to see infectious di...
Oct 29, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 35
What if you couldn’t wake up—and your mind kept trying to lecture its way out of the dark? In this week’s Month of the Macabre episode, “The Sleep Lecture,” a neurologist begins a talk on encephalitis lethargica—the mysterious “sleepy sickness” that swept the world a century ago—only to discover she’s become part of her own subject. Based on true clinical records and modern research, this immersive narrative blurs the line between dream and science, between consciousness and coma. Listen with th...
Oct 22, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this special Month of the Macabre episode, Infectious Dose steps into gothic territory with a haunting reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven —rewritten for the age of science denial. The R@VN follows a man who built his fame on rejecting vaccines and mistrusting public health—until a disease he dismissed returns to claim him. As paralysis sets in, his smart-home AI, the Rational Autonomous Virtual Nexus (R@VN), becomes both witness and judge, speaking in clinical tones that sound increas...
Oct 15, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In 1692, the people of Salem believed the Devil walked among them. But centuries later, scientists and historians would wonder: could the culprit have been something far more earthly—a hallucinogenic fungus lurking in their daily bread? This Month of the Macabre episode of Infectious Dose examines the ergotism theory behind the Salem witch trials, blending science, history, and haunting “found tapes” that may hit too close to home. From convulsive fits and crawling skin to the toxic fungus Clavi...
Oct 08, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Step into the shoes of a 1970s CDC outbreak detective as a mysterious cluster of fatal pneumonia cases pulls you into the shadows of a crumbling city hotel. In this immersive Month of the Macabre episode, you’ll chase clues through fog-filled ballrooms and forgotten ventilation shafts, racing to stop an invisible killer before it spreads. Along the way, the case, inspired by a real investigation, reveals just how crucial—and fragile—our public health defenses can be. Pair this one with The Andro...
Oct 01, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Our public health safety net is unraveling. In this episode, we explore why infectious disease surveillance — once our invisible safety net — is quietly vanishing, and what that means for early outbreak detection. Dr. Jim Alwine breaks down common misunderstandings around gain-of-function research and explains how fear-driven narratives like the lab leak theory have warped public perception and policymaking. We also examine how recent regulatory changes are limiting the ability of U.S. scientist...
Sep 24, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Organizer–sociologist Jon Shaffer, PhD, (Defend Public Health / University of Vermont) joins Heather to talk about turning evidence into local, winnable public-health protections. We dig into why “apolitical” public health backfires, how real teams (not one-off mobilizations) build durable power, and practical, nonpartisan roles for scientists and clinicians—even if you only have an hour a month. Though this moment really deserves more from each of us. In this episode: • Why public health is inh...
Sep 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 29
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 infected. Most infections are silent, but for a small fraction, West Nile unleashes a devastating attack on the nervous system. With no proven treatments an...
Sep 10, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 28
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.
Sep 03, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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.
Aug 28, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 26
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 welc...
Aug 27, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 25
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...
Aug 20, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 24
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...
Aug 13, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 23
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 overh...
Aug 06, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 22
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...
Jul 30, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 21
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 ...
Jul 23, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
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.
Jul 16, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 19
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 faile...
Jul 09, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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, & K...
Jul 02, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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, underreactio...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 16
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 o...
Jun 18, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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.
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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.
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This episode was updated in March 2026 to include a brief note acknowledging why vaccine decisions feel uniquely weighted during pregnancy — and why that instinct, while completely understandable, doesn't mean that caution and vaccination are in conflict. Are vaccines safe during pregnancy—and why are they recommended? In this episode, Heather explains how maternal immunization works, why certain vaccines are given during pregnancy, and how they protect both mother and baby. She walks through wh...
May 28, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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...
May 21, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 11
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.
May 14, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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.
May 07, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This episode was updated in March 2026 to include analysis of why the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is so easily misrepresented — because explaining what the court is isn't enough if we don't also explain why its structure makes it such an effective target for misinformation. What is the “vaccine court”—and what does it actually do? In this episode, Heather breaks down the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), why it was created, and how it’s often misunderstood. She explain...
Apr 30, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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.
Apr 23, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode was updated in March 2026 to include a brief note acknowledging why the childhood vaccine schedule looks alarming at first glance — and why that instinct, while completely human, doesn't reflect how the immune system actually works. Heather breaks down one of the most common concerns parents have about vaccines: the childhood schedule. Why are so many given so early? Is it too much for a baby’s immune system? In this episode, she walks through how the immune system actually works, w...
Apr 16, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 6
