Ep 25. “No Longer Recommended?” The Politics, Science, And Stakes Of COVID19 Vaccination In Pregnancy In 2025. 

In this episode of Cocooned Health, Dr. Lydia Yarlott and Dr. Eliz Kilich sit down with infectious disease expert Dr. Flor Muñoz to explore the real-world evidence behind this decision — and why maternal vaccination may still play a vital role in protecting newborns.

We unpack:

Ep 24. Paracetamol in Pregnancy: Panic or Proof? Expert Guest: Professor Dimitri Siassakos

In this episode of Cocooned Health, Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott are joined by Professor Dimitrios Siassakos, a leading researcher in maternal-fetal medicine at UCL, to unpack the controversy surrounding paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy.

A new review published in Environmental Health has reignited debate by examining possible associations between paracetamol use and conditions such as autism and ADHD in children. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed paracetamol “is no good” for pregnant persons, sparking widespread concern online.

Together, we explore:

Note this is not direct medical advice. We aim to share knowledge but cannot be your direct healthcare professional. 

Ep. 23. Pregnancy & Travel in Latin America: Mosquito Risks, Repellent Safety, and Vaccines with Dr. Laila Woc-Colburn

Travel during pregnancy can be both exciting and daunting—especially in Latin America, where mosquito-borne infections and vaccine questions add extra layers of caution. Infectious-diseases specialist Dr. Laila Eugenia Woc-Colburn (Emory University) https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=LWOCCOL joins Cocooned Health to share the latest science and practical steps for staying safe. From Zika and dengue to repellents, vaccines, and coastal risks, we break down what every pregnant traveller and family should know.

What we cover

Ep. 23. Pregnancy & Travel in Latin America: Mosquito Risks, Repellent Safety, and Vaccines with Dr. Laila Woc-Colburn

Travel during pregnancy can be both exciting and daunting—especially in Latin America, where mosquito-borne infections and vaccine questions add extra layers of caution. Infectious-diseases specialist Dr. Laila Eugenia Woc-Colburn (Emory University) https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=LWOCCOL joins Cocooned Health to share the latest science and practical steps for staying safe. From Zika and dengue to repellents, vaccines, and coastal risks, we break down what every pregnant traveller and family should know.

What we cover

Episode 22: Do all fevers in kids need bringing down? Science, exceptions and the myths of fever in children.

It’s one of the most common worries for parents — and one of the most misunderstood. We discuss fever myths and more providing clarity and discussion

In this episode of Cocooned Health, Dr Eliz Kilich & Dr Lydia Yarlott tackle the biggest fever myths in children:

As we discuss in the episode: Note children > 1 year can tolerate fevers much more than adults and thus the fever number itself becomes less concerning than other features. In adults the normal fever ranges tends to be 37.8 -39.4 (103°F) whereas in OLDER children (over one year) this is a little higher 38 - 39.8. Note this is not a hard and fast rule and the most important feature tends to be other symptoms.

KEY EXCEPTIONS where the NUMBER MATTERS:

We unpack why other symptoms with fever tell you more than just the fever itself. 

💡 We’ll unpack what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what really matters when your child spikes a temperature.

🎧 Subscribe so as not to miss a new episode 

✨ Don’t miss this myth-busting chat that could save you a lot of late-night worry! Listen Now. And DM us on Instagram any queries and feedback

Remember this is not direct medical advice but we aim to share what we know with you and hope that it enlightens on some topics and feel free to chat about anything we discuss with your own direct healthcare professional

Ep 21. "My child has a fever - What do I do?" From Newborn to Teenager. Expert Guest: Dr Seilesh Kadambari  

Today our episode is a crucial one for all parents - it is a focus on fever in children with a focus on how fever differs based on the AGE of your child - from newborn to teenager. 

At Cocooned Health we often focus on the advice around vaccines, food and immune health, how to protect against common and rare, but serious, infections and today we dive into the commonly asked question - my child has a fever - what should I do? As co-hosts Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich we have great privilege to welcome our special guest: Dr Seilesh Kadambari who is a consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health known as GOSH. We will discuss today: understanding fever in children of different ages, the myths, when to seek medical attention, the science behind a fever with vaccinations along with insight into how specialists think about fever in your child and the evidence that supports it. 

Ep 21. "My child has a fever—what should I do?" Expert Guest: Dr Seilesh Kadambari

In this episode of Cocooned Health, co-hosts Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich are joined by Dr Seilesh Kadambari, consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and Honorary Associate Professor at UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.

Together, they explore one of the most common concerns for parents: "My child has a fever—what should I do?"

From understanding what a fever actually is and how it differs across age groups, to the science behind fevers, myths, and when to seek medical help, this episode breaks down everything you need to know. The conversation covers:

Common and serious causes of fever in children

How to tell viral from bacterial infections

What symptoms doctors look for (including rashes, joint pain, and travel history)

Fever after vaccinations

Managing fever at home safely

When prolonged fever might signal something more rare or serious

Dr Kadambari also shares insights from his own clinical experience and research, including his work on prolonged fever, COVID-19 in children, and viral infections.

A must-listen for any parent or caregiver looking to understand how doctors think about fever—and how to navigate it with confidence.

In this episode of Cocooned Health, co-hosts Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich are joined by Dr Seilesh Kadambari, consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and Honorary Associate Professor at UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.

Together, they explore one of the most common concerns for parents: "My child has a fever—what should I do?"

From understanding what a fever actually is and how it differs across age groups, to the science behind fevers, myths, and when to seek medical help, this episode breaks down everything you need to know. The conversation covers:

Common and serious causes of fever in children

How to tell viral from bacterial infections

What symptoms doctors look for (including rashes, joint pain, and travel history)

Fever after vaccinations

Managing fever at home safely

When prolonged fever might signal something more rare or serious

Dr Kadambari also shares insights from his own clinical experience and research, including his work on prolonged fever, COVID-19 in children, and viral infections.

A must-listen for any parent or caregiver looking to understand how doctors think about fever—and how to navigate it with confidence.

Part 2: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) What is the evidence for screening all pregnant women with a swab? 

One doctor would get the swab on the private system in the UK and another would not

Listen Now.

(June's Episode Re-released: Apologies we had a technical issue with this episode where it was unintentionally shortened in some apps - now resolved)

Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich discuss the two sides of the coin: To get the screening swab for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or not. The discussion revolves around why different countries have different policies. GBS is a bacteria carries by around 1 in 4 people and can cause sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis in babies when a mother who carries the bacteria (as part of her normal microflora) inadvertently transfers it to baby during delivery of her baby. It is however rare. We follow up on the previous episode with Professor Kirsty Le Doare, an expert in GBS and a leader in running the trials that will hopefully lead to a GBS vaccine for the public in the future. Thus the discussion follows:

1. What are the benefits of the swab as part of screening and if your country of residence does not offer it as routine, would the hosts consider getting it. Spoiler - one would, one wouldn't

2. What are the risk of the bacteria to the baby and what is the actual numerical risk. How many babies need to be delivered to a mum who carries the bacteria for one of the babies to actually get the disease? 

3. Are there any downsides to the antibiotics in labour for GBS given that there will be some people due to screening who get it that may not have needed it? If so is there actual proof? How to we weigh this up against the risk of severe illness to baby? 

4. What was the evidence that led to some of the differing recommendations and why can't we do a study now.

Part 2: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) What is the evidence for screening all pregnant women with a swab? 

One doctor would get the swab on the private system in the UK and another would not

Listen Now.

(Apologies we had a technical issue with this episode where it was unintentionally shortened - now resolved)

Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich discuss the two sides of the coin: To get the screening swab for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or not. The discussion revolves around why different countries have different policies. GBS is a bacteria carries by around 1 in 4 people and can cause sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis in babies when a mother who carries the bacteria (as part of her normal microflora) inadvertently transfers it to baby during delivery of her baby. It is however rare. We follow up on the previous episode with Professor Kirsty Le Doare, an expert in GBS and a leader in running the trials that will hopefully lead to a GBS vaccine for the public in the future. Thus the discussion follows:

1. What are the benefits of the swab as part of screening and if your country of residence does not offer it as routine, would the hosts consider getting it. Spoiler - one would, one wouldn't

2. What are the risk of the bacteria to the baby and what is the actual numerical risk. How many babies need to be delivered to a mum who carries the bacteria for one of the babies to actually get the disease? 

3. Are there any downsides to the antibiotics in labour for GBS given that there will be some people due to screening who get it that may not have needed it? If so is there actual proof? How to we weigh this up against the risk of severe illness to baby? 

4. What was the evidence that led to some of the differing recommendations and why can't we do a study now.