Infectious Dose

Imagine getting sick in the 1700s—before microbes were discovered, before antibiotics, and before infection had a clear cause.

In this Outbreak After Dark episode, we explore the strange, unsettling, and sometimes surprisingly insightful treatments used to fight disease in the pre-germ theory era. From bloodletting and mercury to tobacco smoke enemas and malariotherapy, these practices reflect a time when medicine was working without seeing the real enemy.

Along the way, we also uncover the rare moments when history got it almost right—and how those moments helped shape the science we trust today.

Don't forget to sign up for my free weekly newsletter Field Notes, to continue the conversation around each episode.

Transcript and annotated citations in companion blog post at infectiousdose.com 

There’s a virus you probably already have.

Epstein–Barr virus infects nearly 95% of adults worldwide. For many, it shows up once—fatigue, a sore throat, maybe a diagnosis of mononucleosis—and then disappears.

But EBV doesn’t disappear.

It stays, establishing lifelong infection inside B cells—the very cells responsible for immune memory. Most of the time, the immune system keeps it under control. But EBV is not passive. It shifts between latency and reactivation, adapts to immune pressure, and in some cases contributes to cancer and chronic disease.

In this episode, we explore:

This isn’t just a story about a virus. It’s a story about what happens when infection never truly ends.

Want to go deeper? Field Notes is my free, weekly newsletter where I expand on one key idea from each episode. It’s not a summary—it’s a shift in perspective. Subscribe here.

Annotated citations are in the companion blog post at infectiousdose.com

Murine typhus is a flea-borne bacterial infection that continues to circulate in parts of the United States, particularly in urban and suburban environments. But it’s often missed—because its symptoms are nonspecific, its rash may be subtle or absent, and it doesn’t fit the diagnostic patterns clinicians expect.

In this episode, we explore:

This is not just an episode about typhus—it’s about how recognition fails, and what that means for the diseases hiding in plain sight.

Also in this episode, introducing Field Notes, the new, free email newsletter companion to the episodes - not a recap, but what stays with Heather after the episodes. Issues are sent mid-morning after episodes drop.

Sign up on the website if you want to receive Field Notes. 

Companion blog post with transcript and all citations is at infectiousdose.com

One year in, Heather steps back to reflect on what this podcast has become—and what changed along the way.

What started as a focus on clear, accurate science grew into something more layered: an exploration of how trust, systems, and lived experience shape the way people understand infectious disease. It also opened the door to creative storytelling, immersive formats, and conversations that challenged her own assumptions.

This episode includes a few short clips from the past year—moments that capture the range of the show, from unsettling to unexpected to quietly funny.

If you want to keep following those threads a little further, Heather is starting a free, weekly companion called Field Notes—a place to sit with one idea from each episode and see where it leads. The first issue arrives with next week's episode. 

Whether you’ve been listening from the beginning or just found your way here, thank you so much for listening. We're glad you’re here.

Companion blog post at Infectiousdose.com

You’re about to step inside a BSL-4 lab.

Not a tour.

An experience.

You’ll move through clearance.

Inside, the work is methodical. Quiet. Precise.

And everything you think you know about these labs… starts to shift.

Put your headphones on.

More information and resources can be found at infectiousdose.com.

The plague doctor: a symbol of fear, medicine, and mystery. But were they really the heroes we imagine—or something more complicated?

In this Outbreak After Dark episode, we explore the real history behind the iconic beaked mask. From medieval theories of “bad air” to the rise of quarantine systems and early public health policy, we follow the evolution of plague response—and the role of the doctors at its center.

Along the way, we unpack:

This episode also explores the emotional reality behind the mask—both in the past and in modern medicine—and asks a deeper question:

What does care look like when distance becomes necessary?

🔥 Plus: our themed Masks & Miasma snack break, with recipes and all citations in the blog post at infectiousdose.com

What if the biggest misunderstandings about vaccine safety aren’t just about the science—but about how the system communicates it?

In this updated guided tour of the Vaccine Safety Series, Heather maps the episodes that break down how vaccines are tested, monitored, and evaluated—and where communication and institutional failures have contributed to confusion and mistrust.

This episode is designed to help you navigate the series—whether you’re new, revisiting key topics, or looking for the right episode to share with someone who has questions.

Because understanding the science matters. But understanding the system matters too.

Where to go next in the Vaccine Safety Series:

👉 Too Many Vaccines Too Soon? — Understanding the childhood vaccine schedule

👉 Expecting Protection — Vaccines during pregnancy

👉 The Wakefield Story — How misinformation took hold

All citations in the blog posts at infectiousdose.com

When we talk about misinformation in public health, we usually imagine social media, conspiracy theories, or individuals misunderstanding science. But what if some of the most influential misinformation starts somewhere else?

In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather speaks with biomedical researcher Dr. Mark Ungrin about how scientific ideas move through institutional systems and why correcting errors can be surprisingly difficult once they become embedded in policy.

They discuss:

This conversation explores how misinformation can emerge from institutional processes themselves — and why understanding those systems is critical for responding more effectively to future pandemics and biological threats.

👉Dr. Ungrin's Talk: Science, Pseudoscience and Public Policy https://whn.global/science-pseudoscience-and-public-policy/

Transcript and sources at infectiousdose.com

Mpox isn’t just a headline from 2022.

In this episode, we explore what scientists have learned about mpox since the global outbreak — from how the virus moves through the body to why its lesions can be so painful. We break down the biology of orthopoxviruses, the surprising role of human immune enzymes in shaping viral evolution, and the emergence of a new lineage known as clade Ib that researchers are watching closely.

We also look at the bigger picture: wildlife reservoirs, genomic surveillance, vaccine strategies, and the global inequities that shape how outbreaks unfold.

Mpox is not the most transmissible virus, nor the most lethal. But it offers a clear window into how zoonotic diseases evolve — and what happens when global attention fades while transmission continues.

Topics covered:

See blog post at Infectiousdose.com for all citations.

What if attraction isn’t entirely yours? In this Outbreak After Dark episode, Heather, Kate, and Sam gather around the campfire to explore the parasites, fungi, and viruses that manipulate behavior in the name of survival. We’re talking:

Then we turn the lens toward humans. Do gut microbes influence mood and attraction? Are pheromones real? What happens to your microbiome when you kiss someone? (Answer: about 80 million bacteria exchange in ten seconds.)

This episode blends behavioral ecology, evolutionary strategy, fungal cautionary tales, and just enough snack-fueled chaos to keep it campfire-worthy.

Because love isn’t always sweet. Sometimes it’s optimized.

🔥 Recipes for Parasite Punch, Symbiosis Spritz, Zombie Ant Tapenade Toasts, and Courtship Clusters are available on infectiousdose.com.