Infectious Dose

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 responses—from targeted mosquito control to controversial government overreach—look like on the ground. Whether you’re a traveler, a science enthusiast, or just someone who hates mosquito bites, this is your deep dive into the past, present, and future of a virus that won’t stay put.

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 overhaul, this curated “booster dose” is perfect for new listeners, long-time followers, or anyone seeking facts they can trust. Use it to figure out which episode to listen to next or share with a friend on a quest for the truth about vaccines, who's not sure where to start.

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 isn't enough.

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 shocking Criminal Minds episode, and a host of pop culture references from Old Yeller to 28 Days Later, this episode traces how rabies bites into our deepest fears—both real and reel.

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.

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 failed, but because we stopped listening.

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, & Kill.

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, underreaction, and systemic neglect.

Because the pandemic isn’t over—we’ve just stopped talking about it.

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 on a journey through vaccine history, immunology, and public health strategy. We break down what herd immunity really is (and isn’t), why breakthrough infections aren’t failures, and how chasing an unmeasurable ideal can derail real-world protection.

Forget perfection. This episode is about what actually works: disease prevention, reduced transmission, and building public trust—one honest conversation at a time.

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.