In this hilarious and eye-opening episode of Germs & Jargon, we’re flipping the script with another round of Science Swap. This time, I, your friendly neighbourhood layman, take a stab at explaining the terrifying and fascinating disease known as rabies, from symptoms to transmission and treatment. Spoiler: I may not have all the facts right.

Luckily, Dr. Mark Miller, infectious disease expert, joins in to set the record straight. He breaks down the real science behind how rabies spreads, why it’s so deadly, and what modern medicine can (and can’t) do about it.

If you’ve ever wondered how much you really know about one of the most feared viruses in history, or just want to hear me get corrected in real time, this one’s for you.

🧠 Keywords: Rabies, infectious disease, virus, science podcast, microbiology, public health, zoonotic diseases, Dr. Mark Miller, Germs & Jargon, Science Swap

In this fun and enlightening episode of Germs & Jargon, we’re flipping the script in our brand-new Science Swap format! Jonathan, your curious layman host, takes a shot at explaining one of the most pressing issues in modern medicine: antibiotic resistance.

How close can he get to the real science? Enter Dr. Miller—our resident microbiologist and infectious disease expert—who will grade, correct, and clarify the explanation while dropping real, research-backed insights.

Expect laughs, learning, and a few science stumbles along the way as we explore:

• What causes antibiotic resistance?

• Why it’s a global health threat

• Misconceptions about antibiotics

• How we can all help slow resistance

If you’ve ever wondered what “superbugs” are or why your doctor won’t always prescribe antibiotics, this episode is for you.

Ever wondered if eggs really need to be refrigerated? Why astronauts don’t catch colds on the ISS? Or what connects a fungal rash on your foot to a ring on your arm? In this listener-powered episode of Germs & Jargon, Dr. Miller and Jonathan dive into your submitted questions from how fevers help your body fight back, to the surprising science behind athlete’s foot and ringworm. It's a whirlwind of microbiology, infectious disease trivia, and some myth-busting along the way.

🔬 Topics covered:

• ​Do fevers help or hurt?
• ​The cold truth about microbes on the ISS
• ​Why egg storage differs across countries
• ​Ringworm vs. athlete’s foot—same fungus, different PR

Tune in for answers, laughs, and a few “ew” moments.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this compelling episode of Germs & Jargon, we uncover the surprising infectious disease stories behind some of the most iconic celebrities: Rosie O'Donnell’s battle with a rare bacterial infection, Justin Bieber’s diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, Christopher Reeve’s struggle with chronic infections after his spinal injury, and the tragic case of Jim Henson’s fatal bacterial pneumonia.

Join us as we explore how these infectious diseases affected their lives, careers, and legacies and what their stories reveal about early symptoms, delayed treatment, and public awareness. From viral syndromes to bacterial killers, we break down the science, symptoms, and stigma behind these illnesses.

Whether you're into microbiology, celebrity health stories, or just love fascinating medical history, this episode is packed with insight, science, and storytelling.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this episode of Germs & Jargon, we’re diving deep into the brain’s worst enemies, infectious diseases! From meningitis to encephalitis, these brain-busting bugs have more tricks up their sleeves than a magician on a caffeine binge. Dr. Mark Miller and Jonathan Hope break down the science behind these neurological invaders, explaining how they affect the brain and the body. We’ll cover symptoms, treatment options, and the latest in brain infection research. It’s a topic that might make you think twice before Googling “brain fog”!

Tune in to understand the often-overlooked connection between infectious diseases and your brain, with a little humor to keep it light. It’s science with a side of snark!

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this episode of Germs & Jargon, we dive into everything you need to know about West Nile virus—from how it spreads through mosquito bites, to common and severe symptoms, and the latest insights on prevention and treatment. Kicking things off with a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, co-hosts Dr. Mark Miller (infectious disease expert) and Jonathan Hope mix science and storytelling to make this important virus easier to understand. Whether you're a science nerd, a curious listener, or just wondering if that mosquito bite is something more, this episode has you covered.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this special Q&A episode of Germs & Jargon, infectious disease expert Dr. Mark Miller answers listener-submitted questions on microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases. Curious about how viruses spread? Wondering about antibiotic resistance or vaccines? Dr. Miller breaks down complex topics into clear, easy-to-understand answers — with real-world insights and no complicated jargon. Whether you're passionate about science, healthcare, or just want to stay informed, this episode delivers valuable information straight from a top infectious disease specialist. Tune in and get smarter about the germs and immunity that impact your daily life!

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this episode of Germs & Jargon, we explore measles, a highly contagious viral infection that continues to cause outbreaks around the world. Dr. Miller explains the symptoms of measles, how it spreads, and important facts about MMR vaccines and immunity. Jonathan asks the everyday questions we all want answered: Is measles really that serious? Why is it making a comeback? And what should families know in 2025?

Whether you’re a parent, a health professional, or just curious about infectious diseases, this episode breaks it all down in a way that’s clear, smart, and a little funny, because science doesn’t have to be boring.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this episode of Germs and Jargon, Dr. Miller and I, Jonathan Hope, dive into the chaos that is Norovirus-nature’s fastest way to ruin dinner plans. We talk about how it spreads, why it hits like a freight train, and what you can actually do to avoid it (spoiler: wash your hands like you mean it). If you've ever wondered how one tiny virus can take down an entire cruise ship... this one’s for you.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this maiden episode, Dr. Miller (microbiologist and infectious disease expert) and Jonathan Hope (layman and wanna-be podcast host) discuss and break down the ins and outs of “Strep Throat”. We cover everything from how it is spread, why it's so common, what happens when your body tries to fight this infection, how to diagnose it and how to treat it. Whether you've had Strep Throat or just want to understand what's lurking in your throat, this is an easy-to-understand , tell-all intro to one of the most infamous germs out there.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.