Prevention & Wellness

Mar 15, 2021

Do Fully Vaccinated People Need to Quarantine After COVID-19 Exposure?

The CDC recently announced that fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 if they are not displaying symptoms. These new guidelines are a step towards returning to pre-COVID-19 activities.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Mar 8, 2021

What If I Get COVID-19 Between Vaccine Doses?

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines require two shots to get the most protection. But what happens if you get infected with COVID-19 between doses?

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD and Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Mar 1, 2021

Is it Safe to Donate Blood During the Pandemic?

With the safety precautions Ochsner has in place, you can feel safe when donating blood at Ochsner Blood Bank.

By Donny Dumani, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Feb 23, 2021

7 Ways to Boost Your Immune System During COVID-19

Whether it’s the common cold, the flu or COVID-19, these seven key strategies will help you boost your immune system and protect your wellness year-round.

By Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD

Prevention & Wellness

Feb 1, 2021

Ways You May Accidentally Spread COVID-19

As we continue to navigate living in a world with COVID-19, it’s important to continue to protect yourself and others.

By Ashley Alphonse, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Feb 1, 2021

When Will I Be Able to Smell Again After Having COVID-19?

Many COVID-19 patients have noticed changes in their senses and are left wondering: When will I be able to smell and taste again? Read on for the answer.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jan 29, 2021

How Long Does COVID Recovery Take?

If you suspect you have COVID-19, you may wonder how long the illness will last. While sick, what precautions should you be taking?

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jan 29, 2021

COVID-19 and Disabilities

The life-altering effects of COVID-19 have been tougher on people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders than anyone else.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Jan 26, 2021

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Transplant Patients?

As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to roll out, we know that transplant patients wait in great anticipation. Here are some of the most common questions concerning COVID-19 vaccination among the transplant community.

By Jonathan Hand, MD

Health Trends

Jan 25, 2021

How to Celebrate Mardi Gras Safely During COVID-19

Even though parades are canceled due to COVID-19, we can still find creative ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, while staying safe. Here are the safest ways you can celebrate Mardi Gras this year.

By Sarena Teng, MD

Health Trends

Jan 20, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine: Who Gets it First?

Once the COVID-19 vaccine is approved by the FDA, the vaccine can begin being distributed. However, because there will be a limited supply when the vaccine is first introduced, we can expect it will be distributed to certain groups of people first.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Jan 12, 2021

Is It Safe to Date During COVID-19?

If you're single and ready to mingle, read on for our guide to dating safely during COVID-19.

By Addy Reine, MD

Jan 5, 2021

What’s in the COVID-19 Vaccine?

For most people, it can be confusing, trying to understand what goes into a vaccine. Here is a quick guide to help you understand.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Jan 5, 2021

How Does a Pandemic End?

For a pandemic to end, the virus must reach a point where it cannot easily find hosts to catch it and spread the virus further, which is known as herd immunity. The best way to reach herd immunity is through vaccination.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Dec 15, 2020

What Are the Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

More than 37,000 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine during the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials with no significant side effects.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Food & Fitness

Dec 11, 2020

How To Safely Celebrate New Year’s During COVID-19

Making it through 2020 is a cause for celebration, but how can you celebrate the new year safely?

By Melissa Love, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Nov 30, 2020

How Are Vaccines Approved?

Learn about the many steps vaccine makers must follow before any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine, is approved in the United States.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Nov 24, 2020

A Physician's Firsthand Experience Working the Frontlines During COVID-19

Dr. Jack Heidenreich Jr. shares his story of diagnosing one of the first COVID patients in Louisiana, catching the virus himself and seeing those close to him lose their battle to it.

By Jack W. Heidenreich, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Nov 18, 2020

COVID-19 and Christmas: How to Celebrate Safely and Merrily

Regardless of how you celebrate this year, it’s essential to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Nov 11, 2020

Supporting Nonprofits During COVID-19

COVID-19 has shown us how people have stepped forward to help others in need. Here are seven ways you can support a nonprofit organization, like Ochsner, during the COIVD-19 pandemic.

By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE

Prevention & Wellness

Nov 4, 2020

COVID-19 Food Service Guidelines

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed the way we used to dine out and food service guidelines.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Oct 14, 2020

How to Safely Host Holiday Gatherings During COVID-19

Here are some things to keep in mind and some ways to celebrate the holidays safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Oct 1, 2020

Is Sore Throat a Sign of Coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, also known as the coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms that develop with COVID-19 can vary. Could a sore throat be a sign of coronavirus?

By Norman Vince Hill, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Sep 28, 2020

12-Year-Old Fully Recovers After Heart Stopped Twice from COVID-19

It was one of the scariest days of Juliet Daly's life when she had to be rushed to the hospital due to severe complications from COVID-19

Health Trends

Sep 18, 2020

Are Headaches a Sign of COVID-19?

The CDC does list headache as a possible symptom of COVID-19. Reports have shown the headaches may be present early or later within the COVID-19 infection phase. However, headaches might be less common than your typical symptoms.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Sep 1, 2020

COVID-19 and Reopening Schools

With the reopening of schools, there will be a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

By Durga Alahari, MD

Health Trends

Aug 14, 2020

Can COVID-19 Cause Strokes?

Richard Zweifler, MD, discusses with Cuong Bui, MD, what a stroke is, and the increased risk of one particular type of stroke from COVID-19.

By Cuong Bui, MD and Richard Zweifler, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Aug 8, 2020

What are the long-term effects of COVID-19?

Since the onset of COVID-19, millions of people have contracted the disease. While many have recovered, they still may face some long-term effects post recovery

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Health Trends

Aug 8, 2020

Is Vomiting a Sign of Coronavirus?

Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath and, possibly, a sore throat. But according to the CDC, vomiting may be a symptom, too.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jul 9, 2020

Don't Delay! The Importance of Scheduling Surgeries

Procedures can have a serious impact on your health. If you've had to delay care, it is time to get back on track with your care so you can get back to doing the things you love.

By Jessica Gorham, MD

Health Trends

Jul 8, 2020

COVID-19 Risk by Activity

If you are starting to venture out, participating in certain activities increases your risk of getting COVID-19. We share what activities are considered low, moderate and high.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Prevention & Wellness

Jul 6, 2020

Why Wearing Face Masks Is Important

Face masks are absolutely necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 2 wear one while in public settings.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Conditions & Treatment

Jul 1, 2020

Managing Your Diabetes Care During COVID-19

During these stressful times, diabetes cannot be put on hold. Staying connected with your Diabetes Care Team is essential.

By Katherine Cash

Health Trends

Jun 18, 2020

Can You Catch Coronavirus from Swimming?

The CDC currently states that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential risks.

By Katherine Baumgarten, MD

Health Trends

Jun 16, 2020

Coronavirus and Pets

The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is very low. However, you should treat pets like you would any other human family member and follow certain guidelines.

By Sandra A. Kemmerly, MD

Health Trends

Jun 1, 2020

A Palliative Perspective on COVID-19

As COVID-19 continues to spread and put patients in the ICU, palliative care professionals are the experts many patients and family members are seeking.

By Justin Santos and Sean Montgomery

Food & Fitness

May 28, 2020

Safe to Return: Scheduling Sports Medicine Appointments

Ochsner Sports Medicine departments are setting in place new measures to ensure you feel safe and comfortable visiting your doctor.

By Jeremy Burnham, MD

Food & Fitness

Apr 29, 2020

Facts or Fiction: Nutrition and COVID-19

There is a lot of confusing information out there regarding COVID-19 and nutrition.

Health Trends

Nov 13, 2020

5 Ways to Avoid Colds and the Flu

Simple steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting sick.

By Edith Mbagwu, MD