Medical Minutes with WISH-TV

Disease suppressed during the pandemic are re-emerging and behaving in really strange ways. There's a rise in RSV, adenovirus, monkeypox and hepatitis. This has scientists scratching their heads. In this week's episode I speak with Dr. Amy Beth Kressel, infectious disease specialist at Eskenazi Health, about what's behind this phenomenon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...

The CDC reports people who've rolled up their sleeves for an extra layer of protection appear to be testing positive for COVID at a higher rate compared to people who've only gotten their full dose series. Data shows 119 out of every 100,000 boosted individuals have tested positive as of the week of April 23rd. This is compared to just 56 out of 100,000 people who tested positive who are vacc...

When the pandemic hit, women across the country were forced to miss their annual mammography for fear of being infected with the coronavirus. Now, the world has opened In this week’s episode, I speak with Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter and breast cancer survivor, Sheryl Crow, along with Dr. Arlene Richardson, a nationally-recognized radiologist, about why it’s time to get back out there an...

Taking antidepressants during pregnancy has been a concern for many expectant mothers. However, a growing body of research points to evidence that may not be the case. In this episode of Medical Minutes, I speak with Kelsey Wiggs, PhD candidate at IU Bloomington who is an expert in this area of research.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/...

The first case of bird-to-human transmission of the avian influenza has been identified, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Doctors say a 40-year-old Colorado man tested positive for the virus. However, a group of experts are skeptical as to whether the case was a true bird-to-human transmission. In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Shaun Grannis, vice president of data...

The FDA is slated to ban menthol in cigarettes. A new study projects over 1 million Americans will quit smoking as a result. A majority will be Black. In this week’s episode I speak Dr. Cynthia Meneghini, physician and smoking cessation specialist at Community Health Network. She tells me about the major public health impact the menthol ban could have considering smoking is a major risk facto...

Patty Spitler is a TV icon and Indiana Broadcast Hall of Famer. She's known for her charisma, charm and brutal honesty. But there's also another side to Patty--one that she wants to welcome you into. In this week's episode, I speak with Patty about her battle with breast cancer.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...

Smoking is dangerous to begin with. But if you've ever considered lighting up while wearing a home oxygen tank, you might want to think again. When the two are in close proximity, the result can lead to a fire that is more intense and severe than others. In this week's episode of Medical Minutes, I speak with Dr. Graham Carlos, executive medical director at Eskenazi Health, who tells me about the...

We have a very special edition of Medical Minutes this week with WISH-TV's medical contributor and former Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome. In this episode Dr. Adams and I talk about the current state of the COVID pandemic, the impact it's had on mental health and the need for improved equity when it comes to access to care.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

Omicron is out and 'deltacron' is in. Scientists describe this latest variant as a marriage between delta and omicron. In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Christopher Doehring, vice president of medical affairs at Franciscan Health about what we know so far about the mutation, how fast it spreads and if we can expect another COVID surge.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...

Over 34 million people across the country have type 2 diabetes. This is equivalent to 1 in 10 and rates are set to rise. Indiana ranks as one of the top states with the highest percentages of diabetes cases. In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. John Whyte, Chief Medical Officer at WebMD about how you can take control of your type 2 diabetes and why it's possible to actually reverse it. We...

With the surge in child hospitalizations, doctors are bracing for a wave of COVID induced multi system inflammatory syndrome–a post-coronavirus condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs and kidneys. In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Colin Rogerson, Pediatrician at the Regenstrief Institute, about why this is happening, if parents should b...

COVID-19 sparked innovation in the health care industry when doctors were no longer able to see patients in person for fear of infection. So, practitioners and patients took to technology. In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Dawn Haut, CEO of Eskenazi Health Center, who tells me while pandemic fears may be fading, telehealth is here to stay.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

Deciding whether to get your child the coronavirus vaccine can be a difficult one, especially if separated parents disagree. One parent says yes to the shot. For the other parent is a hard no..So, what can couples who are no longer together do when facing this challenge? In this week's episode I speak with spoke with Dr. Heather Fretwell, psychiatrist at Eskenazi Health, who says it’s possibl...

The nation is into year three of the pandemic. However, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the end is near. So, how do we stay strong until we reach the finish line? In this week’s episode, I speak with Kimble Richardson, licensed mental health counselor at Community Health Network, who provides tips on how to hold on until the pandemic is in the past. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

The snowstorm may have passed…but not the frigid temperatures. That raises the concern about a serious medical condition: hypothermia.  In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Tyler Stepsis, medical director of the Michael and Susan Smith emergency department at Eskenazi Health about the potential deadly condition if you don’t understand the warning signs of hypothermia. See Privacy Policy a...

Another COVID-19 mutation has been identified in 26 states across the U.S. Scientists call it the BA.2 variant also known as the “stealth omicron” because it is difficult to detect with the nation’s current testing capacity. Researchers have likened it to the fraternal twin of omicron, but with one significant difference. BA.2 has 60% more mutations than omicron, which had until now the...

You've gotten vaccinated, boosted, masked and socially distanced. Still, the coronavirus found you. So, why is it when people do everything they can to avoid the virus, they still get infected? In this episode of Medical Minutes, I speak with Dr. Christopher Doehring, vice president of medical affairs at Franciscan Health, who explains. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...

A pediatric physician at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital lost his job for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 citing a religious conflict. Dr. Paul Halczenko claims aborted fetal tissue was used in the testing and development. This process, he says, goes against his Christian faith. So, was vaccine testing and development connected to aborted fetal tissue? Find out in this episode of Medica...

Doctors and researchers have been working around the clock to uncover the mysteries that remain about COVID-19. And while this past year has been marked by death and sadness, it’s also been a year of incredible progress. One Indiana scientist shares the most shocking things he's learned about COVID-19 in 2021. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/...

The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside. It’s been almost two years of loss and suffering. However, it’s also been a year of incredible strength and discovery. Parents and doctors were especially concerned about how kids would be affected by the virus. An Indiana pediatrician reveals the top three things that surprised him most about the pandemic with regards to the younger age groups...

Omicron has taken root in the U.S. Hospitalizations are on the rise across the country with nearly all beds taken up by the unvaccinated. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Paul Burton, chief medical officer at Moderna, about the future of the pandemic. We also discuss the one-year anniversary since government regulators gave emergency approval to the Moderna vaccine as well as tips to prevent...

Scientists are beginning to uncover symptoms of long-haul COVID in kids. But what should parents and caretakers look for? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Chris Bethel, a pediatrician at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, Bethel says while no patient is alike, there are common symptoms he sees in his practice. Bethel also says the anxiety and fear a child feels not knowing if they will ever be f...

Moderna’s CEO came out with a bold statement predicting existing vaccines will struggle against the omicron mutation. These remarks come at a time when virtually no evidence exists that current shots will not protect against omicron. The company is currently developing a vaccine designed specifically to target the mutation. But is Moderna moving too quickly or is this a sound measure of preca...

While some kids may tolerate shots just fine, others will be anxious and fearful. So, what can parents do to ease the fear and anxiety? In this episode, I speak with Jenna Yarnell, certified child life specialist at IU Health. Yarnell provides four key tips to prepare your child for vaccination. She also explains why transparency is key.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca...