Thinking about the next pandemic is job number one for many researchers around the world. Here's a look at the World Health Organization's current list of pathogens with pandemic potential.

The United Nations established the Day of the Girl a decade ago to address issues that affect girls' rights: education, teen pregnancy, child marriage. Steady progress has been made. Then came COVID.

Two years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. Now there's talk that we may be approaching a new stage for SARS-CoV-2. Let's unpack the word "endemic."

Plus: Do kids really need masks if they've been vaccinated and had COVID? And what kind of masks should kids wear?

Antibody tests may be coming soon to a pharmacy near you. Here's what the tests reveal — and don't reveal — about you and COVID-19.

Previous versions of the coronavirus didn't transmit as easily outdoors thanks to airflow that dispersed viral particles. But what about the highly transmissible omicron variant?

The FDA-authorized tests call for a nasal swab. Some doctors are tweeting that they're doing a throat swab too — though they don't recommend this step to the public. Here's a look at the swab debate.

Vaccine and booster side effects can include fever, aches and fatigue. And this may be the first vaccine in history where people complain if they don't experience side effects, says one doctor.

Does a booster shot mean that you can go back to ... normal? Or is there still a newish kind of normal to face?

Last winter the number of flu cases was pretty low — likely a result of COVID precautions people were taking. Does that mean we have fewer antibodies — and a greater risk of catching something now?

It's happening more and more — you'll have to show proof of vaccination to enter an event or to travel. There's that flimsy paper card. And then there's the digital realm. What's the best option?

Here are questions to ask yourself — and databases to check — before making the decision to take off as the highly contagious coronavirus variant continues spreading.

It was drummed into our brains: Stay 6 feet from others! Limit close contact to 15 minutes. With the highly contagious delta variant, do we need to rethink those numbers?

People are doing it. They're telling lies to get shots that have not been authorized. What are the medical, practical and ethical implications?

The CDC has reversed its position that vaccinated people no longer need masks and recommends masking up again in certain settings. Does that mean grocery stores? What about roller coasters?

The updated guidance promotes vaccination for those old enough and says vaccinated children may not need masks. What about kids too young for vaccines? And as summer begins, what about vacation risks?

A World Health Organization representative just advised wearing masks after vaccination. The CDC has a different perspective. We asked public health specialists to weigh in.

Here's what we know about the effectiveness of vaccines for variants of concerns, notably the delta variant, first identified in India and now responsible for more than 20% of new U.S. cases.

While natural infection does seem to provide some immunity, studies suggest that it is short term. Vaccination, on the other hand, provides more robust immunity.

Some folks are taking their first vaccine dose in a two-dose regimen, then deciding to skip the second one altogether. Or maybe to delay it longer than suggested. Is this a bad idea?