We don’t like to think about it, but germs are literally everywhere we go. We pick them up by touching door handles, gas pumps, credit and debit card readers, hand railings—and those are just the obvious places. What about everything you touch afterward?

Seeking medical care can make us feel vulnerable in more ways than one. We let our family doctors see us at our worst, so we can get back to feeling our best quickly. There’s no question that seeing a familiar face in our weakest moments is a comforting feeling.

But there are times when seeing a medical professional in-person isn’t ideal. When you need treatment for seasonal allergies, a sinus infection or nausea and the waiting room is crowded with flu patients, putting as much space between yourself and contagious illnesses is simply smart self-care.

Sometimes your medical needs don’t require you to visit a doctor in their office. Runny noses, cough, fever and much more can be treated over a mobile phone.

Nearly three-quarters of all doctor and urgent care visits could be handled safely and effectively via telehealth solutions without visiting a clinic, according to a 2015 American Medical Association study.

With telemedicine, you can have a video chat with a nurse practitioner or another qualified medical professional to diagnose and treat an array of illnesses.

As the outbreak of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus, spreads across the country, anyone can take basic steps to help avoid infection, just as they should with seasonal influenza.

University of Mississippi Medical Center infectious diseases experts and the World Health Organization (WHO) advise frequent hand-washing as a first line of defense. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water as directed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or with a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol to kill viruses that may be on your hands.

Most of us have meditated a time or two, but how about being mindful?

Just like meditation, practicing mindfulness can help improve your physical, mental and emotional health. Mindfulness is a type of meditation, with your focus being in the moment—being very aware of what you are sensing and feeling right then.

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States?

As the nation observes February as American Heart Month, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is encouraging children and adults alike to live a heart-healthy life by making necessary lifestyle changes, one step at a time.