All posts by: Meghan McCoy, MD

Is salmonella lurking in your kitchen?

Health & Beauty
By Meghan McCoy, MD on March 8, 2013 in

Is salmonella lurking in your kitchen?

Most people have had food poisoning at some point in their lives. Maybe that hamburger you ate last night was a little too rare or you missed the note that your favorite peanut butter is being recalled. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that one in six people in the US get sick every year from some foodborne illness. Medscape and the CDC took a look at what foods these sneaky bacteria and viruses were lurking in last year. Some of the biggest offenders might surprise you!

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The stomach flu, norovirus and your weapons against it

Health & Beauty
By Meghan McCoy, MD on March 1, 2013 in

The stomach flu, norovirus and your weapons against it

Every year 20 million Americans spend at least one horrendous night on the bathroom floor battling nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Call it what you want--food poisoning or the stomach flu--but your sickness may have been caused by the norovirus. For 1 in every 15 Americans this is true. Knowing how norovirus spreads and how you can avoid it can prevent anymore lonely nights spent with your head in the toilet.

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The best cough and cold medications for kids

Family & Pets
By Meghan McCoy, MD on February 25, 2012 in

Child sick in bed

Kids seem to go from one runny nose to the next. On average your child will get six to eight colds each year.. How can you help your little one feel better? The answer might surprise you. Read more

How to navigate the fish market

Kitchen & Food
By Meghan McCoy, MD on December 4, 2011 in

Woman talking to fish monger

The barrage of news reports about plastics and mercury in fish is enough to make us lose our appetite. Luckily, knowing how to shop can insure that you are putting the best quality meal on your table. ConsumerSearch has decided to help you navigate the tricky waters that populate your fish market since "75 percent of the world's fisheries are either fully exploited, overexploited, or have collapsed" according to Seafood Watch, and industrial pollution has contaminated some fish with methylmercury and other chemicals. Read more

Sex, ovulation and pregnancy: it's all about the timing.

Health & Beauty
By Meghan McCoy, MD on November 30, 2011 in

Pregnant woman in bed of roses

It's a common story, a couple decides it's time to take the big step and have kids. They stop all birth control and just try to see what happens. But after six months, still no baby. What went wrong? Read more

Home pregnancy tests: the claims, your body and the ER

Health & Beauty
By Meghan McCoy, MD on July 6, 2011 in

Woman in robe reading pregnancy test

Never mind the dizzying array of home pregnancy test products or your emotional state as you search for one that will determine your parenting fate. There's something you need to know about pregnancy test claims: They're just claims--not close to being accurate ones at that.

You know the ones that emblaze on the box: "Over 99% Accurate" and that you can get results "5 days sooner." These statements must mean that this home pregnancy test can detect 99% of pregnancies five days before your missed period, right?

Wrong. And here's why. Read more

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