Indoor air filters can harbor many types of harmful bacteria and fungi—pathogens that can be redistributed into your home environment if your filters aren’t cleaned frequently. Plus, an oft-cited COVID study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that one air-conditioned restaurant in Guangzhou, China spread COVID to three families via “strong airflow from the air conditioner.” In another study, which has not yet undergone scientific review, researchers in Oregon collected samples from inside a hospital’s HVAC system and found genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19....

RELATED: If You Bought Any of These Breads, Don’t Eat Them, Makers Say. On August 10, the FDA announced that Tiffin, Ohio-based Ballreich Snack Food Co. had recalled its Ballreich’s BAR-B-Q Potato Chips in 1.5-oz., 2.75-oz., and 7-oz. sizes. The chips, which were sold at convenience and retail stores in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, have the expiration dates 10/18/21, 10/25/21, or 11/01/21 printed on the front of the bag. For the latest recall news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter!...

RELATED: If You Notice This on Your Neck, Call Your Doctor Immediately. If you experience unexplained pain in your joints, experts say it may be useful to have your blood tested for Lyme disease. That’s because roughly half of patients with untreated or chronic Lyme experience intermittent episodes of arthritis, resulting in temporary pain and stiffness that can migrate around the body. In fact, a 1995 study in The American Journal of Medicine (AJM) found that “musculoskeletal involvement, particularly arthritis, is a common feature of Lyme disease....

RELATED: Half of People Who Did This Had No Antibodies After Vaccination, Study Says. Stress can lead to lower, slower antibody levels. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb A team of researchers at the Ohio State University (OSU) investigated the ways that psychological factors and behaviors can affect the immune system when presented with a range of vaccine types, including influenza, hepatitis B, typhoid, and pneumonia. They conducted a meta-analysis that reviewed 49 vaccine studies dating back 30 years, and confirmed that stress “impairs physical health in a variety of ways, primarily by hampering the human immune response....

READ THIS NEXT: If You Get This in the Mail, Throw It Out Immediately, Police Warn. Junk mail is a particularly annoying aspect of life, and you likely receive more than your fair share. Recently, the Sioux City Police Department in Sioux City, Iowa, issued a warning about a separate counterfeit item that residents were receiving in the mail. According to a post on the police department’s Facebook page, residents were getting stamps in their mailbox that they didn’t order....

The survey was carried out by Israeli researchers, who tested 37,469 patients, 6 percent of whom were positive for the virus. Among that infected group, 6.75 percent had asthma. However, among patients who were negative for the virus, 9.62 percent of them were asthmatic. As a result, the researchers concluded that there’s “lower COVID-19 susceptibility in patients with preexisting asthma.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) statistics, that means the 7....

According to Leann Poston, MD, a licensed physician and health expert for Invigor Medical, “trouble breathing is a sensation that you cannot take a deep breath, that your throat is closing, or that you cannot get enough air into your lungs.” In these instances, you need to go to the hospital. In milder cases, your shortness of breath could be due to temporary, non-life threatening occurrences such as exercise, anxiety, or asthma....

While a bill supporting the second round of payments has already been passed in the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is recommending the annual income cutoff be set at $40,000. “I think the people who have been hit the hardest are people who make about $40,000 a year or less,” McConnell said on July 7. Forbes reports that cap would mean about 80 million Americans would be eligible to receive a second stimulus check, according to the American Enterprise Institute....

RELATED: If You See This on Your Nails, It Could Be a Tell-Tale Sign of Diabetes. The first sip of water you take while feeling parched can be refreshing and indescribably delicious in its own way. But if you suddenly notice that glass of pure water you poured yourself from the tap or a fresh bottle tastes sweet, it could be a warning sign of diabetes. Diabetes affects how your body uses insulin, which in turn, affects how your body controls blood sugar levels, according to Medical News Today....

RELATED: Stop Using This Supplement Immediately, FDA Warns. MCT oil is a popular supplement that’s commonly added to coffee as part of a ketogenic diet—BUBS refers to the product as customers’ “favorite non-dairy creamer.” The BUBS Naturals MCT Oil Powder was pulled from the market after it was discovered that the products could be contaminated with milk. While there were no reported illnesses related to the consumption of the product at the time of the recall, the FDA cautions that “people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product....

RELATED: Unvaccinated People Are Banned From These Hotels, Starting Oct. 15. On Oct. 1, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom sent a letter to employees, stating that all U.S.-based staff and some international crew members must get vaccinated under Biden’s new mandate, as the airline company is “classified as a government contractor.” According to The Wall Street Journal, airlines do significant business with the federal government, since “they transport federal employees for work travel, have contracts with the Defense Department, and many participate in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program....

Murder hornets grow up to five centimeters long and have a wingspan of up to seven centimeters, a menacing stinger, and a large orange head, Vice reports. If you see an insect that resembles this description, officials urge you to call authorities and report the incident. Sightings of these hornets have mostly occurred in Washington state and British Columbia, but they could travel outside of these areas. If you spot one in Washington, report the sighting online via email at [email protected], or by calling 1-800-443-6684....

RELATED: If You See This in a Hot Tub, Don’t Go In, Experts Say. You may not think much of it if you see a rain drop hit the pool when you’re swimming, but it’s important to be aware of how quickly a storm can escalate, specifically when lightning and thunder are involved. Safety experts caution swimmers and pool owners that as soon as a storm turns electrical, there’s a serious risk of electrocution to anyone in the water, and the pool should be vacated with immediate effect at the first sign of the weather turning....

On March 18, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that manufacturer Genentech had recalled approximately 14,000 units of prescription drug Evrysdi. The medication, used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in children and adults, was packed in such a way that the bottles can leak and may lead to inadvertent exposure to the prescription drug via contact with skin or eyes.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb The medication subject to the recall comes in 100-mL....

If your gums bleed when you brush, the standard recommendation from the American Dental Association is to brush and floss more regularly and carefully to make sure that plaque is not having a chance to build up. However, a new report from the University of Washington suggests that the culprit may in fact be a vitamin C deficiency. The meta-analysis, which was published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, looked at previous studies of 15 clinical trials in six countries, involving 1,140 otherwise healthy participants....

While this is a new foray for Pinkett Smith, she explained in an interview with People that she was inspired by her kids with husband Will Smith, Willow and Jaden, and what they’ve taught her about sustainability. “What really inspired me was my kids, Willow and Jaden, who have educated me around the environment and the necessity to really shift habit in the way we consume,” the 49-year-old actor told People....

RELATED: 28 Celebrities Who Are Older Than You Thought. On Monday, Jennifer shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to her sister on Instagram.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb “My baby sister…I love you…you are and have always been my original bestie…my partner in crime, my ride or die,” she wrote. “The one who has always celebrated me in the good times and encouraged me in the tough ones. You are a brilliant, shining angel on earth with a pure heart and a genuinely beautiful soul....

McPhee, who is 36, recently admitted that she was hesitant about pursing a relationship with Foster, who is 71, mostly because of how other people would respond. “It took me a while to kind of come around to really want to have a real, serious relationship because I was very concerned with what people would think,” McPhee said during a Mar. 1 interview on Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast (via People)....

1 An Official Meeting King Charles was hosting UK Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace, after an earlier meeting with the King and Queen of Malaysia. A video clip shows the double doors of the reception room being opened and the Prime Minister escorted inside to meet the King. “Prime Minister, Your Majesty,” announced the equerry as Truss curtseyed, then stepped forward to bow and shake hands. Keep reading to learn more and see the video....

RELATED: Erin Murphy Played Tabitha on “Bewitched” See Her Now at 57. When The Bionic Woman was canceled in 1978, Wagner had no trouble finding more juicy Hollywood roles in TV series, TV movies, and films. On top of reprising her role as Sommers for three made-for-TV Bionic Woman reunion movies, she found success co-starring opposite Sylvester Stallone in Nighthawks, and starred in two popular ’80s series: Jessie and Peaceable Kingdom....