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Pop Quiz: Germs 101—A Crash Course for Parents

Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means your child’s chances of coming down with an illness is greatly increased. While schools are centers of learning, they are also breeding grounds for all manner of germs. However, there are ways to lessen your child’s chances of coming down with something, having to miss school due…
Tackling Mental Health Together

Establishing the West Central Florida Mental Wellness Coalition Recognizing the record number of suicide rates, substance use and opioid deaths, nearly 30 local organizations have joined forces to develop a regional mental health initiative. On June 20, BayCare CEO and President Tommy Inzina and participating leaders from other hospitals, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, government…
Working Like a Dog

Reading with Bonnie the Therapy Dog by RACHEL CHRISTIAN Cassandra Banning and Bonnie, her 10-year-old shih tzu therapy dog, have been bringing joy and happiness to people in the Plant City area for almost six years. The pair can be spotted across town visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and even Bruton Memorial Library. Unlike service animals…

Dry Eye Disease Not So Cut and Dry

by Julia King, O.D. Dry eye disease, or dry eye syndrome, is a condition that affects millions of people. Unfortunately, it often goes undiagnosed as many people don’t realize that their symptoms are caused by dry eye. Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears that are produced…
Your Skin Type Can Offer Clues for Care

Knowing your skin type isn’t always easy, but it is essential knowledge to have when seeking out solutions, skin-care products, or dermatology services. There are four main skin types: oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. While a dermatologist can help you determine your skin type, there are some simple tests you can do at home to…
Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people but thankfully is preventable. This is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the body, usually the thigh, leg, and rarely the arm. The worst complication is that the blood clot can break off and travel…