CDC: Get Your Flu Shot

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot?

CDC: Get Your Flu Shot

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot?

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday. With National Influenza Vaccination Week, which started  Sunday and ends Saturday, health officials aim to increase that percentage, especially since this year's season may be a bad one. Influenza—more commonly known as simply "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose. The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst flu …

• Photos (1)

Ricotta Cheese Recalled After 14 People Sickened

'Forever Cheese' brand of Frescolina ricotta cheese is being recalled after 14 people - including 1 in Pennsylvania - were sickened by listeria-type illness.

An illness that killed three people and sickened 14 in 11 states and the District of Columbia has prompted the recall of an imported ricotta salata cheese, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on its website Tuesday. Forever Cheese Inc., on Monday voluntarily recalled one lot of Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the CDC said. Ricotta salata is dry and crumbly - not the soft ricotta used in lasagna, according to a U.S. News report. Listeriosis is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be severe. One person in Pennsylvania was sickened in this case so far. The cheese was sold to distributors for retail stores and restaurants in California, Colorado, District of …

• Photos (1)

Test Your Sunscreen Savvy

Protecting yourself from skin damage is crucial.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Before you grab some sunscreen and head outside, take our true-or-false quiz based on information from the Centers for Disease Control. True or False: 1.    UVs rays are strongest during mid-to-late summer in North America. 2.   All sunscreen products are pretty much the same. 3.   You’re just a safe using last season’s leftover sunscreen rather than buying a new tube. 4.   It takes about 30 minutes for the sun’s rays to damage skin. 5.    Don’t waste sunscreen by reapplying it throughout the day. Answers: 1.    FALSE: Rays are greatest in late spring and early summer 2.   FALSE: Products have different ingredients. If your skin reacts badly to one, try another or call your doctor. …

• Photos (2)