What causes increased fatigue?

Fatigue is a relative term, meaning each of us evaluate our current energy level based upon how we feel most of the time. For example, people who are very energetic and go nonstop from early morning to late at night might say they have fatigue if they felt like most of us do every day.

Despite that variation, most people do have a sense when their level of fatigue feels like something more than just being tired. If that's case, even if it lasted only seven to 10 days, it's time to call your doctor's office. Signs that your fatigue might be related to an underlying illness or infection include low grade fever, night sweats, shortness of breath or loss of appetite. Other triggers for calling your doctor might be waking up exhausted despite a good night's sleep, not feeling motivated to begin the day, or struggling to do activities that are usually easy for you. 

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Good news: Deaths due to HIV are way down

A new study cites a remarkable decline in deaths due to HIV infection, and dramatically fewer new cases of HIV infection in the US over the past decade. But there is still a long way to go before declaring victory over HIV/AIDS.

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Does lupus or arthritis affect your prognosis if you get COVID-19?

People with certain chronic conditions are at increased risk for severe COVID-19. These include a compromised immune system, which can happen for a number of reasons. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus take drugs that suppress the immune system, and new research examined the risks associated with such a situation.

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What your skin should expect when you’re expecting

During pregnancy many women experience changes in their skin, some of which can linger for some time after giving birth. Most of these changes are not cause for concern and will improve, and in some cases there are treatments available for them.

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