Harvard Health Content API

It’s possible for people of any age to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are sometimes symptom-free, making them easy to miss, pass along, and ignore.

Pain from gallstones (hardened, stonelike lumps of bile or other digestive fluids that block bile ducts) usually occurs in a distinct pattern. Gallstone attacks typically provoke steady, intense pain in the upper right abdomen that can radiate to the shoulder or back.

MRI contrast dye is widely used and considered safe. It helps highlight blood vessels, tumors, and other structures to improve diagnostic accuracy. Rarely, contrast dye can trigger a serious condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in people with advanced kidney disease.

Not all cases of gallstones need treatment. Many people have gallstones that never cause pain or other symptoms and can be left alone. But if gallstones cause persistent pain or other symptoms, doctors often opt to surgically remove the gallbladder.

A 2026 study suggested that women who consistently stay active throughout middle age have a significantly lower risk of dying early than peers who are inactive.

A 2026 study suggested that getting a high-dose flu shot may reduce older adults’ risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared with a standard-dose flu shot.

A 2026 study suggested that people who eat healthier plant-based diets, which prioritize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, have a lower risk of developing dementia than people who eat a plant-based diet that includes more refined grains, fruit juices, and added sugars.