The Return of Infectious Disease

Are you at risk? And if so, why now?

Coxiella burnetii — bacteria causing Q fever; image by the CDC

Early July, 2022 — a child woke up with sore throat and a mild fever. Normally a precocious toddler, he was strangely tired and didn’t want to eat. Of course, kids get sick all the time; bed rest and plenty of fluids sees off most ailments. But on the second day, something strange began to happen. A gray film appeared on the inside of the child’s…