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PODCAST

Infectious Dose

Infectious Dose

Infectious dose is the shot of science you need to protect yourself from misinformation. Heather McSharry, PhD, an expert in viral pathogenesis, brings her blog to the airwaves to help bridge the dangerous gap between the science of infectious diseases and public misperception. On the podcast website, infectiousdose.com, all episodes have corresponding blog posts with the information contained in the episode along with links or PDFs for all sources used. To prevent unwelcome surprises, episodes with

science life sciences

All Episodes

19:43

S2E14 In the Quiet Hours: A Year of Science and...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/04/08

One year in, Heather steps back to reflect on what this podcast has become—and what changed along the way.What started as a focus on clear, accurate science grew into something more layered: an exploration of how trust, systems, and lived experience shape the way people understand infectious disease. It also opened the door to creative storytelling, immersive formats, and conversations that challenged her own assumptions. This episode includes a few short clips from the past year—moments that

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34:35

S2E13 Inside the Suit: An immersive walk through a...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/04/01

You’re about to step inside a BSL-4 lab.Not a tour. Not an explanation. An experience. You’ll move through clearance. Suit up. Connect to air. And cross the threshold into one of the most controlled environments in the world. Inside, the work is methodical. Quiet. Precise. And everything you think you know about these labs… starts to shift. Put your headphones on. And step inside. More information and resources can be found at infectiousdose.com.

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38:41

S2E12 The Bell, the Beak, and the Mark: Plague...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/03/25

The plague doctor: a symbol of fear, medicine, and mystery. But were they really the heroes we imagine—or something more complicated?In this Outbreak After Dark episode, we explore the real history behind the iconic beaked mask. From medieval theories of “bad air” to the rise of quarantine systems and early public health policy, we follow the evolution of plague response—and the role of the doctors at its center. Along the way, we unpack: What plague doctors actually did (and didn’t do) Why their

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27:49

S2E11 The Vaccine Safety Files: Guided Tour (Systems...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/03/18

What if the biggest misunderstandings about vaccine safety aren’t just about the science—but about how the system communicates it?In this updated guided tour of the Vaccine Safety Series, Heather maps the episodes that break down how vaccines are tested, monitored, and evaluated—and where communication and institutional failures have contributed to confusion and mistrust. This episode is designed to help you navigate the series—whether you’re new, revisiting key topics, or looking for the right

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60:34

S2E10 Upstream of Misinformation: Mark Ungrin on...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/03/11

When we talk about misinformation in public health, we usually imagine social media, conspiracy theories, or individuals misunderstanding science. But what if some of the most influential misinformation starts somewhere else? In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather speaks with biomedical researcher Dr. Mark Ungrin about how scientific ideas move through institutional systems and why correcting errors can be surprisingly difficult once they become embedded in policy. They discuss: Why “human

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50:06

S2E9 Under the Skin: The Evolving Story of Mpox

Infectious Dose ·

2026/03/04

Mpox isn’t just a headline from 2022.In this episode, we explore what scientists have learned about mpox since the global outbreak — from how the virus moves through the body to why its lesions can be so painful. We break down the biology of orthopoxviruses, the surprising role of human immune enzymes in shaping viral evolution, and the emergence of a new lineage known as clade Ib that researchers are watching closely. We also look at the bigger picture: wildlife reservoirs, genomic surveillance,

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48:54

S2E8 Love Bites: Microbes That Hijack Affection

Infectious Dose ·

2026/02/25

What if attraction isn’t entirely yours? In this Outbreak After Dark episode, Heather, Kate, and Sam gather around the campfire to explore the parasites, fungi, and viruses that manipulate behavior in the name of survival. We’re talking:Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that dampens rodents’ fear of cats The lancet liver fluke, which turns ants into grazing bait Ophiocordyceps, the real-life “zombie ant” fungus Baculoviruses that liquefy caterpillars from the treetops Hairworms that drive crickets

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35:27

S2E7 At the Edge of Spillover: The Nipah Paradox

Infectious Dose ·

2026/02/18

Nipah virus scares virologists, and for good reason. It infects endothelial cells and neurons. It can cause fatal encephalitis. It spreads from bats to humans, and sometimes between people. So why does it keep burning out? In this episode of Infectious Dose, we examine:Henipavirus biology and receptor usage (ephrin-B2/B3) Why neurotropism drives severity Why outbreaks are small but deadly Why R₀ remains low What would actually have to change for Nipah to go pandemic Why spillover keeps

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19:23

S2E6 The Syphilis Surge: Echoes of Betrayal in a...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/02/11

Syphilis is back—and it never really left. In this episode, we break down how a curable, preventable infection is resurging to cause a public health crisis across the U.S., and globally, especially among pregnant people and newborns. We unpack the science behind Treponema pallidum, the public health failures driving the crisis, and why trust in health systems is still broken—from Tuskegee to today. Plus: what you need to know about testing, treatment, and why a shot of penicillin makes all the

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3:09

On Silence, Science, and Complicity: A Statement From...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/02/06

This short, standalone episode is a statement of ethics.It explains why this podcast will not remain silent in the face of state violence, the dismantling of public health, and the normalization of harm against vulnerable people. It clarifies the ethical boundaries that guide the work behind Infectious Dose: that science is for everyone, but cruelty, authoritarianism, and the protection of abuse are not neutral positions. This episode is not a scientific explainer and not an invitation to debate

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23:17

S2E5 RSV: Symptoms, Spread, and Prevention

Infectious Dose ·

2026/02/04

RSV is one of the most common respiratory viruses — and a leading cause of hospitalization in young children worldwide. In this solo episode, I explain what RSV is, how it spreads, and what illness typically looks like in babies, children, and adults. We cover when RSV can be managed at home, how to recognize breathing-related red flags, when to go to the ER or call an ambulance, and what supportive care actually helps. The episode also looks at the current RSV landscape, including rising cases in

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41:57

S2E4 Eight Legs, Endless Fear: Spiders and the Skin...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/01/28

Spiders inspire some of our deepest fears—but are they actually as dangerous as we think? In this Outbreak After Dark episode, Heather, Sam, and Kate dig into the real science behind spiders, venom, and so-called “spider bites,” separating evidence from exaggeration. Along the way, they unpack persistent myths, medical misattribution, and why spiders loom so large in outbreak lore—despite rarely being the culprit. Creepy? Yes. Deadly? Usually not. Welcome to Outbreak After Dark.Editor's Note: While

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76:56

S2E3 From Spillover to Weapons: A Conversation with...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/01/21

What are biological weapons—and what are they not? In this episode, Heather is joined by bio-risk consultant and biodefense researcher Conor Browne for a grounded, reality-based conversation about biological weapons, biodefense, and why public discourse around these topics so often goes wrong. Together, they unpack what actually defines a biological weapon, why intent and delivery matter, and how real historical programs differ from the conspiratorial narratives dominating social media and politics

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33:35

S2E2 The Right Stuff for Texas? An Interview with...

Infectious Dose ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather McSharry talks with Terry Virts—retired NASA astronaut, Air Force colonel, and candidate for Congress in Texas—about what happens when leadership ignores science.Drawing on his experience in aviation, spaceflight, and risk analysis, Terry discusses the real-world consequences of sidelining evidence in public health, climate, and emergency preparedness. The conversation covers COVID-era misinformation, vaccines, measles outbreaks, healthcare access in

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24:45

S2 E1 — Seasonal, Not Safe: Influenza 2025–2026

Infectious Dose ·

2026/01/07

This week in “Seasonal, Not Safe,” we confront the truth about influenza in 2025–2026. It’s not “just the flu.” From the tragic stories of children lost to fast-moving infections, to the science of how influenza spreads, mutates, and turns deadly — this episode explores what’s really happening this season. We break down the rise of Subclade K, current global flu patterns, new U.S. vaccine policy controversies, and what makes the flu virus so evasive. Plus: how antiviral medications work, why

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13:43

Episode 43: Still Curious - A New Year's Reset...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/12/31

This New Year’s Eve episode isn’t about resolutions — it’s about a reset.In Still Curious: A New Year’s Reset (Without Resolutions), Heather reflects on a difficult year for science, public health, and trust, and makes the case for curiosity as a quieter, steadier way forward. Rather than focusing on optimism or big promises, this episode explores what it means to pause, to stay engaged without burning out, and to carry curiosity into the new year even when certainty feels loud. The episode closes

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27:31

Episode 42 - Outbreak After Dark: A Consumption...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/12/24

This month’s Outbreak After Dark is a special holiday episode — and a heavier one.In A Consumption Christmas Carol , we reimagine Dickens’ classic ghost story through the real epidemic that haunted Victorian London: tuberculosis. Long before antibiotics, TB shaped daily life, art, poverty, and policy — romanticized in parlors, devastating in tenements, and deadly across all social classes. Guided by familiar spirits of past, present, and yet to come, we trace how tuberculosis was misunderstood,

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27:57

Episode 41 - ACIP Undone: Proof, Policy, and Panic...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/12/17

Show Notes — ACIP Undone: Proof, Policy, and Panic Over a Hepatitis B VaccineThis episode unpacks everything you need to know about hepatitis B and the life-saving vaccine that helps prevent chronic liver disease and liver cancer later in life. From the biology of the virus to the science behind the birth dose, we explore how this vaccine works, why it’s given so early, and what’s at stake now that ideology is overriding evidence in U.S. vaccine policy. We also confront a dangerous shift in public

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19:38

Episode 40: Vaccine Safety 9 - The FDA Memo That...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/12/10

A leaked FDA memo sparked headlines claiming the COVID vaccine killed children — but the memo included no evidence, no data, and no scientific analysis. In today’s episode, Heather unpacks what the memo actually said, why experts across the field immediately rejected its conclusions, and how vaccine safety is truly evaluated. She explains the real risks of COVID in kids, from MIS-C to long COVID, and why misinformation from inside federal agencies threatens public trust and puts families at risk

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19:50

Episode 39: Cold Comfort - What Winter Rituals Got...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/12/03

There’s more to your favorite winter rituals than nostalgia.In this episode, we dive into how centuries of winter traditions—across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas—offered accidental protection against infectious diseases. From citrus in stockings to cloves in mulled wine, from kimchi to candlelight, we trace how ancient practices around food, air, warmth, and cleaning helped communities stay healthier in the harshest season. Learn how: Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove helped

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