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As we move into fall, you might be feeling at the top of your game — you’ve made it a priority to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and get stress under control. Last summer, you barely had a sniffle. Plus, you’re one of those people who just doesn’t get sick very often. You might be wondering: Can I skip getting a flu shot?

An epidemic of chronic diseases continues to grow in the United States; half the population — an estimated 129 million Americans — have lifelong health conditions that need continuous medical attention and limit certain daily activities.

If you’re a social media user, you may have noticed a fun new micro-trend making its way across platforms including TikTok: the art of the “hurkle-durkle.”

Although it sounds like a noise a zoo animal might make, hurkle-durkle refers to a Scottish morning ritual of lounging in bed well after your alarm has gone off. As one content creator, Kira Kosarin, says in her viral TikTok video with 3.9 million views, “Once I’ve hurkled my last durkle in a given morning, I will get up.” Countless Instagram users have since posted pictures of themselves in bed along with #hurkledurkle.

Vaccinations are a cornerstone of adult health, offering protection against multiple diseases that can affect quality of life and longevity. As we age, the immunity we gained from childhood vaccinations can wane, leaving us vulnerable to infections. Moreover, lifestyle changes, travel and age-related health changes introduce new risks that adult vaccinations can make less severe or painful.

Most people know that getting enough sleep is essential for good health. But what about getting too much sleep? Is oversleeping a thing?

The answer is yes, it is possible to get too much sleep. While sleep deprivation gets all the press, oversleeping can also be a problem. The ideal amount of sleep varies from person to person, but most experts agree adults should get 7-9 hours a night.

Guidelines on how much sleep is typical for your age group:

What is the difference between cardiovascular disease and heart disease?

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term that encompasses several heart conditions, including heart disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and peripheral artery disease.

With the flu season upon us — along with fall allergies and new strains of COVID-19 — it can be hard to tell all the symptoms apart.

Learn the differences among symptoms and why getting the flu vaccine can help keep you and those around you safe.

Is it the flu?

The symptom checker outlines differences and similarities among flu, colds, COVID-19 and seasonal allergies.