Location:
United States
Genres:
Science Podcasts
Description:
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 limited, mild profanity are marked as explicit. *Podcast music is adapted from Heather Nova’s song, I Miss My Sky. Used with permission.
Twitter:
@pathogenscribe
Language:
English
Episodes
Episode 9: Sleeper Cells - How Anthrax Hides, Strikes, and Could One Day Heal
5/7/2025
Anthrax is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to science. Its ability to survive harsh environments and reemerge as a deadly pathogen centuries later is a biological marvel—and a global health concern. Heather covers all you want to know about anthrax from its formidable spore structure and use as a bioweapon, to its recent outbreaks and potential to transform cancer therapy.
Duration:00:42:22
Episode 8: Vaccine Safety 4 - The Vaccine Court and Adjudication of Autism Cases
4/30/2025
Heather digs in to the truth about the vaccine court and how its history of claims supports that vaccines are safe!
Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.
Duration:00:34:38
Episode 7: Fowl on the Play as Bird Flu Heats Up
4/23/2025
Is bird flu’s resurgence a warning sign worth heeding? Heather digs into the science, the stakes, and what this latest avian alarm could mean for global health.
Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.
Duration:00:26:48
Episode 6: Vaccine Safety 3 - Too Many Too Soon?
4/16/2025
Heather goes in-depth on why the current vaccine schedule is safe and effective for children and newborns. Infectiousdose.com
Marked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.
Duration:00:17:12
Episode 3: Vaccine Safety 1- Vaccines do NOT Cause Autism
4/9/2025
In the first of several episodes on vaccine safety, Heather explains how we know vaccines are safe and do not cause autism. She provides all her sources and links in the corresponding blog post at Infectiousdose.com. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.
Duration:00:17:03
Episode 4" Vaccine Safety 2 - The Continuing Crimes of Andrew Wakefield
4/9/2025
In the second vaccine safety episode, Heather describes how Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent science cost the world the elimination of measles and hurt children. With evidence to back it up, she goes into detail on what he did and how he still manipulates parents fears to make money. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.
Duration:00:21:22
Episode 5: The Monster That is Measles
4/9/2025
Heather delivers the scoop on the disease caused by measles, including symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, what's in the very safe vaccines, and dangerous complications and long-term health problems of natural infection. Marked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.
Duration:00:35:32
Episode 2: Other COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms
4/7/2025
This is the original Pathogen Perspectives episode rebranded for Infectious Dose, originally published in 2020. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine platforms other than mRNA, that were in clinical trials around the world. These include self-replicating mRNA, DNA, Protein-based, Attenuated virus, Inactivated virus, Repurposed vaccines, and virus vector vaccines. Heather discusses what each platform is and their pros and cons.
Duration:00:38:11
Episode 1: mRNA COVID Vaccines Explained
4/7/2025
This is the original Pathogen Perspectives Episode published in 2020, rebranded for Infectious Dose. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use in the US. She covers: · What is mRNA · How mRNA vaccines work · How we know they are safe · Why they cannot change your DNA · How long might immunity last · Why those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 should get vaccinated · Comparison between the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and more.
Duration:00:25:34
Episode 2: Other COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms
1/9/2021
In this episode, Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine platforms other than mRNA, currently in clinical trials around the world. These include self-replicating mRNA, DNA, protein-based, attenuated virus, inactivated virus, repurposed vaccines, and virus vector vaccines. Heather discusses: -What each platform involves -Pros and cons -Those of each type currently authorized for emergency use -Unexpected introduction to 'comedienne' Heather after a rough week.
Check out the Podcast section of Heather's website at heatherlander.com for transcripts, links, and further reading.
Duration:00:49:07
Episode 1 - COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Explained
12/28/2020
In this episode, Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use in the US. She covers:
Duration:00:28:22
Introduction to Heather Lander, PhD, and the Pathogen Perspectives Podcast
12/16/2020
Pathogen Perspectives is a podcast aimed at communicating the science of infectious diseases to the general public. We will cover topics like Ebola, vaccines, SARS2 and COVID-19. This introductory episode answers the questions, who is Heather Lander and why should you listen to this podcast.
*Podcast music is from the song I miss My Sky, by Heather Nova, and is used with permission.
Duration:00:08:26