Fenit Nirappil

The Washington Post

A deadly fungal infection is spreading in hospitals. Here’s what to know.

By: Fenit Nirappil, Jennifer Hassan

Here’s what to know about Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus that the CDC says “presents a serious global health threat.”

The Washington Post

Rise of deadly fungus spotlights hospital infection-control challenges

By: Dan Keating, Fenit Nirappil

On any given day, one in 31 hospital patients and one in 43 nursing home residents has an infection acquired while seeking medical care, according to the CDC.

The Washington Post

Nashville shooting exploited by right to escalate anti-trans rhetoric

By: Fenit Nirappil

Transgender people are rarely the perpetrators of mass shootings, which are overwhelmingly carried out by cisgender men, say criminal justice experts.

The Washington Post

The tragic, preventable reasons syphilis is surging among U.S. infants

By: Jenna Portnoy, Fenit Nirappil

The spike in babies born with syphilis is driven in part by the nation’s drug and homelessness crisis. The trend is especially apparent across the Sun Belt.

The Washington Post

Abortion ban states see steep drop in OB/GYN residency applicants

By: Fenit Nirappil, Frances Stead Sellers

States with abortion bans have seen a 10.5 percent drop in applicants for OB/GYN residencies from the previous year, according to new data.

The Washington Post

Masks come off in the last refuge for mandates: the doctor’s office

By: Fenit Nirappil

Some infectious-disease specialists have concluded universal masking is no longer essential in medical settings, a stark return to pre-covid life.

The Washington Post

Loneliness poses profound public health threat, surgeon general says

By: Fenit Nirappil

An advisory on loneliness from Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy calls for a collective effort to “mend the social fabric of our nation.”

The Washington Post

Amid loneliness epidemic, readers share stories of struggle and serenity

By: Fenit Nirappil, Michael Blackmon

Readers responded to the surgeon general's health advisory on loneliness by sharing poignant stories of trying to nurture connection in a fractured America.

The Washington Post

Monkeypox, now known as mpox, showing signs of return

By: Fenit Nirappil

The World Health Organization declared the mpox global health emergency over, but health officials say gay and bisexual Americans should still be on alert.

The Washington Post

Who can donate blood? What to know about FDA’s new guidelines

By: Fenit Nirappil, Teddy Amenabar, Laurie Mcginley

The Food and Drug Administration finalized guidelines for blood donations that do away with some long-standing disqualifications for gay and bisexual men.