Viral Load

By: Brett Bayles (a professor) / Andy Pupa (not a professor)
  • Summary

  • The disease podcast for a diseased world! Hosts: Brett Bayles (a professor) & Andy Pupa (not a professor) gleefully explore the weird and wacky world of diseases on a changing planet.
    © 2025 Viral Load
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Episodes
  • Polio Part 2: Managing Misinformation
    Jan 1 2025

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    In this episode, we tackle the dangers of celebrity-driven vaccine misinformation, focusing on figures like Alicia Silverstone, who may still be Clueless. We also explore the continued influence of Andrew Wakefield, whose discredited study sparked the anti-vaccine movement, and the legal efforts of RFK Jr.'s lawyer to challenge vaccine mandates. This episode highlights the real-world consequences of misinformation and discusses how we can fight back for the sake of public health.

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    36 mins
  • Polio Part 1: Paralysis Analysis
    Dec 17 2024

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    In this episode, we explore the concerning potential for the return of polio, a disease that once terrified the world before vaccines brought it to the brink of eradication. What's behind the recent reports of poliovirus in wastewater and isolated cases? And how do vaccine gaps, global health inequities, and misinformation play a role in its possible resurgence?

    Stay tuned next week as we dive into Polio part 2 centered around celebrity vaccine misinformation, who's trying to get the FDA to revoke the approval of polio vaccine and why we should all be investing in iron lung technology.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Hendra Virus: We can't stop here. This is bat country
    Dec 10 2024

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    Australia's got a reputation for dangerous creatures, but Hendra takes it to a whole new level. This week, we dive into the bat-sh*t crazy world of the Hendra virus—an outbreak that started in horses and quickly spread to humans in a way that’s both horrifying and weird. We’ll unpack how a bunch of flying friends with a taste for fruit can turn a quiet day in the outback into a biohazard situation. Who knew the land down under wasn’t just full of deadly snakes and spiders, but also viruses you’ve probably never heard of (until now)? Buckle up for a story of science, Aussie Slang, and the occasional galloping horse that’ll make you say, “Crikey, I need to chuck a sickie”

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    1 hr and 17 mins

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