The Present Illness

In this electrifying episode of The Present Illness, Drs. Arghavan and Alyssa examine America's complicated relationship with lady voters. Our physician hosts unpack the historical struggle for women's voting rights with their characteristic wit, dissecting how gender equality at the ballot box has changed our political anatomy. Fresh from the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities conference, Alyssa shares insights on disability bias in ethics consultations and the lesser-known consequences of the Dobbs decision, while Arghavan administers a dose of "Shakira Law" that will have you hips-not-lying with laughter.The doctors' differential diagnosis includes exploration of voting barriers, political representation, and the ongoing treatment plan for a democracy that still hasn't reached gender homeostasis. This episode features a special cameo by Cesar the Llama, who demonstrates better judgment than many elected officials.Side effects may include: heightened civic awareness, spontaneous ballot-box enthusiasm, and an irrepressible urge to thank the suffragettes for their service.Thanks for listening to The Present Illness! Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @ThePresentIllnessCreditsProduction by Arghavan Salles & Alyssa BurgartEditing by Alyssa BurgartTheme Music by Joseph UphoffSocial Media by Arghavan Salles

Arghavan & Alyssa diagnose America's latest nutrition emergency as SNAP benefits face potential cuts. They dissect the economic consequences of food insecurity with surgical precision while examining the bizarre phenomenon of billionaires hoarding wealth like it's toilet paper in a pandemic.The doctors perform a thorough examination of:The alarming case of disappearing SNAP contingency funds (prognosis: sus)How cutting food assistance creates a cascade of symptoms across the economyBillie Eilish prescribes wealth redistribution to Mark ZuckerbergSide effects of this episode may include: righteous indignation, increased awareness of food insecurity, and an irresistible urge to check if your local billionaire is sharing their metaphorical sandbox.This episode may induce hunger for both nourishment and economic justice.Please, donate to your local food banks and/or volunteer your time. Not sure where how? Check out your city/county resources, or search these national databases:Feeding AmericaHunger Free AmericaNo Kid HungryFor relief from the heavy diagnosis, get a dose of joy featuring Isabel Klee and her pet dog Whimsy, who frankly demonstrate better social skills than some humans with bank accounts larger than GDP.Isabel Klee and Whimsy, the Rescue DogA woman hits the Conservative dating appsYou think scientists are hiding things from you? Have you met these losers? Resources:Mississippi Monkey HuntQuestions remain after monkeys leaving Tulane lab escapeSNAPJoyce Vance: “When did making kids go hungry become a Christian value?”Elizabeth Austin's essay: $149.57 Is Going to Have to Feed My Family Indefinitely'I don't think we fully understand who SNAP recipients are': Single mother speaks outBillionaires, Wealth Inequality & Financial StrugglesBillie Eilish Calls Out Billionaires In Room With Mark Zuckerberg: ‘Give Your Money Away’The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income TaxFACT CHECK (19:00): Thanks for listening to The Present Illness! Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @ThePresentIllnessCreditsProduction by Arghavan Salles & Alyssa BurgartEditing by Alyssa BurgartTheme Music by Joseph UphoffSocial Media by Arghavan Salles

TikTok is up for sale in America, but Arghavan and Alyssa are not into it. They discuss the implications of TikTok's potential sale and its impact on privacy and social media dynamics. They explore how social media influences relationship norms, particularly through examples of weaponized incompetence in partnerships. The conversation shifts to public health, focusing on the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for children and the challenges posed by misinformation in healthcare. They also touch on the difficulties of academic publishing and the need for accessible information for people outside the medical field.Joy this week?The Portland Frogs vs. ICE AgentsAmerican Society of Bioethics and Humanities National MeetingThanks for listening to The Present Illness! Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @ThePresentIllnessCreditsProduction by Arghavan Salles & Alyssa BurgartEditing by Alyssa BurgartTheme Music by Joseph UphoffSocial Media by Arghavan Salles

In this episode, Drs. Arghavan Salles and Alyssa Burgart dive into the world of vaccine misinformation, examining a debate between science communicators and anti-vaccine advocates. They explore how scientific illiteracy fuels dangerous health trends, including the current measles outbreak. The hosts then switch gears to discuss an evangelical pastor's claim that women should remain quiet and out of public life, highlighting how this rhetoric connects to broader political movements aimed at restricting women's rights and visibility. Looking for joy this week? They close with moments bringing them joy: viral pizza-tossing videos and humorous social media content that provides relief from today's challenging news cycle.Here is the Politico group chat article mentioned at the top of the show:https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146For those who really need to know, it was Arghavan’s mumps titer that was low when she had measles, mumps, and rubella titers checked a couple of years ago.What RFK Jr actually said about the evidence on Tylenol and autism: he will “doing the studies to make the proof”The word Arghavan was trying to think of regarding the Epstein files was discharge petition, and the representative Mike Johnson refuses to swear in is Adelita Grijalva.Here is the paper on surgical referrals Arghavan mentioned:https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/sarsons/files/sarsons_jmp_01.pdfCheck out pizza wars on Tik Tok, or if you don’t have Tik Tok, check out a few videos here on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/arghavansallesmd.medsky.social/post/3m3bp5n2rxs26Thanks for listening to The Present Illness! Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @ThePresentIllnessCreditsProduction by Arghavan Salles & Alyssa BurgartEditing by Alyssa BurgartTheme Music by Joseph UphoffSocial Media by Arghavan Salles

In this episode of "The Present Illness," hosts Arghavan Salles and Alyssa Burgart delve into the tragic story of Paloma Shemirani, a young woman whose life was cut short by misinformation and a lack of standard medical intervention. Despite being diagnosed with a treatable form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Paloma's journey was marred by her mother's influence and a series of misguided decisions that led her away from life-saving treatment. The episode explores the broader implications of medical misinformation, the role of wellness influencers, and the emotional toll on healthcare providers. Join us as we unpack this complex narrative and discuss the urgent need for accurate medical information in today's digital age.The dangerous impact of misinformation on medical decisions.The emotional burden on healthcare providers navigating misinformation.The role of social media in spreading misinformation. (It doesn't have to be this way!)What's bringing us joy this week?Hidden Talent on TikTokResources:BBC Sussex overview of Paloma’s case (Instagram)Official inquest: Inquest touching the Death of Paloma ShemiraniCancer Research UK's detailed description of “Gerson therapy”Anti-vaccine strategy: The narrative around Daisy Hildebrand’s death (the second child to die in the 2025 Texas measles outbreak) was complicated by anti-vaccine influencers like Robert Malone and the Children’s Health Defense (America’s largest anti-vaccine non-profit)Entrepreneur Media: The Wellness Industry Is Now Richer Than Big Pharma and SportsGraphic from Nini Munoz showing Big Wellness at $6.3 trillion and the global vaccine market at only in the billions at $78.5 billion.The Role of Trauma in Mothers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Beliefs and Intentions, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Volume 46, Issue 5, June 2021, Pages 526–535, https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab043 (no paywall) - - Key takeaway from this paper: Mothers with a PTSD history showed lower confidence and intent to get COVID-19 vaccines for themselves and their children, largely due to higher institutional distrust, suggesting the need for trauma-informed, trust-building vaccine messaging.Note: the deceased's father, Dr. Faramarz Shemirani, PhD, MSc, BSc, is not a medical doctor. According to their son, Gabriel, he inspired Kate Shemirani's interest in conspiracy theories.Thanks for listening to The Present Illness! Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @ThePresentIllnessCreditsProduction by Arghavan Salles & Alyssa BurgartEditing by Alyssa BurgartTheme Music by Joseph UphoffSocial Media by Arghavan Salles

In this fever dream of an episode, Arghavan and Alyssa perform a thorough examination on America's latest government shutdown drama and the wildly contagious misinformation about immigrant healthcare that's spreading faster than a hospital norovirus. They'll decode EMTALA (that's Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act), dissect proposed Medicaid cuts that would make even the Grim Reaper wince, and explore how the Affordable Care Act's subsidies are hanging on by a thread thinner than hospital coffee.The doctors also share field notes from their recent infiltration of the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting, where they witnessed pediatricians demonstrating superhuman resilience while being chronically underappreciated (seriously, these folks deserve capes). And because even physicians need a good dose of serotonin sometimes, they wrap up with a prescription for finding moments of joy in a healthcare system that often feels like it's coding.Side effects may include: sudden clarity, unexpected laughter, and an irresistible urge to fact-check your uncle's Facebook posts about immigration.Sources:KFF "1.4 million lawfully present immigrants are expected to lose health coverage due to the 2025 tax and budget law"KFF "ACA marketplace premium payments would more than double on average next year if enhanced premium tax credits expire"JAMA Network Open "Patterns in patient encounters and emergency department capacity in California, 2011-2021"AP "Looming health insurance spikes for millions are at the heart of the government shutdown"CBS "The facts behind the government shutdown debate over health care and immigrants in the US legally"NBC "GOP misleads with claim that Democrats shut down to give health care to 'illegal immigrants'"National Immigration Law Center "Fact checking immigrants, health care, and the 2025 tax and budget law"Thanks for listening to The Present Illness! Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @ThePresentIllnessCreditsProduction by Arghavan Salles & Alyssa BurgartEditing by Alyssa BurgartTheme Music by Joseph UphoffSocial Media by Arghavan Salles

The hosts tackle the contentious link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, emphasizing the need for scientific rigor over sensational claims. They explore the risks of discouraging acetaminophen for expectant mothers, warning about the potential consequences. The conversation delves into the impact of misinformation in public health, including the influence of wellness influencers and fear-based messaging. With a humorous touch, they connect historical eugenics rhetoric to contemporary discussions around disability, urging for better access to care and research funding.