Modern medicine did not just happen. It was built through centuries of trial error curiosity and a few truly astonishing breakthroughs. In this episode of Germs & Jargon, we explore the greatest medical miracles that transformed healthcare and saved billions of lives.

We begin with vaccines and how they reshaped public health prevented deadly infectious diseases and changed the course of human history. From smallpox eradication to modern mRNA vaccines we explain how immunology became one of the most powerful tools in medicine.

Next we examine antibiotics, the accidental discovery that revolutionized medicine surgery and infection control. We discuss penicillin antibiotic resistance superbugs and why antibiotics remain both lifesaving and widely misunderstood.

We then step inside the human body through the lens of medical imaging technology. We break down how MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses magnets and physics to create detailed images without radiation. We explain how CT scans or Computed Tomography are used in trauma stroke and emergency medicine. We also explore PET scans or Positron Emission Tomography and how radioactive tracers help detect cancer brain activity and metabolic disease.

Along the way we decode medical abbreviations and healthcare jargon that make medicine sound confusing and inaccessible and translate them into clear human language.

This episode is perfect for listeners interested in medical science healthcare innovation microbiology immunology and modern medical technology.

Vaccines and public health
Antibiotics and infectious disease
MRI CT scans and PET scans explained
Medical miracles that changed history
Medical abbreviations made simple
How biology physics and technology power modern medicine

Follow Germs & Jargon for science driven conversations about medicine microbes and the discoveries that shape our lives. New episodes released regularly.

Topics Covered

In this storytime episode, Dr. Miller shares a real-life medical case that starts out like any ordinary visit, but takes an unexpected turn when the patient is discovered to have Ascaris, a type of parasitic roundworm.

Through this fascinating case, you’ll hear how Ascaris worms (Ascaris lumbricoides) can quietly live inside the human body, the surprising symptoms they cause, and how doctors diagnose and treat this parasitic infection. Blending storytelling with medical insight, Dr. Miller walks us through the twists and turns of a patient encounter that shows just how strange (and squirmy) the world of human parasites can be.

You’ll learn:

• The story of a patient with an unexpected Ascaris infection

• How roundworms affect human health and spread worldwide

• What this case teaches us about infectious diseases and patient care

If you’re curious about parasites, microbiology, unusual medical cases, or the science behind worms, this episode delivers an unforgettable mix of medicine and storytelling.

In this hilarious and eye-opening episode of Germs & Jargon, we’re flipping the script with another round of Science Swap. This time, I, your friendly neighbourhood layman, take a stab at explaining the terrifying and fascinating disease known as rabies, from symptoms to transmission and treatment. Spoiler: I may not have all the facts right.

Luckily, Dr. Mark Miller, infectious disease expert, joins in to set the record straight. He breaks down the real science behind how rabies spreads, why it’s so deadly, and what modern medicine can (and can’t) do about it.

If you’ve ever wondered how much you really know about one of the most feared viruses in history, or just want to hear me get corrected in real time, this one’s for you.

🧠 Keywords: Rabies, infectious disease, virus, science podcast, microbiology, public health, zoonotic diseases, Dr. Mark Miller, Germs & Jargon, Science Swap

In this fun and enlightening episode of Germs & Jargon, we’re flipping the script in our brand-new Science Swap format! Jonathan, your curious layman host, takes a shot at explaining one of the most pressing issues in modern medicine: antibiotic resistance.

How close can he get to the real science? Enter Dr. Miller—our resident microbiologist and infectious disease expert—who will grade, correct, and clarify the explanation while dropping real, research-backed insights.

Expect laughs, learning, and a few science stumbles along the way as we explore:

• What causes antibiotic resistance?

• Why it’s a global health threat

• Misconceptions about antibiotics

• How we can all help slow resistance

If you’ve ever wondered what “superbugs” are or why your doctor won’t always prescribe antibiotics, this episode is for you.

Ever wondered if eggs really need to be refrigerated? Why astronauts don’t catch colds on the ISS? Or what connects a fungal rash on your foot to a ring on your arm? In this listener-powered episode of Germs & Jargon, Dr. Miller and Jonathan dive into your submitted questions from how fevers help your body fight back, to the surprising science behind athlete’s foot and ringworm. It's a whirlwind of microbiology, infectious disease trivia, and some myth-busting along the way.

🔬 Topics covered:

• ​Do fevers help or hurt?
• ​The cold truth about microbes on the ISS
• ​Why egg storage differs across countries
• ​Ringworm vs. athlete’s foot—same fungus, different PR

Tune in for answers, laughs, and a few “ew” moments.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this compelling episode of Germs & Jargon, we uncover the surprising infectious disease stories behind some of the most iconic celebrities: Rosie O'Donnell’s battle with a rare bacterial infection, Justin Bieber’s diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, Christopher Reeve’s struggle with chronic infections after his spinal injury, and the tragic case of Jim Henson’s fatal bacterial pneumonia.

Join us as we explore how these infectious diseases affected their lives, careers, and legacies and what their stories reveal about early symptoms, delayed treatment, and public awareness. From viral syndromes to bacterial killers, we break down the science, symptoms, and stigma behind these illnesses.

Whether you're into microbiology, celebrity health stories, or just love fascinating medical history, this episode is packed with insight, science, and storytelling.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this episode of Germs & Jargon, we’re diving deep into the brain’s worst enemies, infectious diseases! From meningitis to encephalitis, these brain-busting bugs have more tricks up their sleeves than a magician on a caffeine binge. Dr. Mark Miller and Jonathan Hope break down the science behind these neurological invaders, explaining how they affect the brain and the body. We’ll cover symptoms, treatment options, and the latest in brain infection research. It’s a topic that might make you think twice before Googling “brain fog”!

Tune in to understand the often-overlooked connection between infectious diseases and your brain, with a little humor to keep it light. It’s science with a side of snark!

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.

In this episode of Germs & Jargon, we dive into everything you need to know about West Nile virus—from how it spreads through mosquito bites, to common and severe symptoms, and the latest insights on prevention and treatment. Kicking things off with a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, co-hosts Dr. Mark Miller (infectious disease expert) and Jonathan Hope mix science and storytelling to make this important virus easier to understand. Whether you're a science nerd, a curious listener, or just wondering if that mosquito bite is something more, this episode has you covered.

Disclaimer: this podcast and its hosts and guests are delivering educational material. They are not providing professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned that you might have a medical illness, seek appropriate healthcare.