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Cold and Flu

Questions and answers about the "Common Cold"; symptoms in the upper respiratory tract like sneezing, scratchy throat, and runny nose, but adults don't typically have fevers. Colds are usually caused by the rhinovirus (up to 40% of colds), or Coronaviruses (about 20%), but there are more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold. Also questions about the seasonal flu, also called "regular flu", caused mostly by Type A and Type B Influenza viruses. Flu starts with similar symptoms as a cold only it hits faster and harder and usually includes fever in adults. Although the "stomach flu" is a common term, it is not a real diagnosis. The proper medical term for stomach flu is gastroenteritis (an intestinal disease, sometimes viral but also bacterial), it is often mistaken for influenza because the flu can sometimes include vomiting and diarrhea.

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How could a common cold be spread by shaking hands with someone?

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When you have a cold, the viruses in your body and on your skin will infect your cells and start to multiply rapidly, as viruses do inside the host. Now imagine all those virions (virus particles) on your hands (which are nearly impossible to avoid without washing them first) and you shake someone's hand. The viruses, that are not actually living organisms -- just "chemicals", can be rubbed onto the hand of the other person when you shake or hold hands. All the other person needs to do to become infected, too, is to rub their nose, mouth, or eyes which moves the virions from their own hand to where they can get inside the mucous tissue cells, and they will come down with a cold, too.

Washing your hands physically rubs and washes off the virus. The soap and water loosen the particles so they can be rinsed down the drain. See the related questions below for more information about spreading a cold.

How long can a cold last?

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This will depend upon the organism that caused the infection in the first place. In cats, most upper respiratory infections are viral in origin and they tend to be cleared out by a normal healthy cat within a week.

Can only horses get the horse flu?

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Equine Influenza is a highly contageous viral disease of horses. It affects the respiratory system and can lead to secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia due to the way it breaks down the defenses of the respiratory tract. Symptoms include: sudden onset of a high fever, coughing, nasal discharge that starts clear but may become colored if a secondary bacterial infection develops, mild swelling of the lymph nodes between the jaws. Influenza is a serious concern because of the risk of secondary bacterial pneumonia which may be fatal. Horses recovering from influenza should be rested for 1 week for every day that they have a fever due to the increased risk of secondary infections.

What bird attacks and kills humans?

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Asked by Wiki User

In my opinion, I would presume that Ostriches aould attack huans due to their large size.

-DEAC

Also, the cassowary bird from Australia or new zealand has been known to hunt and kill humans who have invaded their territory. the eat fruit not meat so its not like the are killing for food just to defend land.

What causes avian influenza?

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Definition

Avian influenza is flu infection in birds. The virus that causes the bird infectin can change (mutate) to infect humans. Such mutation could start a deadly worldwide epidemic.

Alternative Names

Bird flu; H5N1

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The first avian influenza virus to infect humans occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. The epidemic was linked to chickens and classified as avian influenza A (H5N1).

Human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) have since been reported in Asia, Africa, Europe, Indonesia, Vietnman, the Pacific, and the near East. Hundreds of people have become sick with this virus. Slightly more than 60% of those who became ill have died.

The more the avian flu virus spreads, the greater the chances of a worldwide outbreak in humans. There is a tremendous concern that H5N1 poses an enormous pandemic threat.

The following people have a higher risk for developing the bird flu:

  • Farmers and others who work with poultry
  • Travelers visiting affected countries
  • Those who touch an infected bird
  • Those who eat raw or undercooked poultry meat, eggs, or blood from infected birds

Health care workers and household contacts of patients with avian influenza may also be at an increased risk of the bird flu.

The avian flu virus (H5N1) has been shown to survive in the environment for long periods of time. Infection may be spread simply by touching contaminated surfaces. Birds who were infected with this flu can continue to release the virus in their feces and saliva for as long as 10 days.

Symptoms

Symptoms of avian flu infection in humans depend on the strain of virus.

Infection with the H5N1 virus in humans causes typical flu-like symptoms, which might include:

Signs and tests

If you think you have been exposed to avian influenza, call your health care provider before your visit. This will give the staff a chance to take proper precautions that will protect them and other patients during your office visit.

Tests to identify the avian flu exist but are not widely available. A test for diagnosing strains of bird flu in people suspected of having the virus gives preliminary results within 4 hours. Older tests took 2 to 3 days.

Your doctor might also perform the following tests:

Other tests may be done to look at the functions of your heart, kidneys, and liver.

Treatment

Different types of avian flu virus may cause different symptoms. Therefore, treatment may vary.

In general, treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may make the disease less severe if you start taking the medicine within 48 hours after your symptoms start.

Oseltamivir may also be prescribed for persons who live in the same house as those diagnosed with avian flu.

The virus that causes human avian flu appears to be resistant to the antiviral medicines amantadine and rimantadine. Therefore these medications should not be used if an H5N1 outbreak occurs.

People with severe infection may need to be placed on a breathing machine. Experts recommend that persons diagnosed with avian flu be put in isolation.

Doctors recommend that people get an influenza (flu) shot to reduce the chance of an avian flu virus mixing with a human flu virus, which would create a new virus that may easily spread.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine to protect humans from the avian flu. Experts say the vaccine could be used if the current H5N1 virus starts spreading between people.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outlook depends on the severity of infection and the type of avian influenza virus that caused it. Death is possible.

ComplicationsCalling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms within 10 days of handling infected birds or traveling to an area with a known avian flu outbreak.

Prevention

At this time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has no recommendations against travel to the countries affected by H5N1 .

However, travelers should avoid visits to live-bird markets in areas with an avian flu outbreak. People who work with birds who might be infected should use protective clothing and special breathing masks. Avoiding undercooked or uncooked meat reduces the risk of exposure to avian flu and other foodborne diseases.

Current information regarding avian flu is available at www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.htm.

References

Treanor JJ. Influenza viruses, including avian influence and swine influenza. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 165.

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves First U.S. Vaccine for Humans Against the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; April 17, 2007. Release P07-68

Levin S. Zoonoses. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 349.

Hayden FG. Influenza. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 387.

Ferri FF. Avian influenza. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:section 1.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 02/01/2011

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

How is the avian flu transmitted?

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Asked by Wiki User

birds get bird flu by getting diseases from ship countries such as china.

birds get bird flu from transported birds, so your birds catch the disease

Can humans catch illnesses off dogs like gastric flu?

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In general, no - most canine diseases are specific to canines. However, there are a few diseases that dogs can transmit to humans, and these are called zoonoses. The most commonly recognized zoonosis is rabies, but other diseases including hookworms and roundworms can also be passed from dogs to humans.

What do you do when your cat has the flu?

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how young is your kitten?and how bad do you think the cold is? if it is just a little cold you might be able to fix your little baby up at home but if not and if your kiten is whizing and has mucus coming from the nose and runny eyes you need to take it to the vet.and if your kitten is younger then 3 weeks you have to keep a very close eye on it to make sure it feeds and is not getting anyworse if it does take it striaght to the vet.

and if it is older like a month in age and up it would be easier to take care of by puting a thing called "upper respiratory remedy" i get the kind for ferrets because i own ferrets aswell as cats but you could probably get it at petsmart. all you have to do is dab alittle on its chest and a very small amont right above its little nose you should porbaly put it on the bedding and not directly on the kitten if it is younger then 3 weeks i would recommend taking it to the vet first but this should help it has helped alot of kittens my family has rescued.

i hope your little baby gets better all the best.

What are the symptoms of cat flu do kittens get it?

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Yes, cats and kittens can most definitely get the flu - it can be pretty serious sometimes and fatal in kittens. Symptoms can include sneezing, runny eyes and nose and loss of appetite. A trip to the vet is highly recommmended if you suspect your pet has cat flu. It's worth noting that humans can't catch flu from cats and vice verse. There's plenty of help and information on cat flu and cat colds at http://www.CatFlu.biz

How can you prevent the spread of colds?

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Anwser; 1. Wash your hands and wash them often. The Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of 40,000 recruits who were ordered to wash their hands five times a day. The recruits cut their incidence of respiratory illnesses by 45 percent.

2. Wash your hands twice every time you wash them. When Columbia University researchers looked for germs on volunteers' hands, they found one handwashing had little effect, even when using antibacterial soap. So wash twice if you're serious about fending off colds.

3. Use this hand-drying strategy in public restrooms. Studies find a shockingly large percentage of people fail to wash their hands after using a public restroom. And every single one of them touches the door handle on the way out. So after washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use another paper towel to dry your hands, then open the door with that paper towel as a barrier between you and the handle. It sounds nuts, but it's an actual recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to protect you from infectious diseases like cold and flu.

4. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Colds are typically passed not from coughing or kissing (although those are two modes of transmission) but from hand-to-hand or hand-to-object contact, since most cold viruses can live for hours on objects. You then put your hand in or near your mouth or nose, and voilà! You're sick. Carry hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing towelettes with you and you can clean your hands anytime, even if the closest water supply is 100 miles away. It works. One study of absenteeism due to infection in elementary schools found schools using the gel sanitizer had absentee rates from infection nearly 20 percent lower than those using other hand-cleaning methods.

5. Use your knuckle to rub your eyes. It's less likely to be contaminated with viruses than your fingertip. This is particularly important given that the eye provides a perfect entry point for germs, and the average person rubs his eyes or nose or scratches his face 20-50 times a day, notes Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., author of the book The Maker's Diet.

6. Run your toothbrush through the microwave on high for 10 seconds to kill germs that can cause colds and other illnesses. You think it gets your teeth clean -- and it does. But once you're done brushing, your toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs. Sterilize it in the microwave before you use it, or store it in hydrogen peroxide (rinse well before using), or simply replace it every month when you change the page on your calendar and after you've had a cold.

7. Get a flu shot every fall. The Centers for Disease Control recommends flu shots for anyone 50 years old or older, residents of long-term care facilities, people of any age who have chronic medical problems (heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, etc.), pregnant women, and people whose immune systems have been weakened (by cancer, AIDS, or other causes). Also, people who work or live with a high-risk person should get a flu shot so they don't spread the flu. Of course, anyone who just wants to avoid the flu should also get one. Hate shots? Ask for the nasal spray vaccine.

8. Stop blaming yourself when things go wrong at work. Believe it or not, blaming yourself makes you more likely to catch a cold! At least, that's what researchers found when they studied more than 200 workers over three months. Even those who had control over their work were more likely to begin sneezing if they lacked confidence or tended to blame themselves when things went wrong. Researchers expect such attitudes make people more stressed on the job, and stress, as you know, can challenge your immune system.

9. Put a box of tissues wherever people sit. Come October, buy a 6- or 12-pack of tissue boxes and strategically place them around the house, your workplace, your car. Don't let aesthetics thwart you. You need tissues widely available so that anyone who has to cough or sneeze or blow his nose will do so in the way least likely to spread germs.

10. Leave the windows in your house open a crack in winter. Not all of them, but one or two in the rooms in which you spend the most time. This is particularly important if you live in a newer home, where fresh circulating air has been the victim of energy efficiency. A bit of fresh air will do wonders for chasing out germs.

11. Lower the heat in your house 5 degrees. The dry air of an overheated home provides the perfect environment for cold viruses to thrive. And when your mucous membranes (i.e., nose, mouth, and tonsils) dry out, they can't trap those germs very well. Lowering the temperature and using a room humidifier helps maintain a healthier level of humidity in the winter.

12. Speaking of which, buy a hygrometer. These little tools measure humidity. You want your home to measure around 50 percent. A consistent measure higher than 60 percent means mold and mildew may start to set in your walls, fabrics, and kitchen; lower than 40 percent and the dry air makes you more susceptible to germs.

13. Sit in a sauna once a week. Why? Because an Austrian study published in 1990 found that volunteers who frequently used a sauna had half the rate of colds during the six-month study period than those who didn't use a sauna at all. It's possible that the hot air you inhale kills cold viruses. Most gyms have saunas these days.

14. Inhale air from your blow-dryer. It sounds nuts, we know. But one study conducted at Harvard Hospital in England found that people who breathed heated air had half the cold symptoms of people who inhaled air at room temperature. Set the dryer on warm, not hot, and hold it at least 18 inches from your face. Breathe in the air through your nose for as long as you can -- 20 minutes is best.

15. Take a garlic supplement every day. When 146 volunteers received either one garlic supplement a day or a placebo for 12 weeks between November and February, those taking the garlic were not only less likely to get a cold, but if they did catch one, their symptoms were less intense and they recovered faster. 16. Eat a container of yogurt every day. A study from the University of California-Davis found that people who ate one cup of yogurt -- whether live culture or pasteurized -- had 25 percent fewer colds than non-yogurt eaters. Start your yogurt eating in the summer to build up your immunity before cold and flu season starts.

17. Once a day, sit in a quiet, dim room, close your eyes, and focus on one word. You're meditating, a proven way to reduce stress. And stress, studies find, increases your susceptibility to colds. In fact, stressed people have up to twice the number of colds as non-stressed people.

18. Scrub under your fingernails every night. They're a great hiding place for germs.

19. Change or wash your hand towels every three or four days during cold and flu season. When you wash them, use hot water in order to kill the germs.

20. At the very first hint of a cold, launch the following preventive blitz. Here's how:

* Suck on a zinc lozenge until it melts away. Then suck another every two waking hours. Or use a zinc-based nasal spray such as Zicam.

* Take one 250-milligram capsule of the herb astragalus twice a day until you are better.

* Cook up a pot of chicken soup.

* Roast garlic in the oven (drizzle whole clove with olive oil, wrap in tinfoil, roast for an hour at 400°F), then spread the soft garlic on toast and eat.

Studies find that all either reduce the length of time you suffer with a cold or help prevent a full-blown cold from occurring.

21. Wipe your nose -- don't blow. Your cold won't hang around as long, according to a University of Virginia study. Turns out that the force of blowing not only sends the gunk out of your nose into a tissue, but propels some back into your sinuses. And, in case you're curious, they discovered this using dye and X rays. If you need to blow, blow gently, and blow one nostril at a time.

22. Sneeze and cough into your arm or a tissue. Whoever taught us to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze got it wrong. That just puts the germs right on our hands, where you can spread them to objects -- and other people. Instead, hold the crook of your elbow over your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough if a tissue isn't handy. It's pretty rare that you shake someone's elbow or scratch your eye with an elbow, after all.

23. Don't pressure your doctor for antibiotics. Colds and flu (along with most common infections) are caused by viruses, so antibiotics -- designed to kill bacteria -- won't do a thing. They can hurt, however, by killing off the friendly bacteria that are part of our immune defenses. If you've used antibiotics a lot lately, consider a course of probiotics -- replacement troops for friendly bacteria. [ Note that these are just TIPS, you DO NOT have to do them all! ]

Can cats get sick from being outside in the cold?

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Wild cats:

wild cats ussually do not need a indoor home in the winter. THis is because they got smarter through the year and they know how to survive the winter. ussually they just find a tree or bush to live in.

Outdoor cats:

I have an outdoor cat and she stays in and outdoors. she survived outside in a hail storm/tornado and she was fine. she likes to go outside in winter but come in at night and when it gets to cold.

How do cats catchneumonia?

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In the winter if your cat is used to staying inside the house and you put it outside the cats affects will change and get a cold.

How long does a cold germ stay alive?

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In the air: 24 hrs.

On surfaces: 2 - 6 days.

Can chocolate cure the cold?

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No, it won't cure the cold, but in moderation it may make you feel less miserable (dark chocolate can irritate the stomach, so if you also have any gastrointestinal symptoms, you would be better not to try it). Chocolate has some properties that raise the mood and help you relax.

Can you eat biscuits when you have fever?

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You can, but you may not feel like eating, depending on whether your fever is a sign of having the flu. Many people, when they are ill with the flu, lose their appetite; or they have problems with nausea. Biscuits are often very heavy, and when your stomach is upset, something lighter, like toast and jam, might be easier for you to digest. But if your only symptom is fever and you have no problem with nausea, there is no reason why you can't eat a biscuit or two.

Is cranberry juice good for the flu?

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No. You cannot get the 'flu from cranberry juice.

Does eating coffee grounds help a cough?

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Why would you want to eat coffee grounds? The best thing for a cough is over-the-counter medicine like dextromethorphan or guaifenesin. The best home remedy is to mix equal portions of honey and lemon juice and sip a teaspoonful every time your throat feels ticklish!

How does caffeine affect the common cold?

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As a vasoconstrictor, caffeine narrows the blood vessels in the body. Symptoms of the common cold like nasal congestion may be temporarily relieved through the use of caffeine by reducing acute inflammation of the turbinates. Also, the stimulant effects of the drug can minimize the sedative effects of antihistamines and reduce fatigue associated with the common cold.

Why are you unable to taste food when you are having a cold?

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A large part of what is perceived as the taste of foods is really due to the sense of smell. Often a cold plugs up the nose, so you lose your sense of smell and thus that part of the taste of foods.

Can drinking too much water be bad for you?

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Yes, drinking too much water can be toxic - except it is very hard to drink too much fresh, clean water to be able to die. Normal healthy people would need to drink on the order of 20 liters per day for it to be toxic but people with some medical problems, particularly the elderly and very young, can get toxic on much lesser amounts. Also people with psychiatric disorders, most notably schizophrenia.

Drinking too much water is called polydipsia. This, as well as several other processes, can cause low blood concentrations of sodium, which is known as (dilutional) hyponatremia.

Can coffee help a cold?

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Beans are fine if you have a cold. If they're fresh, such as runner beans, then the nutrients in them will definitely help your body to fight off the pathogens. Alternatively, the heat from canned beans, such as 'Heinz Beanz', will help your mucus to work its way out of your system. Personally, I would recommend medicines, soup and onions for a cold, and wrapping up warm or snuggling in a blanket can't do any harm!

Is banana harmful in cold and cough?

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No bananas are not harmful when you have a cold. In fact, they are rich in potassium which can help combat sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. They are easy to digest and can help replenish lost electrolytes. So eat up!

I am a kid with a cold. what should I eat?

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You should probably eat Chicken Soup the most...drink lots of fluids also, like lemon water, hot tea, iced green tea, or orange juice. Don't eat or drink anything with lots of milk though! It thickens up the mucus and can make your nose even more stuffed up.

I used this for my cold once and it went away the next morning....

1. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze one half into a little shot glass. (or any other small glass you have or can find)

2. Tilt your head back and pour the juice into your mouth

3. Swallow immediately, don't swish around or keep it in your mouth.

4. It should be bitter at first, but it will go away shortly.

P.S. You should try eating spicy things, like salsa, bean soup, or gumbo, since they are spicy they make your nose run so it really clears out your nose.

I hope you feel better, kiddo! :)