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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.
4,331 Questions
Is there a connection of A H1N1 and global warming?
The tolerance of human swine influenza is higher and less serious in terms of danger to health than global warming. Global warming is the increase in the avergae temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation.
Swine influenza affects a vast population of the humans and clearly does not have any relation to global warming as yet.
How colds and influenza normally transmitted?
aspirated through the upper respiratory tract. Meaning you breath it in. It can also be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or eyes, but not through ingestation i.e. eating it
What is quadruple reassortant?
A quadruple reassortant is a type of influenza virus that has genetic material from four different sources. These viruses are typically found in pigs and can potentially infect humans. Quadruple reassortants are a concern for public health because they have the ability to evolve and potentially cause pandemics.
What is the generation time for the influenza virus?
Generation time has been used synonymously with the term "serial interval." Serial interval is the time from the onset of symptoms in the index case until the onset of symptoms in any secondary cases. For human seasonal influenza, the mean serial interval has been estimated as 3.6 days (95% confidence interval = 2.9-4.3 days) (Cowling BJ et al, Estimation of the Serial Interval of Influenza, Epidemiology 2009; 20(3): 344-7.
What microbe is the spanish influenza?
The flu (influenza), is caused by influenza viruses. There are three types of influenza viruses, designated Type A, B, and C. Types A and B are common types of seasonal flu in humans, while C is less frequent in humans. Influenza A is the type of flu virus which gives rise to all worldwide pandemics seen every once in a while, such as 'Spanish flu' after the First World War and 'Swine flu' H1N1/09 which we've seen recently.
Some scientists technically do not characterize viruses as living micro-organisms because they are actually sub-microscopic and do not carry out the full range of processes which define a living organism. The study of viruses (virology) is commonly categorized under microbiology (the study of micro-organisms) which can be confusing. They are completely dependent on a living host in order to replicate since they are not technically "alive" and do not have the materials and processes to do their own reproduction.
How do white blood cells fight swine flu?
White blood cells fight swine flu by recognizing the virus as foreign and launching an immune response. Some white blood cells produce antibodies that bind to the virus and target it for destruction, while others directly attack and kill infected cells. This coordinated effort helps to eliminate the virus from the body and prevent further infection.
What are some interesting facts about influenza?
- Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
- The flu virus can mutate rapidly, leading to seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics that can spread globally.
- Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Vaccination is the best way to prevent seasonal influenza.
Is the spanish influenza a plague?
The Spanish influenza was a severe worldwide flu pandemic that occurred in 1918, causing millions of deaths. While it had devastating consequences, it is more commonly referred to as a pandemic rather than a plague, as plagues are typically associated with infectious diseases that spread rapidly and cause widespread illness and death over an extended period of time.
Which type of influenza is the worst?
Influenza A is generally considered the worst type due to its ability to cause more severe illness, pandemics, and higher transmission rates compared to Influenza B and C. Influenza A viruses have more genetic variability, allowing them to rapidly evolve and potentially develop resistance to antiviral medications.
What to do if a family member has swine influenza?
If a family member has swine influenza, it's important to encourage them to rest, stay hydrated, and seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. They should also practice good respiratory hygiene by covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of the virus to others. It's advisable to follow any treatment recommendations provided by the healthcare provider.
What illnesses can a virus cause?
Viruses can cause a wide range of illnesses, including the common cold, flu, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. Viral infections can affect various systems in the body, including the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems.
Why did the spanish influenza happen?
The Spanish influenza was caused by an H1N1 virus that emerged during World War I. The close quarters of soldiers in military camps and the movement of troops around the world facilitated the rapid spread of the virus. The lack of immunity in the population and the crowded conditions in cities contributed to the severity of the pandemic.
What is the diameter of a cold virus?
They vary significantly depending on the type of virus, however, viruses are sub-microscopic and require an electron microscope to visualize and very very tiny compared to the size of bacteria.
For example:
The swine flu viruses (including Novel H1N1 2009 Swine Flu) are very similar in structure to all Influenza Type A viruses. They are also very similar in size to most viruses.
They are about 1/100th the size of bacteria. Most are "nano" size and too miniscule to be seen with a regular light microscope, so electron microscopes need to be used to visualize the virus particles.
When measured they have a diameter of 10 to 300 nanometers. The nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter, or one millionth of a millimeter.
How many different flu virus strains are there?
The truth is, no one really knows. Flu strains are mutating all of the time. Each time a flu strain mutates to act in a different way, it is given another name (if we actually discover it and can recognize that it is different). The other problem is discovery. Often, different strains act in the same way. Therefore, it isn't really important to distinguish between strains. Only strains that seem to 1) be popular in the next flu season or 2) pose a great threat to humans are actually identified.
Where does influenza occur the most?
Influenza spreads widely across the globe with outbreaks somewhere in the world at any given time. The location of the world's most concentrated number of cases can vary year to year. People who live closely together are among the hardest hit by an influenza outbreak since crowded conditions help to get the virus particles dispersed among more people who in turn disperse more. The elderly, age 65 and over, suffer the most cases in most influenza outbreaks and epidemics. The highest percentage of deaths from influenza is also in the elderly demographic group.
People should practice sanitary conditions and frequent hand washing to avoid the spread of a virus, like influenza.
How long can the Swine Flu virus survive in the air?
Most sources indicate that once in the air, the viruses would drop onto surfaces and not stay floating in the air for any length of time since they are carried in the air on respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, and the weight of the droplets would cause them to fall. We know that some viruses can stay active 2 hours or longer* on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. The time of viability of the viruses is affected greatly by the humidity in the location where they have been transferred to the surfaces. The drier the air, the shorter the time they are able to remain active and infect our cells to replicate.
From the CDC and Flu.Gov web pages:
The H1N1 virus is new. Research is being conducted to better understand its characteristics. Studies have shown that flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2 to 8 hours after being left on items like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
The UK National Health Service (NHS) says :
"The flu virus can live on a hard surface for up to 24 hours, and a soft surface for around 20 minutes."
*Different time frames are found referenced about the length of time viruses can remain viable on surfaces outside a living host. It is also often quoted that they can "live" for 24 to 48 hours on nonporous environmental surfaces and less than 12 hours on porous surfaces before becoming inert. This is being studied for the specific length of time H1N1/09 can stay active outside a host but the results of those studies are not yet back.
See also the related question section below for the question asking if swine flu is "airborne".
Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. You can also get influenza by touching a surface or object with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
What is the fatality rate for influenza?
For most forms of Influenza with no pre-existing health problems, the mortality rate is less than a quarter of a percent, or about 1 in 400. Cause of death is mostly due to respiratory failure, usually associated with secondary infections. (pneumonia etc..)
Patients with compromised immune systems, the very young and very old, are much more susceptible.
Some (rare) forms of influenza have much elevated mortality rates. Asian bird flu (H5N1) may have a mortality as high as 70%.
The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is of normal virulence at present, but its similarity in structure and origin to the 1918 pandemic flu has raised worldwide concern.
What is the called when your cough end with a whoop?
A cough that ends with a whoop is called pertussis, also known as whooping cough. This highly contagious bacterial infection causes severe coughing fits that end with a distinctive "whooping" sound as the person tries to inhale. Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis.
What shape is the common cold virus?
There are more than 200 viruses that cause the "common cold". 40% of common colds are caused by the rhinovirus. It is a member of the picornavirus family and is small, icosahedral (a 20-faced polyhedron), non-enveloped virus containing one positive RNA strand. Another type of virus that commonly causes a cold is the coronavirus, which causes approximately 20% of common colds. Coronaviruses are pleomorphic (take different forms over the life cycle), but spherical in shape with large, widely spaced club-shaped peplomers.
Who are the most common victims for influenza?
The elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of complications from influenza. These groups are considered to be the most common victims of the flu.
Does equine influenza harm horses?
Yes, equine influenza can harm horses by causing respiratory symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, and fever. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and other complications. Vaccination and good biosecurity practices are important for preventing and managing equine influenza.
Yes, pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially in older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. Prompt medical treatment is essential to prevent complications and reduce the risk of death.
