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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
How many people died from influenza during World War 1?
An estimated 43,000 servicemen mobilized for WWI died of influenza (Crosby).
Does eating dairy cause phlegm?
sweets and softdrinks so be careful of eating them, eat them 3 times a week so that you will not have phlegm
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, foods and drinks with a cold, sweet nature contribute to phlegm and mucous-- they do this by weakening the spleen and digestive process, which in turn allows an accumulation of fluids which congest in the form of phlegm.
When did the last strain of bird flu break out?
There was a lot of worry about swine flu in 1976. In fact, the government made a vaccine and had people get vaccinated. However, there were a lot of bad side effects from the vaccine. And fortunately the swine flu never reached epidemic proportions.
Can cold viruses survive in freezing temperatures?
Yes.
A virus must have a host cell (bacteria, plant or animal cell) in which to live and make more viruses. Outside of a host cell, viruses cannot function.
So if you sneeze on a park bench, the virus will most probably die in a few minutes (depending on environmental conditions- some viruses have been known to stay alive on a park bench for up to 2 hrs), but if you sneeze on a persons face and the moist air is inhaled through your nose or mouth, or even a break in the skin, the virus has a direct pathway- from substance to substance- to pass on and thrive.
What types of cells are affected by Swine Flu?
The major cells affected by influenza viruses, including swine flu H1N1/09, are those in the respiratory system mucous tissues.
Can you catch cold from someone on antibotics?
No, if you catch a cold it is because you have been exposed to a common cold virus...being wet and cold is not a factor of catching a cold. You may become ill from exposure to the elements (hypothermia, frostbite, etc.) but you can not catch a cold without being infected by a cold virus.
Being on an antibiotic would make no difference since it would be for treating a bacterial infection. The common cold is caused by viruses and are not affected by antibiotics. Antibiotics do not prevent viral infections, but are sometimes used that way in a prophylactic measure against bacteria. However, going in public (wet or dry and cold or hot) with with a fever (indicating you are still fighting an active bacterial infection) is not a good idea for infection control.
You often hear it said that being cold can "weaken" your immune system, but that is not correct unless you are talking about the medical condition of hypothermia. Hypothermia is believed to weaken the immune systems of some people. However, feeling cold from being outside with short exposures to the cold weather with or without being wet or with or without a jacket does not produce hypothermia. Hypothermia is a medical diagnosis made by measuring the core body temperature which doesn't change in the cold without long term continued unprotected exposure to extremely low temperatures or without being fully immersed in very cold water.
When received the flu shot a nerve was hit how do you alleviate the pain?
Our arms always become sore after receiving a flu shot. This will take three or four days to subside, if not call your doctor.
Can Swine Flu mix with another virus?
Yes. In fact the way the H1N1 pandemic swine flu was formed by the mixing of a human flu virus, a bird flu virus and a swine flu virus in a pig. When two similar viruses that are infecting the same cell exchange genetic material this is known as reassortment. They go on to form a new virus.
Do you get a fever when you get dehydrated?
you do because it makes you hot so sweat is the body's way of cooling you down
It's the same germs but some survive because of 2 reasons: One, your hand is very good at retaining the bacteria that you eliminate. So if you touch the lid or part of the Hand sanitizer it'll give you bacteria. Another reason is that your hand will always have some bacteria on it, no matter how many times you try and clean your hand.
Can you have a flu shot if you are allergic to erythromycin?
In most cases, yes. However there is a small amount of residual Gentamycin in one of the nasal spray vaccines. The contents vary by manufacturer and product. The one approved for use in the US that contains Gentamycin has these ingredients:
MedImmuneThe ingredients in the Nasal Spray vaccine according to the manufacturer, MedImmune, LLC, the Maryland US based Subsidiary of London's AstraZeneca:Each 0.2 mL dose contains 106.5-7.5 FFU of the live attenuated influenza virus reassortant of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus:
["attenuated" means weakened to be non-infective]
A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)v. Each 0.2 mL dose also contains 0.188 mg/dose monosodium glutamate, 2.00 mg/dose hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, 2.42 mg/dose arginine, 13.68 mg/dose sucrose, 2.26 mg/dose dibasic potassium phosphate, 0.96 mg/dose monobasic potassium phosphate, and <0.015 mcg/mL gentamicin sulfate. The vaccine contains no preservatives.
You may need to consult your physician before you get this type of vaccine to determine if the amount of Gentamycin could cause an allergic reaction in your case.
See the related question below about ingredients in the flu vaccines (the seasonal flu vaccines are made the same way as the H1N1/09 vaccines were made, so the ingredients are the same except for the specific virus particles that vary from vaccine to vaccine.)
Why is it harder to produce a vaccine for viruses that mutate?
We create a drug which specifies to kill a certain part of the virus, however the virus changes its forms. So, the drug ends up killing the virus's competitors, which allows it to thrive more. This makes the drug useless.
Can you be exposed to H1N1 and not develop symptoms?
yes you can, H1N1 is just like the chicken pox, you can either get it really heavy or just a little cold or flu and most likely you wont get it again because you will be immune
Does hot tea help fight a cold?
There are no harmfiul; effects of ginger. Ginger is classified as a herb which have been widely used as traditional medicine or spice in many cultures throughout the world. Ginger is often referred to as a root, but it is actually an underground stem (called rhizome).
Ginger is known to have more than twelve types of anti-oxidants, making it useful for treatment of many disorders. Like other spices, it has aphrodisiac properties and is used widely for medicinal purposes. This herb contains essential oils, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, choline, folic acid, inositol, manganese, panthotenic acid, silicon, and a small amount of vitamin B3.
The medicinal uses of ginger is almost endless. If you can stomach the spiciness, it does wonders in treating many disorders.
Cold
Cough
Digestive disorder
Fatigue
Impotency (yes really)
Inflammations
Menstruation disorders
Morning sickness
Pain killer
For a cold, Cut up a small piece of ginger and boil it with a small cup of pure drinking water. Add some green tea leaves if you wish. Strain and drink when hot. Effective if you also have fever resulting from the cold. You may also drink this concoction if you feel a cold coming.
For a strong chesty cough, drink ginger juice with raw honey three to four times a day for a bad throat. It is soothing and helps clear up phlegm.
Warning! Do not give ginger juice to young children, or honey to infants!
Fresh ginger juice is very potent as it contains high levels of active enzymes and substances. Only a teaspoonful is needed to feel its efficacy in treating disorders.
More does not mean better. Ginger does contain moderate amounts of oxalate. Individuals with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones should avoid over-consuming ginger or its juice.
Why can't you get a flu shot when you have a cold?
For the best results, it is recommended that you not be ill when taking the flu shot. Take care of the cold, recover, and then get the shot. If you are noticeably ill, they may not give it to you.
There is a disease the symptoms are that your always cold it is called, hypothyroidism.
How is flu transmitted in the human body?
You can get the flu if someone around you who has the flu coughs or sneezes. You can get the flu simply by touching a surface like a telephone or door knob that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has the flu. The viruses can pass through the air and can enter your body through your nose or mouth. If you've touched a contaminated surface, they can pass from your hand to your nose or mouth.
What the best thing to eat after being sick?
Light foods such as toast, jelly, soup, crackers, you get the idea. Avoid things such as meat, spices, caffeine, alcohol and milk. If you feel a sense of nausea returning after eating, stop for a while until the nausea settles.
What are the World Health Organization's thoughts on Swine Flu?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a state of pandemic due to the H1N1/09 Swine Flu. As of late March 2010 the pandemic is still in effect and the spread of H1N1 continues in some areas of the globe. For current situation, see the related question below.
Does smoking make a cold worse?
well... depends what you means by worse, from my experience if i smoke When i have a cold. it makes the coughing worse at the time.
however, the cold itself (sneezing, head aches, runny nose) doesnt get worse. the smoking will just make the cough last longer.
so the cold may only last 4 days but the coughing will last 8 days!
my advice is, if you want to smoke whilst you have a cold. dont smoke as much as you normally would!
The scientific names for the virus strains that cause the flu are derived from the proteins on the virus capsid (coat), and usually some indication of the location from which the virus strain was first obtained or a type of known virus to which the new strain is similar, e.g., "Perth-like".
In the naming convention of viruses, the protein classifications become part of the name as in H1N1; H for the haemagglutinin and N for the neuraminidase. There are different subtypes of viruses using the H and N nomenclature, for example the H5N1 subtype is the Avian (Bird) Flu and H1N1 subtype is the Swine flu.
The common names usually are based upon where the virus was first discovered, e.g., The Hong Kong Flu, Fujian Flu, etc. or in what animal the virus is endemic, e.g., Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Horse Flu, etc.
See the related question for more information on the naming of flu viruses.
How long can Swine Flu survive on your hands?
Influenza viruses can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. If you frequently wash your hands for more than 20 seconds, and avoid touching your face, you may reduce your exposure.
Why are people more worried about Swine Flu than seasonal flu?
Swine flu is a threat you can die from it. Wash and Sanitize your hands, cough the right way, don't touch your face, and keep your germs to your self do these things to prevent swine flu. So be careful
How do people keep getting infected what the common cold virus?
because virus's are not living organisms so there is no logical way to 'kill' them, and a virus is constantly changing to there is no way to protect for all kinds of the 'common cold', its always different, YA BIG DUMMY!!!
Because...you ALL WILL DIE
LOL
