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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
Usually tests aren't required to diagnose the H1N1/09 influenza, doctors go on the symptoms and history of potential exposure, as well as whether there is a big presence of the disease in the community at the time.
But there are tests for it. One that is more easily done in the field is a rapid test that, although easy to do and convenient, is less accurate than tests performed in the laboratory. See the related link to the CDC for information about the different tests.
When swine flu is suspected in a patient, a quick test is typically done to determine whether Type A or type B influenza is present. If the test results reveal that the patient has type A influenza, they could be infected with either a conventional flu strain or swine flu. Swine flu is diagnosed by evaluating the patient's symptoms and knowing if the person has been in contact with people known to have the condition. A definitive swine flu diagnosis is made by sending a sample to a specialized lab.
Can person develop hives after receiving the swine flue vaccine?
Hive is a form of allergic reaction, period. What this mean is that anything you are allergic to can be result in hives. So, if you just happened be allergic the the swine flu or any of the ingredients within it, then the hives you have may be the result of the vaccine. It can also be something you're exposed to at around the same time as when you got the vaccine, like new food, soap, detergents, deodorants, ect.
Is it okay to take medication after getting a regular flu shot?
If you are over 18. The NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) Aspirin (ASA, acetylsalicylic acid) can be used as an antipyretic - which means, it will help to reduce fever. Fever reducers are good to use if the fever is high, e.g., 102 F (38.89 C) or over . It is better for many people to avoid fever reducers with the lower fevers since one way for your body to fight off these viruses is to raise and keep your body temperature up over the normal temperature of 98.6 F (37 C).
For the higher grade fevers, you could use aspirin if you are otherwise able to take aspirin (see below). You could also use naproxen, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for high fevers. They are all NSAIDS and can help you feel better from aches and pains, reduce inflammation such as swollen sinuses, etc. and treat fever.
But those under age 18 should not take aspirin when they may have a virus or flu since there is a risk of Reye's Syndrome with that medication use with some viruses.
Do not mix more than one type of NSAID at a time. For example, whatever you take for fever will also provide pain relief and vice versa.
Whether you should use aspirin can also depend on what other drugs you may be taking.
Ask your pharmacist for recommendations for what analgesics, anti-inflammatory and/or fever reducer medicines would be best for you.
Should you take a hot shower for your bronchitis?
Actually (medically) not bad though it is forbidden by family members.
What infectious agent is involved in Swine Flu?
"Swine flu" is a viral infection of swine (pigs). There is evidence that this virus is the same that infected humans in the 1918 pandemic. It has been labeled the N1H1. There has been controversy that the flu now is a variant of this 1918 flu. We are not sure where it started: pigs or humans?
"Swine flu" H1N1 virus produces similar influenza-like illnesses. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue and some diarrhea and vomiting. The present H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but from person to person.
Can you get the stomach flu twice in one week?
I don't think so. Your antibodies from the first round should sustain you from it. However it could be that you were never totally over the sickness and something triggered it to come back. For example, you are not supposed to eat/drink dairy for a few days after having the bug.
Flu is caused by a virus. It is possible to get two strains of the flu in the same week. Note that you will seldom, if ever, get the 'same' flu twice, particularly that close to each other. Every cold that you get is a different strain, one of the reasons older folks don't get colds as often, they've already had the common ones!
It should also be noted that often stomach flu is actually a mis-diagnosis of food poisoning.
Also , you could feel great one day then the next terrible then good then bad the flu changes your body like that.
When was the most recent flu pandemic and how many people did it kill?
It was the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920, and it is estimated to have been responsible for approximately 80 million deaths world wide.
How did the whole swine flu thing start?
The swine flu H1N1 strain actually started in pigs, hence the name "swine flu". The first Swine flu viruses were isolated in 1930 in the United States in pigs.
It mutated to be able to cross species just like the Influenza type A, H5N1 Avian (bird) flu, but that one came from birds. Flu viruses mutate very quickly, and when they do, they can sometimes form a type of virus that can be transferred from one species to another when there is regular contact between the species in crowded conditions. It is not that common but because pigs are physiologica lly very similar to humans it makes it easier for the virus to use them in the "reassortant" (the process that combines different species' genetic material within a virus). This is what happened with the swine flu - it jumped from pigs to humans after a mutation of the virus. There have been several outbreaks of swine flu of this type among humans over the years, the most well known occurred in 1976, but it was not a widespread occurrence in most of those outbreaks.
The 2009 Swine Flu (Novel H1N1 Influenza type A) evolved similarly when the H1N1 virus strain that pigs get combined genetic material from pigs who had previously been infected by swine flu and bird flu with genetic material from a human flu virus that also ended up in the same pig (this process is called "triple reassortant"). When a person (probably a worker in a pig farm) came into close contact with the pigs who had spread that mutation of the swine-bird-human virus among the herd, the virus was picked up and the farm worker became ill from the virus. That strain of virus then became able to be passed from human to human starting with the farm worker and the epidemic began.
What is the size of the Influenza A virus subtype H2N2?
80 - 120 nanometers (.08 - .12 microns). This is why masks don't help anyone but everyone else. Masks didn't help agains the SARS virus which is 100 nano meters, meaning it's safe to say, it won't help against the swine flu either.
Can Moxifloxacin be used to treat strep throat?
Type your answer here... moxifloxacin is a 4th generation antibiotic. this antibiotic is considered to be last resort in class of antibiotics and its use is restricted in U.S.A. until life threatning bacterial infections of certain types found in patients. therefore moxifloxacin is last line treatment for certain type of bacterial infections.
it should not be taken without prescription of a senior or specialist doctor.
How many people in Samoa have died from swine flu?
Since the daily and weekly counts of cases and deaths from the swine flu, which were initially required by the CDC, WHO, and national health departments of most nations have stopped since the pandemic was declared over, there is no way to know how many now. One reason is there are still ongoing cases scattered around the world even as of fall 2012. Another reason is that it was a burden on the reporting entities to try to track and report the numbers. And a large portion of people who had swine flu had mild forms and did not go to the doctor. Their cases could not be counted. And, if no lab test were done to confirm the specific type of flu, there is no way to know for sure if each case should be included in the count or if it is another type of flu.
The treatment is the same as for other types of flu, so there is no real medical need for testing to determine what form of flu someone has in most cases. For this reason, there is no definite count possible on cases of this type of flu any more.
10 deaths according to Nz.yahoo.co.nz
Hepatitis B is an intramuscular injection, and needle length should be chosen based on the age and BMI of the patient.
What are some of the best ways to prevent the common cold?
You can't prevent a cold, except by isolating yourself from anyone and anything that carries the rhinovirus (cold virus).
What you can do is, at the first sign of a cold, take a vitamin or other food (citrus, tomatoes, etc.), or supplement, or product that is high in vitamin C. Also use throat lozenges containing zinc.
Although the efficacy of zinc as a dietary supplement for treating or preventing a cold is not yet proven to the satisfaction of the majority of scientists studying this, the majority do agree that using lozenges with zinc is effective. It is believed that the zinc in contact directly with your mucous tissues in the mouth and throat can block the attachment of the virus particles (virions) to your tissues so they can not gain entry to infect the cell.
Both vitamin C and zinc throat lozenges have been shown to reduce the severity, and possibly the duration, of colds and flu.
Why might gargling help the pain of a sore throat?
Gargling is just a method to get medicine or saline (salt water) deep into your sore throat without drowning or swallowing the solutions.
What reduces the pain is the solution used in the gargle. Usually this is a saline solution because saline is very soothing to mucous tissues and helps inflammation. See the related question below for more tips on how to get rid of a sore throat.
How do you get rid of a dog's cold?
If a dog seems to have a cold, you usually don't need to do anything. The dog's immune system will normally get rid of the cold within a few days. Provide supportive care, making sure your dog stays warm enough, has enough to drink, and does not get overly stressed.
Why does the H1N1 virus kill people?
It not only kills the healthy, but it also kills the unhealthy, injured, or badly sick. The swine flu is contagious so it can kill many other people who don't have the proper health as it does with people who do. So, it doesn't, that flu virus could kill healthy at the same time as it could kill the unhealthy.
What do you do if your gums are sore?
There are many causes. A good cleaning is a good place to start. But the cause coud also be from a crown that is bothering the gums. But only a good evaluation by a doctor can determin the cause. Feel free to call on us if you have more questions. We may be able to give better information with a web cam exam. See, Eagledentalclinic.com for contact info.
Can computer radiation give you sore throats?
Yes. That is why you need to put on sun lotion to protect the radiation rays from reaching to your face and throat.
If everyone is vacinated for the flu virus why do I need to get the shot?
Because not everyone is or can be vaccinated. Some people don't get vaccinated by choice and some can not because of medical reasons such as allergies or they may be too young.
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) teleconference archives:
"Only about a third of children aged six to 23 months received influenza vaccine during the 2005-2006 season," Dr. Jeanne Santoli, deputy director of CDC's Immunization Services Division, said during the teleconference. "Among those children, only two-thirds received the two doses of vaccine that they were recommended to receive. That means that only about a fifth of children were protected fully. Last season, 69 percent of people 65 and older reported receiving a flu shot, Santoli said.
"This is far below our national goal for this group which is 90 percent," she said.
"Among younger adults, only 37 percent of those aged 50 to 64 and 31 percent of high-risk adults 18 to 49 (such as those with respiratory problems) reported getting a flu shot," Santoli said. "In addition, only about 40 percent of health-care workers received vaccinations," she noted."
Influenza can live on objects such as a phone, pen/pencil, mouse/keyboard doorknob or a Drinking Glass for a short time.
People are usually contagious within the first 24 hours before they start showing symptoms.
Can cough lozenges truly relieve sore throats?
Yes sore throat relief lozenges have medicinal content and are good alternatives to other OTC medicines. These needs to consumed regularly throughout the day as and when you feel your throat scratchy. You get different flavours in these lozenges and tastes good while giving good relief. You should seek medical advice should these symptoms continue
How do you get over a cold fast?
rest, dring lots of fluids, and eat healthy. MAKE SURE TO WASH YOUR HANDS!
washing your hands will not help you recover from a cold but this is important as it will stop other people from catching it.
How long can a person be sick with stomach flu?
typically it is between 24-46 hours ( most often starts after 36 hours)
but can be aslong as 72 hours.
