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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
What are some limitations of antibiotics?
One thing is that antibiotics cannot kill viruses, as viruses are DNA structures which enter the cells in your body in order to duplicate, however antibiotics cannot enter into the cells, and can therefore not stop the virus.
How do you overcome a sickness in 1 day?
Since you have this in the categories of cold, flu and bronchitis, I assume it is one of these about which you are asking. None of these can be overcome in one day.
If it's bronchitis, which is often caused by a bacterial infection (but can also be due to viral disease), you first need to go to the doctor to find out if it is viral or bacterial in your case. If it is bacterial, you may need to be taking antibiotics, as well as possibly some medications for congestion. This bacterial infection can take quite a while (often two weeks or more, typically) to get over, and it makes you feel terrible. But, the sooner you go to the doctor and get started on the right medications and treatment, the more quickly you will get better. If it is a viral bronchitis, sometimes the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection by opportunistic bacteria. But, often the only thing to do is wait the 7 to 10 days for your immune system to kill off the viral pathogen while treating the symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines so you feel better in the meantime.
If it's a cold or the flu, both of which are caused by viruses, there is no "cure" for these, and antibiotics will also not help, since these infections are not caused by bacteria. But, your doctor may still prescribe something for you that will help ease the severity of the symptoms. If started in time, an antiviral medication, such as Tamiflu, may be helpful for symptoms of the flu and to help shorten the duration of the illness. These need to be started within 40 hours of first symptoms to begin working with maximum effect, but your doctor may decide that it would still be helpful for you to start on it after the 40 hours are up, after evaluating your condition. If it is a common cold, there are usually no antivirals or other medicines to help, other than those to treat the individual symptoms. These are usually available OTC. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations for your particular symptoms.
But, in all three of these, there are other things you can do to help yourself get over it a bit sooner, and feel better until you do:
- Drink lots of liquids
- Get plenty of rest
- Take Tylenol for pain, aches and fever
- Take meds for congestion, prescription or OTC meds approved by your doctor or pharmacist
- Take Zycam at the first sign of symptoms, which will shorten the duration of the illness
- Eat a light diet, but be sure to eat nutritiously
Wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the germs and infecting others.
If you are given antibiotics, be sure to take ALL of them as prescribed until they are gone. If you take antibiotics and then quit taking them when you begin to feel better, you can have a relapse, and you could end up sicker than you were before and then you will face the cost of more antibiotics and a longer period of illness. One hypothesis for this is that the antibiotics may kill the weaker bacteria first before the dosage builds up to the therapeutic levels in your system, so if you quit taking the antibiotics at that time, the stronger bacteria may then be able to multiply, making you sicker than you were in the beginning.
Bacteria can also become resistant to the antibiotic when you expose them to small doses of it off an on, or take the antibiotics for a shorter time period than they have been prescribed. If the bacteria can survive the smaller doses or the shorter treatment period, then they can become easily resistant so that the drug will no longer be effective in treating that type of bacterial infection. This is why you hear about the serious bacterial infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is a common bacterial organism (Staph aureus) that was once easily killed by Methicillin, but now has developed into a very resistant strain rendering Methicillin no loner effective. There are no different drugs that treat Staph A. as well as Methicillin once did. This is an example of a very serious new organism that was created by people inappropriately using antibiotics which allowed the MRSA to become resistant. Don't contribute to creating more resistant bacteria, take your medications EXACTLY as prescribed and don't stop until they are gone.
See the related questions for more related information.
Yes, a cold is a disease. It is not common practice for us to view a cold as a disease as the cold has been around for so long and doesn't appear to cause too much damage for many people unless they have underlying conditions. It is a viral disease affecting the nasal mucosa lining. Just keep googling to find more interesting facts :o)
Is the common cold the cure for something else?
The mucus is your body's defense against germs, you body needs mucus to function properly. Not only does it trap bacteria and irritants in your nasal passages, it basically keeps your stomach from digesting itself. A cold just makes your body produce more mucus.
Is a vaccine and antibiotic both given to the flu?
The flu is caused by a virus. Antibiotics don't work on viruses, they are made to kill bacteria instead. The type of medicine that is used to treat viral infections are anti-viral medicines. But, the best treatment is prevention, and that is where the vaccination comes in. Don't wait to get the flu and need treatment, instead get a flu shot so you will be immune to the virus and not get sick in the first place.
An antigen (from antibody-generating) or immunogen is a molecule that sometimes stimulates an immune response. The word originated from the notion that they can stimulate antibody generation. We now know that the immune system does not consist of only antibodies. The modern definition encompasses all substances that can be recognized by the adaptive immune system.
Antigens are usually proteins or polysaccharides.
any material usually a protein that is recognized as foreign and elicits an immune response.
What symptoms are indicative of the flu?
The earliest symptoms of the flu, also known as influenza are sneezing and coughing frequently. If someone in your household is also experiencing high temperatures,higher than that of the cold, and has a runny nose, they probably have the flu.
Can i use cifloc 500 tablets for flu?
Won't help. Colds and flus are caused by viruses. Antibiotics - like Cifloc - only work on illnesses caused by bacteria. And over-use of antibiotics - like taking Cifloc for flus and colds - is the biggest reason why strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are appearing.
Infected Countries
Mexico, USA, England, Spain, Canada, Isreal, Wales, Scotland, New Zeland
Countries That might have swine flu
Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, S. Korea, Venezualela,
Countries under obsovation
Denmark, Sweeden, Greece, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany
i hope this helps
How do you get rid of a chest full of mucus?
what you should really do is just cough it all up. it may hurt but once you get all that mucus out of your chest it wonthurt anymore. its worthwhile.
People with lupus are more prone to infection and have a harder time getting over infection than the general population. You can get over the counter expectorants at the drug store. Mucinex is an example. These medications help break up the mucous so that you can cough it out. You can also fill a bowl with boiling water and add a little Vicks VapoRub. Put a towel over your head in breath in the steam. This will loosen the mucous even more.
If you are running a fever or if the mucous is green or yellow, you should seek medical attention.
Why is it possible for some viral diseases remain undetected for years?
Viruses are not an organism at all. They are not alive. They are nonliving. They are like cockle burrs that "grab" hold of your clothing or a dogs coat. They are hijackers. Once they get attached to the cell of a living cell, they can take it over and "make" the living cell produce virus particles instead of cell parts. These parts can assemble into more viruses and then they breakout of the cell (killing it) and begin the process again. They can not make more viruses on their own.
They are very small and can be considered microscopic. We have to use an electron microscope to see them as they are that small. This was not available until recently.
How can you get the flu overnight?
The best trick for me is to open a window overnight, and sleep with light clothing and no blanket, you have 50% chance of getting a cold, and 50% chance of getting a fever. - Remeber be carful what your asking for... but PLEASE don't do this a night before a test or somthing really important!
when you go to antarctica you can not get it any other way!
haha very funny!!
Ways you can get pneumonia include:
- Bacteria and viruses living in your nose, sinuses, or mouth may spread to your lungs.
- You may breathe some of these germs directly into your lungs.
- You breathe in (inhale) food, liquids, vomit, or secretions from the mouth into your lungs (aspiration pneumonia)
Is being in a Jacuzzi bad for you?
Being in a jacuzzi or spa can be very relaxing and enjoyable, but it can also be a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria if not maintained properly. Always be sure that some kind of disinfectant (chorine is always good) is being used to disinfect the spa, and people should always rinse off before entering. They can also kill thousands of sperm if you stay in for more than 15 minutes.
Does the flu shot protect from H1N1?
In a way. Originally we needed to take a separate vaccination for the swine flu. Beginning in the 2010 - 2011 flu season, the regular seasonal flu vaccine was adjusted to include the vaccine for the swine flu. So now you can be protected from swine flu by taking the regular seasonal flu shot in the US.
Why is your nose stuffy when you have a cold?
During a cold or respiratory infection, the mucous membranes in the nose and sinuses swell and also produce more mucous. This causes a feeling and sounds of "congestion". Drinking warm fluids and inhaling warm mist (say from a cup of tea) can temporarily open the sinuses. Cold and flu medications can reduce the inflammation and dry the excess mucous secretions.
What could this be sore throat runny nose tummy ache tiredness and dry cough?
You don't mention fever, so those particular symptoms might be indicative of a common cold virus, usually there is no fever or only a low grade fever with a cold.
The flu, which also has the same symptoms, usually has a fever over 100 or 101 degrees F. The flu also can involve nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea which are not typical symptoms of just a common cold virus. A sinus infection can have similar symptoms, but usually would not have the body aches and might have a fever.
Why does hand sanitizer have alcohol?
So it can clean and kill all bacteria on your hands!
If you read the back of a bottle of hand sanitizer, it will tell you the purpose of it containing Ethyl Alcohol.
For those of you that still crave an answer, here it is!
Ethyl Alcohol and Isopropyl Alcohol are known to be Antiseptics, or drugs that kill germs and bacteria. It is through the use of this that hand sanitizer contains alcohol.
The following is an improvement contributed by user Drstu:
Contrary to the popular myth, alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not "clean" the hands; alcohol does not penetrate dirty/soiled skin, explaining why manufacturers of alcohol-based products recommend "wash before applying".
Crazy, right? Of course it is! Exactly why alcohol-free, rinse-free hand sanitizer products are becoming ever-more popular with experts that have actually researched the differences between legacy, alcohol gel products and water-based, non-alcohol sanitizers, most of which incorporate the organic compound benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient.
Growing number of brands, including "Hy5", "Soapopular" and others that are being implemented across schools, corporate and government venues.
Can you catch a cold from being in the cold?
No. A cold has nothing to do with temperature, a cold is a virus that has to enter your body. The fact that it is a virus makes it impossible to kill, you can only get things to make the suffering easier.
Is everyone going to die from swine flu in 2012?
Yes, the swine flu, like the similar strain of virus (the Spanish Flu) that was a rampant killer in 1918, has killed a few people so far, but nothing to compare to the number who died from the 1918 pandemic that killed more than 20 million people around the world.
Swine Flu has potential to create similar casualties, but we currently do have anti-viral medications that were not available in the earlier Spanish Flu outbreak and that will hopefully reduce the severity of this outbreak.
For information about the confirmed cases nationally and internationally along with the number of deaths, see the related links section below.
Also see the related questions for additional information on the Swine Flu.
What is the best cure for a dry cough?
Here are some ways to cure a dry cough:
- Eat almond butter
- Gargle salt water
- Drink LOTS of fluids
- Try luke warm tea with honey.
- Honey and milk mixed together work wonders
What cold medecines are safe while pregnant?
It is not advised to take cold medicine while pregnant, consult a physician first.
Why does the cold make a body ache?
It's because your body is trying to fight off the germ but if it's unbearable seek medical attention but if you need to just fight off a bearable pain take a Motrin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Then take a hot bath or shower. Then go to sleep wake up if not better just keep sleeping.
How can you keep your ears from getting clogged?
2.) chewing & swallowing
3.) babies (drink/bottle)
4.) hold(pinch)nose & blow
5.) hot cloth in cup hold up to ear.
6.) take Advil Sinus for a few days
Can HIV virus transfer through saliva?
Any body fluids can transmit HIV from the carrier to someone else.
no
