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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
Why do I sweat so much with the flu?
The reason why this keep happening is because a couple things: * Need more Rest * Kissing * Sharing drinks and food * around people that are sick * not taking care of yourself when you are sick
Should you go to school if you have Swine Flu?
NO. Swine Flu is highly contageous in all but the last day or so of infection. SO NO.
There is no cure for the swine flu because Influenza is a mutating virus, so there is currently no cure only prevention and treatment. Often flu viruses that cause pandemics eventually "mutate" themselves away, but that is not an overnight process.
If everyone who can gets vaccinated, the swine flu H1N1/09 can be stopped more quickly.
How many people in the US have been infected with the Swine Flu?
Every state in the US has experienced the pandemic with many cases of swine flu (A-H1N1/09) in each state over the course of the 2009 pandemic.
There may be some ongoing cases in limited locations around the world even now, including in the US. However, the specifics and counts of cases are no longer being tracked by CDC, WHO, the US states, and most other countries, now that the pandemic has been declared over. Influenza cases are monitored, but specific H1N1/09 counts (and the lab tests needed to isolate the specific virus to be able to count them correctly) aren't being done. Influenza cases in general are monitored, but statistics are not being kept for H1N1/09 cases separately from other influenza types for reporting any longer in the post pandemic phase.
Is it a good idea to take a shower when you have the flu?
It depends somewhat on why you have a fever. If you are talking about a fever from a cold or the flu, it should not be any health risk, but it may be uncomfortable and why put your body into any more discomfort than already? However, a tepid bath may help you feel better if your fever is not coming down from fever reducer medications. I'd first try some cold compresses on my neck, wrists and perhaps ankles or inner elbow (antecubital space), which are points where the circulatory vessels are close to the surface and can be cooled easily. That and cool drinks (not ice cold) can help make you feel better.
What is a good food to eat if you have the flu?
If you are throwing up or have diarrhea, try clear liquids like sips of gingerale or lemon-lime soda, jello cups, clear broth, and plenty of plain water. Try soda or water crackers and see how they settle.
If you are not throwing up, you still need plenty of plain water. You can try plain and soft foods and see what works; plain crackers and bread, creamed soups, maybe rice, tapioca or pudding cups (avoid chocolate). Avoid fruits except maybe apples or banana. Ginger helps settle a stomach, suck on ginger or mint candy.
When your stomach is better, gradually add back in small amounts of lean protein like boiled or roasted chicken breast, if you aren't lactose intolerant try some low fat dairy like low fat milk, buttermilk, plain yogurt, cottage cheese or cheese like mozzarella low fat string cheese. And plenty of plain water.
Avoid citrus, fats, meats especially red meats, corn, tea, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, popcorn and nuts.
Ask your pharmacist what over the counter medications might help to use along with diet modifications or other recommendations. Especially if your symptoms don't improve in a few days. Watch for fever or other symptoms that will indicate advice is needed from a physician including when the symptoms last too long.
How many people have died of Swine Flu in the US?
"Regular" Seasonal flu viruses average 36,000 deaths each year in the US, out of over 30 million cases with approximately 200,000 hospitalizations. This statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not limited to the swine flu viruses, but it would be typical. The 2009 Swine Flu, however, is a new mutation, so the figures of death rate are not yet compiled. As of the press briefing on 5/7/09 from the CDC, the 2009 Swine Flu, there are 1,823 probable and confirmed cases in 44 states. 5% are requiring hospitalization. There have been two deaths. The rates of infection, hospitalization, and death are expected to follow the usual course and increase, somewhat due to the updates of the numbers from the backlog of tests for confirmation, but also because that is the way the flu viruses behave. At the present time, this strain of swine flu virus would appear to be no worse and no better than the seasonal strains of viruses typically spread.
How can you treat strep throat during the first trimester?
Strep is one of the most contagious bacterial illnesses, especially in children. First, a child's ear-throat structures are different than an adult's, making children more susceptible to strep throat infections. Second, children's habits of touching their mouths, then touching objects, only help to spread strep. As well, children who are actively sneezing and coughing can infect an entire room of children and their adult caregivers.
So if your child is prone to ear and throat infections, take some basic steps now. First, teach your child to keep their fingers out of / away from their mouths. Second, teach children to sneeze or cough only into their elbow, covering the mouth and nose. Teach kids how to blow the nose and how to dispose of used tissues. Teach them to not share drinking glasses, to never kiss other children or non-family adults on the mouth, and to wash their own hands frequently.
Once your child is sick, see a doctor immediately. Antibiotics is the only thing that can kill the streptococcus bacteria.
As well, do more frequent cleaning. Include doorknobs, table and counter tops, toys, telephones, remote controls, game stations, etc. If your child can touch it, the object can have strep transferred to it. If your child can sneeze or cough on an object, it needs cleaned. Don't overdo it; we can never make our homes germ free. But do clean during active stages of illness, at minimum.
If you had Swine Flu in 1969 do you need a vaccination this year?
Just like other types of flu, there are different mutations and subtypes. Even if you have antibodies against one, you can still suffer from an infection of another. The current swine flu outbreak is from a new subtype. Therefore, if you were actually to be exposed to this swine flu, you do have a chance of becoming sick again.
When was the flu shot available to people?
Polio vaccine was the first vaccine introduced in the late 1950s.
What do you do when you have a blocked nose?
Steam is good, hot water with eucalyptus or other essential oils; put a steaming basin in front of the head and cover head and bowl with a towel. Otherwise, pharmacies have many products which will help clear the sinuses. Stay calm, it will go away in a couple of days. If the problem persists more than a few days it could be more than a cold, possibly a secondary sinus infection; then you need to see a doctor.
Can you get sick from someone who got the flu shot?
The H1N1/09 vaccines used in healthy people have a rate of approximately 92 to 98% effectiveness. For people who are immunosuppressed either from disease or from medications that affect their immune systems, a diminished immune response can leave them without full immunity. For them, continuing to use the precautions to prevent the flu is important even after having a vaccination. If they are in a situation of known exposure to the virus, they may benefit if anti-viral medications are started as soon as possible after the exposure to prevent the infection.
Why do you have a hard time tasting things when you have a cold?
Taste is related to smell. When your nose is congested, you can't taste things aswell. For example plug your nose when your feeling better, and try to taste something. You can't taste it aswell.
Why is it hard to treat a viral disease?
That is true but viral infections stay dormant in the body until the nucleic acids can enter a cell then spreading itself throughout the body. Viral infections can not be cured unlike bacterial infections. Bacterial infections enter the body by air... thus entering the bloodstream going to any part of the body. The bacteria may even have a specific place in the blood it may want to go. Antibiotics were made to cure bacterial infections to stop replicating, growing or to even die. Therefor Viral infections can not be cured making the hard to treat then bacterial infections
How do you act sick to stay home from school?
General Overview
'Being sick' is often used as a phrase for vomiting. If you are considering making yourself sick then you should first ask yourself why. If it is for weight loss reasons then making yourself sick should NEVER be the answer. ONLY healthy eating and exercise should be used for weight loss.
Vomiting or purging can expose the teeth to stomach acids, which pretty quickly erode the enamel. Just like erosion on hillsides after rains, the teeth become pockmarked with crevasses and holes (cavities). The teeth soften, so they more easily break off. As well, a beautiful white smile becomes yellowed and dull after a history of using vomiting to control weight or gain sympathy.
If you are wanting to make yourself sick due to feeling ill, like after a night out drinking or because you feel sick but are not at the point where your body will naturally be sick, then the only way really is to put fingers down your throat. HOWEVER, doing so is forcing your body to be unnaturally sick. This will cause undue pressure to your brain and heart. It can result in the short term in blood vessels around your eyes to burst, headaches and sore throat due to stomach acid. Making yourself sick will also result in many other consequences including harm to the teeth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. As well it can throw off the normal acid-base balance in the body, resulting in damage to major organs, such as the kidneys.
There are many opinions on the web as to how to make yourself sick. Drinking concoctions or following a set of steps is recommended by other web users can be even more dangerous than putting your fingers down your throat. NO option is recommended but certainly be careful with trying anything else!
Making yourself sick more than one time can in the longer term cause hair loss, tooth rot and gum disease, acne and even heart attack as well as irreparable damage of the esophagus, stomach and kidneys amongst other consequences which include death.
Anyone searching on here for an answer as to how to make themselves sick really must ask themselves why they are wanting to do so. For weight loss reasons, you must never make yourself sick. Anything that is likely to cause health problems and death is not worth losing a few pounds over! Please, please, please think about why you are reading this page and make the right decision from it.
Talking to a Professional
You may need to go see a doctor such as a psychologist or even possibly a psychiatrist and be put on medication. If you do not know the reason you feel the need to do this then you need to find someone to talk to or do some inner soul searching : ). If you are doing it because you feel you need to have more control of your life, then you need to understand that NO one is fully in control in life. You can never control other people or their reactions--- you can only control your own behavior and reactions. If you are doing this as a way to lose weight believe me you will not lose; you will actually gain weight because when you purge you only expel about half of the calories you just consumed and your body is still ridding itself of food and will put itself into starvation mode and then everything you eat will be turned to fat.
Other consequences of making yourself ill.
Any problems you feel you will "fix" or avoid by "getting sick" will only be worse by "making yourself sick". For example, if you want to avoid school or tests, you'll get further behind at school. As a consequence, your grades will drop. Even if you "don't care" about grades now, you will by the time you graduate from high school.
If your intention is to get attention at home, you should know that your supposed "illness" will also cost your mom or dad money, lost time from work, and unneeded worry. From the perspective of a physician, you'll be wasting physician's office time, increasing overall healthcare costs for your parents and other patients, and eventually you will be labeled as a hypochondriac in your personal medical record. Medical persons do not have much sympathy for people who "make themselves sick" because there are billions of truly ill persons who need attention and time from nurses and physicians.
As described, your gums and teeth will become "sick" so plan on numerous trips to the dentist. Stomach acid eats holes into teeth and often the only "cure" is root canals (plan on up to 6 visits for 1 root canal) or extraction (pulling the tooth). Your parents will pay increased dental bills. And because it is very easy to recognize the tooth destruction caused by repeated vomiting, any dentist will soon guess your "secret" activities. Again, you will be labeled in your dental (medical) file.
Sooner or later, your parents will catch on to what you've done to "be ill". Instead of sympathy or concern, they will likely get angry at some point! The extra worry, increased medical and dental bills, and time and attention is not fair to your parents or to your siblings. Yes, your parents will still love you but you will have caused a distrust that will be very hard to fix.
Can you take Tamiflu if im allergic to penicillin?
No. Tamiflu is an anti-viral drug while aspirin is an NSAID (used for inflammation) and penicillin is an antibiotic (doesn't treat viral infections). There's no reason why Tamiflu should contain aspirin or penicillin.
However, don't confuse Tamiflu with TM-FLU (completely different drug) which appears to contain penicillin and is a scam/fraudulent product. Do not use TM-FLU.
For more info on the TM-FLU scam see the related question below in the related links section.
How does a doctor check for H1N1?
Doctors test for viruses by drawing blood and sending it to the lab. Lab techs are able to use specialized equipment which check for different viruses and illnesses based on the specific test being ran.
Lemon and honey in hot water is a traditional Chinese sore throat treatment. Use enough to flavor it like a hot tea. Honey is known to have antibacterial properties. Lemon is high in vitamin C. The warm drink just feels good going down. If you are not fond of lemon, lime would probably be a good substitute. Although, it has about half the vitamin C of a lemon.
Just a caution, if you have asthma, many doctors recommend that you stay away from honey. It is a trigger for some asthmatics.
Will keflex treat strep throat?
MAYBE! According to the Avalox website: Avelox® (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) is an antibiotic that is highly active against many different bacteria, including those that are most likely to contribute to acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. Avelox has also been proven effective in the treatment of skin and skin structure infections and intra-abdominal infections caused by certain bacteria. According to PDRHealth.com: Avelox, an antibiotic, is prescribed to treat sinus and lung infections. It kills bacteria that can cause sinusitis, pneumonia, and secondary infections in chronic bronchitis. It also fights skin infections caused by staph or strep.http://www.avelox.com/scripts/pages/en/home/index.php http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/rx/rx-mono.aspx?contentFileName=Ave1540.html&contentName=Avelox&contentId=71
Can you take Tamiflu and Motrin?
The healthy patient is likely to be just fine taking these two unrelated medicines in conjunction as long as the directions for each are followed to the letter.
Why might a mutation of influenza cause another pandemic?
This is a function of the genetic material of the virus - it is RNA rather than DNA and the virus has no "proofreading" enzymes to make sure the copies are exact. It is extremely easy for a mutation to slip in, and since there are only so many genes, each of which are coding for proteins in the virus, the capsule of the virus mutates rapidly.
Can you catch a cold from a drafty window?
No, that is one of the many old beliefs that people had before there was scientific information about the cause of a cold (viruses). This was also thought, before viruses were able to be visualized and identified by scientists and doctors with an electron microscope, to be the cause of pneumonia and influenza. We now know that all of these are caused by infectious organisms and not by being cold, wet, in a draft or other similar old beliefs that have now been proven incorrect.
Moms and others will still say (often from habit) what their moms and others said to them, "Don't leave that window open or you will catch your death of pneumonia," but it is just to show concern and love, not to indicate scientific fact. Just close the window, give them a hug and a thank you, and then wash your hands to get rid of any viruses that can cause you to get a cold. See the related question below for how to wash your hands to remove pathogenic organisms.
What is the speed of the average sneeze?
An average sneeze comes from your mouth and nose at somewhere between 40 and 100 mph.
There can be variation:
This was tested on MythBusters and they found their fastest sneeze being 39 mph. Not to say some people don't sneeze faster, but 102 mph is the fastest recorded speed. The world record has been said to be at 115 km per hour [71.5 mph].
The average person can sneeze as fast as up to 700mph.
100 MPH.
How do you get rid of the stomach flu?
It is an old Greek remedy I learned from a Greek nurse. I have been using it for 20 years now. It is called Lemonial Soup.
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of any kind of white bagged rice
2 to 4 table spoons of lemon juice
pinch of salt
Bring water to a boil add the rice and lemon juice. Cook till soupy. It does not taste the greatest so you might want to add a little sugar. It is the juice mainly that helps. Usually with in 2 to 4 hours you will start feeling better if not repeat again. I have people call me on a regular basis to come and fix the soup for them.
Can you kill flu virus with vinegar?
Yes. According to the CDC, alcohol hand sanitizers used properly will kill flu viruses. I don't think you need to clean surfaces with alcohol. Other surface sanitizers can do that job. See Related Links. The CDC is careful to state that 60% alcohol sanitizers are effective....HOWEVER, many of these products contain as little as 40% alcohol and are not any more effective than plain tap water. There is nothing as effective for "public health" as plenty of plain old soap with lots of warm water to carry the virus bugs down the drain.
