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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 103.8 a high fever for a toddler?
A temperature of 103.8 is dangerous for a child. Take the child to an urgent care facility or the emergency room or the child's pediatrician or general practitioner doctor if the child can get in to the doctor today. This high temperature can harm the child's hearing or other body parts. Do not delay in getting treatment and proper diagnosis. Do not administer aspirin to a child. It can cause Reyes Syndrome.
How does fever protect the body from pathogens?
The difference in temperature will make the immune system fight more effectively and the infection will weaken. Also, the body's temperature's increase itself can actually destroy the cause of the illness, such as infection.
Yes, by your body raising its temperature it helps to destroy infections that can not survive in the higher temperature.
True. It also disrupts the ability for viruses to multiply, as they normally thrive at body temperature. It can also aid the body's immune system to identify an infenction and raise an army of white blood cells against it.Can you get the flu vaccination after you have had the flu?
First, to be sure your question is fully answered and understood, the flu vaccinations are for prevention of infection with the exact type of flu that is contained in the vaccine, so if you have already been ill with the flu then there is no need to vaccinate to prevent that same flu, since your immune system will naturally develop immunity to future infections by that same virus from having had the flu without a vaccination.
But, since there are so many different types of flu viruses, and since usually no lab testing is done to determine or confirm the exact strain of virus that has made you ill, then you will still need to get the vaccination for the seasonal flu, which, in most locations of the world, will contain vaccine against the three most prevalent flu viruses circulating at that time. The vaccination will be still needed to protect you from any of those other flu viruses that you have not yet been exposed to.
So, to answer: Yes, you can get the flu vaccination after you have the flu unless you are not fully recovered and still have a fever. It will not hurt you to receive a vaccine for a virus that you have already been exposed to or that has already made you ill. Your immune system will just say, "Been there done that" and go to work on creating immunity to any other viruses in the vaccine that it has not seen before.
Is there any over the counter medicine that you can take that is the same as valtrex?
It depends on what you are trying to treat. If its a yeast infection (which diflucan can sometimes be prescribed for) there are options over the counter. But there is no OTC medication that is equal too it. You can find many antifungals over the counter, but its the antibiotic part of diflucan you will not be able to find.
What causes you to have a cold sweat?
Cold Sweats: this symptom can be caused by various bodily reactions or disorders such as:
- Vertigo/syncope/dizziness/feeling lightheaded or faint
- Pain
- Fear
- Anxiety/panic disorder
- Low blood sugars or insulin reactions
- Drug reactions or side effects
- Hormone imbalances such as during menopause
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pain or heart attack
- Systemic shock (e.g., from low blood volume/bleeding, toxic or septic shock)
- Heat exhaustion or shock
- Serious systemic diseases such as AIDS, Mononucleosis, TB, Sickle Cell Anemia, leukemia, cancer, etc
- Migraines
- Drug abuse (e.g., cocaine, ecstasy)
- Drug addiction to narcotics like heroin, codeine, morphine, Demerol
- Influenza and other viral diseases
A 12 year old has low fever and headache and vomiting. What might be the cause.?
He's sick and needs to be examined by a doctor so you can get him medicine.
Can you catch a cold from drinking after someone with a cold?
It is possible to catch a virus from drinking out of the same cup as an infected person. An example is the condition mononucleosis, which is caused by a virus. mononucleosis can be spread through saliva. So, a person can catch this infection by using a cup, food utensils, or kissing someone with this condition.
Why does your body ache when you get sick?
Body aches are a side effect of the immune system response to an invading pathogen or germ. When your immune system detects the presence of these foreign objects, it uses certain proteins and chemicals (called cytokines) to communicate with the rest of the body. Some of these cytokines (like interleukins) can cause such things as fever and body aches, because they trigger these specific reactions.
What effect does an antibiotic have on a viral disease?
Antibiotics don't help against viral diseases, so you shouldn't take them for colds and flus. Antibiotics only help against bacterial diseases, and even then you shouldn't take them w/o knowing which strain of bacteria is it that you have been infected with.
What is administered to prevent coughing?
There are mostly cough and cold preparations for symptomatic relief such as antihistamines, cough syrups, inhalers or lozenges. However these medications are soinly symptomatic, only lasting for 6- 24 hours.
There is a natural supplement for cough and colds.
This natural supplement is Sinus Eliminato Complex.
Sinus Eliminato complex is made up of Carpinus Betulus (Hornbeam) buds, Rosa Canina (Dog Rose) young shoots, Sambucus Nigra (Black Elder) buds, Populus Nigra (Black Poplar), Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) and Juglans Regia (Wlanut) buds.
Fecka (2009) has isolated tannins and polyphenols from Rosa Canina. Polyphenols act as antioxidants. They protect cells and body chemicals against damage caused by free radicals, reactive atoms that contribute to tissue damage in the body. In addition, polyphenols also activate the key enzyme (AMP kinase) that can exert an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activation of inducible inflammatory proteins that normally occurs once the innate immune system has been activated.
A study done by Roschek et al (2009) has shown that Sambucus Nigra (Black Elder) has flavonoids which bind to and prevent H1N1 infection.
Also contained in Sinus Eliminato are a variety of plant growth hormones and vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin D, which can certainly fight off infection and boost immune resistance during the cold months!
Sinus Eliminato Complex can be purchased at PSC Nutrition's website: http://store.plantstemcells.net.
What are the symptons of a head cold?
Colds usually begin abruptly with a sore throatfollowed by symptoms such as clear, watery nasal drainage; sneezing; fatigue; and sometimes a low-grade fever (below 101 degrees F). Postnasal drip causes the sore throat and cough that accompany colds.
For the first few days of a cold, your nose drips with watery nasal secretions. Later, these secretions may become thicker and darker. (Dark mucus with a cold virus does not necessarily mean that you have developed a bacterial infection, so don't beg your doctor for an antibiotic.)
A mild cough is a common cold symptom. The cough won't get much worse, but this common cold symptom is likely to last into the second week of your cold. If you suffer with asthma or other lung problem, a cold may make it worse. If you are coughing up dark mucus -- or if you are feeling a lot of distress in the lower parts of your lungs -- you may have a bacterial infection. It's a good idea to touch base with your doctor to find out if you need to be seen.
Usually, there is no fever with common cold symptoms. In fact, fever and more severe symptoms may indicate that you have the flu and not a cold.
Common cold symptoms usually start between one and three days after you are infected by a cold virus. Typically, they last for about three to seven days. At that point, the worst is over, but you may feel congested for a week or more.
During the first three days that you have common cold symptoms, you are contagious. This means you can pass the cold virus to those you come in contact with.
Can you be a swine flu carrier if you are being vaccinated?
It is possible to be a carrier of the disease if they recently received Swine Flu and they don't know about it yet. But otherwise the doctors are even trying to vaccinate pregnant women.
FURTHER QUESTION:
I was reading an article by Richard Ruhling, MD, MPH, Washington, DC on the Internet and he stated:
"The flu shot helps spread the flu. The shot contains something called attenuated virus. Attenuated basically means half-killed. The shot has to evoke an immune response and therefore has to have some form of viral activity to it to stimulate that immune response. The theory is to give you a tiny dose of the flu so your body will build immunity to it. Anyone who thinks that they are not contagious after getting a flu shot is woefully mistaken. Most of the package inserts will even tell you that you may exhibit mild flu symptoms for a few days after getting a shot. There are also a percentage of people who receive the shot and get very sick." (From: Leading Cause of Death: Prescription Drugs, by Richard Ruhling, MD, MPH)
Yet there are many voices saying people, especially medical personnel should get the shots so they won't be carriers. Are there any major studies on this question?
What can you do for a high fever?
Acetaminophen or an ibuprofen can help at bringing down the high fever. Drinking plenty of fluids at room tempt or warm can help as well as a damp towel cold towel to place on the forehead. If it remains high it is best to see a doctor.
How can you get rid of a head cold quick?
"Head colds" that are caused by viruses cannot be quickly eliminated. However, various consumer products are promoted that are designed to boost your immune system. Some may be effective, for some individuals.
See a doctor or health care professional if your symptoms become severe, because there are complications that can be serious.
High fever is the most obvious, and should not be allowed to persist. Chronic coughing can damage your lungs, and accumulated fluid can cause "walking pneumonia"). Irritated throats can develop streptococcal infections.
If your nose and chest are congested, you can sometimes get relief from over-the-counter antihistamines, saline nasal spray, inhalers and other mild treatments. Tylenol (acetaminophen) can reduce fever and headaches and allow you to sleep. The body's own defenses will normally ease the symptoms over time.
What type of pathogen causes common cold?
Usually Rhino Virus Causes the flu, and some bacteria from felines, kanines, molds, etc.
Can you take alcohol after Swine Flu vaccine?
Maybe. Immediately following delivery of a vaccine, your body will be working hard on creating a response and defense to the microbe (such as the H1N1 virus) in the vaccine. For this reason, there is no good reason to add extra strain to your body, and especially the immune system, while they are working to provide your immunity. The major organs and tissues of the immune system are the thymus, liver, bone marrow, tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and blood. Alcohol, a substance known to sometimes put a strain on the liver, may be an ingredient in some cough medicines. Use of cough medicine, in the amounts indicated on the medication label, would not be problematic. However, if even this can be avoided, it would be the best way to help your body to do its job of developing defenses to the virus in the swine flu vaccine.
Why can you get a common cold or other disease more than once?
no, you are immune to it, but there are millions more strains you can catch that give the same symptoms.
Why do you get a blocked nose?
The lining in your nose is composed of erectile tissue (similar to the tissue found in sexual organs). When you have a cold (or other condition which aggravates the lining, such as hayfever), the blood vessels swell up as infection-fighting white blood cells flood to the area. This narrows the air passage in your nose and restricts the airflow as you breath.
How do you get a blocked nose away quickly?
What Helps Me Is I Breath Out Of My Mouth For 5 To Ten Minutes. That Can Clear It For A Few Minutes Or For Good. What also helps is if you take a sugar free mint and suck on it and drink some water afterwards, that would work too. When you go to bed keep a towel or something under under your pillow for elevation.
if your nose is irritating because of dust clear it out with some cold water and dab it gently with a tissue it stays clear for at least an hour
How do you treat strep throat?
STREP THROAT is caused by a streptococcal (strep for short) bacterium and is cured by a prescription medication (antibiotic), once a throat culture is done by a doctor and the culture shows "positive" for the bacteria. Even though many people get a prescription for an antibiotic without a positive culture, they really should not be given antibiotics without doing a culture (swab) of the throat. Antibiotics are over-prescibed in this country everyday. Everytime someone is seen for a cough, cold symptom, chest congestion, earache etc...doctors seem to throw antibiotics at their patients. This is not good, because over-use of antibiotics eventually leads to antibiotic resistant strains of infection, where even the strongest antibiotic stops being effective. Antibiotics DO NOT
work on a VIRUS infection; they only work on BACTERIAL infections. <<
Medical use of the word:
When there is an outbreak of infectious disease which affects a large number of people and/or is spread to many different places, it is called in medicine an epidemic of that disease. Disease spreading among a smaller number of people in a single community or limited location is called an outbreak instead of epidemic. If the number of people and places where the disease has spread is international and/or over a large geographical area (e.g., cross-continental or world-wide) it is called a pandemic ('pan-' means all), as it was with the H1N1/09 pandemic in 2009 and the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918.
To break it down, the word Epidemic [epi- (on or in), -demic (people )] means: Something that is spread on or in the people. A pandemic [pan- (All), -demic (people)] is an epidemic that becomes so widespread that it involves multiple continents making it a global problem.
Other definitions for epidemic include additional qualifying details such as "an increase or surge in victims of an isolated virus or other biological infectious organism or disease within a widespread area or group all at the same time." However, as indicated above, an epidemic is not restricted to a local community (that is called an Outbreak or Regional Outbreak), but an epidemic is more widespread in geographical area or spread in a specifically large proportion of a demographic group of the population. It is bigger than an outbreak, but a smaller area compared to a pandemic. Pandemics are world-wide or affect entire global regions, hemispheres, multiple countries over a section of the world or multiple continents.
A quantifying definition that is often given in classrooms, such as in a graduate course in Public Health, is: "An epidemic exists when the number of cases at any one time exceeds 200 per 100,000 population." The rapidity of onset only means that the 200 mark will be reached sooner rather than later.
Non-medical use of the word:
Another meaning of the word epidemic that is unrelated to the medical usage is to use the word to describe something as extensive or widespread in other topics of conversation. For example, to describe an epidemic in stock sell out, real estate foreclosures, or job losses.
In general medical terms, it is an "outbreak" of a biological/viral nature where an increase or surge in victims of a virus or other biological infectious organism or disease is isolated among a widespread area or group at the same time. An epidemic is not restricted to a local community (that is called an Outbreak or Regional Outbreak), but an epidemic is much more widespread in geographical area or in a specifically large proportion of a demographic group of the population. It is bigger than an outbreak, but a smaller area compared to a pandemic. Pandemics are world-wide or affect entire global regions, hemispheres, multiple countries over a section of the world or multiple continents.
Another meaning of the word epidemic that is unrelated to the medical usage is to use the word to describe something as extensive or widespread in other topics of conversation. For example, to describe an epidemic in stock sell out, real estate foreclosures, or job losses.
To break it down, the word Epidemic [epi- (on or in), -demic (people )] means: Something that is spread on or in the people. A pandemic [pan- (All), -demic (people)] is an epidemic that becomes so widespread that it involves multiple continents making it a global problem.
A definition that is often given in classrooms, such as in a graduate course in Public Health, that quantifies the definition is: "An epidemic exists when the number of cases at any one time exceeds 200 per 100,000 population." The rapidity of onset only means that the 200 mark will be reached sooner rather than later.
Does clindamycin work on respiratory infections?
Antibiotics only help if there is an infection. Bronchitis is usually viral (at least at first) same as cold viruses and antibiotics will not help. This is one of the biggest causes of antibiotic misuse and is very problematic causing fewer and fewer antibiotics to be effective. Do not use the old antibiotics in your cabinet. If you have a fever or are coughing up green/brown stuff see a dr. and get the correct antibiotic and then use it all up according to directions so you don't just breed stronger bacteria. If it is not an infection involved, you don't need antibiotics but treat symptoms over the counter, rest and fluids.
Can cold be cured by antibiotics?
No, antibiotics will not even treat a cold because a cold is caused by a virus and not bacteria. Antibiotics are only effective on bacteria. Viruses cannot be 'killed' with antibiotics, and taking antibiotics will only help you kill off bacteria in your stomach and make you have diarrhea.
How many people get sick with the common cold each year?
"Each flu season is unique, but it is estimated that, on average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 persons are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu."
This is what the CDC says. Take into account how many people are in the United States. There are about 304,000,000. Three hundred and four million people. 36,000 is not that many people. === ===
