All Cold & flu Articles

ATLANTA -- The medical arsenal against the flu just got weaker. Government health officials said Friday that a leading flu medicine, Tamiflu, might not work against all cases of the flu this year. The most common flu bug right now is overwhelmingly resistant to Tamiflu, they said. The alert is "an early heads-up" for doctors. If current trends continue, they may need to change how Read more...

Why do we always seem to catch respiratory infections and the flu around holiday time? According to experts, there are a few factors working against us: First, it's cold outside, which reduces immune-system functioning. Second, we're confined indoors with others, increasing our exposure to illness and our odds for infection. Finally, it's the time of year that we all seem to be traveling -- Read more...

Sep. 25 -- How simple going to the bathroom used to be. You found a discreet spot in the woods, you went. Today, in the age of indoor plumbing, the mere thought of entering a bathroom is an act of faith for many. Who was here before you? How were they feeling -- were they sniffling or coughing? Did they wash their hands thoroughly afterward? What did they touch while they were here? Read more...

Take the Flu Vaccine Myths quiz ... check your knowledge. 1. The "flu" is like a "bad cold." False. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which is different from other viruses that cause common colds and other illnesses. 2. Stomach flu is a type of flu. False. Influenza is a respiratory virus and is not the same virus that causes gastrointestinal Read more...

CHEYENNE - When colds and flu germs spread through a school, the meaning of the three R's changes from reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic to reading, 'riting and rhinovirus. Schools are germ magnets, according to a study by microbiologist Charles Gerba at the University of Arizona. His research shows that teachers have the "germiest" jobs of any office-type work. At 17,800 Read more...

WASHINGTON - Just about everybody needs a flu vaccine - unless you're an infant or a healthy adult hermit - but far too few of the Americans who need protection the most get it. That's the message as flu-shot season officially began Wednesday with a call for a record number to be inoculated - including 30 million more school-age children than ever before targeted. "Get out there Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSWhat Is Influenza?Influenza, or "the flu," is an upper respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. The strains of influenza differ from one year to the next. There are two main kinds of influenza viruses: type A and type B. People get the flu when they breathe in infected respiratory droplets from someone who is carrying the virus. Influenza can also be spread via Read more...

by Jacquelyn Rudis You’ve probably heard your grandmother warn, “feed a cold, starve a fever,” while you were neck-high under the covers stuffed up and miserable. Or was it “starve a cold, feed a fever”? Whichever it was, is there truth any truth to these kindly admonishments? Evidence for the Health Claim The idea of feeding a cold and starving a fever most likely originated Read more...

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MDMain Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Resource GuideThe treatment and management of colds and influenza mainly involves alleviating your symptoms, though they ordinarily resolve on their own. If you have a chronic health condition, a cold or influenza can worsen whatever condition you have, Read more...

by Karen Schroeder, MS, RD Colds are caused by viruses; in fact, there are over 100 different viruses that cause colds. There are no medicines to cure colds. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses. However, there are a variety or products that may somewhat reduce cold symptoms. Many of these can be bought without a prescription. The main types of over-the-counter (OTC) Read more...

by Alice Buckley McCarthy Every year, starting around November or December, millions of us succumb to the muscle aches, fever, cough, and chills associated with the flu. While an effective flu vaccine is available, usually only the elderly or people with weakened immune systems line up to receive it, while many other people who could benefit do not. For the unlucky of us who contract the flu Read more...

by Mary Calvagna, MS Consider these statistics: According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35-50 million Americans are infected with influenza (the flu) during flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Americans suffer 1 billion colds annually. With so many people affected by these Read more...

by Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH Avian—or bird—influenza is a respiratory infection caused by the H5N1 virus, which normally only infects birds and pigs. Avian flu often causes no symptoms in wild birds, but can kill chickens, turkeys, and other domesticated poultry. Since 1997 more than 100 people have become ill from avian Read more...

Pronounced: gas-tro-EN-ter-ite-is by Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPHEn Español (Spanish Version) DefinitionViral gastroenteritis is an infection of the intestines caused by a virus.The Intestines© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc. CausesViral gastroenteritis is caused by one of several viruses that assault the intestines. The viruses are usually spread through contact with someone who is Read more...

by Amanda Barrett, MA Even with modern vaccination efforts, the flu infects about 5%-20% of Americans each year. And while most of us just suffer through it and feel better in a week or so, the flu kills an estimated 36,000 Americans each year, and sends about 200,000 to the hospital. Influenza viruses can also cause pandemics, such as in 1918, in which at least 20 Read more...

by Deb Wood, RN Rather than rolling up a sleeve for the annual flu shot, healthy people may opt to protect themselves with a nasal spray. The US Food and Drug Administration approved FluMist in June 2003. Expect to see the spray offered this fall at doctors’ offices, drug stores, and workplaces. “FluMist offers a new way to assist in Read more...

What, me get a flu shot? Yes, if you're prone to colds or other infections or have at least one risk factor for complications from the flu such as heart disease or diabetes. The American Academy of Family Physicians recently lowered the recommended age for adults to routinely receive influenza vaccinations from 65 to 50. Researchers say fewer than 30 percent of adults under age 65 and at Read more...

So you've finally shaken off the flu bug and you're reasonably sure you're going to live. Great, but doctors and other experts warn the danger still isn't over and you'll need to rebuild your immune system to fight off any lingering effects. Professor Ron Eccles of the Cardiff School of Biosciences in Wales suggests you immediately treat yourself to a Turkish bath. The heat, he says, can steam Read more...