The comprehensive Health Articles section on eDrugstore.MD is divided into 15 healthcare categories, including topics that range from sexual health to skin care. In all, more than 500 articles have been created by some of the best authors on the Web. Click here
A: The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory viral infection caused by type A or type B influenza viruses. Flu is a highly contagious virus that usually enters the body through mucous membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes and infects the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne and can be inhaled by those nearby. Usually, school children are the first to get the flu and then carry it home and elsewhere. The flu usually strikes in fall and winter.
A:Both the flu and cold are viral infections that cause symptoms like coughing and sore throat. But here's the difference: a cold is a minor viral infection of the nose and throat. The flu is usually more severe , with the sudden onset of distinct flu symptoms like high fever, aches and pains... symptoms that usually don't accompany a cold.
A:There is, but these lab tests take a long time to process and are costly, so they are usually only used to investigate an outbreak. Your doctor will probably diagnose you based on your flu symptoms.
A: The flu generally strikes 1 to 3 days after exposure to someone who has the virus. It tends to come on very suddenly and hit like a ton of bricks. Common flu symptoms include fever and chills, cough, muscle pain and body aches, headache, fatigue and weakness. Some people also get a stuffy nose and sore throat.
A: A bad case of the flu will probably send a healthy person to bed for 3 to 5 days. Afterwards, you will recover but cough and tiredness may persist for days or weeks. However, for some people, the flu can be very serious and even lead to death. Past flu epidemics have caused up to half a million fatalities. People over 50 years or people with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV) are more likely to get seriously ill with the flu and develop other infections like pneumonia. If you fit that description, you should visit your doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms.
A: There are two ways in which flu viruses can change. One is a slow, gradual change that leads to new influenza strains. These new strains circulate during flu season and lead to yearly outbreaks. The other kind of change is more abrupt and results in new forms of the virus. This happens rarely but when it does, large numbers of people who don't have immunity become sick, resulting in global epidemics called pandemics.
In 1997, an outbreak of bird flu in Hong Kong was eventually contained but it raised the alarm around the world that another major epidemic could be pending. The worst pandemic occurred in 1918 and killed more than 20 million people. Subsequent pandemics in 1957 and 1968 also resulted in many deaths.
A: No. The flu is a viral infection, so it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria and are, therefore, only useful for treating bacterial infections. And taking antibiotics when they aren't called for is not only unhelpful to your condition and a waste of money, it contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, a major public health problem.
A:Your best protection from the flu is with an annual flu shot, which is 70 ? 90% effective in preventing the flu in healthy adults. But even if you've had a flu shot, you can still get the flu. That's because the shot may not protect you from all strains of influenza. Also, it takes about 3 weeks for your system to build up its protection after receiving a flu shot. So if the flu bug is around, you may still be at risk.
A: Right here:
Tamiflu
