Your doctor may test for the flu using rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) Influenza, or the flu, is an illness of the respiratory system that spreads easily through water droplets in the air from coughs or sneezes of infected people. Influenza A is more common than influenza B. Your doctor will usually be able to...
What is strep throat? If you have strep throat, you should stay home until you no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours. It’s important to practice good hygiene to stop strep throat from spreading. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, however, in some cases, the sore throat might...
What is laryngitis? The definition of laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx (the voice box that contains the vocal cords). In laryngitis the vocal cords that are responsible for sounds made by the voice become inflamed and possibly swollen, which results in a voice change that may sound hoarse, raspy, or low volume; so...
Teens have a healthy immune system to cope with the common cold Usually, teens have a healthy immune system to cope with the common cold. Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids can ease the symptoms. A warm bath or heating pad can soothe aches and pains, and the steam from a hot...
The main difference between cold and sinus infection is the duration or number of days the symptoms were persistent The main difference between cold and sinus infection is the duration or number of days the symptoms were persistent: A common cold may typically run its course within 10 days, but sinus infections may last longer...
If your fever is mild (less than 101° F), then no medical treatment is required. Fever is the reaction of your body to fight off bacterial or viral infections. A bacterial infection needs antibiotics whereas a viral one is usually self-limiting i.e., it resolves without treatment. If your fever is mild (less than 101° F),...
Swine flu (H1N1 and H3N2 influenza virus) facts Viruses that infect the respiratory tracts of pigs cause swine flu. Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behavior; the virus can be transmitted to...
Facts you should know about the influenza vaccine (flu shot) The flu vaccine is effective against influenza 2 weeks after administration. Types of influenza (flu) vaccines include the injection (killed virus), recombinant (made without flu virus), and nasal spray vaccines (containing live virus). Each year, influenza viruses change slightly, making the seasonal vaccine used in...
Facts you should know about the flu (influenza, conventional, H1N1, H3N2, and bird flu [H5N1]) Picture of the influenza virus Viruses that infect the respiratory tract cause influenza (commonly called "the flu"). Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. The incubation period for flu is about 1-4 days. Flu...
What is a cough? Share Your Story A cough itself is not contagious. A cough also can be a method of spreading a viral or bacterial infectious disease if the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. A cough is defined as the act of forcing air through your throat, often followed by a short loud...