How long is a cold or flu contagious? Discover how long a common cold and the flu are contagious. Both colds and the flu are contagious and are caused by viruses. However, the viruses that cause colds (for example, rhinoviruses) are not the same as those that cause the flu (influenza viruses). Although the typical incubation period for influenza is...
HDL vs. LDL Cholesterol: What’s the Difference Between Them?
What are HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol? Share Your Story <span class=HDL cholesterol protects against narrowing of blood vessels while the LDL may make the narrowing worse. Cholesterol is a fat-like (lipid-like) substance that your body uses as a building block to produce hormones, vitamin D, and digestive juices that help you break down fats in your diet. HDL...
18 Heat Stroke Symptoms & Signs, Treatment & Prevention
Heat stroke facts Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Heat stroke can be fatal. Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated. The cause of heat stroke is an elevation in body temperature, often accompanied by dehydration....
Is Vaginitis an STD? 8 Causes, 7 Symptoms, Home Treatments
Vaginitis facts Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story Bacterial vaginitis can be caused by STDs. Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina. Symptoms of vaginitis include vaginal pain or discomfort, itching, discharge, and odor. Pain with urination or during sexual intercourse is also common. Vaginitis may be due to infections or non-infectious causes. Infectious vaginitis may be due to bacteria, fungus,...
Cataract Surgery Recovery Time, Complications & Side Effects
Cataract surgery facts Cataract surgery involves replacing the clouded lens in the eye with an artificial one. Early symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision, glare, and difficulty reading. Cataracts will affect most people and become more prominent as we age. Cataracts can be diagnosed when the doctor examines the eyes with specialized viewing instruments. The decision to proceed with cataract...
The Beta Thalassemia Trait: Anemia Symptoms, Treatment & Diagnosis
What is beta thalassemia? People with thalassemia make defective hemoglobin, the compound in blood that carries oxygen. Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders. Thalassemia patients make defective hemoglobin. There are two forms of beta thalassemia: thalassemia minor and thalassemia major (also called Cooley's anemia). Beta thalassemia is classically described in people of Italian and Greek origin. What are the thalassemias? Readers...
Metronidazole vs. Ketoconazole
Metronidazole vs. ketoconazole: What’s the difference? Metronidazole and ketoconazole are used to treat different kinds of infections. Metronidazole is used to treat parasitic infections including Giardia infections of the small intestine, amebic liver abscess, amebic dysentery, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginal infections, and carriers of trichomonas who do not have symptoms of infection; to treat abscesses in the liver, pelvis, abdomen, and...
Ofloxacin (Ocuflox) vs. Tobramycin (Tobrex): Anibiotics for Eye Infections
Ofloxacin (Ocuflox) vs. tobramycin (Tobrex): What’s the difference? Ofloxacin and Tobramycin are antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections of the eyes. Other forms of ofloxacin are used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, staph infections, STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and prostate infections caused by E. coli. Ofloxacin and Tobramycin are different types of antibiotics. Ofloxacin...
Hip Pain Treatment, Symptoms, Prognosis & Causes
Hip pain facts Readers Comments 27 Share Your Story Pain in the hip joint can have a variety of causes. Pain in the hip joint can be temporary of chronic. There are many causes of hip pain. The treatment of hip pain depends on its particular cause. What is the anatomy of the hip? The hip joint is where the...
Triglyceride Levels: High, Low & Normal Ranges
Triglyceride test definition and facts Readers Comments 6 Share Your Story Diagram showing makeup of HDL and LDL cholesterol types measured by triglyceride tests Elevated triglyceride levels may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Highly elevated triglyceride levels may also cause fatty liver disease and pancreatitis. High triglyceride levels can also be associated with diabetes, kidney disease, and the use...