flu Archives - Healthhype

Ways to Beat the Flu Quickly and Avoid Complications

Dr. Chris — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:19:15 +0000

With the 2012-2013 flu season being one of the worst in recent years, there is widespread concern about how the flu should be prevented, treated and managed. The fact is that the same medical guidelines that have applied for preceding flu seasons should be followed closely. There is no ‘cure’ for the flu although antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (branded as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (branded as Relenza) have contributed greatly to reducing the severity and duration of the infection and preventing complications. However, the focus on supportive measures is often forgotten such as strict bed rest, plenty of fluids and a balanced diet. Despite the media frenzy around previously unseen strains of the influenza virus such as the H1N1 strain that caused the 2009 ‘swine flu’ pandemic and the more recently identified H3N2v virus, most people who are infected will overcome the infection and recover fully. Certain groups of people are considered high risk such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly and any person with a chronic disease particularly where the immune system is weakened. Rightfully so these high risk individuals have to take various precautionary measures. However, for the vast majority of people, the flu is just another 3 [...]

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Sneezing – Causes, Treatments and Good Sneezing Practices

Dr. Miranda — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:01:01 +0000

Key Points: Introduction What Causes Sneezing? What is Photic Sneeze Reflex? Are Sneezes Infectious? Should You Stifle Your Sneezes? Treatments for Conditions that Cause Sneezing Good Sneezing Practices Introduction All human beings have sneezing in common. Whether you are a loud sneezer or try to muffle it, there are times when you just can’t help but sneeze. For some, sneezing can be a real problem, particularly if they suffer from photic sneeze reflex. Whether your sneezes are caused by allergies or some other reason, sneezes can be embarrassing. They always seem to sneak up on you when you least expect them. Let’s take a look at what causes people to sneeze and how you can treat any conditions that may cause sneezing. What Causes Sneezing? There are several reasons that people sneeze. Infrequent sneezes are usually the by-product of small particles that get past your nose hair and irritate the sensitive lining of your nose. You may notice a slight burning or tingling right before or after this type of sneeze. When the particle or particles reach this sensitive area of your nose, histamines are triggered and are released into your system. This is what makes you feel as though [...]

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Spread, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment

Dr. Chris — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 19:17:27 +0000

There are many different viruses that cause cold and flu-like symptoms. These viruses tend to target the respiratory tract (nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi), with some infections focused on the upper respiratory tract while others affect the lower respiratory tract. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses that causes such an infection in infants and children. What is RSV? RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It causes infections of the lower respiratory tract (trachea and bronchi) as well as the lungs. In fact, RSV infections are the most common cause of lower respiratory tract and lung infections in children with most children having contracted an RSV infection within the first two years of life. Sometimes these infections can become very severe in children and even lead to hospitalization. RSV infections affect around 5 million children under the age of 4 every year in the United States. It also leads to as many as 125,000 hospitalizations among this age group annually. Older children and adults can also be infected by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) but the infection usually only affects the upper respiratory tract. It tends to be milder in older children and adults and [...]

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Flu Headaches – Causes, Dangers and Treatment

Dr. Chris — Fri, 10 May 2019 22:42:15 +0000

A headache is a common symptom with the seasonal flu. It usually lasts for a few days while the flu symptoms are the most intense. Some people have severe flu headaches while for others it may only be a minor ache. The pain gradually subsides after a few days along with other flu symptoms like fatigue, malaise, fever, a runny nose and a cough. A flu headache is usually not serious and is unlikely to lead to any complications. Headache Only With the Flu A flu headache as it is commonly referred to starts with the onset of the flu and subsides once the infection resolves. Often the headache is one of the earliest symptoms of the flu, accompanying other symptoms like fatigue, malaise (feeling of being unwell or a ‘sick’ feeling) and body aches. In other instances, a flu headache may only arise a day or two into the infection. There are many possible causes of a headache. It is therefore important to differentiate between a flu headache and other types of headaches which may be triggered or worsen during the flu. Apart from starting when the other flu symptoms arise, a flu headache also resolves within a few [...]

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