Cold & Flu

More than 25 million people in the U.S. alone get the flu each year. The flu is a respiratory virus that causes headaches, a stuffy head and nose, a sore throat, body aches, chills, fever,...

A virus is a microscopic organism with DNA or RNA surrounded by a lipid, protein or glycoprotein coat. Viruses such as the swine flu cannot reproduce without a host cell. The virus inserts its...

The swine flu or H1N1 virus can survive outside of the body and live long enough to infect another person. Knowing where the virus might be and how to kill the virus on surfaces can keep you from...

The recent reemergence of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, quickly evolved to pandemic proportions, taking much of the world by surprise. Though this strain is different from the "common" flu, it is...

Most of us have had influenza at one time or another. Influenza, or flu, makes its yearly assault from about November to March. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu strikes...

The H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu, was first reported in April 2009 in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that between 14 million...

Flu is an infection of the respiratory tract that can be caused by a number of viruses, namely influenza. The virus enters the body from air through the mouth or nose. An estimated 5 percent to 20...

The dreaded stomach flu is a virus that frequently sneaks up on its unsuspecting victims. Severity of the sickness often depends on the virus as does the level of treatment. Several tips, however...

Different strains of flu affect many thousands of Americans each year. Not only is the flu uncomfortable; it can also be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately...

Influenza is in the air, literally. The disease is resembles a very bad cold, but it can cause high fevers and be fatal in some cases. Influenza, or the flu, is caused by a group of viruses that...

Swine flu, or H1N1, is a strain of the influenza virus that was first discovered in America in April of 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This virus was...

Like all influenza viruses, the "pig flu," which is properly called the 2009 H1N1 flu and popularly called the swine flu, causes a respiratory illness. Those infected may get mildly sick, severely...

Influenza, commonly called the flu for short, is virus that causes illness of the respiratory system. Sometimes the virus can even cause death. In the United States, up to 20 percent of the...

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a virus that kills around 36,000 people each year in the United States. It is important to keep your immune system healthy to prevent infection from the flu....

Cold sores are a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. They appear on different areas of the mouth and can be easily contracted by oral contact. Cold sores are characterized by being...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges people to avoid returning to school or work until influenza has run its complete course. This will help to prevent the spread of the...

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year between and 5 and 20 percent of people in the United States...

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year between 5 and 20 percent of people in...

One of the many ways the influenza virus can be spread is by inhaling airborne droplets from coughs and sneezes. A common way of preventing infection is to stay three feet or more away from an...

Sinus infections (sinusitis) are commonly caused by virus and bacteria and provide symptoms similar to those involved in a cold or flu. Because of these similarities, sinusitis is often not...

Influenza is fast becoming one of the most feared and deadly viruses worldwide. Especially with the advent of the H1N1 (swine flu) epidemic, scientists are focused on isolating what makes winter...

Swine influenza seems to be at the top of today's list of the most feared conditions and diseases. According to numerous doctors I've spoken with, contact with Swine Flu is not as much a problem...

Every year we are faced with lining up for our flu shots. Seasonal flu is a harmful virus that kills between 30,000-60,000 world-wide each year. As if fighting this virus wasn’t enough, now...

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a flu virus that affects birds but infection can spread to humans. Precautions to avoid the bird flu are similar to those taken to avoid any type of...

The Centers for Disease Control will begin giving away free vaccine shots for the H1N1 Swine flu virus. Despite the fact that the health departments in all of the states will be giving over 250...

As the infection rate increases everyday more and more people seek medical attention for H1N1 or swine flu. Vaccinations are still in high demand and often times difficult to get hold of. As the...

There are more than 200 different viruses that cause the common cold. The incubation period depends on the kind of viral infection; the average incubation period is two or three days.

It starts as mild irritation on your lip and face, turns into an invisible bump under the skin and finally grows to poke out and turn into a full-fledged sore--visually and physically unpleasant....

Influenza is a contagious virus that can break out regularly in a pattern or strike suddenly without warning. It can sicken people in any area of the world, including the most remote, causing a...

The common cold seems to infect just about everyone at some time or another. Many home remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter medicines claim to prevent the runny nose, sneezing and congested...

The stomach flu virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct or indirect contact. Steps can be taken to reduce becoming infected or infecting others.

Both the common cold and the flu (short for influenza) are caused by viruses. A virus is spread through droplets suspended in the air, which occurs, for example, when an infected person sneezes...

To some, a raccoon is a cute, furry little bandit who washes his food before he eats and has a fondness for bananas. To others, he is a nocturnal menace who knocks over trash cans and spreads...

Germs that cause the seasonal flu virus are literally everywhere. Learn when to be especially wary and when you should wash your hands, based on the things you touch.

Both the flu and the common cold are caused by viruses. However, the virus that causes the flu usual causes more severe symptoms than the virus that causes the common cold.

Are you trying to cure your cold? Well, your body needs time for it to build antibodies to protect it's self from the virus. While it's building antibodies, there are some things you can do to...

The transmission of the H1N1 virus, or the swine flu virus, can be transmitted form person to person. Transmission usually occurs through close contact. Being exposed to droplets infected with the...

Influenza inflicts hundreds of thousands to millions of people worldwide each year. In the United States alone, it is estimated that over 30,000 people a year die from flu related causes. Though...

The H1N1 virus, sometimes referred to as "swine flu," is a very contagious strand of influenza that has infected millions of people and caused thousands of deaths. This virus has been particularly...

Influenza, or the flu, is a common infectious disease caused by a virus. Its recorded history stretches back thousands of years, with the symptoms being described as early as 2,400 years ago.

Getting tested for the flu won't change how your physician treats your condition, unless you're a high-risk patient (such as a HIV/AIDS patient). Testing for the illness is only a way for your...

Everyone gets colds. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system--one of the most common in humans. Children have at least six to 10 colds a year because they are in...

It starts with a runny nose and a sore throat. Before you know it, your temperature is up, the chills have set in and you feel like you can barely get out of bed. Every fall and winter, the flu...

The common cold really is common, causing 22 million lost school days each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first signs of a cold coming on are a scratchy...

The H1N1, or swine, flu is a strain of the influenza A virus known for its rapid spread and severe symptoms, especially in young people and pregnant women. While many prepare themselves to endure...

Understanding the facts about the H1N1 swine flu virus can help you to better protect yourself and your family.

Swine flu is a respiratory illness that infects humans, pigs and birds. The name of the illness is derived from its origins and route of transmission.

A head cold is caused by a virus that infects the nose and throat. This infection typically runs its course in a few days, but during those few days, symptoms make the illness feel worse than it...

These days everyone seems to be talking about swine flu which is also known as the H1N1 influenza virus. While the outcomes of patients who contract swine flu are generally positive, this stain...

The 2009 flu season is in full swing and holds the potential to be one of the most controversial health issues of the year. Good old “regular flu" (also known as “seasonal flu”) hits Americans...