Epstein Barr virus is a virus that infects almost everybody by the time they are adults. Most people never have symptoms or only have mild cold-like symptoms. Some children or young adults have a more severe infection called mononucleosis. Once infected, everybody has EBV living in their white blood cells. … Read More
Influenza virus – the flu – attacks about eight percent of Americans every year. Flu symptoms range from mild to severe, and in a few cases, flu can be life threatening. Mild flu attacks your nose and throat. More serious flu attacks your lungs and breathing tubes. The best way … Read More
To help your body remain as healthy as possible during this difficult time, “load up on wholesome, healthy foods,” says Dr. Orli Etingin, founder and medical director of the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. Also, she says, “stay away from processed foods. Processed … Read More
Welcome to the new season of America’s Got Viruses. From a common cold to Zika, viruses from all over the globe are competing to infect the highest number of host cells. While some viruses are mild, gifting us with symptoms like a runny nose and sore throat (we feel you, … Read More
Have you ever had a bad chest cold and then, for weeks after, spent much of your day coughing and hacking? After a week or so, you may have wondered, "How long does a cough last?"—and whether something was really wrong. In the meantime, the cough disturbs your sleep and … Read More
Which would you rather have—a head cold or a chest cold? Pick your poison, right? A head cold can take you out of play for a few days, thanks to all the typical symptoms—sinus congestion, clogged ears, watery eyes, a runny nose, chapped skin on your face from all the … Read More
You likely read about the historic and unsettling flu season of 2017-18: In America, some 900,000 people were hospitalized and 80,000 died from the flu and its complications. The 2017-18 flu season was the worst we’ve seen since 2011, when there were 56,000 deaths. By comparison, flu-related deaths during a … Read More
Ah-ah-ah-CHOO! You’re sneezing again. It’s that time of year when every other person seems to have the sniffles—nasal congestion, a runny nose, and frequent sneezing. These common symptoms most often are caused by two conditions that can be difficult to tell apart: allergies and the common cold. When it comes … Read More
Those at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may wonder, "Is COPD fatal?" While there is no cure, it’s important to keep in mind that when you're dealing with COPD signs and symptoms, various treatment approaches can help you avoid complications. Some strategies are as straightforward as getting immunized against … Read More
Every year, millions of Americans are hit by cold, flu, and other respiratory infections. While the common cold will rarely cause serious complications, the flu and other infections—such as Legionnaire’s, pneumococcus, and mycoplasma—can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications, especially in the young, the elderly, and the chronically sick. … Read More
