Knowing the Differences Between Flu-Like Symptoms and Allergies
If you’re in bed all day with flu-like symptoms, allergies could be the actual root cause. Often, people mistake simple allergy signs for more severe conditions like a cold or the flu. To learn more about allergies and differentiating between an illness and a possible allergic reaction, keep reading. All Allergies Aren’t Created Equal Just because someone is having an allergic reaction doesn’t mean they’ll automatically exhibit a runny nose and itchy eyes. In fact, many allergies are symptomatic as stomach pains, aches, a rash or other flu-like indicators. Allergies are simply a range of reactions to different antigens, and those reactions can vary depending on the individual and the allergy itself. Some allergic reactions are disguised as a low-grade fever, aches, pains and chills – all signs associated with the flu. Understanding the Difference Typically, a flu won’t be either too short or long in duration. If your aches, pains and flu-like symptoms seem to continue for several weeks or over the course of an allergen “season,” it’s a likely indicator that you’re reacting to a particular pollen or airborne particle. When flu symptoms continue indefinitely without relenting, you may have a bigger problem – like mold in your [...]
Flu Symptoms (8) – Do I Have the Flu or Just a Cold?
I feel horrible! – do I have the flu or is it just a common cold? This question is usually the 1st one that comes to my mind when I get that lousy-all-over-feeling that lets me know I’ve caught a winter season bug. Some of the symptoms of the flu (influenza) are very similar to those common to the common cold, however, there are some flu symptoms that are not. Here are 8 symptoms that are common to the flu. These tips may help you determine whether you have the flu and a proper course of action if you do. If you suspect you have the flu and not just a common cold, see your doctor within 48 hours if possible. He may be able to prescribe medications that will help lessen the severity of your symptoms. After 48 hours the available antiviral medications are much less effective. 1.) Fever of 100.4 F (38C) or higher. Fever is rare if you only have a cold but fever over 100.4 F for 3-4 days is common in up to 80% of flu cases. 2.) Muscle aches that are widespread throughout the body. Muscle aches are not common with a cold and [...]
What Are the Symptoms of Bird Flu
How can you know whether your or a loved one has bird flu or just a case of ordinary flu? That’s not a simple question to answer. Frankly, the only 100% way is to have body secretions tested by a World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory such as the U.S. Center for Disease Control in Atlanta Georgia. There are also such laboratories in Melbourne Australia and London England. Obviously, they are not available to just any and every household and clinic with a flu patient. Right now there’re probably overwhelmed with testing new and suspected cases in Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa. If you have good reason to believe that you have been exposed to bird flu, then you should go right away to a clinic or hospital to be tested and get the care you’ll need if your case becomes severe. You have good reason to believe you have been exposed to bird flu if you live in or have travelled recently in SouthEast/South Asia, the Mid-East, Europe or Africa. Especially if you work with or around chickens or you have been around chickens. That is, to a chicken market or to a cock fight (where chicken blood and other [...]
Bird Flu – Causes and Symptoms
The bird flu virus is dangerous because it is so ever changing in its nature – often mutating within a very short period of time. Originating in Asia, the bird flu virus has spread throughout the world but still remains confined to areas other than the United States. But, it is only a matter of time. Whether you are watching the latest story on Oprah or MSNBC regarding bird flu it will scare you – guaranteed! So what are you to do? How are you going to prepare you and your family for the bird flu virus pandemic? Americans, including the president are worried about the possibility that we could not be prepared for a stronger, ever changing bird flu virus. It is estimated that anywhere from 2 million to over 50 million could perish if this virus becomes a reality. The only thing you can do now is prepare. Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a contagious disease that affects chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other birds. Bird flu was first detected over 100 years ago and nowadays comes in a variety of about 20 strains. Most recently, outbreaks of the viral disease have been caused by the H5N1 strain, [...]
Flu – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
 Influenza (say: in-floo-en-zah) is also called the flu. It’s an infection that causes fever, chills, cough, body aches, headaches, and sometimes earaches or sinus problems. The flu is caused by the influenza virus (say: vy-rus). A virus is a microorganism (say: my-croh-or-gah-nih-zum), which means it’s so small that you can’t see it without a strong microscope. Flu Causes Somewhere between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the “whole body” symptoms begin to subside, and respiratory symptoms begin to increase. The flu virus can settle anywhere in the respiratory tract, producing symptoms of a cold, croup, sore throat, bronchiolitis, ear infection, or pneumonia. Flu Symptoms Symptoms of influenza can start quite suddenly one to two days after infection. Usually the first symptoms are chills or a chilly sensation, but fever is also common early in the infection, with body temperatures as high as 39 °C (approximately 103 °F). Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, which are worse in their backs and legs.[1] Symptoms of influenza may include: Body aches, especially joints [...]
Signs And Symptoms Of The Stomach Flu
The stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is a viral infection that attacks the stomach and small intestine. Usually brief in nature, the stomach flu typically lasts 1 to 3 days. The stomach flu is NOT the same flu for which we receive vaccines each winter. Those flu vaccines are for influenza, which is not the same as the stomach flu which is a mild virus that affects your intestines. There are several viruses which can cause the stomach flu, including adenoviruses, rotaviruses, and the Norwalk virus. Gastroenteritis or the stomach flu results when we swallow one of these viruses. Transmission of the virus is really quite simple since the body fluids of those infected contain the virus, sometimes even before their symptoms begin. Then the virus is spread through contact with an infected person, like through shaking hands or kissing example, or by sharing food, or drinks, or eating utensils. Pretty easy to transmit the virus from one person to another if you think about the many opportunities we have each day for transmission. Once you have been in direct contact with the virus, it travels to the stomach and intestine and then settles in to cause an inflammation [...]