A cough occurs when a child's body is responding to irritants in airways. This usually occurs due to an upper respiratory infection. During the first two years of life, more kids get upper respiratory infections than any other illness, reports the...
Your child may have a productive cough, which is one that brings up phlegm. Your child's cough may be particularly acute after a bacterial respiratory infection, a bout with the flu or another virus. Other causes of a particularly severe cough...
Although many pregnant women are extremely afraid that their own illnesses might harm their baby, fetuses are remarkably resilient. In most cases, a cough is harmless to a developing baby. The placenta provides fetuses with substantial protection...
Waking up to your baby coughing can be an alarming experience for parents, particularly if the cause of the cough is unknown. If the coughing is so sever that your baby is losing sleep, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. If...
It is never pleasant to have a dry, hacking cough that is painful and leaves you exhausted and too weak to do any of your daily tasks. When you have an allergy attack, the flu or a cold, there are a few things you can do to treat your cough. You...
It seems that no matter what flavor the bottle says it's supposed to be, cough medicine always tastes bad. Dextromethorphan, a main ingredient in over-the-counter cough medicines commonly referred to as DM, can have harmful side effects,...
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious, infectious disease that primarily effects the lungs. TB is spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air, states the Mayo Clinic. If diagnosed with TB, you may be able to cure...
Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals. Among the most dangerous chemicals are nicotine and carbon monoxide. According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. Many diseases...
The influenza virus, conversationally called the flu, is an illness that's highly contagious and causes a number of different symptoms. There are many different types, or strains, of the influenza virus, including the seasonal flu virus and the...
Children are particularly susceptible to bronchitis and other respiratory infections. While exercise during a chest infection should generally be avoided, it is important for children to resume exercise shortly after recovery because children need...
Tuberculosis or TB is an infection caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although it primarily affects the lungs of an individual, it can spread to other parts of the body also. According to MedlinePlus, a publication of the...
When you're sniffling and coughing all day long and your chest is tight with congestion, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. However, if you're trying to stick to a regular exercise routine, train for an athletic event or meet your...
Mepron (generic name: atovaquone) is a medication used to prevent and treat Pneumocystitis carinni pneumonia (PCP). It is an antifungal medication that prevents the protozoa (tiny infectious cells) from multiplying and wreaking havoc on your body....
Since the HIV virus damages the immune system of the people who get infected with it, these patients need to be aware of any potential signs of illness. In patients with HIV and AIDS, a cough can be a sign of a variety of pulmonary infections or...
Mercury comes in three forms which can affect the body differently. Inorganic mercury, found in batteries, chemicals and disinfectants, doesn't typically cause symptoms due to chronic exposure but can be fatal if ingested. Elemental mercury, found...
Weight loss and fever can be a sign of something serious. Fever is a sign of infection and if left untreated can lead to seizures and possibly even death. A fast diagnosis is required to find and treat the cause of the fever. In addition, any...
Sinusitis is a common condition characterized by an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. This inflammation is usually caused by allergens, bacteria, viruses or fungi. According to the Mayo Clinic, sinusitis is considered to be chronic...
Since the first reported case in 1981, AIDS has become a pandemic, report researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by the spread of the human immunodeficiency...
Since 2000 there has been a considerable increase in the number of diseases caused by fungi, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you are usually healthy, then it is still rare for fungi to spread throughout your body...
Cold medicine is the best way to relieve a stuffy nose or a bad cough. Although cold medicine will not totally attack the cold viruses, by focusing on the cold symptoms they can give you some relief and make the amount of time you have a cold...
Magnesium citrate is a nonprescription laxative that gathers and retains water in the intestines, softens the stool and cleanses the gastrointestinal tract. Children younger than the age of 2 should not use magnesium citrate at all, but the safety...
The common cold may make your kid feel miserable, but remember that there is no cure for it. Antibiotics won’t help, and in fact, if you give these to your child often, they can make her more susceptible to infections in the future. However,...
If you have a common chest cold, you've been infected with one of more than 200 viruses that can cause this type of upper respiratory infection. The American Academy of Otolaryngology cites figures from the National Institute of Allergy and...
Mercury exists in three chemical forms and they each can cause adverse effects on human health. The exposure to mercury in any of its forms can occur under different circumstances. The effects of mercury poisoning on human health depend on the...
Young children can pick up any and every bug, germ, cough, and sniffle that comes their way. When a child suffers from persistent, habitual coughing, it can cause real problems --- even if the cough itself isn't a major health threat. Coughing may...
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus and is sometimes referred to as varicella. It is an extremely contagious disease spread through the air by coughs or sneezes and can also be transmitted by touching chickenpox blisters and not washing...
Buckwheat honey comes from bees who feed primarily on buckwheat. This dark-colored honey imparts a rich flavor to baked goods and other recipes, and you may opt to use it as a sweetener for beverages as well. This honey is quite good for you,...
People who have the flu virus often experience symptoms such as fever, chills, tiredness, and head and body aches. The flu affects the upper respiratory tract, and can also include symptoms such as a bad cough, sore throat and ear aches. Since the...
Generally, individuals suffering from acute bronchitis do not feel like exercising, since fever, difficulty breathing and fatigue often accompany this condition. However, when someone who is accustomed to working out every day is denied the...
Measles, also called rubeola, is primarily a respiratory infection caused by a highly contagious virus found all over the world. Measles can be serious, especially in small children. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and...