The flu, or influenza, is a contagious disease caused by viruses, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness can be mild or severe. The CDC reports that symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, vomiting and...
Hillendale Health describes a communicable disease as one that is passed from human to human through direct or indirect contact. Common ones include chicken pox, ringworm, influenza, scabies, lice, pinkeye and hepatitis. Prevention includes good...
Lemon and tea tree oil are two essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy and alternative healing. Lemon oil is made by cold-pressing fresh lemon peel, according to Julia Lawless, author of "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils." Tea...
Increased nasal mucus occurs when the tissues lining the nose or sinuses become irritated and swell or grow abnormally. Viral and bacterial infections, allergies, environmental irritants and nasal polyps are among the most common causes of runny...
The influenza virus is a highly contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. The influenza virus can be highly dangerous and lead to opportunistic infections such as pneumonia in...
Many viruses and bacteria infect people only when they enter the nose or mouth. People with diseases transmitted via the fecal-oral route can spread the disease to nearby objects or food if they don't wash their hands well after using the toilet....
Influenza, or the flu, is a viral respiratory infection that can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children, the elderly and individuals with other respiratory diseases or weakened immune systems. The flu shot offers protection...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 12 million people took cruises in 2007. Because approximately 4,000 passengers and crew members share the ship for an average of seven days to 14 days, the risk of contracting an...
Influenza--the flu--is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system and causes chills, headaches, aching muscles, fatigue, congestion, and a fever, usually over 100 degrees. Although influenza normally goes away by itself...
The flu vaccine is a vaccination intended to prevent the seasonal flu. The flu, or influenza, is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread easily through person-to-person contact. The flu shot is recommended at the beginning of or during...
In a typical year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends influenza vaccination for virtually everyone over the age of 6 months. In the 2010-2011 flu season, flu shots, which contain inactivated or killed forms of the...
The flu is a contagious respiratory infection that can produce anything from a mild illness to death. Getting the flu shot can reduce your risk of getting the flu by 70 to 90 percent. However, the vaccine is not for everyone, especially people...
Most Americans are quite familiar with the effects of influenza: runny nose, cough, fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. This respiratory virus, commonly called flu, is very contagious and usually strikes during the colder months. Some cases of...
The flu shot delivers influenza vaccine in an injection, providing protection against seasonal influenza. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, babies age 6 months and older are recommended to receive the...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved five injectible vaccines (flu shots) for seasonal influenza during the 2009 to 2010 flu season. While most people will benefit from the flu shot, it is contraindicated in people with certain...
The flu shot is a vaccine given to help prevent infection with the influenza virus. Influenza is spread easily through person-to-person contact. The influenza vaccine is recommended at the beginning of or during flu season, which runs from...
Hard skin typically occurs on your hands, feet or other areas prone to friction, dryness and irritation. These areas of hard skin may be painless---as is usually the case with calluses---or they may be painful and inflamed. You can reduce or...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 5 to 20 percent of Americans are infected by influenza viruses each year. Influenza produces a spectrum of disease, ranging from mild, self-limited respiratory disease to life-threatening...
Swollen neck glands occur when your lymph nodes, located on the sides of your neck and throat, become swollen and feel tender. Swollen glands often occur when your body is trying to ward off an infection, such as the common cold, influenza,...
Infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, can spread disease from one living being to another. Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus that occurs naturally among birds, according to the...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an influenza A virus known to infect chickens. The infection can spread to humans but the risk is low. Also known as the H5N1 virus, a lab...
Influenza outbreaks occur each winter at an annual cost of $12 billion to $71 billion in the United States alone, reports Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Raphael Dolin in “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.” An...
