Avian flu caused immense public concern in 2009 when outbreaks in Asia, Africa and Europe prompted researchers to double their efforts to find a vaccine. The virus originates in birds, and is responsible for high levels of contagion and death...
Most people are familiar with chest pain as a symptom of heart attack, but many think the telltale pain is confined to the left side. However, chest pain before a heart attack -- especially during strenuous exercise -- can occur anywhere in the...
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening hereditary condition that causes lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. These fluids should be thin and slippery; a...
Fosinopril sodium is a prescription drug that treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Fosinopril sodium is available as an oral tablet. The drug has not been sufficiently tested in children to determine if it can be safely administered. As...
A dry cough is one that does not produce any sputum, or mucus. It can be painful and forceful. Treating this type of cough in an infant depends on the underlying cause. Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections. Home treatment options...
Aspiration pneumonia is a specific variant of pneumonia caused by inhalation of a noxious substance. Accidental inhalation of stomach contents is a frequent cause of aspiration pneumonia. Impaired consciousness is a major risk factor for...
Human beings do not have immunity to the avian influenza. This disease occurs in birds; it has also mutated to infect some humans. Avian influenza in humans is called H5N1. Farmers who work with poultry and those who go to countries with a high...
Pneumonia is an illness characterized by the inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. This infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Pneumonia occurs commonly in people who have a chronic illness or a compromised...
Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which includes emphysema, or enlargement of the air sacs, or alveoli; chronic bronchitis, or chronic cough-producing phlegm; and small airways disease, or narrowing of bronchioles,...
The lungs consist of bronchial tubes and alveoli. When a person inhales, the air travels through the bronchial tubes and into the alveoli. The body absorbs oxygen into the blood through the alveoli and releases carbon dioxide. The exhaled air...
More than 100 different viruses can trigger a common cold that affects your nose and throat, notes MayoClinic.com. Cold germs can infiltrate when you touch your nose, mouth or eyes after contacting someone's cold germs via an object they've...
A cough is an involuntary reflex triggered by an irritant or blockage. Productive coughs produce mucus, or phlegm; a dry cough occurs when the phlegm is not loose enough to be expelled. There are two reasons to use lime and honey as a cough...
Asbestos is a mineral characterized by thin, long fibers that has been used as a fire retardant in the construction of buildings. It also has been used in the manufacture of insulation materials, clutches and brakes for cars, in oil refineries,...
A cough is an involuntary reflex triggered by irritation of the airways or the nerves responsible for the reflex. Many conditions can trigger the cough reflex, giving rise to different types of coughing with distinguishing characteristics. Noting...
Vicks cough drops sold under the brand name Vicks VapoDrops are available in menthol and cherry flavors. According to the manufacturer they are indicated for cough suppression and relief of sore throat. Menthol is the active ingredient found in...
The sinus cavities are hallow areas in the face found near the bridge of the nose, around the cheeks, behind the nose and in the forehead. Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (LPCH) explains that the sinuses in the forehead do not...
Influenza viruses types A, B and C cause the illness known as the flu. Influenza viruses types A and B are primarily responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks, which typically begin in October or November and run through March. The Centers for...
Dry coughs are coughs that do not produce phlegm or mucus. A dry cough usually feels like something is irritating or tickling the back of your throat. A constant, dry cough may be a symptom of several different medical conditions. A visit to your...
Phlegm, also known as sputum or mucus, is a substance that can come up during a cough. Phlegm comes from what is known as a productive cough, unlike a dry cough, which does not produce phlegm. Coughing is a normal function, with the purpose of...
Coughing is a natural response for the body to clear the throat and airways. Coughing that is considered productive brings up mucus or sputum, also known as phlegm. Coughing that does not produce any phlegm is considered dry or nonproductive....
Waking up to the sound of your toddler coughing can be alarming, especially if the cough produces large amounts of phlegm. However, coughing up phlegm isn't always cause for alarm. Observe your toddler for signs of serious infection and consult...
Phlegm is a thick liquid produced in the lungs and throat during a cold or flu. In traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, phlegm is produced by the spleen, and can be either visible, as in cough sputum, or invisible and dispersed throughout the...
Asthma is a chronic condition that occurs when your airways become inflamed and constricted. It can cause many symptoms and sideline you from activities you enjoy. While there is currently no cure for this condition it can be managed and...
A common symptom of a cold is a cough, but coughing also can be a signal of a more serious medical complication in children. According to KeepKidsHealthy.com, a cough can be particularly dangerous when your child also has trouble breathing or when...
Coughing is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A productive cough is one that produces mucus, or phlegm. A continuous, or chronic, productive cough is not normal and may...
Chinese remedies are often based on foods and herbs. According to "Chinese Herbal Medicine Made Easy," many remedies promote harmony in the body by using ingredients that can offset unbalanced forces that cause illness. Several different Chinese...
Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lungs. According to the World Health Organization, it is the leading cause of death in children worldwide, causing more fatalities than measles, AIDS and malaria combined. The symptoms of pneumonia in...
Each year the flu virus affects Americans with symptoms ranging from fever, chills, muscle aches, cough and headache. Because the earlier you treat the flu, the sooner you can begin to improve, it is important to recognize the early signs of the flu.
Asthma is a chronic condition affecting 20 million Americans, reports the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Of that 20 million, nine million are children. Asthma causes an inflammation of the airway of the lungs, and this...
