Mucus

One night in June 2022, Nina Rayburn Dec started feeling sniffly and congested. She took a rapid home test for COVID-19: negative. So when she woke up the next morning with a runny nose and a scratchy throat, "I thought I had a cold, allergies, or strep throat," says Dec, who is the executive director of the Bridgehampton Museum on Long Island in New York. Still, a slight fever and abundance of mucus prompted her to mask up and drive to see an urgent care physician. A PCR test showed that she did, in fact, have COVID-19. Her runny nose and congestion persisted for about 12 days, she says. In the omicron era, congestion and a runny nose are common signs of COVID-19, particularly in people like Dec who are vaccinated and boosted, or who have some measure of immunity from a prior bout of COVID-19. Results of the U.K.-based Zoe COVID Symptoms Study, published in December 2021 in the BMJ , showed that runny nose is among the top five symptoms reported for omicron infection, along ...

You might've heard by now that it's important to get a flu shot. It helps prevent the flu, and if you do get the flu, the shot can make symptoms less severe so that you feel better faster. It's also free to get, and it protects you as well as others — because if you're protected against the flu, you can't pass it on to someone else. But sometimes you may feel sick the day after getting your flu shot. This is normal. Here, we'll talk about common side effects of the flu shot. Some people will feel fine after receiving their flu shot, but others may notice some side effects and symptoms. Generally, this is nothing to worry about and is often a sign that everything is working as expected. Flu vaccines are very safe , but common side effects of the flu shot include: Symptoms of the flu shot should subside within 1 to 2 days. If you're feeling under the weather after receiving a flu shot, be sure to get plenty of rest. It can be helpful to treat the situation as ...

If you're suffering from allergies, asthma or another condition that is causing excess mucus production, it's important to seek medical treatment. However, in cases where phlegm results from a viral infection, such as the common cold, it will usually resolve on its own within seven to 10 days. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to help clear your airways and get rid of phlegm. Hydration Drinking plenty of fluids helps to thin out mucus, making it easier to cough up and clear from the airways. Focus on drinking water, and avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, as these can make your condition worse. Use a Humidifier A humidifier will help to keep the air moist, which may reduce irritation in the respiratory tract and lead to less mucus production and coughing. A warm, steamy shower can also help to loosen phlegm if a humidifier is not available. Use Saline Nasal Spray Both Dr. Kara and Dr. Nasseri suggest using saline nasal sprays to help relieve...

"There's a lot of people suffering from sinus disease. Your sinus health is important to address, and impacts your well-being and quality of life. Don't wait to come in, because there are things we can do to help you." These words of encouragement come from Christie Barnes, MD, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor who treats people with sinus diseases. While Dr. Barnes says your sinus discharge is just one factor an ENT doctor uses to diagnose a condition, your mucus color and consistency might offer you some clues.  Spoiler alert: The best way to find out if you have COVID-19 is to get tested. With that public service announcement out of the way, here are what different types of mucus might indicate. Clear and watery: allergies or nonallergic rhinitis "Clear drainage tends to be associated with early onset of a cold, seasonal allergies or nonallergic rhinitis," says Dr. Barnes. "If it's allergies, that tends to be accompani...

Recently STI proctitis has gained worldwide attention. This study reports 54 cases of this proctitis in young homosexual men with an average age of 32 years. These findings are in agreement with previous studies, only age is slightly lower compared to other publications, which reported an average of approximately 43 years [9, 10]. These young patients typically present anal pain, tenesmus, constipation, and rectal bleeding [11]. In our study it was not possible to estimate the prevalence of these symptoms due to the lack of systematized information in the medical records, a problem that is quite common in our country. The coexistence of HIV in patients with STI proctitis has been reported in many publications. Indeed, 70% of cases are considered to be HIV [12] positive. In the present study a similar rate of 69% of HIV positive patients was found. However it must be noted that there was a lack of HIV testi...

Between mask mandates and social distancing guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it's highly likely that you managed to dodge getting sick with a cold or the flu last year. Now, you may be back at the office or have kids back in school or are just around others much more, which means your chances of coming down with something are that much higher. Knowing what the best cold and flu medicine for you is will help you get back on your feet faster if you actually get sick. The drugstore medicine aisle (or virtual ones on retailers like Amazon or Target!) can be overwhelming with all the brand and drug type options. So, we consulted with Soma Mandal , MD, a board-certified internist at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, to break down the best cold and flu medicine for adults, and exactly what to take when and for what. If you have congestion... In the beginning stages of the common cold, it's not unusual to experience nasal congestion (that is, a stuffy nose), s...

Published: 10:45 AM June 25, 2022 A prominent poultry farmer says the government isn't going far enough in its battle against bird flu. Mark Gorton, founder and managing director of Traditional Norfolk Poultry, said a major new research group to tackle the devastating H5N1 disease should be focusing on developing a vaccine. He and other poultry farmers have been pressing for action on the issue after Suffolk found itself at the centre of the UK's worst bird flu crisis to date this winter after nine outbreaks in poultry flocks. Just recently, an outbreak hit the wild bird population at Minsmere nature reserve on the county's coast. Free-range turkeys from Traditional Norfolk Poultry - Credit: Chris Hill The government announced this week that the consortium of eight top scientists would be working on "developing new strategies to tackle future bird flu outbreaks" - but a...

U.S. News & World Report , in partnership with the Pharmacy Times , issued its annual list of pharmacists' top recommended over-the-counter treatments and devices.  With input from thousands of pharmacists, here are the No. 1 recommendations in 30 categories:  1. Acne treatment : Differin Gel won with 22 percent of votes 2. Allergy eye drops : Zaditor won with 39 percent of votes 3. Antibacterial soaps : Hibiclens won with 46 percent of votes 4. Antihistamines for allergies : Claritin won with 42 percent of votes 5. Arthritis and joint pain treatment : Voltaren Gel won with 43 percent of votes 6. Blood pressure monitors : Omron won with 76 percent of votes 7. Children's allergy medicine : Children's Claritin won with 34 percent of votes 8. Children's cough and cold combinations : Children's Tylenol Cold + Cough + Runny Nose won with 24 percent of votes 9. Children's cough medicine : Children's Delsym won with 24 ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Lifting the fog: Applying the COVID-19 toolbox to future pandemics    The Seattle Times

As US regulators restrict antibiotic use, livestock producers turn to vaccines, hormones, and other problematic drugs Many people know about the routine use of antibiotics in livestock production—and object to it. The drugs are profitable to meat producers because they cause animals to gain more weight with less feed and prevent the outbreak of disease in often cramped concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFOS) conditions. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration began regulatory measures to prevent the use of livestock antibiotics for growth purposes and recently finalized the guidances. Injudicious antibiotic use drives the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As the extent of antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat has been revealed, there has been a public backlash against the drugs' use, resulting in some meat producers labeling their products "raised without antibiotics." The problem consumers are unaware that...

A morning cough is a relatively common health issue, and there are numerous potential causes. Coughing is your body's way of clearing irritants from your respiratory system. While you sleep, phlegm and other irritants can pool in your lungs and throat overnight. When you become active in the morning, the phlegm starts to break up and may trigger a coughing fit. Often, a morning cough isn't a sign of a serious medical condition. But if it doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it's making breathing difficult, it may be time to see a doctor. Let's examine the potential causes of your morning coughing fits and look at how you can treat them. A cough that produces phlegm is known as a wet cough or productive cough. If it doesn't produce phlegm, it's called a dry cough or unproductive cough. Knowing which type you have can help you narrow down the cause. Common cold The average American has two to three colds per year, and children usually have more. A persiste...

By Dr. Christine Bowen / Special to The Herald Do you think that your digestive problems started shortly after a gut infection? This is very probable and very common. Have you ever found yourself sitting on the toilet while also vomiting? This is an AWFUL feeling, and is most often due to digestive tract infections caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. This is referred to as Acute Infectious Gastroenteritis, or IGE for short. The symptoms are typically vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, dehydration. These infections usually resolve on their own and don't typically require additional testing or treatment. Today, we are going to explore these all-too-common infections and discuss how having had a gut infection, even 20 years ago, could be bothering your gut today. We are going to explore the causes of acute gut infections and how to prevent them when possible. Gut infections are the top cause of acute diarrhea, and can be life-threatening if severe. Seek help if it isn...

Seven out of 10 pregnant women were cured of their multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and delivered healthy babies after taking a medication that had previously been considered unsafe in pregnancy, a new Curtin and Telethon Kids Institute study has found. Published in JAMA Network Open , the study examined the experiences of 275 pregnant women with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis living in South Africa, Peru, Brazil, Iran and Uganda. Lead researcher Dr Kefyalew Alene, from the Curtin School of Population Health and Telethon Kids Institute, said the study had found a medication used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, Linezolid, was associated with favourable pregnancy outcomes and high treatment success. "This is the first comprehensive review of treatment outcomes for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in pregnant women, who remain one of the most vulnerable groups among the half a million people living with the disease globally," Dr Alene said. "I was surpr...

After an increase in COVID-19 cases, Ludhiana is facing a double threat with swine flu. The respiratory disease has even claimed a life of a BJP leader in the latest surge. Written by Arushi Bidhuri | Updated : June 24, 2022 5:01 PM IST As COVID cases continue to increase in the country and with speculations of monkeypox cases doing rounds, reports of swine flu infections seem like a nightmare. Amid the rise in cases of coronavirus in Ludhiana, the emergence of the swine flu has come as a double threat to the city. A BJP recently died because of suspected swine flu, while two others tested positive within 15 days. Sandeep Kumar, 45, was the co-convenor of the legal cell of the BJP and was the first one to die due to swine flu in Ludhiana. Swine Flu Is Unusual At This Time Following the slight surge in swine flu cases in India during this season, experts have commented that it is not usual for swine flu case...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Could Earlier Recognition Lessen The Economic Toll of Fungal Infections?    Infectious Disease Special Edition

If you've ever been diagnosed with the common cold or bronchitis, you've likely experienced chest congestion. Chest congestion is the result of inflamed air passages, or bronchi, in the lungs. A chest cold results from the same virus as the common cold and usually presents as a runny nose, sinus infection, or sore throat before settling into your lungs. When the bronchi in your lungs are exposed to a virus, they swell and fill with a thick fluid called mucus. This excess fluid constricts the airflow, making it difficult to breathe.  Symptoms of chest congestion include: Hacking cough with clear, green, or dark yellow mucus Chest tightness  Sore throat Body aches and chills Headache Fever Shortness of breath or wheezing  The majority of these symptoms often fade in a few days, but a cough can last for weeks as your bronchial tubes heal. If you have a cough that lasts longer than 14 days, you should see your doctor. This symptom could be a sign of anot...

Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection caused by bacteria known as group A Streptococcus (group A strep) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) . These bacteria are typically found on the skin and in the nose and throat of healthy individuals. Although cellulitis is not contagious, it can affect anyone. Certain skin injuries (cuts, burns, piercings, insect bites) and skin conditions, such as shingles (a viral skin condition), eczema (an allergic skin condition), or athlete's foot (a fungal skin infection), allow bacteria to enter the skin, thus increasing your risk of developing cellulitis. Many people develop cellulitis when bacteria enter the skin through lacerations (deep cuts or tears in the skin) or surgical wounds. This allows cellulitis to develop anywhere in the body, but it typically affects the arms and legs. This article discusses the transmission, risk factors, and treatments of cellulitis. Sasi Ponchaisang / EyeEm / G...