Mucus

Mucus can turn different colors for a variety of reasons. White snot can occur with a cold, for example, and pink boogers can be a sign of pregnancy. And while green or yellow snot may indicate a bacterial infection—and a need for antibiotics—it can also signal that your body is on the mend. This article discusses the various colors your discharge can take on—clear, white, yellow, green pink, red, orange, brown, and black—and their possible causes. It also helps you determine if it's time to see a healthcare provider. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Clear Mucus Mucus is made by mucus glands, which are located in the mouth, nose, throat, stomach, intestines, and vagina. Healthy, normal mucus is clear and made up of water, salt, proteins, and antibodies. Your body makes about 1.5 quarts daily to lubricate tissues and flush out germs. You may have an especially runny nose with clear snot: Rarely, watery nasal discharge can result...

R 0 , or the basic reproduction number/rate, refers to the contagiousness and transmissibility of infectious pathogens. R 0 varies depending on a variety of factors and is critical in public health management to ensure infectious epidemics (or global pandemics) are controlled. Image Credit: TierneyMJ/Shutterstock.com R 0 is an estimate of the speed at which a particular infectious disease can currently spread through a given population. Specifically, it refers to the number of people that one person can transmit on average. Typically, the R 0 varies between <1 if the disease is controlled or not spreading too quickly. If R 0 is 1, then 1 person is capable of spreading to 1 other person on average. If R 0 >1, then the disease can spread to a wider population (exponentially) from one single person, thus potentially creating an epidemic or pandemic. How is R 0 Calculated? R 0 is normally calculated based on 3 parameters – 1) duration of contagi...

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Try as you might, you may not be able to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season. After all, the influenza virus doesn't discriminate between healthy and unhealthy people, or old and young ones. Plus, the virus spreads easily through droplets in the air when someone who is infected coughs, sneezes, or even talks, so we're all potential targets. Plus, flu season is longer than you might think — it runs through fall and winter and even into spring, peaking sometime between December and February — so time isn't on your side. Prevention is key. Getting an annual flu shot can help protect you from getting the flu. You may still get sick even if you're vaccinated, but flu symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and body aches are likely to be less severe. If you do get the flu, you may want to take an antiviral drug such as oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), or baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) within two days of the onset...

Key facts There are around a billion cases of seasonal influenza annually, including 3–5 million cases of severe illness. It causes 290 000 to 650 000 respiratory deaths annually. Ninety-nine percent of deaths in children under 5 years of age with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections are in developing countries. Symptoms begin 1–4 days after infection and usually last around a week. Overview Seasonal influenza (the flu) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It is common in all parts of the world. Most people recover without treatment. Influenza spreads easily between people when they cough or sneeze. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. Symptoms of influenza include acute onset of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Treatment should aim to relieve symptoms. People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of liquids. Most people will recover on their own within a week. Medical care may be ...

Oscillococcinum is a brand-name homeopathic remedy used to treat influenza (flu). Taken at the first signs of infection, Oscillococcinum is said to ease symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu. To date, there is little evidence to support the claim. This article discusses what Oscillococcinum is, how it is thought to work, and how to use it. It also describes the possible side effects and risks associated with Oscillococcinum. leminuit / Getty Images What Is Oscillococcinum? Ocillococcinum (also known as Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum 200K ) is probably the most well-known homeopathic remedy, having been in production for over 65 years in more than 50 countries. Homeopathy is an alternative practice of medicine that started during the 19th century. It is based on the principle of "like cures like" in which a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in healthy people can cure similar symptoms in sick peop...

Is sparkling water good for you? Move over, soda and beer. Hard seltzers and carbonated water drinks — including sparkling, seltzer, fizzy and mineral waters — are all the rage right now. It's a multibillion-dollar industry. But is sparkling water good for you? Carbonated water is a healthier alternative to soda, juice or sports drinks like Gatorade. Hard seltzers tend to have fewer calories than beer. But not all carbonated water drinks are created equal. Some contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which can add calories, harm teeth and trigger some health conditions. Can sparkling water help you lose weight? Yes. For people watching their weight, hydration is key. Sparkling water provides hydration, and it's a much better option than drinking regular soda or even diet soda, which does not provide adequate hydration. If a person's not hydrated, they may always feel hungry because the body can't tell the difference between hunger and thirst. But peop...