Mucus

Cold sores (also known as oral herpes) are fluid-filled blisters that form on the lips and around the mouth. In some cases, they may also develop on the cheeks, chin, and nose. The most common cause of cold sores is the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It's important to note that cold sores are highly contagious and can spread through direct contact or sharing items with an infected person (e.g., kissing, sharing utensils, cups, or lip balm). An estimated 67% of the world's population under the age of 50 has HSV. Most cold sores go away within 10 days without treatment. Because they can be painful and irritating, many people turn to treatments to help manage symptoms. While there is no cure for cold sores, medications and at-home remedies can relieve symptoms and reduce the severity and frequency of cold sore outbreaks (or, periods where you have active cold sores). Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are the most common and effective cold sore treatme...

Hong Kong is set for a double whammy next week as the peak winter flu season is expected to begin, coinciding with a rise in Covid-19 infections, as per health officials. The officials called on the public, especially members of high-risk groups, yesterday to get flu and coronavirus shots to avoid serious conditions. "Based on the latest surveillance data, we soon, probably next week, may enter the flu surge period," Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable disease branch, said during a press conference. Allergies, a cold or coronavirus? How to tell the difference The prediction was based on two key indicators, according to Chuang. The first was the hospital admission rate of patients with a principal flu diagnosis, which had already exceeded the threshold signalling the start of a peak season. The second key indicator was the percentage of respiratory specimens handled by public laboratories, which was also approaching the threshold. ...

It can be jarring to have a fever. You're sweaty and uncomfortable, and likely dehydrated, so it only makes sense to find yourself searching online for tips on how to break a fever fast. But first, it can be helpful to know what's causing you to feel feverish in the first place in order to determine the best course of treatment. It's important to point out that a fever is a symptom that something is going on with your body—you don't just get a fever out of nowhere. Because of this, treating the underlying condition may help get rid of your fever, says Hannah Goldberg, M.D., a primary care physician with Mercy Medical Center. Still, there are some things you can do in the meantime to help make yourself feel better and even break that fever. Meet the Experts: Raj Dasgupta, M.D. , an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine; Hannah Goldberg, M.D. , a primary care physician with Mercy Medical Center; Shengyi ...

Migraine attacks and cluster headaches have some similarities, says Kiran Rajneesh, MD, who specializes in neurology and pain medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. "They are both headaches, they both can be unilateral (one-sided), and both can involve the forehead," Dr. Rajneesh says. Despite those similarities, there are many ways to distinguish between the two. Migraine attacks and cluster headaches feel and act differently, according to Dr. Diamond. People with a migraine attack may experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, while those with a cluster headache experience watery eyes and a runny nose, she says. Some people who experience migraine attacks can predict the onset because it's preceded by an aura, usually in the form of visual disturbances — such as flashing lights, zigzag lines, or a temporary loss of vision. By contrast, cluster headaches occur suddenly, almost always cause ...

Only a fraction of the presumed cases in five countries have led to positive tests for anthrax. Some scientists say other causes cannot yet be ruled out. Five African countries are battling outbreaks of anthrax, with nearly 1,200 people affected so far and 20 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. But the official tally belies confusion about the exact nature and scale of the outbreaks, which may complicate the efforts needed to contain them. Of the 1,166 presumed anthrax cases in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, only 35 have been confirmed with lab tests. That is not unusual or unreasonable, experts said, especially in regions with limited resources. But at least in Uganda, many of the presumed cases have resulted in negative tests for anthrax, raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating. "It could simply be that the diagnostic testing is inadequate, or it could be that you have a moderate number of anthrax cases and simultaneously you hav...

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If you are coughing up white mucus, it could be a sign of a respiratory condition such as bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The color of your mucus can suggest what is causing it, but not always. Your healthcare provider might ask you about the color of your mucus, but they usually can't diagnose you based on mucus color alone. They will also want to know about the consistency (thickness) and other characteristics of the mucus that you are coughing up. This article explores some of the causes of white mucus, what some of its other characteristics could tell you, and how these kinds of respiratory conditions are usually treated. Verywell / Michela Buttignol What Does It Mean When You're Coughing Up White Mucus? If you have white mucus, the cause could be a virus or other pathogen. White mucus could also indicate a condition like pneumonia, COPD, or asthma. White mucus may suggest certain conditions, but th...