Health Blog

I just got over a terrible cold. In fact, coupled with irritable bowel syndrome from stress, it actually turned into bronchitis and knocked me down. But what about when the cold and flu season strikes your children?

Flu and cold usually accompany each other when attacking a child’s immune system. It is a wide spread viral infection and the harsh truth is that there is no permanent treatment designed for it because of the involvement of many types of viruses which cannot be killed, but yes their growth rate can be suppressed. Symptomatic treatments can trigger the rate of improvement in the child’s health, but it might not work for all kids.

The child can get affected by the flu and cold virus when he is exposed to an infected person. The symptoms are mild headache, feeling of tiredness, stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, light fever, sneezing, cough, muscle aches, and sore throat. It takes two to five days for the symptoms to appear and three to five days for the complete development of the virus. It takes nearly two weeks to completely get rid of the flu. The virus attacks the upper respiratory system. These are the symptoms of cold. The symptoms of flu are more terrible than cold and grow very rapidly. They are high fever, runny nose, sore throat, nasal congestion, chills, fatigue and nausea, vomiting, eye pain and extreme headache. Symptoms are extremely important when trying to differentiate between flu and a cold.

As stated before, the symptoms of flu are more severe when compared to the symptoms of cold. Also, it is easier to get over cold than flu. The biggest clue will be recalling any incident of exposure to patients having either flu or cold. Even after thorough analysis, if it is difficult to reach any clear conclusion, a doctor should be consulted. A swab is taken from the nasal track or throat and the results are determined an hour after the test is taken.

No antibiotics work on these viruses. Intake of antibiotics cannot better the condition in any way whatsoever. Also, there are chances of secondary bacterial infections like sinus or ear infection. The child should be administered with fluids and a cool mist humidifier to suppress the symptoms and to help him feel better. Medications are available over the counter which can be bought depending on the symptoms of the infected. Antiviral medicines are available for the treatment of flu, which hasten the recovery process. But the medicines are effective only when given within forty eight hours after the onset of flu symptoms. Runny nose, especially of infants and kids who cannot blow their nose, can be taken care of with the help of a bulb syringe or nasal drop. If flu isn’t treated at the right time, it can worsen the health of the infected and can also lead to pneumonia.

Flu is a very commonly spreading infection among school going kids. According to a research, nearly twenty percent of Americans are infected with flu every year and nearly twenty thousand people die because of it. The only way to prevent the child from contracting these virus is by getting him/her a flu shot before the flu season or as recommended by the physician. The vaccine is either administered through a shot or nasal spray. Regular dosage will strengthen the immune system by constructing antibodies. The nasal spray vaccine contains live weakened viruses and shots contain completely dead viruses. By any chance, if the child does get exposed to the virus, he/she should be given medicine meant for flu patients, immediately. More than hundred viruses are known which cause cold. A lesser number of viruses are known to causes flu. That is the reason why there is a shot for flu and not cold.

But flu shot cannot be taken by anyone or everyone. People who complain of allergic reactions from previous flu shots, people who have the Guillain-Barre syndrome and people allergic to eggs are not eligible for flu shots. It is highly recommended to take advice from a physician before getting vaccinated. Children and elderly should be given nasal spray vaccination, but instead they should opt for flu shots. Out of total population, there are certain people who have a greater probability of getting flu. Children up to five years of age, elders older than sixty five years, nursing home residents, pregnant women, patients with long term problems regarding health, and health care workers who come directly in contact with flu patients.

I think the most annoying thing an adult can go through next to sciatic pain cures is a sinus infection. But what about when your kids get one? What can you do?

Sinus infections and drainage might seem like common cold at first. The child coughs, sneezes and gets a red nose, like in cold. But the difference is that sinus attack last longer than common cold. Sinuses are spaces in the bones of the face and the head which are filled with air. They are exactly located on both sides of the nose, behind the nasal cavity, within the forehead, and at the back & in between the eyes. Sinuses grow in pairs and there are four pairs of them. Sinuses begin to develop in the mother womb and grow till twenty years of age. As children have an incompletely developed immune system, they catch cold infection more frequently.

The actual purposes of the sinuses are not known, but scientists say that they make the head lightweight as these air pockets are filled with light air. If these air pockets were to be replaced with something solid, the head will become heavier. The sinuses also provide tone and depth to the voice. That is the reason why the voice sounds funny when a person catches a cold or gets a sinus attack. The sinuses are covered with a thin and moist tissue layer known as a mucous membrane. These membranes are responsible for adding moisture to the air breathed in. They also produce mucus, a sticky liquid filled in the nose, also called snot. This sticky liquid catches germs and dust, which are carried by the air, before they enter the body. The mucus membranes are covered with cilia or microscopic hair. These cilia move to and fro to encourage the flow of the mucus out of the nose and back inside. When the sinuses are infected, the membranes produce more mucus and become swollen and irritated.

When a person catches cold, the virus harms the cilia and the mucus doesn’t get swept back in. This is how a runny nose is developed. The mucus lining swells within the nose. This narrows or completely blocks the minute opening of the sinus into nose. Because of this, the stickier and thicker mucus produced get trapped in the sinuses. This stagnant mucus becomes the breeding ground for virus, bacteria and fungi. If the common cold stretches for over two weeks, the sinusitis condition develops. This condition is sinus infection. Acute sinusitis is sinusitis stretching over two weeks or so. But when it crosses three months, it is called chronic sinusitis. The child can get mild fever along with acute sinusitis. There is no fever associated with chronic sinusitis and the symptoms are less intense. The symptoms of sinusitis or sinus attacks are mild fever, bad breath, continuous nasal discharge, puffy eyes, and daytime cough. Some children also experience low energy, crankiness, headache and pain behind the forehead, cheeks and eyes.

When the doctor is approached for help, he/she will check throat, nose and ears for infection. The sinuses are also checked. The doctor will press or tap on the cheeks and forehead. If bacteria are responsible for causing the infection, the child will be given antibiotics to kill the bacteria. The antibiotics will show their effect within few days itself. A nasal spray or decongestant can also be used to treat blocked and runny nose. If it is chronic sinusitis, the antibiotics need to be taken for a longer time period, like for about a few weeks, in order to kill the bacteria completely. The child shouldn’t stop the course of medicine if he/she isn’t seeing any improvement in the condition. The doctor should be contacted for further instructions. In this case, a surgery is an alternative. The doctor will ask the child to get a CT scan of the sinuses.

The best thing about sinusitis is that it isn’t contagious. So if a kid is infected with it, he/she can still go to school and have fun with the rest of the kids. But kids who have sinus problem should stay away from environmental pollutants and allergies, which can trigger the condition again in them.

Remember Protection Against The Flu.Get Your Yearly Flu Vaccine

Once again winter is here and it’s time for cold and flu season. There are many ways to avoid catching a cold or flu but we all know that sometimes it’s just too late, we already have one.
First you can make sure that you keep your hands clean. Every time you are in a public place or anywhere there may be contact with people who are sick like schools or work, Wash your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer, antiseptic type of hand wash or soap and water.

One thing you need to know is that antibiotics will not work on viruses. The flu, sore throats and colds are brought on by viruses. Antibiotics do not effect viruses. Please do not ask your doctor for antibiotics, they are not needed and can do more harm than good.

It’s Time For The Winter Flu.The Winter Flu

Someone who is sick with the flu may be able to spread the virus anytime from the day before coming down with it and up to five days after being sick with the flu. If you know someone that has the flu we recommend that you keep away from them if you have a weakened immune system or are around children who could become exposed to the virus.

A vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu virus. Most doctors recommend that all children over the age of six months up to nineteen years of age get a flu vaccine every flu season usually during the fall or winter.

You can help to protect your family by getting a flu vaccine for yourself. It is also recommended that people in close contact with your family get a flu vaccine.

It’s Important To Keep Your Hands Clean To Avoid A Cold. The Winter Flu

Avoid touching your face with your hands or rubbing your eyes if you have been in contact with door handles stair railings or other hard surfaces that may have had contact with someone that was sick.

Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Avoid touching trash cans that people may be throwing their tissues into. Remember to properly dispose of your own tissues, you don’t want other people around you to become sick.

If you become sick with the flu talk to your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids and make sure you get all of the rest that you can. If you want to you can purchase an over the counter medicine to treat the flu but make sure you speak to the pharmacist first.

Make sure that it does not contain aspirin if you are giving it to a child or teenager. Ask the pharmacist to make sure the medicine is the right one for your child. People who have a viral infection recover when the illness has run its course. Colds caused by viruses may last for two weeks or longer.

All countries in the world need flu vaccine shots to fight the deadly influenza virus. It is necessary to protect yourself from flu outbreaks especially during cold or rainy season such as the months of November and December. Before you decide on a shot, you have to consider its costs first. You have to ask and canvass for the prices so that you can be financially prepared. The flu vaccine costs you a little of your money; but it can save you from trouble especially when an unexpected outbreak happens.

Does The Flu Vaccine Cost The Same Around The Globe?

The flu vaccine cost is different for every country. Usually, these vaccines are sold for ten to fifty dollars. If it goes higher than fifty dollars, then that will be quite an expensive shot already. The prices are also much cheaper if you buy them directly from pharmaceutical companies. You can buy the shots for as low as three dollars. Wherever you choose to buy, make sure that the vaccine is potent and proper storage should be implemented to assure that it is going to produce good effects.

The Reason For The Shortage Is The Flu Vaccine Cost

The flu vaccine cost is probably the main reason why the world is experiencing a shortage of these immunizations. Since the cost is relatively low, the pharmaceutical companies usually do not have much to gain. That is why, the prices should be regulated and controlled properly so that production will increase and the shortage can be filled.

Cheapest Centers Where You Can Get Your Shot

Generally, you can obtain a lower flu vaccine cost if you purchase it in any of the following settings such as health care settings, pharmaceutical laboratories, some supermarkets and other community groups. However, you should always try to observe if these vaccines are stored properly. If you buy it at a lower cost but it has lost its potency because of the storage means, then you are wasting your money, because the shot will not really work. Regardless of the flu vaccine cost, you should think first of the quality of the item that you are buying.

What The Government Can Do About Flu Vaccine Cost

To lift the shortage problems that the world is presently experiencing, the government needs to raise the flu vaccine cost. If agreed upon, the pharmaceutical companies will increase their production rate. Aside from this, the administration can build more government-owned pharmacies in order to suffice the needed supply of flu vaccines.

The world is no stranger to disease, devastation and death. Plagues and pandemics occurred long before people were able to record them, and events such as the Bubonic Plague and the Spanish Flu epidemic have made history. However, the development of new research, medicines and technology has enabled the world to overcome these obstacles. In many cases, a vaccine or treatment has made all the difference in the outlook of the world. Such is the case with the influenza vaccine, which was created in recent history.

Finding Good In The Bad

The origins of the history of the influenza vaccine go way back, back to the Spanish Flu pandemic. At the time, doctors were desperate to try anything that would help their patients survive. One method they tried was performing blood transfusions from recovered flu victims to new flu victims. This was the only method that showed any successful.

The first approved vaccine for influenza in history was developed in the 1940s by the United States military. These were primarily used during World War II to vaccinate the soldiers. In the 1950’s, scientists developed the current method of producing the influenza vaccine. This method involves growing the virus in embroyenated hen’s eggs.

Improvements And Updates

In recent history, the influenza vaccine has been made safer and is now more efficiently administered. When it was first created during the Second World War, there was no way of mass-producing the vaccine. Now, the vaccine is widely available, though shortages are still experiences at times.

Today, scientists continue to perform research that will make the flu vaccine even more effective than in the past. Molecular technology might one day enable scientists to create the vaccines by genetically manipulating influenza genes. Recently, in response to the growing panic over the avian flu, the United Kingdom has released a vaccine aimed towards preventing this flu variation.

Despite advancement, challenges still remain. Currently, there are limitations on the number of flu vaccines that can be produced. The amount currently in stock is enough to combat a Western epidemic, but nowhere near enough to fight a worldwide pandemic.

A New Challenge

Though the influenza vaccine, as one of history’s major obstacles, has been overcome, others still remain. Diseases such as cancer, AIDS and Alzheimer’s are becoming more and more common, and there are no cures in sight. Regardless of the advancements that scientists make on the vaccination front, there will always be a new enemy to fight.