Managing infections involves identifying bacterial versus viral strains, implementing probiotic therapy, and following structured wound care protocols.
Sinus infections, referred to as sinusitis, are one of the most common reasons why people seek medical treatment. Symptoms include facial pressure and pain, congested and runny nose and sometimes fever. Sinusitis is typically due to either a virus associated with the common cold or a bacterial infection.
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Shortness of breath, often described as suffocating or starving for air, is one of the most unpleasant sensations a person can experience. Mayo Clinic physicians list more than two dozen causes. In severe chest congestion, mucus plugs the air passages making it difficult for fresh air to get in.
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An infection in a tooth can result from trauma, a complication of tooth decay or as a result of a dead tooth. The infection can be present in the pulp inside the tooth, the bone around the end of the tooth or the gum tissue.
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The flu or influenza is an illness caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system. A 16-month-old toddler can get this virus from others who are infected as it is a contagious disease. Young children can develop complications from the flu that can be moderate to serious according to the Mayo Clinic.
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The stomach flu which is called gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or from a condition such as lactose intolerance.
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If your child has croup, she may not feel like eating or drinking. In croup, inflammation in the upper airway, which includes the larynx and trachea, makes breathing difficult. A child with severe croup can't eat at all and needs hospitalization. If your child has mild croup, it's important to keep her hydrated.
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Anesthesia may worsen cold symptoms, and having a cold may increase the likelihood of developing breathing-related complications during or after anesthesia.
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A wet cough is also called a productive cough because each cough produces mucus from the respiratory tract. Wet coughs are often seen in people who have asthma, bronchitis or other conditions that cause mucus and other fluids to settle in their lungs.
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Sore throat is a common symptom of upper respiratory tract infections, such as a cold or the flu. It’s not uncommon to also have varying degrees of hoarseness or to completely lose your voice. Viral infections are the most common cause of hoarseness, or laryngitis.
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Expectant mothers often worry about taking over-the-counter medications for fear of potentially causing harm to their developing baby. This may even include cough drops, which come in a variety of flavors and include a diverse range of ingredients.
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Airborne diseases, caused by microorganisms called pathogens, are primarily dispersed through moist air droplets or dust. Using air as transportation, pathogens use your respiratory tract as a channel for both entrance and exit via breathing, coughing or sneezing.
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If you rely on oral contraceptives for birth control, chances are you have heard that antibiotics like amoxicillin can decrease their effectiveness. You may be wondering how this can occur and if it is true.
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Shingles is a reactivation of the herpes zoster virus—chicken pox—and typically occurs among the elderly. Its side effects can be agonizing.
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Coughing is a reflex that occurs whenever your throat is irritated. It may occur after eating certain foods. Some digestive conditions, related to eating food, may trigger coughing and other symptoms.
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Although a mother-to-be and her unborn child share many things during pregnancy, the common cold is not one of them. Common cold viruses typically pose no threat to a developing baby in the womb. Mother, however, is more prone to catch a cold during pregnancy, and symptoms are likely to last longer and be more intense.
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Humidity refers to the amount of atmospheric water vapor, and humidifiers are devices that increase it. Indoor humidity levels should ideally remain between 30 and 50 percent, according to MayoClinic.com. Levels can be monitored with a device called a hygrometer, and many humidifiers have them built in.
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Chicken pox was once considered one of the trials of childhood, but since 1980 it has become less prevalent due to the development of a vaccine. Spread through coughing, sneezing or direct contact, symptoms of the disease do not appear until 10 to 21 days after exposure.
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The skin serves as a protective barrier against a wide range of bacteria that are present in the environment. Breaks or cracks in the skin allow these bacteria to enter and cause a skin infection called cellulitis.
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Many people experience eye symptoms toward the end of or just after a head cold. This condition is aptly termed a "cold in the eye" because it typically represents spread of the virus responsible for the cold spreading to the eye.
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Bacteria grow in very diverse conditions, which explains why they are found nearly everywhere on Earth. Although bacteria are good at adapting to their environments, certain conditions promote bacterial growth more than others. These conditions include temperature, moisture, pH and environmental oxygen.
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