A cool mist humidifier has no heating element installed in the base unit. Instead of dispersing moisture in the form of steam, these devices use a built-in fan to blow air through a damp filter—the water and air mix to form a vapor, which the fan propels into the air.

Dry air can cause any number of problems, from parched nasal membranes, cracked lips and itchy skin to static shock and an uncomfortable night's sleep. These annoyances can increase in winter, when heating your home means moisture becomes even more scarce.

Shingles strikes one million Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although shingles is best known for its characteristic one-sided, blistering skin rash, occasionally it produces no skin manifestations at all, a condition doctors call “zoster sine herpete.

Unlike productive coughs--coughs that can be helpful by bringing mucus up and out of the lungs, dry hacking coughs tend to needlessly irritate your throat and lungs, causing tickling and burning sensations that can make your days difficult and your nights sleepless.

Congestion is a common symptom in children. Sometimes congestion is an acute, or short-term, condition, such as in the case of a cold or the flu. Other times nasal congestion is a chronic problem, such as in the case of allergies.

Mononucleosis, commonly known as the kissing disease, is a type of virus found in your saliva. The Mayo Clinic says that mononucleosis causes such manifestations as fever, fatigue, a sore throat and weakness.

A cough is usually a good thing; it means your body is trying to get rid of mucus that may be collecting in your lungs. However, a persistent cough may be unwelcome if it keeps you up at night or interferes with your activities.

Amoxicillin is a version of the common antibiotic, penicillin. It treats infections by killing bacteria and preventing new growth. It treats a bevy of infections including Lyme disease, typhoid fever, peptic ulcer disease and chlamydia infections in pregnant women.

Seek treatment for a staph infection, as soon as the flu-like symptoms appear. Consequences for late or neglected treatment for may cause serious medical conditions or even death. In fact, certain strains of staph may increase the fatality rate among certain populations.

It can be relaxing and therapeutic to soak in a hot tub, but users should be aware of hot tub dangers. Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) spread easily in hot tubs, and an entire family can become sick at the same time.

Flu-like symptoms is a general medical term used to describe a complex—but usually mild—set of symptoms that can develop due to infection, disease or medication use. The development of mild flu-like symptoms can occur suddenly and is most commonly associated with infection caused by the influenza (flu) virus.

Conditions that cause coughing are almost always worse at night. If your 3-year-old has been coughing at night for several weeks, this could indicate bronchitis, sinusitis or asthma. Consult with your doctor to treat your child’s condition and prevent damage to your child’s lungs.