Category Archives: Immune System

Many people assume that allergies and asthma are problems that disappear once the cold weather kicks in, but this isn’t the case, especially during the holiday season. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), two-thirds of allergy sufferers experience symptoms all year round. Even after pollen dies down, there are a ...click here to read more

Flu season is here, and as you know, your number one defense against the virus is your annual flu shot. Last year’s flu vaccine was highly effective, but mind you, warmer temperatures of the previous winter kept the flu virus at bay as well. This year, the Farmer’s Almanac is calling for lower temperatures and ...click here to read more

Unfortunately, summer can’t last forever, and that means the arrival of the cold and flu season. As early as October, you’ll start noticing more people around you sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. No one enjoys being sick, so it’s important to prevent cold and flu as much as possible. As a senior, your risk of contracting ...click here to read more

Pneumonia is a preventable condition, but you need a strong immune system to resist the infection. Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung tissue caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. It may be contagious if caused by an infectious microbe. But if it is caused by chemical fumes or other poisons, then it is not ...click here to read more

Eczema and hay fever in childhood could develop into allergic asthma in adulthood. The risk of asthma in adulthood was found to be nine times higher among those who suffered from eczema and hay fever as children. The study looked at nearly 1,400 adult participants of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS). Participants were assessed ...click here to read more

Acute bronchitis is a temporary form of bronchitis caused by a virus – which means it cannot be treated with antibiotics. If you’re wondering if acute bronchitis is contagious, the answer is yes. Similar to influenza, acute bronchitis is transmitted person-to-person by droplets that are released into the air through coughs, sneezes, or talking. The ...click here to read more

Lyme disease and the flu (influenza) may appear similar in the beginning, but they take two different pathways as they progress. The flu is most common during the colder months – October to March – and Lyme disease hits its peak during the hot summer months. A zoonotic disease, meaning it is spread by animals ...click here to read more

Influenza (flu) and strep throat may seem like one and the same, but they are two very different illnesses and the primary distinction is the origin of the disease. The flu is caused by a virus and strep throat is caused by bacteria. Strep throat and influenza may also share some symptoms, but the key ...click here to read more

We know that pneumonia is contagious, but is it still contagious when you are on antibiotics? Before we answer that question, let’s first explore how long pneumonia is contagious for. When beginning antibiotic treatment for pneumonia, patients may typically observe improvements in health within two to three days. If by chance you actually get worse ...click here to read more

The not-so-polite call it phlegm, and there are a few who settle for snot. But for people in polite circles, and healthcare professionals, the word is ‘mucus’. Whatever one may call it, when you have flu or a cold, you usually have an abundance of it. In fact, if you’re very sick, your sinuses may ...click here to read more

When your lungs are healthy and your airways are free, the phrase “breathing easy” may not be very significant, but if you have an attack of asthma or bronchitis, the only thing you would want in the world is to be breathing easy. Together, bronchitis and asthma account for more than half of the upper ...click here to read more

In order to properly treat any condition, incidental or serious, you must be able to first properly identify it. Differentiating a cold (sometimes called, infectious rhinitis) from pneumonia is no different, and understanding the symptoms of each leads to better fighting the condition. Pneumonia is normally considered the worst of the two, and before antibiotics ...click here to read more

Influenza (flu) and bronchitis share common symptoms, so early diagnosis may be challenging until more symptoms arise, distinguishing either condition. Flu and bronchitis can also occur at the same time, which can make the diagnosis even more challenging. But the good news is, they can easily be treated if discovered early on. Bronchitis primarily affects ...click here to read more

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both respiratory conditions that are chronic and affect a person’s breathing. With many shared similarities, the two can easily be misdiagnosed for one another and that is why testing is so important to determine the exact diagnosis. According to a presentation given at the American College of ...click here to read more