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### Human:\nis it normal to have a cough for 3 weeks after you have had a cold? . i had a cold 3 weeks ago and all the other symptoms have gone away except the cough it hasn't stopped at all it's even gotten worse every time i cough i cough up white sometimes green or yellow is it normal?\n\n### Assistant: most helpful answer i'm sorry to hear you're experiencing this. there is a particularly nasty virus going around this year that seems to produce a lingering cough. however you should see a health care provider for an evaluation. in general it's not uncommon for a cough to linger as the last symptom to clear up after a cold. that said any time a cough hangs on it's good to see a doctor. the fact your cough is "productive" (that is you're coughing up gunk) could be good or bad. it's usually good to be moving that stuff out of your lungs but it could also be indicative of bacteria brewing down there. if you have a fever along with the productive cough you definitely should see a health care provider. i hope you get well soon!

### Human:\ncan taking omega 3 dea have the same results as taking plavis. i was taking plavix for at least 11 years and have never felt good. 3 months ago i stopped taking plavix and feel better. my question is does taking omega3 fish oils have the same affect on the blood.\n\n### Assistant: i strongly urge you to contact your doctor as soon as possible. by going off plavix you have put yourself at a much greater risk of experiencing a life-threatening blood clot. no one should discontinue a prescription 'blood thinner' without consulting their doctor first. you don't say why you were prescribed plavix (clopidogrel) but it's often given to people after they've had a heart attack recent stroke angioplasty procedure or if they have peripheral vascular disease. these conditions put a person at an increased risk of developing a blood clot that travels to the lungs or possibly the brain causing problems breathing or a stroke. to answer your question omega-3 oils are thought to have 'blood-thinning' properties but they are in no way a substitute for a prescription anticoagulant like clopidogrel. in fact a 2002 study showed they had no effect on coagulation or platelet function after surgery. clopidogrel works by making your platelets (a type of red blood cell that enables blood to clot) more slippery so they don't stick together easily. this effect reduces the chances of blood clotting and traveling to the lungs or brain. again i urge you to contact your doctor and discuss this issue with him or her. at three months without plavix you could very well have a blood clot brewing. your healthcare provider will want to examine you and perhaps run some tests to make sure you're safe. there are many other types of anticoagulants available for your use besides clopidogrel if that product causes side effects. wishing you well!

### Human:\nafter a aortic dissection (15 years) with warfarin usage can i take cialis for ed? . this question is regarding cialis usage. 15 years ago i had an aortic dissection affecting my ascending and descending aorta and both carotids. i take warfarin a beta blocker asthma and cholesterol medications. can i safely take cialis?\n\n### Assistant: that is a question only your cardiologist can answer. with your complicated heart history no one on a public forum like this should be giving you advice on the subject because we do not know your complete personal medical history. that said don't be shy about discussing the issue with your cardiologist. he or she will welcome your question and be able to give you personalized advice -- and even a prescription if it's safe for you to take the medication. you have nothing to lose by consulting your heart doctor. wishing you well!

### Human:\ni want to know if the flu-like symptoms i'm experiencing are from the valacyclovir i was prescribed. i was prescribed valacyclovir for treatment of hsv1. i had been taking 500mg twice daily for 4 days. on day 4 i went on a 2 mile run. i noticed that my lymph nodes in my neck were somewhat swollen and tender. after sleeping for 6 hours i woke with flu symptoms. tight neck headache congestion nausea fever chills etc. i read online that these symptoms are also common side effects of the valacyclovir. is it likely that the medication in combination with the run just brought on an actual flu?\n\n### Assistant: well let's establish a few medical facts before we delve into the issue of whether or not valacyclovir caused the symptoms you described. first of all the flu--or influenza --can only be caused by coming in contact with the influenza virus. thus taking valacylovir and going for a run cannot "cause" you to get the flu. second 'nausea' is not a symptom of influenza. the flu is a respiratory virus. it affects your nasal passages and lungs. it's true if you swallow a lot of post-nasal drip caused by the influenza virus you might get nauseated. but generally speaking the flu is a respiratory virus. it's true that nausea and headache are potential side effects of valacyclovir. however i'm not aware of fever and chills being known side effects of this drug. to be fair the most common side effects of all medications are nausea and diarrhea so i tend to consider those as 'expected' side effects. if your flu-like symptoms persist you definitely should return to your healthcare provider for further evaluation. enlarged lymph nodes should not be taken lightly. if your fever exceeds 101. 3f seek emergency medical attention. meanwhile drink a lot of fluids. it's entirely possible you coincidentally picked up a virus just as you began your course of valacyclovir. the onset of your symptoms may have nothing to do with the medication but the symptoms are worthy of being evaluated further if they don't go away within a couple of days. wishing you well! in response to the answer above i never said the valacyclovir caused the flu the specific term i used was "brought on". also a common symptom of the flue (as i found online) is vomiting. so unless people vomit without feeling nauseous i dont see how nausea isnt a symptom of the flu. thanks for your response though.

### Human:\nwhy are our veins blue\n\n### Assistant: and a simple one to answer. our blood circulation system consists of arteries which carry oxygen-rich blood to the tissues and veins which return oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart and lungs. oxygen-rich blood tends to look bright red. blood carrying less oxygen tends to look dark red. veins carry dark red blood. the reason your veins look bluish is because they lie under skin and fatty tissue which distorts the color of the blood to our eyes. the blood in those veins is indeed red but because of the overlying tissue the veins appear bluish. i hope this answers your question!

### Human:\nwhat type of underlying health problems can cause oxygen levels to drop at nighttime?\n\n### Assistant: the main condition that comes to mind is obstructive sleep apnea (osa) though congestive heart failure (chf) or even chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (copd) also could cause nocturnal hypoxemia (abnormally low blood oxygen levels at night). if you believe you have abnormally low oxygen levels during sleep i'd strongly suggest you have this symptom checked out by a medical professional. untreated hypoxemia can have negative health consequences. hope this helps!

### Human:\ncoumadin prescribed a year ago for pe. d/c d/t gi bleed. asa ordered. is this sufficient?\n\n### Assistant: i'm going to say if your health care provider feels aspirin (asa) is sufficient for your blood thinning needs then i'd go with that assessment. your health care provider is in the best position to judge the situation because he or she knows your complete medical history. in general it's not unusual to step down from a "big gun" blood thinner like warfarin (coumadin) at some point after a person has experienced a pulmonary embolism (pe). this is because the pe likely has stabilized by now (that is you haven't had more symptoms that would indicate the pe has gotten larger) and now you only need an anticoagulant (blood thinner) to help prevent another clot. aspirin therapy works quite well for this purpose. hope this helps set your mind at ease!

### Human:\nas i am homeless i can't sign up for health insurance. now what? . i am 60 with fibromyalgia asthma my whole back screwed up and cancer. there are 30 to 40 of us in my local group of homeless. some are vets. since i have an old van i can get them to the va hospital. but the rest of us seem out of luck.\n\n### Assistant: being homeless does not prevent you from signing up for insurance. and depending on where you live you may now qualify for medicaid. i suggest you check for a site in your area where you and others in your group can get personalized assistance in learning what options are available to you and how to sign up. here's where you can find local customer service help: <link>. also you should know that if you make too little money each year to file taxes you won't be on the hook for the penalty that comes with not buying insurance.

### Human:\nfor the last two days i keep smelling bleach everywhere at odd times is this a sympton i should be concerned about? . for the last two days i keep smelling bleach everywhere at odd times even though i don't even keep bleach products in the house. i have been very stressed with a disrupted sleep cycle. is this a sympton of something i should be concerned about?\n\n### Assistant: you may be surprised to learn this absolutely is a symptom you should get checked out. i'd suggest you call as soon as possible for an appointment with your primary care provider. phantom smells (or medically speaking phantosmia) can be caused by a variety of conditions from a relatively simple upper respiratory infection to something serious like a brain tumor. the latter is relatively rare but you'd still want to get it ruled out. so while your phantosmia may not warrant a trip to the emergency room it definitely merits a quick trip to the doctor. hope this helps!

### Human:\nis the pain constant or off and on in pulmonary embolism\n\n### Assistant: pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lung and blocks an artery. generally speaking when you have a pulmonary embolism (also called a "pe") you know it. patients generally experience a sudden severe shortness of breath severe chest pain and feelings of doom. it's not uncommon for someone with pe to say "i think i'm going to die. " if you are experiencing chest pain that comes and goes you should be evaluated by a health care professional. many things can cause intermittent chest pain but of course you want to rule out any sort of heart problem. everyone should know the signs of a heart attack which can be similar to those of a pe except the shortness of breath usually is much more severe with pe. a pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening medical emergency. if you suspect pe always call 911 immediately. hope this helps!

### Human:\ni have acute bronchitis. i am 25 and have asthma. i don't have good health insurance. what is the best treatment?\n\n### Assistant: i'm sorry to hear you're going through this. acute bronchitis can only be diagnosed by physical examination. it's risky to self-diagnose and can lead to delayed treatment or complications from inappropriate self-treatment. so despite the fact you don't have "good" health insurance i'd suggest counting yourself lucky you have any type of coverage -- and use it to consult a medical professional. acute bronchitis with asthma isn't a good combination. your best bet is to consult a health care provider for an accurate diagnosis and tips on how to treat the bronchitis if that's what you have. (note pneumonia often presents like bronchitis but the two illnesses have distinctly different treatment modes. ) i wish you all the best and hope you feel better soon!

### Human:\ni was taking singular that has been changed to montelukast i do not have asthma should i be taking this?\n\n### Assistant: let's take this one step at a time. first of all singulair is the brand name of the drug montelukast. so your medication has not been changed. it's just that you're now taking a generic drug whereas before you were taking the brand name product. second montelukast is not an asthma medication. it is made to treat seasonal allergies (hay fever) in adults. montelukast belongs to a class of drugs called " leukotriene inhibitors. " these medications work by blocking inflammation of tissue that has been exposed to a substance that usually causes an allergic reaction in a person. so to answer your question if you have seasonal allergies and your doctor prescribed montelukast (singulair) to treat it then yes you may feel free to take it as directed. if you feel the medication is not effective you can return to your doctor to see if there's something else you can try. i hope this clears things up for you!

### Human:\ncan bactrim be used for dental infections?\n\n### Assistant: if you think you have a dental infection such as an abscessed tooth i suggest you see a dentist as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and a prescription for antibiotics if required. bactrim is a combination of two different antibiotics: sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. it normally is not used for dental infections. it is used to treat urinary tract infections and respiratory infections among other things. it's very important to use the right antibiotic for the right type of infection. it's also very important to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and to take the entire amount prescribed. i hope this helps! i am not sure about it but if you really want to get information about it i will recommend you to visit here at once. <link> you will defintely get all your answers from here as i found it usefull.

### Human:\nmy husband is 60 and has annual gross income of $70 000. i'm 57 and unemployed. our son is a student at age 23. we both have no health insurance but we pay $142/month for our son. our overall health status is good. my husband has asthma and uses and inhaler but is very stable. i take one generic medicine for depression. we all see our doctor once a year for a routine check up. is it wise to cancel my son's insurance and include him with us instead?\n\n### Assistant: i recommend you work with a licensed insurance agent in your area to examine all the plan options available to you and which will best meet your family's medical and financial needs. you can look for a licensed agent at the national association of health underwriters: nahu. com or ehealthinsurance. com.

### Human:\ncan your lungs be ruptured if you cracked a rib?\n\n### Assistant: well not exactly. the lung doesn't "rupture " exactly. it can collapse though. this is called " pneumothorax. " a broken rib can indeed puncture your lung. in fact it's not all that uncommon. if you watch any of those real-life trauma shows on television you will see emergency room personnel placing chest tubes in patients due to collapsed lungs and you can bet some of those collapses occurred due to fractured ribs. but if by "cracked" you mean "not completely fractured or displaced " then the answer probably is "no. " when a rub breaks and the two sides pull away from each other then one of them can puncture the lung. if a rib is "cracked" but the ends never comes apart then it's unlikely to penetrate the tissue surrounding the lung. on the other hand if you took a forceful blow to the chest that alone could cause a collapsed (not "ruptured") lung. so if you experienced chest trauma sufficient to crack a rib you certainly could experience a pneumothorax. surprisingly you can experience a collapsed lung without any known cause whatsoever. wishing you well!

### Human:\ncan a blood clot losen and move and get stuck somewhere else\n\n### Assistant: well it depends. let's talk for a moment about blood clots. there are different types of blood clots. when you get a cut on your finger it bleeds and then eventually the blood gets very thick and the active bleeding stops. that thickened blood is a clot. it eventually will become a scab. this type of clot is a "good" clot because it stops you from bleeding too much. however just as there are "good" clots there also are "bad" clots. a deep vein thrombosis (dvt) is a type of blood clot that occurs deep in a vein usually in the leg. this type of clot usually is caused by poor circulation. a dvt can break loose and travel to the brain where it can cause a stroke. it also can travel to the lung where it can cause a pulmonary embolism. i hope this response and the links will give you all the information you need.

### Human:\ndiagnosed with thyroid disease mvp chf and told my body is unable to utilize the o2 taken in can you explain? . i am not one to just treat the symptoms i want to get to the cause of the problem and fix it if possible i just don't know where to start metabolic heart or lungs? the chf is stage c symptoms are fatigue sob heaviness/pressure l chest & arm nausea/indigestion mental fog dizziness intolerant to temp insomnia even with the bipap for sleap apnea wt gain 60 lbs edema l ft hand abd face unable to recline dysrhythmias elevated bpat times elevated pulmonary pressure.\n\n### Assistant: so sorry to hear you're dealing with all of that. it can feel overwhelming. i admire your desire to get to the root of the various problems and fix them. that's a great attitude to take. unfortunately there are some health problems for which we can only treat symptoms not the cause. let me explain. congestive heart failure (chf) means your heart is not able to pump as strongly as it once did. as a result your blood cannot carry as much oxygen to the tissues as it used to. this problem causes your symptoms of shortness of breath (sob) edema and possibly the heaviness/pressure in your left chest. unfortunately chf is a chronic disease. there is no cure for the underlying cause. your thyroid disease is treatable with medications. i assume your doctor put you on medication or has outlined some sort of treatment plan for your thyroid disease. this is a case where the underlying cause of your symptoms (weight gain mental fog) can be addressed. i wish you all the best as you address your health issues in a constructive fashion!

### Human:\nwhat's less damaging: smoking 3 cigarettes per day or picking two days of the week and smoking 10 on each of those days? . i know that light smoking still poses significant risks; i know i can still get cancer one day from doing it. so please don't answer by telling me that. i'm looking to significantly cut down in order to lessen the damage i'm doing to myself while still indulging a little in one of my favorite activities. so here are my two options: a) smoke about 3 cigs/day (about 20/week) or b) pick 2 nights/week say two nights when i'm out socializing and smoke about 10 on each of those (about 20/week)?\n\n### Assistant: i wish i could give you a good answer but i don't think researchers have studied smoking at quite that micro a level. in healthcare we measure smoking by the "pack/year. " we calculate this number based on the average number of packs smoked per day times the number of years the person has smoked. for example a person who smokes one pack per day for 20 years has a "20 pack/year" history. a person like yourself who smokes on average 20 cigarettes per week (which calculates to roughly 0. 15 pack per day) for 20 years would have a roughly "3 pack/year" history -- the same as a person who smoked one pack per day for three years. regardless of the manner in which you smoke (a lot at one time or a few spread out over a longer period) you're probably doing about the same amount of damage to your lungs and other vital structures. intuitively i would think the damage would be worse from smoking many cigarettes all at once as opposed to smoking the same number spread out over a greater length of time. rapidly introducing a volume of carcinogens and toxins probably is worse than trickling them in. you sound well-informed about the risks of smoking so i'll leave you with one little tidbit. did you know one of the more-common cancers related to smoking is bladder cancer (especially in men)? so the next time you light up ask yourself if you can envision the day when you'll be emptying your urine through a pouch strapped to your thigh. if not then you might want to re-think the whole smoking thing. wishing you well! i wish i could give you a good answer but i don't think researchers have studied smoking at quite that micro a level. in healthcare we measure smoking by the "pack/year. " we calculate this number based on the average number of packs smoked per day times the number of years the person has smoked. for example a person who smokes one pack per day for 20 years has a "20 pack/year" history. a person like yourself who smokes on average 20 cigarettes per week (which calculates to roughly 0. 15 pack per day) for 20 years would have a roughly "3 pack/year" history -- the same as a person who smoked one pack per day for three years. regardless of the manner in which you smoke (a lot at one time or a few spread out over a longer period) you're probably doing about the same amount of damage to your lungs and other vital structures. intuitively i would think the damage would be worse from smoking many cigarettes all at once as opposed to smoking the same number spread out over a greater length of time. rapidly introducing a volume of carcinogens and toxins probably is worse than trickling them in. you sound well-informed about the risks of smoking so i'll leave you with one little tidbit. did you know one of the more-common cancers related to smoking is bladder cancer (especially in men)? so the next time you light up ask yourself if you can envision the day when you'll be emptying your urine through a pouch strapped to your thigh. if not then you might want to re-think the whole smoking thing. wishing you well!

### Human:\nwhy do i still get morning coughs a year after quitting smoking. no phlem. wakes me up at night. night and morning only.\n\n### Assistant: good for you for quitting smoking! that is a true achievement to be proud of. in terms of the persistent cough one year later: that is a good question and i would advise you to take it up with your primary care provider (physician nurse practitioner or physician assistant). several possible explanations for the coughing come to mind. first depending on how long you smoked you may have permanently damaged your lungs which results in their inability to clear mucus. although you're not coughing up any phlegm it could still be residing down there in your lungs and triggering a coughing response. second smoking damages more than just the lungs. again depending on how long (and how much) you smoked you may have damaged your heart muscle. if the heart cannot contract with enough force to move blood through the lungs properly it causes congestion to occur. this congestion can cause a dry hacking cough - especially when you're lying down. i think you definitely should see your health care provider for an exam. the cause of the cough may be highly treatable if caught in time. best wishes to you!

### Human:\nis death from colon cancer with metastasis to liver lung brain and skull painful. stage 4+. will he lose bowel control? . my brother has developed a servere case of hiccups and nausea and was told by his doctor they are caused by the tumors in the liver and brain. he's been given thorzene but it has some bad affects on him. is there any other drug that would give him some relief? he doesn't want to eat anything because of this condition. if he doesn't eat and keep it down they won't release him from the hospital. as things progress will he most likely lose bladder and bowel control.\n\n### Assistant: i'm so very sorry to hear you're going through this. i think the user name you chose "overwhelmed " says it all. has anyone talked with your brother about hospice care? hospice care is generally associated with end-of-life but in reality many people with a serious health condition who require medical attention at home can qualify for hospice. one of the main goals of hospice care is to relieve pain and suffering. it sounds from your question like you don't want your brother to suffer. hospice care can help with that. hospice also can help you and your brother understand physical end-of-life issues such as possible loss of bladder and bowel control -- and how to cope with these developments if they occur. the hospital social worker or discharge planner can help educate you about your hospice choices. i hope you find this information helpful. i wish you and your brother all the best.

### Human:\nhusband 78 stage iv lung cancer mastasies to both lungs neck 3 tumors in brain. % of survival with radiation and chemo? . he has had radiation to the brain and now 2 treatments of chemo. his cancer has spread to both lungs a tumor in his shoulder and 3 in the brain. he wants to know what % of men his age survive after the chemo and what will his quality of life be. he is 78. it has definitely affected his memory associative capabilities and hand writing abilities. his cancer is diagnosed as metastatic adenocarcinoma to the lung and brain.\n\n### Assistant: i'm very very sorry to hear this. i can't imagine how you all are feeling. it's a tough time. you've probably asked the medical team this question about survival and were not satisfied with the response. doctors tend to be very vague when talking about "survival rates. " that's because there's no good definition for what that means. it sounds like your husband is asking what his chances are of surviving the chemotherapy. unfortunately it's impossible to tell that. even doing comparisons with other patients isn't useful because every person's baseline health status is different when they enter cancer treatment. in general i would guess people who enter cancer treatment as robust individuals probably stand a better chance of getting through the course of treatment than a frail person. the other sad truth is this: no lung cancer is curable. ultimately no one survives lung cancer. your husband may understand this and be wondering "but how long do i have left? " unfortunately there is no crystal ball to predict that. it is both a blessing and a frustration that some things are not known by human beings. this is one of those things. i urge you to cherish every moment you do have left together whether they ultimately number 5 or 5 000. i wish you both peace.

### Human:\npulmicort flexhaler for asthma maintenance not covered by medicare advantage plan need cheaper alternative\n\n### Assistant: i would suggest you speak with your physician to discuss alternative clinical options.

### Human:\ni'm having severe constant stabbing pain in the top of my left shoulder. hurts when i breathe. what's going on? . taking a deep breath in or a shallow breath it hurts either way. it does not extend into my arm nor up my neck. the pain does not go down into my back either. i have some gallbladder trouble and wondered if this might be a contributing factor. taking an otc pain med i. e. advil does not help this pain go away. it wears off with time but sometimes this lasts for days.\n\n### Assistant: i'm sorry you're going through this. it sounds very unpleasant! a number of things could be going on here but it's not likely your gallbladder is involved. the gallbladder is located on the right side of the body near the bottom of your rib cage. it's doubtful the gallbladder could refer any pain to the left shoulder. i can think of any number of reasons you'd be having this pain from a slight fracture to a rotator cuff injury to an aggravated bursa. the only way to find out what's going on is to see a medical professional for an examination and possibly other testing like an x-ray. i'd suggest you make an appointment with your primary care provider (pcp) to have this evaluated. it would be helpful to evaluate it when it's actually flaring up but that might be impossible to time. even if you're not having a pain episode your pcp might be able to come to some conclusion as to the cause of this pain and get you started on treatment. best of luck to you! the main symptom of pleurisy is pain in the chest. this pain often occurs when you take a deep breath in or out or cough. some people feel the pain in the shoulder. deep breathing coughing and chest movement makes the pain worse. pleurisy can cause fluid to collect inside the chest cavity. this can make breathing difficult and may cause the following symptoms: bluish skin color (cyanosis) coughing shortness of breath rapid breathing (tachypnea) pleurisy may develop when you have lung inflammation due to infections such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. this inflammation also causes the sharp chest pain of pleurisy. it may also occur with: asbestos-related disease certain cancers chest trauma pulmonary embolus rheumatoid arthritis lupus copied from:<link> when i have my pains it is in the middle of my back. it doesn't start on the right or left. it starts where my spine is and moves around to the front to where it hurts to breathe and move. the only thing that helps me are two bags of ice for my back and just under my ribcage and either 2 alieve's or 2 midol's. i had to checked out and was hooked up to a machine and everything. they said it was my breathing but i can't remember if that was exactly the case. i lost 41 pounds but i could still feel the start of it but i would take medicine before it could go any further.

### Human:\ncan varicose veins form a blood clot which can esentially cause a stroke? . i am a 52 year old female with varicose veins for approximately 20 years.\n\n### Assistant: many people wonder if varicose veins can be a source of blood clots. the answer is "not exactly. " when people talk about "blood clots " they typically mean deep venous thromboses (dvt). these dangerous clots form in the deep tissue (typically of the calf muscle in the lower leg) and can break free and travel to the lungs causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). varicose veins generally aren't linked to dvts. why is this so? well it's because varicose veins generally form in the superficial tissue not the deep tissue. as you can see by looking at your own legs those gnarled varicose veins reside near the surface of the skin. by definition these are not "deep" veins. because varicose veins are flabby blood can indeed pool in them and probably clot up. however this becomes a problem of the local tissue. these clots generally don't travel anywhere else in the body. varicose veins usually are considered a cosmetic problem even though they can cause pain and feelings of heaviness in the legs. varicose veins can run in families. if your leg veins are bothering you consult a physician who specializes in treating this problem. wishing you well!

### Human:\ncoughing up blood mucus drainage sinus congestion sneezing and sore throat. what could the be from? . i just woke up one morning and that's what was going on. im a 16 year old female.\n\n### Assistant: providing you don't have a fever it sounds like you're describing a common cold or the flu. if you do have a fever or if you're experiencing chest congestion (fluid in your lungs that causes coughing and shortness of breath) you'd do well to seek medical attention to make sure you don't have something more serious. as long as you're not "coughing up blood" from your lungs you probably don't need to worry. it's not unusual to cough up blood-tinged sputum from the back of the throat. if your symptoms remain mild and confined to simply nasal drainage sore throat and sneezing you may find some relief from over-the-counter cold remedies. they won't make the cold go away but they may relieve the annoying symptoms. the pharmacist can help you choose a product and instruct you on its proper use. if your symptoms turn severe and you begin to run a fever then it's definitely time to get checked out by a health care provider. he or she can diagnose and treat your illness if it's something more than a cold or the flu. don't forget to drink plenty of fluids. this will help keep the mucus thin which makes it easier to eliminate by coughing or blowing your nose. feel better!

### Human:\ncan spirometers improve lung function\n\n### Assistant: well yes and no. incentive spirometers generally are used by patients after surgery or by people who suffer from an injury (such a fractured rib) that causes them not to breathe well or deeply. as you slowly breathe in through the spirometer it causes inflation of the small sacs in the lungs called alveoli. inflating the alveoli helps keep them free of fluid build-up. fluid build-up in the alveoli can lead to pneumonia. in a healthy individual using an incentive spirometer could theoretically increase air flow which would aid in lung function. studies have not shown that using an incentive spirometer increases or improves lung function in individuals with chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (copd) or other chronic lung problems. i hope this is helpful!

### Human:\nmy husband has had gall bladder removal and had a small bowel reduction/crohns. what possible complications towatch for? . the bowel reduction 5 yrs previous. husband is suffering lack of appetite and low body temp even though he also has diabetes (recent diagnosis) and ms (10 year diagnosis) the latter of which usually causes slightly elevated body temp in patient.\n\n### Assistant: you're a good wife to be staying alert to possible complications after your husband's gall bladder surgery. he's lucky to have you! i hope your husband's surgeon or the recovery room nurse gave you a printed instruction sheet that outlined post-procedure care. if you did not receive such written instructions i'd suggest you call the surgeon's office and ask if you can pick one up. every surgeon has different post-op instructions and it's important you follow these. in general after any outpatient surgery you want to be alert for: a fever over 101f nausea and/or vomiting that does not clear up within a day or so inability to urinate within 6 hours of general anesthesia inability to have a bowel movement within a few days after surgery sudden severe shortness of breath difficulty swallowing in particular if your husband experiences the rare complication of sudden severe shortness of breath (usually about 10 days after surgery but sometimes earlier or later) you should call 911 as this can indicate a pulmonary embolism. if you're concerned about the low body temperature or any other symptoms please call your husband's surgeon's office. the nurse pa or someone there should be able to guide you about what to expect post-operatively. best to you and your husband!

### Human:\nwhy would a person's lungs explode. my brother was on a ventilator and for 3 weeks he recently had trac surgery. 2days after surgery his lungs exploded. how can that happen?\n\n### Assistant: i imagine you are talking about a condition called pneumothorax. the lung isn't literally exploding but a hole forms in the lung and in the lining of the lung. air can then escape out into the area surrounding the lung. the problem is this air outside the lungs puts pressure on the lungs. the lungs then can't expand and fill with oxygen. that can make getting enough oxygen in the body very difficult. when people are on a ventilator the machine is pushing air into the lungs so the chance of this happening is always higher. that's because of the pressure that can build up in the lungs. while the respiratory therapist and the doctors adjust the machine to keep the pressures down as much as possible this can still happen. the longer someone is on a ventilator the more likely problems such as this are likely to occur.

### Human:\ncan you get too much oxygen\n\n### Assistant: it's difficult to answer your question without more information. when people have copd and use home oxygen therapy they often are told not to set the oxygen delivery rate above a certain number. this is very important. it's not exactly because a person can "get too much oxygen " but rather because breathing is not only a matter of taking in oxygen -- it's also a matter of exhaling carbon dioxide. if a copd patient sets their oxygen delivery rate too high they risk upsetting the balance between taking oxygen in and breathing carbon dioxide out. if you retain carbon dioxide it can be harmful to your health. if you have any questions related to your personal oxygen needs or the oxygen requirements of a loved one don't hesitate to ask your primary health care provider or a respiratory therapist. these experts can help you understand how your lungs work whether or not you need oxygen therapy and much more. i hope this answers your question!

### Human:\ndoes anyone out there know what sweets syndrome is?\n\n### Assistant: most helpful answer sweet's syndrome (also called sweet syndrome and known medically as "acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis") is a rare skin condition in which a painful bluish-red rash appears usually on just one side of the body along with a fever. most of the time sweet's appears on its own with no known cause. about 2 out of 10 cases may be related to a serious underlying disorder like cancer. the rash of sweet syndrome evolves in a very predictable fashion. it usually starts on the arms back neck or face. the initial bumps are small and red and occur after a fever or upper respiratory infection. this rash quickly grows into clusters of bumps that may measure an inch in diameter. the bumps almost always are painful and may develop blisters. these lesions may clear up on their own but it can take months for this to happen. if you develop this type of rash after a fever or upper respiratory infection you'd be well-advised to consult a doctor. with appropriate treatment the rash of sweet syndrome may clear up within days. i hope this answers your question!

### Human:\nmy grandma has had a cough for a few weeks should i have her see a doctor? . it started as a dry cough but now it sounds like shes coughing up something. she went to the dr a couple weeks ago and got cough syrup but it didnt help.\n\n### Assistant: if your grandmother's cough has changed from dry to "productive" (that is she is coughing up gunk from her lungs) then i'd suggest you take her back to the doctor. older people are more susceptible to getting pneumonia so you'll want to have a doctor rule that out. if your grandmother is running a fever (101f or higher) you should seek immediate medical attention at an urgent care facility or the emergency room. this combination of symptoms could signal an infection -- again like pneumonia. meanwhile try to help your grandmother stay hydrated by encouraging her to drink fluids. good hydration will help keep those secretions thinner and less sticky so she can cough them up more easily. if your grandmother is being treated for high blood pressure or congestive heart failure don't push an extreme amount of fluids. in general several glasses of water a day should be all right though. wishing you both the best!

### Human:\nwe have humaqna hmo. how will the affordable care act effect me? . we both have had cancer in the past. my partner had 1/2 of his right lung removed and no further treatments. i have a lumpectomy. 34 rounds of radiation & 4 treatments of chemo.\n\n### Assistant: you don't mention how you get your insurance -- at work or buy it on your own. if you buy your own insurance it's possible you may be required to switch to a different plan if the one you currently have isn't compliant with the new law. if that's the case your insurer should have already sent you a notice. the good news for you and your partner is that starting january 1 2014 the affordable care act prohibits insurers from turning anyone down because of a pre-existing condition. that means you'll have the freedom to shop new options and will be guaranteed coverage. open enrollment is now underway. you can look on healthcare. gov to start learning what's available to you in your state. if you're happy with you current plan and it isn't being phased out you can also stick with what you've got.

### Human:\nprognosis leaking aortic & mitral valves w/ pulmonary hypertension. open heart done; decision made of no action. 6 yrs ago received metal aortic valve. recent testing showed leaking mitral & aortic leaking & needed replacement. also pulmonary hypertension established. got reopened nothing done and closed back up. sob is awful but pulse ox is 97 or 98. prognosis - long term sort term?\n\n### Assistant: most helpful answer i'm sorry you're going through this and that your health care team hasn't discussed the prognosis with you. i'm sorry you had an open heart surgery without having any corrective measures taken. i'd suggest you make an appointment as soon as possible with your surgeon to discuss exactly what they found in terms of your heart that made them decide not to proceed with the intended surgery. your surgeon should be able to give you details about your prognosis and whether or not you should be considering hospice care. most important your health care team needs to address your shortness of breath issue. if there's some way to help this they need to treat it. if it can't be treated they need to tell you that and/or provide you with some anti-anxiety medication. i don't know about you but i think shortness of breath is incredibly anxiety-provoking. you deserve to be treated for this. please take a trusted family member or friend with you to your appointment with the surgeon. he or she will hear things you may miss and your friend can take notes and ask questions you may not think of. plus you need a support system to help you get through whatever lies ahead. again i'm so sorry you're going through this and wish you all the best.

### Human:\ni have asthma and i've been taking albuterol sulfate every 2 hours is this bad? what effects will it have on me?\n\n### Assistant: your asthma is not well-controlled. you should not be taking albuterol so frequently. whether you are taking the albuterol via an inhaler or as a pill using it every two hours isn't recommended and can cause side effects such as shakiness and an irregular heartbeat. i suggest you contact your primary care provider for an appointment as soon as possible to discuss other medications to control your asthma. everyone with asthma should carry a rescue inhaler (such as albuterol) but a bronchodilator is no longer considered the primary form of treatment for asthma. on a good medication regimen you can improve your quality of life and avoid possible complications from using so much albuterol. if you experience a severe asthma attack that does not improve when you use a rescue inhaler you should seek immediate medical attention by calling 9-1-1 (or the emergency number wherever you're located). asthma can quickly turn fatal and you must waste no time in receiving emergency treatment for an attack that does not respond to a rescue inhaler. do not drive (or have someone else drive you) to an emergency room. instead get an ambulance sent to your house so paramedics can begin immediate emergency treatment. wishing you well!

### Human:\nare acid reflux and ibs related? . went to the dr with stomach pain back pain towardard my chest on left side. dr. took blood work no arthritis. took x-ray of chest found "mild lung cloud". told me i had h pylori finished prepak (14 days) took ct scan of chest. diagonosed "lung fibrosis". saw pulmonologist she says the reading was incorrect and over diagnosed. instead of her seeing pulmonary fibrosis she says it is just "scarring of the lung". nothing to worry. i still have all the pains. md put me on omerprazole.\n\n### Assistant: there is no particular connection between ibs and acid reflux. people with ibs do not usually have digestive problems that involved the stomach. typically the problems are with the colon. however in some people we do see ibs and acid reflux occur together but there is no know or specific association between the two. it sounds like you have been diagnosed with acid reflux. if you look at some of the symptoms there may be some overlap with ibs but just cause you have acid reflux doesn't mean you have ibs. <link> i hope this helps!

### Human:\nhow can i get my husband to quit smoking now that i am pregnant? . we were both smokers before i got pregnant and when we found out i quit cold turkey but he has no desire to quit and it is very important to me because i don't want him to be smoking after the baby is born and i don't want to start smoking again either which i know will be much harder if he doesn't quit as well. i have told him very many reasons to quit but he just says he is a man and can make his own decisions and he is a smoker. he gives me many excuses i dont know what to do!\n\n### Assistant: i applaud your decision and fortitude in quitting smoking when you got pregnant. it's not easy to quit and you should pat yourself on the back! while i sympathize with (and support) your sentiments the truth is no one person can ethically coerce another person to do their bidding. it probably will be harmful to the baby to be raised in an environment filled with cigarette smoke. studies confirm a link between infant exposure to second-hand smoke and asthma rates. nonetheless you cannot force your husband to quit smoking. each person has to come to that decision on his or her own. can you compromise and convince your husband to smoke outdoors only? this would benefit his child and at the same time allow him to live the lifestyle he chooses. it also might make it easier for you to maintain your personal smoke-free lifestyle. i wish i had more to offer but your husband is going to do what he's going to do. you have to do what you need to do. and i'm glad you chose to quit smoking! i am a father of a recently born child i was told by the wife and quote if you want to smoke do it outside and so i took my 7 yr old smoking chair and headed for the door she has been a happy woman since. and also i learned 1 thing from it. it is so much more easier to change my bad habits when i know she carried my son for 9 months and still cooked and cleaned. . and every bad habit i have could potentially put my son's health at risk! p. s. tell him to stop being lazy and take his butt outside to smoke his baby cant defend itself!

### Human:\nwhy can't i beathe at full lung capacity and my mucus is extremely thick? . i feel as if there is something blocking my air way at tmes and get a drowning sensation especially in the mornings when i wake.\n\n### Assistant: i'm sorry to hear you're going through this. it's always scary when we feel as if we can't breathe! i'd recommend you see a doctor about this. you didn't say what your age is but many conditions can cause the symptoms you describe -- and some of them are more common at older ages. only a physical examination by a health care professional can help get to the cause of this and treat it appropriately. i hope you're able to see a doctor soon and get to the bottom of this unpleasant situation!

### Human:\nwhat can you do for back pain do to the lung cancer\n\n### Assistant: first let me say i'm sorry to hear you or someone you love is suffering from lung cancer. that's a difficult diagnosis to cope with. it's not uncommon to suffer from back pain due to lung cancer. please talk to your cancer doctor about the medication options available to you to relieve this pain. narcotic medications ranging from pills to patches may be prescribed for severe pain related to cancer. on your own you might try a heating pad set to "low" for about 20 minutes at a time. do not place the heating pad directly against the skin because you could get burned. instead place a towel between the heating pad and your skin. if that doesn't work you also may try an icepack. again no more than 20 minutes at a time and never directly touching the skin. sometimes the combination of heat and ice helps relieve pain. the best solution is to speak with your cancer doctor about how to deal with this. if the back pain is a new symptom your health care provider may want to run further tests to determine what's causing it. best wishes to you!

### Human:\nis it normal for your heart to race after a nap? . whenever i take a nap no matter how long it is i always wake up with a pounding heart and feeling very sick. is this normal at all?\n\n### Assistant: no that's not normal. i can't say what's going on without being able to examine you and run any necessary tests so you should see your doctor for that. the symptoms sound similar to anxiety or a panic attack but i have no way of knowing why that would be happening with every nap which is unusual. get checked out by your doctor so you can get to the bottom of it. i have the same problem plus when i get up or move at night cant breath when lie down on my back cardiologist ran tests and i have pulmonary hypertension would see a cardiologist i am glad i did

### Human:\ncan the common cold make your teeth hurt with all the coughing and blowing done over a week?\n\n### Assistant: i guess that would be neurologically possible but i can't say this would be a common response to a cold. because of nerve pathways and the tendency for upper respiratory viral infections to cause inflammation in the nose throat sinuses and lungs one might feel responses in the teeth. for instance pain in the molar area can be felt in the ears; pain and pressure in the sinuses can be felt in the upper teeth.

### Human:\nmy 4 year old has been coughing only in the late evening during the night and until mid-morning for many weeks now. . i usually give him 1 to 2 l'il critters gummy vites that have echinacea vitamin c and zinc in them every day. he doesn't cough during the day. he had a cold a few weeks ago which has since gone away except for this cough. it actually starts late in the evening right around bedtime continues off and on during the night when he changes positions and then starts to go away around mid-morning. . . i would say it's probably more of a dry hacking cough. could it be whooping cough?\n\n### Assistant: a cough in a healthy 4 year old can be many things. most commonly colds from viral infections can cause coughs. other causes can be allergies post nasal drip and asthma. if your child has had the cough for several weeks it is important to speak to your doctor. if he has allergies or asthma that is causing this there are medications available to make him feel better. call your doctor. cough in children can have many reasons. recurrent infections allergies asthma can be important ones. please get your child thoroughly examined by expert paediatrician. with few tests the cause of persistent bed time cough can be confirmed.

### Human:\ni am disabled due to a lung transplant. i am 62 years old. i am on social security medicare insurance (a&b) have my part d through humana and i have a supplemental policy through american family. how hard will it be for me to change my supplemental insurance to a different company and when can i change?\n\n### Assistant: this is a good question but it should be made clear that regulations around supplemental medicare plans known as medigap have nothering to do with the health reform law. medigap plans can be difficult to change over time because when you purhcase one outside of a certain timeframe medigap plans can take the state of your health into consideration when deciding whether or not to sell you a plan and for how much. so you can certainly inquire about changing plans and you should but understand the challenges you may face. i suggest you talk with a medicare counselor for personalized assistance with this matter. contact your state health insurance assistance programs (ship). to find the ship near you visit the medicare helpful contacts page on medicare. gov or call (800)medicare or 800-633-4227.

### Human:\nwould a cold make a diabetic's sugar run higher? . my daughter has type 1 diabetes that is managed with an insulin pump. her a1c is usually within a good range. her sugar has been running higher lately but she has a cold and some congestion. would a cold/congestion make her sugar run higher? .\n\n### Assistant: high blood sugar suppresses immunity i. e. defense mechanism of the body. compromised defense mechanism may lead to viral infections of respiratory system like cough and cold. it is not cold that causes high blood sugar maybe contrary is true.

### Human:\ncould my cold symptoms actually be allergies?\n\n### Assistant: if you are sniffling but not achy or feverish at all you may have allergies. also if your symptoms last longer than two weeks and you also have red itchy eyes the evidence points to allergies. however it's often hard to tell because people with allergies and asthma are more likely to get colds. they may already have inflamed and irritated lungs -- so they are less able to fight off a cold virus.

### Human:\nhow long are viral upper respiratory infections contagious to others?\n\n### Assistant: studies have shown the viral uris (colds) are contagious a day before you know you are ill and for about two to three days later.

### Human:\nwhat are the symptoms of tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: tuberculosis infection usually occurs initially in the upper part (lobe) of the lungs. the body's immune system however can stop the bacteria from continuing to reproduce. thus the immune system can make the lung infection inactive (dormant). on the other hand if the body's immune system cannot contain the tb bacteria the bacteria will reproduce (become active or reactivate) in the lungs and spread elsewhere in the body. it may take many months from the time the infection initially gets into the lungs until symptoms develop. the usual symptoms that occur with an active tb infection are a generalized tiredness or weakness weight loss fever and night sweats. if the infection in the lungs worsens then further symptoms can include coughing chest pain coughing up of sputum (material from the lungs) and/or blood and shortness of breath. if the infection spreads beyond the lungs the symptoms will depend upon the organs involved.

### Human:\nhow can i prevent a cold?\n\n### Assistant: hand washing. both flu and cold viruses are transmitted through microscopic droplets from an infected person's respiratory system. if people cough or sneeze into their hands (without a tissue) they can contaminate every surface they touch. if you touch that same surface you pick up the virus. if you rub your eyes or nose you've just infected yourself. to protect yourself and prevent spread of cold and flu viruses: wash your hands frequently. use an alcohol-based gel if you don't have access to water. cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your hands. wash your hands afterward. when you cough turn your head away from others. if you have a sudden sneeze bend your arm and sneeze into it. don't touch your eyes nose or mouth. wash any shared surfaces (like phones and keyboards) frequently. viruses can live on surfaces for several hours. stay away from crowds during cold and flu season.

### Human:\nmost of the time when i get cold it's triggered by my allergies. is this normal? what can i do to prevent this? . i laid over freshly cut grass (usually an allergy trigger) in 20 minutes the allergies kicked in. sneezing runny nose watery eyes. went home to take an otc allergy med. the medicine didn't seem to work as it usually did. (i have very manageable seasonal allergies). that night i has a full blown cold. fever chills body aches terrible sore throat. . for year i have seen the same pattern. . not all my allergies trigger a cold but most of my colds are triggered by simple allergies.\n\n### Assistant: colds are caused by viruses. the only biological explanation in your case would be that your allergies are overwhelming your immune system making you more vulnerable to getting a viral infection. allergies cause congestion and inflammation and respiratory viruses tend to be opportunisitic. hitting you when you are down so to speak. there are no direct relationship between colds and allergies otherwise but a person can certainly have both at the same time.

### Human:\nmy son has had a viral infection for a week and is now running a temp around 101f is this normal\n\n### Assistant: there are hundreds of different respiratory viruses that just cause the common cold. there are no rules that state you can only have one virus at a time or that viral infections cannot occur back-to-back. a fever one week into a viral infection can mean a new viral infection has occured or that the first virus may now have secondary infection.

### Human:\nwhat increases the risk of getting cataracts?\n\n### Assistant: risk factors for cataracts include: age. getting older is a major risk factor for cataracts. family history (genetics). people with a family history of cataracts are more likely to have cataracts. people with certain genetic disorders may also have an increased risk for cataracts. some chronic diseases increase the risk for cataracts. keeping these diseases under control may help lower your risk of developing cataracts: diabetes. people with diabetes are at increased risk for cataracts. damage to the lens of the eye results from persistent high blood sugar (glucose) levels. 1 glaucoma. surgery to treat glaucoma may raise the risk of cataracts. other things that increase your risk include: smoking. people who smoke are more likely to develop cataracts. smoking may damage the lens of the eye by leading to the formation of chemicals called free radicals. high levels of free radicals can damage cells including those in the lens of the eye. infection during pregnancy. if a woman has certain infections during pregnancy such as rubella or chickenpox the baby may develop a cataract before birth. ultraviolet (uv) light exposure. ultraviolet b (uvb) is related to cataract development. studies have shown that high lifetime exposure to ultraviolet light as in those whose occupations result in regular exposure to sunlight leads to an increased chance of developing cataracts. 1 alcohol use. some studies show that heavy drinking may increase the risk of cataracts. 1 long-term use and higher doses of steroid medicines. long-term use of high doses of steroid medicines for conditions such as asthma or emphysema increases a person's risk of developing cataracts. 1 high triglycerides. one study suggested that elevated levels of triglycerides a form of fat that can accumulate in the walls of your arteries may increase the risk of cataracts in men. 2 webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.

### Human:\ni feel like i have a cold but i am sweating constantly with fever lung congestion headache fatigue and acid reflux. . is this just a common cold? i am 28 year old male.\n\n### Assistant: better visit your doctor for further diagnosis and correct medication. you may be suffering from upper respiratory tract infection.

### Human:\ni am currently unemployed. . my children and i currently have medicaid in a state where they have chosen not to accept the expansion of medicaid. what are we to do for health insurance coverage as myself and 2 of my children have severe chronic asthma allergies food allergies are pre-diabetic and have other health impaired issues (mental)?\n\n### Assistant: if you and your children qualify for medicaid now and are enrolled it shouldn't matter if your state is not expanding medicaid. you should continue to be covered in your state's medicaid program.

### Human:\nwhat are the symptoms of extensively drug-resistant (xdr) tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: the general symptoms of tuberculosis disease include feelings of sickness or weakness weight loss fever and night sweats. the symptoms of tb disease of the lungs may also include coughing chest pain and coughing up blood. symptoms of tb disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected. if you have these symptoms you should contact your doctor or local health department.

### Human:\nmy 4 year old has been coughing only in the late evening during the night and until mid-morning for many weeks now. . i usually give him 1 to 2 l'il critters gummy vites that have echinacea vitamin c and zinc in them every day. he doesn't cough during the day. he had a cold a few weeks ago which has since gone away except for this cough. it actually starts late in the evening right around bedtime continues off and on during the night when he changes positions and then starts to go away around mid-morning. . . i would say it's probably more of a dry hacking cough. could it be whooping cough?\n\n### Assistant: a cough in a healthy 4 year old can be many things. most commonly colds from viral infections can cause coughs. other causes can be allergies post nasal drip and asthma. if your child has had the cough for several weeks it is important to speak to your doctor. if he has allergies or asthma that is causing this there are medications available to make him feel better. call your doctor.

### Human:\ncan any of the medications i take for my asthma cause harm to my baby?\n\n### Assistant: most asthma medicines are considered safe and are used in children. for example albuterol is sometimes used in babies and young infants if they have an asthma type reaction. speak to your doctor about your specific medicines to get more information. most medications used to treat asthma appear to be safe especially those that have been around for many years and have been time-tested. unfortunately it is very difficult to conduct adequate studies in pregnant women to prove the safety of drugs.

### Human:\ni am a type 2 diabetic and my kidneys are in the beginning stages of breakdown. how can i slow that process?\n\n### Assistant: strategies for fighting diabetes are pretty much the same as the strategies for fighting diabetic kidney disease. doctors and patients try to keep the blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels in excellent control because high glucose and/or blood pressure can accelerate the damage. an eating and exercise strategy designed to reverse the diabetes as much as possible is a top priority for slowing the kidney damage. this would involve losing as much excess body fat as possible and keeping your muscles heart and lungs in shape via cardio and resistance exercise. there are many good eating strategies. avoiding excess starch sugar and animal fat are the top priorities in my view. avoiding excess salt and protein may also slow the kidney disease. . a good way to follow the kidney disease progression or slowing is via the urine protein levels as well as the "glomerular filtration rate" (gfr) test.

### Human:\nmy 4 year old has been coughing only in the late evening during the night and until mid-morning for many weeks now. . i usually give him 1 to 2 l'il critters gummy vites that have echinacea vitamin c and zinc in them every day. he doesn't cough during the day. he had a cold a few weeks ago which has since gone away except for this cough. it actually starts late in the evening right around bedtime continues off and on during the night when he changes positions and then starts to go away around mid-morning. . . i would say it's probably more of a dry hacking cough. could it be whooping cough?\n\n### Assistant: cough in children can have many reasons. recurrent infections allergies asthma can be important ones. please get your child thoroughly examined by expert paediatrician. with few tests the cause of persistent bed time cough can be confirmed.

### Human:\ncan you put regular vicks on an infant? . im wanting to put vicks on my baby because she has a cold that comes with a cough. so i was wondering does it have to be baby vicks or can you use the regular type adults use? and if so what is the difference between the two? i was planning to put it on her feet because she has a pretty bad cough and i heard that doing that can really help also she is a few days shy of turning 5 months if that changes anything. thanks in advance!\n\n### Assistant: we do not recommend vicks for the babies in our clinic even though our parents used it on us and we survived. the ingredients in vicks has the potential of making a cough worse due to an allergic or irritant response so we don't endorse it. and i have to say that vicks on the feet will only make the feet a bit softer because of the petroleum jelly but it will not cure a cold or calm a cough. please don't tell your mother or grandmother that i told you this! a five month old is experiencing our germ-filled world for the first time on her own -- your maternal immunity will completely wear out by six months even if you are breast-feeding. because they are so darn cute at this age people pick them up touch them and expose them so their cuteness is their own fault. she is also teething and drooling so this drainage is contributing to the cough when she is lying down. coughing helps clear her airway and helps prevent the fluid from going in her lungs. so it is really a good thing. use a cool mist humidifier suck out the nose (i know they hate it) and just hang in there. colds last a week or two but she will average 6-9 of these per year from now on. until she is about six. each cold makes her a bit stronger so think of these frequent viral episodes as free immunizations.

### Human:\nwhat is the common cold and what causes it?\n\n### Assistant: the common cold is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. the common cold is medically referred to as a viral upper respiratory tract infection. symptoms of the common cold may include cough sore throat nasal congestion runny nose and sneezing. more than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold with rhinovirus causing approximately 30%-35% of all adult colds. other commonly implicated viruses include coronavirus adenovirus respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus. because so many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop the body never builds up resistance against all of them. for this reason colds are a frequent and recurring problem. in fact children in preschool and elementary school can have six to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. the common cold occurs most frequently during the fall and winter months. the common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. it is estimated that individuals in the united states suffer 1 billion colds per year with approximately 22 million days of school absences recorded annually.

### Human:\nwhat happens with emphysema and chronic bronchitis and colds?\n\n### Assistant: a cold is a viral respiratory illness that mainly affects your nose and throat but in some instances can affect your airways. when you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis you already have some difficulty breathing because of the damaged airways and lungs. catching a respiratory virus along with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can hinder breathing even more and can cause the following changes in your symptoms: an increase in phlegm. an increase in the thickness or stickiness of the phlegm. a change in phlegm color to yellow or green. blood in the phlegm. an increase in the severity of shortness of breath cough or wheezing. a general feeling of ill health. difficulty sleeping. increased fatigue.

### Human:\nwhat is the common cold?\n\n### Assistant: the common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. colds are unrelated to influenza.

### Human:\nwhat is this cold going around! i've been sick for over a week now and just lost my voice last night. any remedies? . it started with a scratchy throat runny nose plugged ears and cough. i have had it for over a week and now it has moved down i to my chest making it hard to breathe. it's a raspy feeling when i inhale and now i have lost my voice and sound like a bad squeak toy. help! any remedies to get through this\n\n### Assistant: generally cold and flu like symptoms is due to viral infection of upper respiratory tract i. e nose and throat. people recover from this in about a week or two. if your symptoms are persisting for long you may be down with secondary bacterial infections of respirator tract. better consult your doctor and get yourself tested for proper medications. we advise herbal mix of immunomodulator herbs that will help to improve your body defense functions. guduchi haridra tulsi and triphala together in equal proportion at dose of 3 gms twice daily with honey.

### Human:\ni've been sick for 6 weeks with what the doctors say is a viral infection but i'm getting worse not better. normal? . it started with normal cold like symptoms which was ok. i made it through about two weeks of that just fine and was getting better. i was late picking up my narcolepsy medications (aderrall) and went through about 3 days of withdrawal which i'm sure made my immune system crash. i got my medication back but became seriously ill with what the doctors told me was a sinus infection. i concur. severe sinus pressure hacking wet cough dyspnea . . . to be continued\n\n### Assistant: ear ringing and fatigue. i started amoxicillin the next day and the sinus pressure went away but the rest of my symptoms remained and i was absolutely miserable. i stayed on the antibiotic for four more days with no improvement - in fact i lost my voice around this time. i went back to the doctor and started levaquin. i was on that for four more days with no improvement and actually started coughing up/blowing my nose and producing this unnatural bright solid yellow mucous. i've seen much mucous in my day i'm a nurse. i've never seen mucous this color. it wasn't a seethrough yellow it was a solid bright yellow and when i blew my nose i could feel it pulling out of my sinuses by my nose. it was miserable and i could hardly breathe. at this point i went to the hospital where they gave me hour long breathing treatments solumedrol iv and put me on omnicef (another antibiotic). after a full week of this antibiotic i finished it. now (two/three weeks later) my mucous is clear/red (from all the irritation) i still have laryngitis (no voice) coughing from the tickle deep in my chest apparently have asthma now new symptoms last 4 days i've had joint pain and am seriously dizzy. i shouldn't be getting worse should i? i mean for crying out loud i quit smoking 4 weeks ago i'm using daily breathing treatments of albuterol ventolin inhaler as needed. i'm so exhausted that i just want to go to sleep and not wake up. what is going on? why am i not better? i've been to the doc 3 times and the er twice. they say there's nothing they can do for me but i'm concerned that something more serious is wrong. i'm scheduling an appointment for the ent doctor but around here physicians are really. lets just say i want an opinion from this online community before i go. please please please give me opinions?

### Human:\nhow does a person get tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: a person can become infected with tuberculosis bacteria when he or she inhales minute particles of infected sputum from the air. the bacteria get into the air when someone who has a tuberculosis lung infection coughs sneezes shouts or spits (which is common in some cultures). people who are nearby can then possibly breathe the bacteria into their lungs. you don't get tb by just touching the clothes or shaking the hands of someone who is infected. tuberculosis is spread (transmitted) primarily from person to person by breathing infected air during close contact. there is a form of atypical tuberculosis however that is transmitted by drinking unpasteurized milk. related bacteria called mycobacterium bovis cause this form of tb. previously this type of bacteria was a major cause of tb in children but it rarely causes tb now since most milk is pasteurized (undergoes a heating process that kills the bacteria).

### Human:\nmy husband is having trouble with a chest cold and his lungs hurt what can he do to make his lungs feel better? . my husband had a chest cold from his sinuses and now his lungs are hurting. what can he do to make his lungs feel better?\n\n### Assistant: steam always works for me i just sit in the tub and let the hot water steam around me. it also helps as an expectorant

### Human:\nwhat can i expect after heart surgery?\n\n### Assistant: every time i do rounds in the cardiac surgery recovery unit i am amazed. room after room of people who just a few hours previously had their ribs split their heart exposed to the circulating air of the operating room and a human being’s hands replacing a heart valve or sewing healthy grafts on diseased coronary arteries. and there they lay with tubes drips and ventilators monitoring their every movement and supporting every breath. even the ones who are awake are groggy and it’s not surprising when they fall asleep while i’m talking or drift off in the middle of a sentence. this is heart surgery after all. it’s the medical equivalent of being hit by a truck. it’s a hard thing to grasp when you are signing a consent form but sometimes being hit by a truck is worth it. every day thousands of people’s hearts see more blood flow and oxygen from new blood vessels and valve replacement -- or repair -- fixes drafts and leaks and enables blood to travel where it needs to without being blocked by an obstruction. while we are able to do a lot of things these days without surgery the or still plays a very important role in extending life and improving its quality. one of the greatest concerns people have is post-operative recovery. while it is easier to quantify and estimate the risks related to surgery (or any invasive procedure for that matter) it’s the time afterward that can be more difficult to predict. for a day or two after surgery most people experience significant fatigue but typically this period is self-limited and once the body really starts to heal the progression is miraculous. patients stroll around the wards days after surgery with chest tubes catheters and invasive monitors just a memory from the intensive care unit. we typically discharge cardiac surgery patients on post-operative day five – it’s a testament to just how resilient the human body can be. but in all fairness the real recovery then begins at home. we recommend that patients try to walk for twenty or thirty minutes each day to help regain strength as well as improve lung function after surgery. it’s not uncommon for people to feel fatigue for several weeks or even a month or two after surgery. we arrange for a follow-up visit with our cardiologists as well as the heart surgeon to touch base a few weeks after surgery examine the incision site to make sure that everything is healing well and to adjust any medications if necessary. if you are going to have heart surgery you definitely have questions – here are a few to help frame the discussion with your surgeon and cardiologist: * how many of these types of procedures have you done? * how would you estimate my risk of a complication as compared to other patients? * what type of valve replacement or repair do you recommend and why? * where do you plan to obtain grafts (legs arms chest wall) for my bypass operation? * how soon can i travel after my surgery? * when do you anticipate that i can go back to work after surgery? * do you recommend a cardiac rehabilitation program or physical therapy to help speed up my recovery? it’s a long road and not without its frustrations and challenges along the way. but it takes people where they want to be – and where they need to be in many cases. the surgeon and cardiologist are only part of the process – in my opinion the majority of the healing lies within the patients themselves.

### Human:\nwhat are some causes of upper right abdominal burning pain. i had a stomach virus i contracted from my grand daughter last weekend and now have continual upper right abdominal burning. it seems worse after eating. before this symptom i felt chest tightness and went to the emergency room. they did an ekg blood work and chest x-rays and said it was probably not cardiac related. pain has gone from chest to left and then right upper abdomen--ant ideas?\n\n### Assistant: diagnosing your medical condition will require a through patient interview detailing past medical conditions confirming when symptoms first appeared family history age sex medications being taken pain quality (describing your pain as burning after eating may suggest a gastric type of disturbance) and a physical examination. it can be a time consuming challenge to both you and your medical professional to eventually come-up with an accurate diagnosis. one point to note is that some pain can be characterized as "referred pain". that is pain originating from one anatomical location but causing pain in another location. a differential type of diagnosing technique may be employed and require more blood studies cardiac testing c. t. scans x-rays and other testing. some common disturbances were addressed in the emergency room but a boatload of other possible medical conditions still remain. upper right abdominal pain can be caused by many medical conditions including: gastric disturbances - pancreatitis irritable bowel syndrome lactose intolerance crohn's disease intestinal obstruction ulcers and others. liver conditions - gallstones viral hepatitis cholecystitis and others. allergic conditions such as angioedema. renal system conditions - kidney stones pyelonephritis and others. cancer - bowel lesions and others. respiratory conditions such as pneumonia. cardiovascular disease - your symptoms will require the painstaking investigative work by a competent and methodical physician. one- by- one all possible causes must be eliminated until only one remains.

### Human:\nswollen and bruised left foot no injuries. my husband's left foot is swollen and bruised 3 yrs ago he broke his jaw and then had blood clots in his lungs we went to er and they did blood work and ultrasound on leg neither test showed any blood clots the color some what came back over night but now that he is moving around its worst than yesterday.\n\n### Assistant: i would advice that you show it to any orthopedic for this. i have also show my leg to him and my problem was solved. <link>

### Human:\nwould removing adenoids help my 5 year old who has recurrent sinus infections and asthma? . - he has had 2 bad sinus infections in last 6 months. . - he has a chronic wet cough (for 12 months) a partially collapsed lung in spring 2012 and a recent low lung function test - hence the suspected asthma. . - he does not respond particullary well to his asthma medication. . - when he contracts a virus his cough can last up to 3-4 hours at night. . . . thanks so much for any help you can offer.\n\n### Assistant: adenoids are a group of tissues that are located just behind the nasal passage. their main function is to trap harmful germs that pass through the nasal passage. with recurrent attacks of germs adenoids get swollen. these enlarged adenoids thus physically obstruct/block the airway and cause difficulty in breathing. if child has asthma enlarged adenoids worsen the breathlessness.

### Human:\nwhat conditions does complete cold treat?\n\n### Assistant: this combination medication is used to temporarily treat symptoms caused by the common cold flu allergies or other breathing illnesses (such as sinusitis bronchitis). dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the brain reducing the urge to cough. decongestants help relieve stuffy nose and ear congestion symptoms. acetaminophen (apap) is a non-aspirin pain reliever and fever reducer. antihistamines help relieve watery eyes itchy eyes/nose/throat runny nose and sneezing. this medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking asthma or other long-term breathing problems (such as emphysema) or for coughs with a lot of mucus unless directed by your doctor. cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. therefore do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. some products (such as long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely. these products do not cure or shorten the length of the common cold and may cause serious side effects. to decrease the risk for serious side effects carefully follow all dosage directions. do not use this product to make a child sleepy. do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also drug interactions section). ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).

### Human:\nwhere are cases of viral hemorrhagic fever found?\n\n### Assistant: taken together the viruses that cause viral hemorrhagic fevers are distributed over much of the globe. however because each virus is associated with one or more particular host species the virus and the disease it causes are usually seen only where the host species live(s). some hosts such as the rodent species carrying several of the new world arenaviruses live in geographically restricted areas. therefore the risk of getting vhfs caused by these viruses is restricted to those areas. other hosts range over continents such as the rodents that carry viruses which cause various forms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in north and south america or the different set of rodents that carry viruses which cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in europe and asia. a few hosts are distributed nearly worldwide such as the common rat. it can carry seoul virus a cause of hfrs; therefore humans can get hfrs anywhere where the common rat is found. while people usually become infected only in areas where the host lives occasionally people become infected by a host that has been exported from its native habitat. for example the first outbreaks of marburg hemorrhagic fever in marburg and frankfurt germany and in yugoslavia occurred when laboratory workers handled imported monkeys infected with marburg virus. occasionally a person becomes infected in an area where the virus occurs naturally and then travels elsewhere. if the virus is a type that can be transmitted further by person-to-person contact the traveler could infect other people. because more and more people travel each year outbreaks of these diseases are becoming an increasing threat in places where they rarely if ever have been seen before.

### Human:\ncan my dog catch my cold? . i have a cold for a couple days now and i'm just worried that my dog might get sick with me being around them so much. they have not shown any symptoms of being sick. please answer my question i really would not want my dog to get sick.\n\n### Assistant: dogs are not usually susceptible to human respiratory viruses. this is why they are called lucky dogs. besides cold viruses tend to be more contagious a day before you know you have a cold and for about two days afterwards.

### Human:\nis ther a link between hives and herpes virus?\n\n### Assistant: hi. this may help you in your search viral infections like epstein-barr virus hepatitis virus herpes virus bacterial infections like strep throat staph fungal infections respiratory infections urinary and gastrointestinal infections can all cause hives. they do not cause hives directly but indirectly by causing inflammation from stimulating the body's defence mechanisms. do hope this helps. good luck

### Human:\nwhat are the symptoms of tuberculosis tb?\n\n### Assistant: if you have latent tuberculosis (tb) you do not have symptoms and cannot spread the disease to others. if you have active tb you do have symptoms and can spread the disease to others. which specific symptoms you have will depend on whether your tb infection is in your lungs (the most common site) or in another part of your body ( extrapulmonary tb ). there are other conditions with symptoms similar to tb such as pneumonia or lung cancer. symptoms of active tb in the lungs symptoms of active tb in the lungs begin gradually and develop over a period of weeks or months. you may have one or two mild symptoms and not even know that you have the disease. common symptoms include: a cough with thick cloudy and sometimes bloody mucus from the lungs ( sputum ) for more than 2 weeks. fever chills and night sweats. fatigue and weakness. loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. shortness of breath and chest pain. symptoms of an active tb infection outside the lungs symptoms of tb outside the lungs ( extrapulmonary tb ) vary widely depending on which area of the body is infected. for example back pain can be a symptom of tb in the spine or your neck may get swollen when lymph nodes in the neck are infected. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.

### Human:\ncan an 8-year-old with a cold have flumist flu prevention?\n\n### Assistant: flumist is used for prevention of influenza. this doesn’t mean that a person who has had the flumist cannot catch the flu. the flumist delivers live but weakened flu virus to help your body build up immunity to the virus. this way when or if you contact the real virus your body will have a better team of fighters to eliminate or prevent complications associated with the flu such as death. if the child has a cold without fever and does not have any of the other contraindications (egg allergy asthma altered immune-compromised persons or less than 24 months of age) then they should be fine to take the flumist.

### Human:\ndo my 3- and 5-year-old children really need to get the flu/h1n1 vaccines? my chiropractor strongly suggests against it.\n\n### Assistant: my advice is just the opposite – your children should be vaccinated for seasonal and h1h1 flu. the problem with the h1n1 virus is that it is affecting healthy young adults and children. we have especially seen a number of h1n1-related deaths in children if they have asthma. that alone should tell you that this is a very serious virus and if you have access to the vaccine you and your children should get it. each year thousands of children and adults (over 35 000) die just from seasonal flu. in my mind it is better to be safe than sorry.

### Human:\nwhat is tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria whose scientific name is mycobacterium tuberculosis. it was first isolated in 1882 by a german physician named robert koch who received the nobel prize for this discovery. tb most commonly affects the lungs but also can involve almost any organ of the body. many years ago this disease was referred to as "consumption" because without effective treatment these patients often would waste away. today of course tuberculosis usually can be treated successfully with antibiotics. there is also a group of organisms referred to as atypical tuberculosis. these involve other types of bacteria that are in the mycobacterium family. often these organisms do not cause disease and are referred to a "colonizers " because they simply live alongside other bacteria in our bodies without causing damage. at times these bacteria can cause an infection that is sometimes clinically like typical tuberculosis. when these atypical mycobacteria cause infection they are often very difficult to cure. often drug therapy for these organisms must be administered for one-and-a-half to two years and requires multiple medications.

### Human:\nhow does xolair cost if you are medicare? . i have asthma and i am 70 years of age. i have just started on xolair and would like to know if anyone like me has received a bill. i wanted to know the approximate cost of xolair? thanks albjerryg\n\n### Assistant: the answer depends in large part on the type of medicare coverage you have and the way this drug is administered. i'm not a doctor so i don't can't comment on the clinical use of this particular medication. but best as i can tell this drug is sometimes administered in a doctor's office and sometimes not. also in certain cases you may have to meet clinical criteria or get prior authorization in order for the drug to be covered. if the drug is administered in a physician's office it would be covered under medicare part b (that's the part that pays for outpatient care). if not it would be covered under you medicare part d prescription drug coverage plan. all plans have different formularies (the list of covered drugs) and out-of-pocket costs. you'll need to check with your plan and/or your doctor's office to learn how this drug is covered for you and what if any out-of-pocket costs you may be on the hook for.

### Human:\nwhat illnesses often co-exist with bipolar disorder?\n\n### Assistant: i have had bipolar for aprox. 12 years now but was diagnosed only 7 yrs ago. anyway i have always had asthma and allergies but since the disease onset i have developed: acid reflux migraines cysts of several of my sinuses and have gained 70 lbs. a lot of the weight gain was from certain bp/antipsychotic medications such as lithium and seroquel. as with many ppl on lithium there is also adult acne but i have been managing that with a product called acne free (the orange stuff you can get from drugstore a lot like proactiv. ) sometimes especially while depressed nearly my whole body hurts (esp back and neck) and muscles are easily pulled. a good chiropracter can help as well as daily stretching. if you can learn to crack your own back then more power to you. i also have tmj and it has wrecked havov on my jaw teeth ears and of course head. i have found that klonopin is helpful for this type of pain. this could have to do with anxiety causing the tmj. my vision has also changed. i have met many individuals with bipolar and i would say 90% have a substance abuse problem. they turn to alcohol and certain drugs bc of their uncomfortable symptoms. as a general rule the hard drugs should not be touched b/c they can induce a psychotic episode right away.

### Human:\nwhat is tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: tuberculosis commonly known as tb is a bacterial infection that can spread through the lymph nodes and bloodstream to any organ in your body -- and most often is found in the lungs. most people who are exposed to tb never develop symptoms since the bacteria can live in an inactive form in the body. but if the immune system weakens such as in people with hiv or elderly adults tb bacteria can become active. in their active state tb bacteria cause death of tissue in the organs they infect. active tb disease can be fatal if left untreated.

### Human:\nwhat are some healthy ways to help me manage my stress levels?\n\n### Assistant: 1. spend time in nature. sun exposure and natural light have been found to increase your mood. take a break during the day and be sure to step outside or go near a window to get your dose of mood-enhancing light. pay attention to the colors in nature when you’re outdoors. what sounds do you hear? looking around your environment with a fresh pair of eyes can be a very relaxing experience. 2. move your body. the current recommendations for physical activity call for sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily. sound daunting? make it fun! go for a walk as a family turn on the radio and dance or practice yoga balance poses. movement activities positively affect health by reducing blood pressure enhancing mood and strengthening bones. 3. laugh. laughter really is the best medicine. take a moment to remember a situation that you found humorous. as you vividly recall the details you’ll probably find that a smile spontaneously develops. tell jokes make funny faces or start laughing and see who laughs with you. it can be contagious! 4. express yourself creatively. expressive art therapy enables you to share inner thoughts or feelings when they are difficult to articulate verbally. engaging in art activities such as finger painting drawing coloring etc. may relieve feelings of anxiety. 5. listen to music. there are many benefits to listening to music from relaxation to enhancing sleep. 6. take a warm bath. there are many historical references to the healing properties of water. ancient spas originated near mineral springs and seas and were used by natural healers to support health. establishing a bedtime routine that includes a warm bath in a quiet room can help to promote sleep and feelings of calm after a long day. run a warm bath light a few candles and close the door to spend some quality time with you. 7. aromatherapy. this refers to the use of essential oils to improve health and wellbeing. oils are delivered to the body through inhalation or direct application to the skin. lavender lemon balm and sandalwood are the two most common oils used to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. add a few drops to bath water or on a pillowcase. rub the oils between the palms of your hands and cup your hands to inhale a few deep breaths of the scent. use with caution if you have asthma or a skin condition associated with allergies. consult a physician before use. 8. gratitude journal. when we’re faced with life’s challenges we often see only the stressful situation and lose sight of all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. the next time life seems to hand you lemons try making lemonade by writing down ten things you appreciate in your life. it won’t eliminate the stress but you may find that it helps to improve your mood and shift your perspective allowing you to see new possibilities to resolve stressful situations. 9. gentle massage. human touch is very powerful and can be quite nurturing. use a lotion or light massage oil to rub the feet and/or hands. there are numerous “points” on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet that may influence various systems within the body. a gentle massage can be both relaxing and stimulating. use this technique to help quell stress when it appears. 10. mindful breathing. the mind has a tendency to wander. our thoughts pull us into the past replaying moments that we can’t recover or push us into the future as we worry about what has yet to come. the body is always in the present moment. noticing your breathing on purpose without feeling the need to change it brings us back to the present moment. it serves as an anchor. take a “time-out” to notice your breathing when you feel stressed or worried and pay attention to how your body feels.

### Human:\nis it safe to visit with a rsv infected baby and then with my healthy baby nephew soon after? can i carry this virus? . the two babies are both 6 months old. the sick boy is a preemie. with some breathing issues the other boy was born normal wt. and has been in good health.\n\n### Assistant: you are very very wise to ask this question. while most babies survive rsv just fine no one wants to put their infant through the horrible symptoms! rsv which stands for respiratory syncytial virus is pretty much like a really bad cold. like the common cold there are many many mutations of this virus which means it's impossible to ever be completely immune to it. most children will experience a case or two of rsv. rsv is highly contagious. it spreads in the same ways the common cold does: through direct contact with body fluids like mucus from touching contaminated surfaces and so on. so yes you can "carry" this virus from the infected baby (poor thing! ) to your own healthy child. but keep in mind you can catch the virus too. you will want to take precautions to avoid coming down sick yourself. when you visit the ill child try these tactics to reduce the chance of taking rsv home to your own little one: before holding or snuggling with the infected baby cover yourself with a blanket or other barrier that can be left behind or disposed of wear a face mask if the baby is sneezing a lot avoid touching surfaces in the baby's environment as much as possible do not touch your eyes or nose while visiting the ill baby or handling him wash your hands and arms thoroughly after your visit wash any other exposed skin areas touched by the baby (such as your neck which is the most wonderful place to snuggle up with an infant) you can use antimicrobial rub instead of washing but i'm a fan of good thorough handwashing with warm water and soap i'm very sorry to hear the preemie has been struck with this wretched virus. i'm glad to hear he seems to be overcoming it. you're a wonderful aunt to go visit him and i'm sure his mom can use some moral support right now too. wishing you well!

### Human:\ncan you give an example of an adverse event following a vaccine?\n\n### Assistant: vaccines are given to millions of people every year. some people will have adverse health events that occur coincidentally after vaccination. for example an adverse event of an upper respiratory infection after the flu shot may cause a person to believe that she got the flu from taking the flu shot. however the flu shot contains inactivated (killed) flu virus and therefore it cannot cause the flu. an adverse event of a sore arm at the injection site after receiving a vaccination is an example that is likely to be caused by the vaccination.

### Human:\ncan asthmatics use a medicated vaporizer for a cold?\n\n### Assistant: yes as long as the vapors do not cause irritation and cause them to have difficulty breathing.

### Human:\nwhat are the differences between bacteria and viruses?\n\n### Assistant: although bacteria and viruses are both too small to be seen without a microscope they're structurally as different as giraffes and goldfish. bacteria are relatively complex single-celled creatures with a rigid wall and a thin rubbery membrane surrounding the fluid or cytoplasm inside the cell. shaped like balls rods or spirals they contain all of the genetic information needed to make copies of themselves. fossilized records show that bacteria have existed for about 3. 5 billion years and it's known that bacteria can survive in a variety of environments including extreme heat and cold radioactive waste and the human body. most bacteria are harmless and some -- such as the lactobacilli acidophilus bacteria that can live in the human intestine -- actually help digest food destroy disease-causing microbes fight cancer cells and provide essential nutrients. fewer than 1% of bacteria cause disease in people. in contrast viruses are tiny: the largest of them are smaller than the smallest bacteria. viruses come in varied shapes and have a limited genetic blueprint. all they have is a protein coat and a core of genetic material: either rna or dna. unlike bacteria viruses can't survive without a host. they can only reproduce by attaching themselves to cells and hijacking the cells' cellular machinery. in most cases they reprogram the cells to make new viruses until the cells burst and die. in other cases they turn normal cells into malignant or cancerous cells. also unlike bacteria most viruses do cause disease and they're quite specific about the cells they attack. for example certain viruses are programmed to attacks cells in the liver respiratory system or blood. in some cases viruses called bacteriophages target bacteria.

### Human:\nhow is tuberculosis treated?\n\n### Assistant: a person with a positive skin test a normal chest x-ray and no symptoms most likely has only a few tb germs in an inactive state and is not contagious. nevertheless treatment with an antibiotic may be recommended for this person to prevent the tb from turning into an active infection. the antibiotic used for this purpose is called isoniazid. if taken for six to 12 months it will prevent the tb from becoming active in the future. in fact if a person with a positive skin test does not take inh there is a 5%-10% lifelong risk that the tb will become active. taking isoniazid can be inadvisable (contraindicated) during pregnancy or for those with alcoholism or liver disease. also isoniazid can have side effects. the side effects occur infrequently but a rash can develop and the patient can feel tired or irritable. liver damage from isoniazid is a rare occurrence and typically reverses once the drug is stopped. very rarely however especially in older people the liver damage (inh hepatitis) can even be fatal. it is important therefore for the doctor to monitor a patient's liver by periodically ordering blood tests called "liver function tests" during the course of inh therapy. another side effect of inh is a decreased sensation in the extremities referred to as a peripheral neuropathy. this can be avoided by taking vitamin b6 (pyridoxine) and this is often prescribed along with inh. a person with a positive skin test along with an abnormal chest x-ray and sputum evidencing tb bacteria has active tb and is contagious. active tb usually is accompanied by symptoms such as a cough fever weight loss and fatigue. active tb is treated with a combination of medications along with isoniazid. rifampin (rifadin) ethambutol (myambutol) and pyrazinamide are the drugs commonly used to treat active tb in conjunction with isoniazid (inh). four drugs are often taken for the first two months of therapy to help kill any potentially resistant strains of bacteria. then the number is usually reduced to two drugs for the remainder of the treatment based on drug sensitivity testing that is usually available by this time in the course. streptomycin a drug that is given by injection may be used as well particularly when the disease is extensive and/or the patients do not take their oral medications reliably (termed "poor compliance"). treatment usually lasts for many months and sometimes for years. successful treatment of tb is dependent largely on the compliance of the patient. indeed the failure of a patient to take the medications is the most important cause of failure to cure the tb infection. in some locations the health department demands direct monitoring of patient compliance with therapy. surgery on the lungs may be indicated to help cure tb when medication has failed but in this day and age surgery for tb is unusual. treatment with appropriate antibiotics will usually cure the tb. without treatment however tuberculosis can be a lethal infection. therefore early diagnosis is important. those individuals who have been exposed to a person with tb or suspect that they have been should be examined by a doctor for signs of tb and screened with a tb skin test.

### Human:\nwhat's the best treatment for a cold?\n\n### Assistant: there is no cure for the common cold. the most important thing you can do is drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated. chicken soup is comforting plus the steam helps break up nasal congestion. over-the-counter cold medicines can offer relief from aches and fever. however doctors no longer believe in suppressing low-grade fever except in very young and very old people or people with certain medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. low-grade fever helps the body fight off infection. aspirin. young people and children should not take aspirin because of the risk of reye's syndrome. decongestants can help make breathing easier by shrinking swollen mucous membranes in the nose. use for no more than two or three days. saline nasal sprays can also open breathing passages and may be used freely. cough preparations are not hugely effective. the fda and manufacturers now say that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 4. gargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat.

### Human:\nhow are bacterial and viral infections treated?\n\n### Assistant: the discovery and use of antibiotics for bacterial infections is considered one of the most important breakthroughs in medical history. unfortunately bacteria are extremely adaptable and the overuse of antibiotics has made many of them resistant to medical treatment. this has created serious problems especially in hospital settings. antibiotics are ineffective against viruses -- including those which cause most upper-respiratory tract infections -- and many leading organizations now recommend against the routine use of antibiotics unless there is clear evidence of a bacterial infection. since the beginning of the 20th century vaccines have effectively reduced the incidence of viral diseases such as polio measles and chickenpox. in addition vaccines can prevent such infections such as the flu hepatitis a hepatitis b human papillomavirus (hpv) and others. but the treatment of viral infections has proved more challenging primarily because viruses are relatively tiny and reproduce inside cells. for some viral diseases -- such as herpes simplex virus infections hiv/aids and influenza -- antiviral medications have become available. however the use of antiviral medications has been associated with the development of drug-resistant microbes.

### Human:\nwhat are the symptoms of celiac disease?\n\n### Assistant: symptoms of celiac disease occur after eating foods containing gluten. these foods trigger an abnormal immune system response that damages the intestine. symptoms vary widely: they may be very mild and go completely unnoticed or they may be severe and impact daily life. common symptoms related to celiac disease may come and go. they include: gas abdominal swelling and bloating. these symptoms result from a failure of the small intestine to absorb nutrients from food. you may also have mild stomach pain but it is usually not severe. abnormal stools. diarrhea or bulky loose (or watery) pale frothy and foul-smelling stools often occur. the stools may contain a large amount of fat and may stick to the sides of the toilet bowl making them hard to flush. although children and adults often experience the same types of symptoms intestinal problems such as constipation are more likely to occur in children. weight loss. adults and children may have unexplained weight loss despite having a normal appetite. younger children may fail to gain weight and grow as expected a condition known as failure to thrive. fatigue and weakness. celiac disease can result in a general lack of energy and strength. sometimes poor nutrient absorption causes fatigue and weakness. vomiting. some people may get sick after eating gluten. children are more likely than adults to have this reaction. celiac disease may also lead to: osteoporosis and other bone problems related to a lack of calcium absorption. anemia caused by iron deficiency and/or folic acid deficiency. infertility or having more than one miscarriage. delayed onset of puberty. frequent respiratory infections. problems with memory and concentration. irritability in children. and adults may show signs of depression. symptoms of celiac disease also occur with a variety of other conditions which can delay the initial diagnosis. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.

### Human:\nwhat causes tuberculosis tb?\n\n### Assistant: tuberculosis (tb) is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis slow-growing bacteria that thrive in areas of the body that are rich in blood and oxygen such as the lungs. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.

### Human:\nwhy should i take colds seriously with emphysema or chronic bronchitis?\n\n### Assistant: catching a cold with emphysema or chronic bronchitis may also lead to bacterial infections such as pneumonia. this occurs because of the airway obstruction and the inability to cough up infected mucus. sometimes patients with copd are hospitalized because of a respiratory infection and the worsening of their symptoms. treatment may include inhaled medications oxygen and antibiotics to treat any bacterial infection. antibiotics do not treat a cold. to avoid more serious problems with emphysema chronic bronchitis and colds it's important to always alert your doctor if your cold symptoms get worse. don't wait until you have more serious breathing problems to contact your doctor.

### Human:\nwhat surgery options do i have for tuberculosis tb?\n\n### Assistant: surgery is rarely used to treat tuberculosis (tb). but it may be used to treat extensively drug-resistant tb (xdr-tb) or to treat complications of an infection in the lungs or another part of the body. surgery is used to: repair lung damage such as serious bleeding that cannot be stopped any other way or repeated lung infections other than tb. remove a pocket of bacteria that cannot be killed with long-term medicine treatment. surgery has a high success rate but it also has a risk of complications which may include infections other than tb and shortness of breath after surgery. surgery for tb outside the lungs surgery sometimes may be needed to remove or repair organs damaged by tb in parts of the body other than the lungs ( extrapulmonary tb ) or to prevent other rare complications such as: tb infection of the brain (tb meningitis ). your doctor may surgically place a tube (shunt) that drains excess fluid from the brain to prevent a buildup of pressure that can further damage the brain. tb infections of the heart (tb pericarditis ). your surgeon may partially remove or repair the infected sac around the heart. tb infection of the kidneys (renal tb). your surgeon may need to either remove your infected kidney or repair the kidney or other parts of the urinary system. tb infection of the joints. you may need surgery to repair damaged areas of your spine or joints (orthopedic surgery). webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.

### Human:\nare there any herbal remedies for preventing or shortening the duration of colds?\n\n### Assistant: although the research on whether they work shows mixed results some octors said they do find relief from natural remedies. “i use echinacea and goldenseal because they help boost the immune system and fight off microbes ” says lauren richter do assistant professor of family and community medicine at the university of maryland center for integrative medicine. even so studies haven’t found much evidence that echinacea prevents upper respiratory infections but some of its extracts (such as e. pallida and e. purpurea) may help you feel better if you are already sick. what about zinc? some studies show it can shorten the duration and reduce the severity of colds while others have found the evidence isn’t strong enough yet to recommend it. most doctors aren’t convinced that using herbal remedies is worth the effort. and one note of caution if you do take herbal remedies: check with your doctor first. just because they’re all-natural doesn’t mean they don’t have side effects; for example some studies have shown that zinc nasal sprays and swabs may reduce your sense of smell. more important herbal remedies may interfere with medicines you’re already taking.

### Human:\nwhat is tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: tuberculosis (tb) is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria that grow best in areas of the body that have lots of blood and oxygen. that’s why it is most often found in the lungs. this is called pulmonary tb. but tb can also spread to other parts of the body which is called extrapulmonary tb. treatment is often a success but it is a long process. it takes about 6 to 9 months to treat tb. tuberculosis is either latent or active. latent tb means that you have the tb bacteria in your body but your body’s defenses (immune system) are keeping it from turning into active tb. this means that you don't have any symptoms of tb right now and can't spread the disease to others. if you have latent tb it can become active tb. active tb means that the tb bacteria are growing and causing symptoms. if your lungs are infected with active tb it is easy to spread the disease to others. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.

### Human:\nwhy do kids get so many colds?\n\n### Assistant: i guess i shouldn’t complain too much about colds and flu — these two common illnesses are a large part of any primary care practice. everyday i see several children who are excluded from school or day care and i still have not been able to cure any of them. colds are caused by a variety of respiratory viruses — over 200 different types. adults typically get two or three colds a year; children get twice as many. younger children in day care or preschool can average up to nine per year either separate infections or back-to-back. i call this the cold-of-the-month club. the reason children get so many colds comes down to two factors: hygiene and immune response. as we all know children do not have the most effective hygiene. they are poor hand-washers and excellent nose-pickers. it can take several years and a several dozen colds to form a protective immune system against colds. usually by age six kids are doing a bit better in the cold department. we are never fully immune to viral infections however. when children get colds at school or day-care they bring them home. by the time children show the symptoms of a cold they have spread it around for at least a day. the contagious period for most colds is only for the first few days even though the classic symptoms of a runny nose and coughing can hang on for a week or so. when you have one cold you can still catch another before the first one abates. these back-to-back colds can cause symptoms to last a long time i have video proof of my daughter coughing for about four months after starting preschool all from these coalescing viruses. the more social a person becomes; the more colds they will acquire. hygiene practices in day care or preschool are pretty good; better than most homes. however you can’t sanitize a child; only the things they touch. hygiene procedures in elementary school are deplorable. i don’t think anyone disinfects surfaces anymore. the janitors just seem to empty the trash. handwashing is one of the most effective cold preventative measures and schools do stress it but kids tend to skip it most of the time. kids cough and sneeze freely in the air. to limit the contamination of the hands teachers often stress coughing and sneezing into the crook of the kids’ elbows where they will contaminate their shirts in preparation for your after-school hug. my sixth-grade teacher was a frightening tyrant when it came to covering your cough. she would openly chastise (yell at) any child who did not cover a cough with a tissue. as soon as she would hear a cough or sneeze she would single you out with her homing sense. one day a cough caught me off-guard. it was just a little hack but i watched in horror as a loogie emerged from my throat and went sailing toward her desk where she was sitting. my heart stopped as this rogue loogie landed on her desk pad. i thought that my life was over but i got an unexpected reprieve. she didn’t notice the gift and mindlessly piled some papers on top of it. my heart started beating again. there is nothing that can shorten the duration of a cold and it seems silly to me to exclude a child from school when they have cold. if they are sick or feverish they should be home but if they just have a snotty nose they really can go to school. coughing can be disruptive in class so there is nothing wrong with using a non-sedating cough suppressant or providing some cough drops. drippy noses can be controlled with a non-sedating antihistamine but this will not cure them. only “tincture of time” will cure a cold. i can offer medical advice symptom control suggestions and exam a person for possible secondary infections but only your immune system can cure a cold. if you get better while under my care i will take the credit though.

### Human:\nreceived three virus flu shot instead of four. what can i get to compensate. have asthma\n\n### Assistant: this is really the first year for quadrivalent vaccine (four types). in all of the previous years it has been the trivalent (three types) vaccine so you should be generally well protected. your doctor can choose to reimmunize you but the one you received is really good.

### Human:\nwhat happens to the body when a person gets tuberculosis?\n\n### Assistant: when the inhaled tuberculosis bacteria enter the lungs they can multiply and cause a local lung infection (pneumonia). the local lymph nodes associated with the lungs may also become involved with the infection and usually become enlarged. the hilar lymph nodes (the lymph nodes adjacent to the heart in the central part of the chest) are often involved. in addition tb can spread to other parts of the body. the body's immune (defense) system however can fight off the infection and stop the bacteria from spreading. the immune system does so ultimately by forming scar tissue around the tb bacteria and isolating it from the rest of the body. tuberculosis that occurs after initial exposure to the bacteria is often referred to as primary tb. if the body is able to form scar tissue (fibrosis) around the tb bacteria then the infection is contained in an inactive state. such an individual typically has no symptoms and cannot spread tb to other people. the scar tissue and lymph nodes may eventually harden like stone due to the process of calcification of the scars (deposition of calcium from the bloodstream in the scar tissue). these scars often appear on x-rays and imaging studies like round marbles and are referred to as a granuloma. if these scars do not show any evidence of calcium on x-ray they can be difficult to distinguish from cancer. sometimes however the body's immune system becomes weakened and the tb bacteria break through the scar tissue and can cause active disease referred to as reactivation tuberculosis or secondary tb. for example the immune system can be weakened by old age the development of another infection or a cancer or certain medications such as cortisone anticancer drugs or medications used to treat arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. the breakthrough of bacteria can result in a recurrence of the pneumonia and a spread of tb to other locations in the body. the kidneys bone and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meninges) are the most common sites affected by the spread of tb beyond the lungs.

### Human:\nmy throat feels icey-cold after some excercises & then for a few days i wheeze & air feels cold in my throat. i am 23 male and eat fairly well. excercise that causes this include running basketball and pugil jousting. swimming doesn't bother me even if i swim all day. this has happened for a few years. initial coldness can be rather painful & i can feel it if i touch my neck with my hand. residual coldness tends not to be painful and can't be felt by hand. it lasts anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. temp's under about 70^f make it more likely. . i plan to see a doctor on break (college student).\n\n### Assistant: most helpful answer many people have exercise induced or cold induced asthma. basically if you exercise in the cold (running basketball etc) your lung airways start to contract making them smaller and therefore making it harder to breathe. this may occur due to chemicals called catecholamines that are release when a person exercises. it usually happens 5-15 minutes after starting and goes away about 1/2 hour to 2 hours after finishing. a good way to prevent this is to take albuterol 10 minutes before exercising. for you it is important to see the doctor to help diagnose and treat this. if it is exercise/cold induced asthma the treatment should really help.

### Human:\nwhat is a common cold?\n\n### Assistant: the common cold is a group of symptoms in the upper respiratory tract caused by a large number of different viruses. although more than 200 viruses can cause the common cold the perpetrator is usually the rhinovirus which is to blame for causing 10% to 40% of colds. also the coronaviruses cause about 20% of colds and the respiratory syncytial virus (rsv) causes 10% of colds.

### Human:\nwhat are the types of coxsackie viruses and what can they cause?\n\n### Assistant: coxsackie viruses are separable into two groups a and b which are based on their effects on newborn mice (coxsackie a results in muscle injury paralysis and death; coxsackie b results in organ damage but less severe outcomes. ) there are over 24 different serotypes of the virus (having distinct proteins on the viral surface). coxsackie viruses infect host cells and cause host cells to break open (lyse). type a viruses cause herpangina (painful blisters in the mouth throat hands feet or in all these areas). hand foot and mouth disease (hfmd) is the common name of this viral infection. coxsackie a 16 causes the majority of hfmd infections in the u. s. it usually occurs in children (age 10 and under) but adults can also develop the condition. this childhood disease should not be confused with the "foot and mouth disease" usually found in animals with hooves (for example cattle pigs and deer). type a also causes conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyelids and white area of the eye). type b viruses cause epidemic pleurodynia (fever lung and abdominal pain with headache that lasts about two to 12 days and resolves). pleurodynia is also termed bornholm disease. there are six serotypes of coxsackie b (1-6 with b 4 considered by some researchers as a possible cause of diabetes in a number of individuals). both types of viruses (a and b) can cause meningitis myocarditis and pericarditis but these occur infrequently from coxsackie infections. some researchers suggest coxsackie virus (mainly coxsackie b4) has a role in the development of acute onset type i (formerly known as juvenile) diabetes but this relationship is still under investigation.