NetWellness Cold and Flu

How long is H1N1 Flu contagious?

John Andrews MD, MPH — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:10:00 EST

Question: My workplace has a policy that people have to stay home for 24 hours after the fever goes down before returning to work. But I am not convinced that they are not still contagious at that point. There is an outbreak of H1N1 flu going around (I work on a college campus and a number of students have it . . .

Answer: In regards to the H1N1 influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people stay home for 24 hours after they have no fever without temperature-lowering medications. (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm). There are respiratory illnesses other than H1N1 influ . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Can I get the flu vaccine and h1n1??

John Andrews MD, MPH — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:10:00 EST

Question: i was diagnosed with graves disease several months ago,and i was told not to get the flu shot,and not to get near anyone sick,i am taking methimizole 30mg,and attenolol every day,as well as topamax and mitrex for migrane,my employer,a cleveland hospital has just made it a must that everyone get the . . .

Answer: I recommend that you discuss your specific medical situation and your employer's requirements with your personal physician or physicians. You may wish to ask your physician why you were told not to get the flu shot. The same reason you could not get the flu shot may also be the reason you should not . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Seniors and H1N1 flu shot

John Andrews MD, MPH — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:09:00 EST

Question: Regarding who gets this shot, the only thing I`ve read is persons 1-49. Are seniors at the `end of the line` or do we need one at all? Thank you.

Answer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that seniors get H1N1 flu shots. The CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm) says at the end that "Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for y . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Flu

John Andrews MD, MPH — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:07:00 EST

Question: my partner has had his chemo stopped because he became very ill with phneumonia 3.5 into 6 ecx chemos he was in hospital 4 weeks,he is doing very well because having no chemo has made him stronger and stronger,but i wanted to know is we were at any higher risk of getting swine flu or any flu,and it . . .

Answer: I do not have enough medical information to answer your question. I recommend that you and your partner ask your personal physicians your question. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people from ages 25 through 64 years . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Are frequnt colds a symptom of somthing else?

John Andrews MD, MPH — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:06:00 EST

Question: I exercise moderately, eat a healthy diet, and take a few supplements, (such as garlic capsules, a multi-vitamin, and vitamin C) yet I still contract colds on average about every two to three weeks and have a chronic "runny nose". This has been going on for over a year and is extremely bot . . .

Answer: Congratulations on your healthy lifestyle! In answer to your question, I do not know why you are having frequent colds. You may be having frequent colds because you are getting infected sequentially with different viruses. You may also have allergies or other underlying medical condition that makes . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

How to tell when you need to see the doctor?

John Andrews MD, MPH — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:05:00 EST

Question: I have been chewed out for going to the dr for "just a cold" before. I got read the riot act about antibiotics not helping a "cold" etc., etc. So I have no idea when I should make an appointment or how long I should wait before I do any more. I have had thick green gobs of phlegm . . .

Answer: Thank you for sharing your concerns. I agree with you that it is not always possible to tell when you need to see a doctor. If you are still feeling ill after 2 weeks and your symptoms are not getting better, I think it would be reasonable to see a physician to find out what you have. If you only ha . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Colds in men and women

John Andrews MD, MPH — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:04:00 EST

Question: Do colds affect men differently than women? It seems like I always hear women complaining that men become big babies whenever they get a "little cold." However, it seems like every time my dad or I get a cold we have really bad body aches, dizziness, and cold feelings, while my mom states . . .

Answer: As many as 200 subtypes of viruses are thought to cause colds. There is no evidence that colds affect men differently than women. The symptoms of a cold are different in different people both due to the particular virus that has caused the illness as well as to differences in people (biological vari . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Sore Throat

Elizabeth Barker PhD, APRN, BC, FAANP,CHE — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:11:00 EST

Question: We went out to dinner yeaterday and one of the sauces with the meal was spicy. A few hours later I had a sore throat. I know that there is always viruses on the go but know one around me has the flu or a cold. Could it having any thing to do with the spicy food?

Answer: Interesting question. The spicy food can sometime cause some inflammation, but it's usually in the mouth rather than the throat. You don't say if you have any other symptoms like fever, joint aches, loss of appetite, fatigue, or runny nose, all of which are symptoms of flu.

IT'S REALLY IMP . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Barker PhD, APRN, BC, FAANP,CHE, Cold and Flu

The Difference Between Cold and Flu

John Andrews MD, MPH — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:11:00 EST

Question: How can I tell the difference between a cold and the flu? Are they treated differently? What can I do to make sure my family and I don`t get either the cold or the flu this season?

Answer: It is not possible to tell the difference between a cold and the flu when you first become ill. A cold can be caused by a variety of different viruses. The usual symptoms are nasal congestion, a runny nose, and sometimes a sore throat, cough, sinus pain, or fever. The symptoms of the flu include fev . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu

Preventing and Preparing For Pandemic Flu

John Andrews MD, MPH — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:08:00 EST

Question:

I have read some information about a potential flu pandemic, and I wanted to make sure that I was well prepared in case of emergency. What should I do to make sure my family is safe if the flu becomes so widespread? What things should we keep at home for situations like this (food, batteries, etc . . .

Answer: The best way to keep your family safe in case pandemic flu becomes widespread would be to keep your family completely isolated from other persons and the things they might have touched that could be a source of infection for your family. This is probably not a realistic option for most families. How . . .

Ask an Expert: John Andrews MD, MPH, Cold and Flu