Home - Health - Cold, Flu, Cough, And Virus – Stages, Diagnosis, And Prevention

Cold, flu, cough, and virus – Stages, diagnosis, and prevention

Cold, flu, cough, and virus – Stages, diagnosis, and prevention

Cold, flu, cough, and virus are often used together. It is for a simple reason that cold, cough, and seasonal flu are commonly caused by viruses. Cough, cold, runny nose, sore throat, etc., are common symptoms of infections caused by viruses. Seasonal flu also causes similar symptoms but it can lead to soreness in the muscles, fever, and headache.

Different stages
Cold is caused when a virus attacks the upper respiratory tract in the body, which affects the throat, sinuses, nose, and the voice box. There are more than 200 different types of viruses that can cause cold. The condition and its symptoms progress gradually. This pattern is usually followed in most cases. However, the stages and the timing can differ a little case-to-case.

The different stages are:

  • The incubation stage
    Once you have been exposed to the virus, the symptoms will take about one to three days to start showing up. In some cases, the symptoms can start showing as early as 12 hours.
  • Symptoms start to show and peak
    The symptoms start peaking anywhere between day one and three. Common symptoms experienced include cough, sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, etc.
  • Symptoms start to fade off
    The symptoms of cold last for about three to ten days. Once the symptoms have started showing up, it will take about two to three days for the mucus discharge from your nose to change its color to white, green, or yellow.
  • After 10 days
    Some lingering symptoms can last for about two weeks in some people. However, the intensity of these symptoms will not be as bad as the initial days.

Diagnosis for cold, flu, cough, and virus
Most people with a cold caused due to viruses get diagnosed with the infection through their symptoms. In case the doctor thinks that the patient has a bacterial or any other kind of infection, a chest X-ray might also be ordered. Some additional tests might also be ordered by the doctor to rule out other conditions before diagnosing the patient with flu infection.

Although cold caused due to viral infection can be easily diagnosed, there are no medications to treat the condition. Some over-the-counter medications can be used to relieve the symptoms but the virus takes its time to go away.

Prevention
A few tips can help you protect yourself and others from catching a cold. These include the following:

  • Stay away from people who are sick
    This is one of the most effective ways in which you can prevent yourself from getting exposed to the virus. If someone around you has been sick, try to maintain a physical distance from them.
  • Cover your face and mouth while sneezing or coughing
    Whenever you are coughing and sneezing, make sure that you cover your face and mouth with a tissue. This will help other people around you to stay safe and not catch the virus.
  • Wash your hands often
    Make sure that you clean your hands with water and soap regularly to safeguard yourself from germs. If these are not available, you can also use a hand sanitizer.
Previous Read

Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

Next Read

Dehydration – Diagnosis, stages, and prevention

Your body requires to have a certain amount of water present in it at all times. Without it, the body cannot perform at its best. The lack of water in the body is known as dehydration, which can lead to various other problems. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, and even severe, which can lead to serious health problems. Hence, you must drink enough water throughout the day. How to diagnose dehydrationThe signs of dehydration can help you diagnose if you are suffering from the condition because of the lack of water in your body. The mild form can result in thirst, dry mouth, not peeing regularly, dark yellowish pee, dry skin, muscle cramps, and headache. If you continue to suffer from dehydration, the symptoms will get more serious. Your pee will get even darker and your skin can become extremely dry. You will also experience a lack of energy, sleepiness, sunken eyes, rapid breathing, faster heartbeat, irritability, dizziness, and fainting. The symptoms of dehydration in babies can include having no tears, dry mouth, dry diapers for hours, a lack of energy and, sunken cheeks, among others. Your body naturally loses water due to sweating, peeing, and the secretion of saliva. Eating food containing water and drinking fluids prevents your body from losing too much water. However, you still can get dehydrated due to lack of water. The dehydrated state of your body can be a result of a variety of reasons. The water level in your body is often lowered by fever, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and medical conditions that make you peeing excessively. Different stages of dehydrationUp to 65% of your body is made of water, and maintaining its balance is really important to stay healthy and hydrated. If the presence of water in your body starts to lower for any reason, your health starts to get worse, and it can happen very quickly. There are different stages of dehydration and the last stage can ultimately lead to death. Dehydration starts with simple thirst but if the body does not get the water immediately, your kidneys will start to send less water to your bladder, which results in a lack of peeing. Your body temperature starts to rise as you sweat less and your blood becomes thicker. The second stage two of the dehydrated state is fainting. It is caused due to low blood pressure as the lack of water in the body makes your blood too thick to flow smoothly. The next stage of dehydration is organ damage. The lack of blood flow to your organs causes them to stop functioning properly. The rising body temperature adds up to the misery too as your organs start overheating. If not treated immediately, this can lead to permanent damages to your organs or even death. PreventionThe best way of preventing dehydration is to be aware of fluid loss in your body. You must drink enough water, juice, or any other form of fluid to maintain the required level of water in your body. If you are going out, always take a bottle of water with you. If it helps then set reminders on your phone that you need to drink water.

Trending Articles

01

What you should know about depression

Depression is a mental health disorder that results in bouts of continuous sadness. A clinical mood disorder can lead to physical and emotional suffering, and can also change one’s behavior. Frustration, anger outbursts, lack of energy, sleep issues, anxiety, disinterest in eating, concentration issues, and suicidal thoughts are also common symptoms of this disease. Depending on its severity, the illness can challenge one to lead a normal life, too. Diagnosis There are many different methods a medical professional can use to determine if one is affected by depression. Psychiatric evaluation is the most common way to determine if one is suffering from the disease. The mental health doctor will interview the affected person to understand their thought process, mood, and other symptoms. Some doctors may compare symptoms with the ones listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This makes it easier for them to understand the condition. A physical exam is also performed to determine if any physical health issue is caused due to this mental condition. Stages of depression Depending on the level of sadness, the stages of depression can be divided into five stages: Stage 1 Even though the signs of mental disease are hard to miss, for most people, it starts with denial.
02

Important things you should know about diabetes

The pancreas is an important organ in our body that produces insulin. It is required to help the glucose pass to our cells from the blood. That is how energy is created, which is the fuel we require to function. When the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the glucose level in one’s blood increases. This can result in diabetes, which can lead to organ damage. Types of diabetes There are mainly three kinds of this disease. Type 1 diabetes It can be most commonly seen in children and adolescents. Having said that, it can occur at any age. The insulin production of one’s body decreases with this condition, and they require daily injections to control their glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes Around 90% of people who have diabetes suffer from this type. It is most commonly seen in adults and results in one’s body failing to properly use the insulin that is produced. It can be kept under control by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but one may also require medicine in the advanced stages. Gestational diabetes This can be seen during pregnancy if the glucose level in one’s blood increases. It can affect both the child and the mother.
03

Gout – Diagnosis, stages, and prevention

Gout or gouty arthritis is a form of arthritis that commonly occurs in the joint located at the base of one’s big toe. It can also be seen in other joints and results in swelling, sudden pain, and tenderness. It can happen to anyone and occur at any moment, even suddenly in the middle of the night. The good news is that it can be prevented and treated. Diagnosis of gout Multiple medical tests can be used to determine if one has this form of arthritis. Below is a list of the most common tests. Joint fluid test The doctor uses a needle to collect fluid from one’s joint and test the same under a microscope. If urate crystals are found in the fluid then they have the condition. Blood test For gout detection, the doctor may suggest a blood test. The amount of creatinine and uric acid present in one’s blood indicates if they have it or not. However, the result of the blood test may not always be conclusive. X-ray imaging If one has joint inflammation, the doctor can use X-ray imaging to determine if it is caused by any other reason or gouty arthritis. Ultrasound A musculoskeletal ultrasound test is used to determine if one has gout or any other form of arthritis.
04

Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of ADHD

ADHD, short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, affects children worldwide, and this also often carries on into their adulthood. Some of the different problems faced by kids suffering from ADHD include sustaining attention for a long time, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity. There might be other problems associated with ADHD, like low self-esteem, low grades in school, and difficulty in keeping up with relationships. More often than not, symptoms of ADHD are seen to have decreased with age. However, there are cases wherein ADHD symptoms never subside. Levels of ADHD There are three different levels or stages at which ADHD can affect individuals. They are: Predominantly inattentive ADHD This level of ADHD may be related to missing details very easily and getting distracted often. Also, one may get bored very quickly. One has difficulty in processing new information, and there is also the tendency to not listen properly. One might not be able to follow directions very clearly and also lose things like pencils or papers. It has been observed that girls are more likely to get inattentive ADHD than boys. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD This is mostly associated with symptoms like restlessness and difficulty with sitting still. Kids suffering from hyperactive-impulsive ADHD have a tendency to talk consistently, and it’s less likely that they will engage in quiet activities.

Our Blogs

Understanding skin aging

Understanding skin aging

Changes in the skin are one of the biggest signs that the body is aging. But how the aging of skin takes place depends on a lot of factors such as our diet, lifestyle habits, stress levels, and the like. For example, if you smoke regularly, it can lead to the production of free radicals, which damage healthy skin cells and cause wrinkles. So, let’s dig a little deeper into skin aging so that you can diagnose it and prevent it for as long as possible. Stages of skin aging As you age, you will start noticing changes in your skin. These changes take place in phases or stages. Learning about these phases can allow you to take better care of your skin and stay away from everything that can prove to be harmful to it. So, these stages of skin aging are: Stage I – Between 25 and 35 years This is the time when your skin will look extremely voluminous to you. But, this is also the time when the early signs of aging will start to appear. Therefore, it is important that you follow a good skincare regime. Some wrinkles can start appearing on the forehead. Lines can also start to appear on the face when you make normal expressions such as laughing, smiling, or frowning.
Read More
Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of addiction

Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of addiction

There are three terms that one can relate to addiction – reward, motivation, and memory. Addiction is when the body craves a behavior or substance in an obsessive pursuit of a reward. The person will have little concern about the consequences of the particular behavior or substance. Things to note in case of addiction Some of the attributes that one can relate with addiction include an inability to stay away from the substance, lack of self-control, an outrageous desire for the substance or behavior, ignorance towards the problems that the behavior might be causing, and a growing tendency to ignore the emotional response. Addictions have been known to interfere with daily life and there are also cases of relapse and remission. The complications of addiction can be physical, emotional, as well as financial. Stages of addiction There are five main stages of addiction. These include: Experimentation Every addiction starts with experimentation and during this stage, one cannot understand that this is the beginning of an addiction. One cannot be sure that this will turn into something serious, and hence no necessary steps are taken at this stage. A simple way to find out how this will turn into addiction is understanding the reason for experimenting and how often a person experiments with new substances.
Read More
Top debt settlement companies in the USA

Top debt settlement companies in the USA

Incurring debt is really common in this age and era as everything has become extremely expensive, from college education to owing a house. If you ever feel that your debt is too large and you may not be able to pay it in time, then you can seek the help of a debt settlement company. These companies essentially communicate with your creditor to try and lower your debt and the rest of it is typically forgiven. Given below is a list of the top 9 debt settlement companies in the USA. National Debt Relief If you have USD 7,500 or more in debt, then the National Debt Relief can be a great choice for you. It is one of the most prominent debt settlement companies in the country. The initial consultation is offered for free, but you will have to pay 15-25% of the settled debt amount as a fee. Freedom Debt Relief This a dedicated company that offers debt relief services to people who have at minimum USD 7,500 to USD 10,000 in debt. 15-25% of the settle debt amount is charged as fee once a settlement is negotiated, and in return, they offer the possibility of settling the debt within 24-48 months.
Read More
Allergies – Stages and prevention

Allergies – Stages and prevention

The immune system of our bodies is constantly fighting against viruses and bacteria to keep us healthy. However, in certain cases, the immune system may also end up fighting some substances that are not always harmful. When this happens, you experience an allergic reaction. The allergens are the substances that cause the reactions. With a little carefulness, you can prevent the allergies effectively. The allergic development Even though an allergic reaction can vary from person to person, it generally progresses in the same five stages: Stage 1 The allergen enters your body through food, air, or touch, and contact the cells in your body. Stage 2 Your immune system creates immunoglobulin E, which is a type of antibody. Stage 3 This antibody enters your gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract but does not do anything. Stage 4 The next time when you are exposed to the same allergen, the immunoglobulin E treats it as a harmful substance and reacts with it. Stage 5 24 hours after the reaction, the immune system cells move towards the areas that were affected to release certain chemicals to treat it. How to diagnose allergies Your allergies can be diagnosed by a doctor. Before visiting him or her, you must recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Read More
Anemia – Symptoms, types, and prevention

Anemia – Symptoms, types, and prevention

Anemia is a kind of medical condition in which an adequate amount of oxygen fails to reach one’s body’s tissues owing to the deficiency of red blood cells in their body. When one suffers from this condition, their body feels weak and exhausted all the time. Symptoms There are different kinds of anemia and each of them has a cause of its own. It can have short-term or long-term effects and the disease can be mild or severe in nature. If one sees any symptoms suggesting that point toward anemia, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately. The signs vary from person to person and depend on the cause or their origin. Sometimes, the chronic disease causes anemia and the doctor ends up diagnosing the disease but the fact that one is suffering from anemia does not show up in the test. Sometimes, there are mild symptoms and then, with time the symptoms become more prominent indicating that the disease has penetrated one’s body more deeply. Some of the commonly found symptoms include breathing difficulties, fatigue, pale skin, chest pain, headache, dizziness, hands and feet turning cold, irregular heartbeat, and pain in the chest . Types of anemia Iron deficiency anemia This is the most common kind of anemia, which occurs due to iron deficiency.
Read More
Cancer – Its stages, diagnosis, and prevention

Cancer – Its stages, diagnosis, and prevention

Cancer is a disease caused by the growth of malignant cells in the body. The formation of cells can happen anywhere, from the brain to the pancreas. Several cancerous cells clustered together form a tumor. The tumor then grows in size, spreading to other parts as well. Some cancers we know of are fatal, while some can be cured with the help of surgery, chemotherapy, and other such procedures. Let’s take a look at the stages, diagnosis, and prevention. Stages of cancer There are different stages of cancer that are classified to understand how far it has spread and the degree of treatment that may be required. Based on this, there are two bases for differentiation. Based on the numbered system, there are 4 stages. Stage 0 cancer In this stage, the cancer cells are restricted to the area of origin and they’ve not spread to any other part. Stage 1 cancer Here, the cancer cells spread to the nearby areas, but not to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 2 and 3 cancer This indicates that cancer has spread to nearby areas as well as lymph nodes. Stage 4 cancer Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Read More