Colds and Infections + Original Articles

Learn how to keep your family safe from swine flu, a potentially deadly virus. Up until last year, no one had even heard of swine flu. Now, as it's swept through at least 70 countries, including the United States, swine flu has become part of our collective consciousness.

There’s no shortage of talk in the news media about global warming and how it hurts the environment. But did you ever stop to think that the effects of global warming might be having a direct impact on your personal health? Scientists studying global warming say it's absolutely true that global warming will have an effect on your health. So don't shrug it off as a bigger issue that doesn't concern you--global warming touches everyone in some way. Here, five of the major health problems it causes: Allergies and asthma.

Diabetics get sicker with this serious disease, so play it safe with a shot. A simple vaccine could save your life. People with diabetes are about three times more likely than the rest of the population to die from influenza or pneumonia, reports the Federal Centers for Disease Control. People with diabetes, if they develop pneumonia, are more likely to be sicker longer and to go to the hospital, says the CDC.

Sneezing is our body’s way of getting rid of an irritable substance in the nose. A sneeze can protect your health, but someone else’s sneeze can jeopardize it. Learn about the anatomy of a sneeze. Every time we breathe through our nose, thousands of tiny pieces of dust and other particles attempt to enter it. Our nasal hairs work as an air purifier, cleansing the air that enters of bacteria and other particles. A sneeze is our body's way of getting harmful substances (like bacteria, pollutants and viruses) out of our airway to protect us.

If you can't shake your cough, allergies may be to blame. Find out how these two conditions are related. Allergies and Coughing A new cough that comes on suddenly could be a sign of a cold, infection or other illness that will usually go away in a week or two. But when you seem to be coughing for weeks on end with no relief in sight, it's very possible that you aren't sick but have a bad case of allergies instead.

A look at how to tell when health consciousness turns the corner beyond health obsession into hypochondria. A large part of the American public is obsessed about their health. They want to live long lives and stay as youthful as possible. Our friends might even call us a "health nut" because we are always trying out the latest in preventative medicine and scouring the Internet for latest health research.

Got a sweet tooth? If so, you may be in luck. Doctors and patients alike hail the healing power of honey. For most, when the symptoms of a cold set in the honey is taken out. Historically, honey has been used as a folk remedy in cultures around the world. It has been known as a "cure" for smallpox, baldness, eye diseases, and indigestion. It's even been used as a contraceptive.

Few would suspect one treatment the treatment of one condition to cause symptoms of another. But this very well may be the case. Of all the bad things about heartburn, the good news is that it is treatable. Over-the-counter drugs can be purchased easily and cheaply, and often times all it takes to reduce the burn is an antacid after a heavy meal. Indeed, treatment for reflux nearly negates the symptoms.

It may seem impossible, but you asthmatics can survive this cold season without getting sick. As the temperature drops and more people head indoors, cold and flu germs will be circulating in full force. And while no one wants to get sick, if you have asthma, you know that you're at increased risk for experiencing side effects. But you don't have to feel doomed to suffer from the consequences.

These illnesses will make your stomach turn. Lice. Ringworm. Pinworm. Scabies. These are four of the grossest childhood illnesses that you’ll encounter. In fact, the names of them alone could be enough to make your stomach turn. But when you see the very graphic conditions up close, you’ll likely end up feeling even worse.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you could be more prone to illness. Find out how to fight back against infection. Those who suffer from seasonal allergies often wonder whether their risk of getting sick is increased.  And as if the discomfort of your allergy symptoms isn't enough, getting a cold or flu on top of them can make you truly miserable. But you don't have to succumb to the influx of germs that exists at this time of year.

It's more than just a matter of avoiding public restrooms and movie theater handrails. We've all have it drummed into our heads that we shouldn't sit on public toilets because of germs, or that we should replace our toothbrushes every few months because bacteria grow on them. But what about surprising places where germs congregate and multiply faster than fruit flies? Here are some of the biggest bacteria hotspots: Refillable liquid soap dispensers.

Before you turn to over-the-counter medication to treat your child, find out which risks exist. When your child is sick with a cold and a cough, you probably want to treat the symptoms and help him or her feel better fast. But before you turn to any over-the-counter medication, it's critical that you check with your pediatrician. According to the latest FDA guidelines, over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are never safe to use in children under two years of age—and may pose a serious risk to children for older children as well.

Learn more about important meningitis prevention and treatment options. Meningitis is a serious disease that often affects young people, although it can strike at any age. An inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, meningitis is usually caused by a virus but can also be the result of bacteria.

Asthmatics can be more prone to catching infections—including swine flu. Follow our tips to protect yourself this winter. Open up the newspaper or turn on the television these days and you will likely find mention of the Swine (H1N1) Flu pandemic. But while everyone is at risk for catching this new illness, if you have asthma or other chronic health conditions, you may be especially concerned about the effect that getting sick can have on your already sensitive airways.

Flu season is here again--do you know the best ways to prevent your children from getting sick? Flu season is here again, and with the dangers of Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu) on the rise, preventing your children from getting sick is likely a higher priority than normal. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill or formula that can help keep germs away--but there is an easy strategy you can implement immediately to help keep your children healthy.

Asthmatics suffer uncomfortable symptoms year round—but flu season can be dangerous. If you suffer from asthma, it's more important than ever that you take steps to protect yourself from the threat of the flu this winter. That's because there are two influenza strains that you must be aware of—the seasonal flu that typically circulates and poses health risks to asthmatics every year and swine (H1N1) flu.

Not sure when your child's sickness warrants a visit to the doctor? Our guidelines help you make the best decision. When it comes to your children's health, you usually know best. Parents seem to have a natural instinct that lets them know when their little ones are just cranky--or when they could be getting sick. But while you can often tell what's wrong with your child, there will undoubtedly be times when the symptoms will leave you feeling uncertain.

No parents ever want to see a child sick with the discomfort of a fever--but knowing how to treat it can be the first line of defense. The Role of a Fever When your child has a fever, your first instinct is probably to try to get it to come down right away, but most pediatricians will tell you that a fever isn't always a bad thing and sometimes, it is okay to leave it and let it go away naturally.

On the fence about whether to keep your little one home or not? We have tips to guide your decision. Your child wakes up in the morning with a runny nose, cough and sore throat, which raises the dreaded question: should you keep him home from school or daycare? Some states have guidelines to advise parents on when it's okay to send a sick child to school and when it's best they remain at home.

A new study suggests that abatacept (Orencia®), a rheumatoid arthritis drug, could fight different strains of the flu. Flu activity is already heating up across the country, according to statistics from FluView, a weekly report published by the Centers for Disease Control. If you have rheumatoid arthritis and take immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids or methotrexate (Trexall®), you're more susceptible to catching the flu.

Try some of the best natural flu remedies to stay healthy this season. Looking for natural flu remedies? Seasonal flu may be taking a backseat to the H1N1 virus with health officials these days, but it's still a concern for you and your family. The flu causes symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, fever, chills, body aches and pains, loss of appetite, and pneumonia.

How can you treat your little one's cold while keeping her safe at the same time? When your baby is coughing, sneezing and suffering with a runny or stuffy nose from a cold, you are probably eager to do anything you can to relieve the symptoms and help him or her feel better fast.  But the experts today stress the importance of avoiding infant cold medications, since the latest research shows that they can be harmful for babies and young children.

Learn how to keep your family safe from swine flu, a potentially deadly virus. Swine Flu: What You Should Know Up until earlier this year, no one had even heard of swine flu. Now, as it's swept through at least 70 countries, including the United States, swine flu has become part of our collective consciousness. As a result of the global spread of the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently raised the worldwide pandemic alert level of swine flu to Phase 6, signalling that a global pandemic is underway.

Telling the difference between a cold or the flu is difficult—but our guide makes it possible. Every fall or winter, your child probably comes down with the same type of symptoms: sneezing, coughing, aching bones and a fever. And each time you may be left wondering if it is a cold or flu. Telling the difference can be very hard to do. The Similarities A cold and the flu (also known as influenza) can present themselves in almost the same way.

Learn how immunizations work and why it's so important to vaccinate your child. Vaccinations are some of the most important tools available for preventing disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not only do they protect individuals from developing a potentially serious disease, but they also protect the community by reducing the spread of infectious disease.

If you woke up this morning with a runny nose and cough and have been sneezing and feeling an itch in the back of your throat and your nose, you may wonder if this is just your typical seasonal allergy attack or if you could have be coming down with a case of the Swine Flu. What Ails You If you aren't sure how to differentiate between common allergy symptoms and signs that you could have the swine flu, you're in good company.  But while you may not be sure which it is, the experts say that there are some telltale signs that can help you determine if you really do have swine flu.

Eat these foods to keep your immune system going strong. Your body's immune system is your natural defense system, fighting off thousands of attacks daily.  While research reveals the important role that nutrition plays in improving immunity, there's still much to learn.  Phytochemicals, which are beneficial compounds found in plant foods, probiotics and omega-three fatty acids all seem to play leading roles in boosting immunity.

While scientists and the government race to control the novel H1N1 outbreak, there are still a few things about this virus that doctors don’t know or understand. While significant progress has been made in understanding swine flu, some questions surrounding this outbreak remain unclear. How Much Exposure Do You Need to Be Affected? According to Dr. Daniel Jernigan of the CDC, the reasons why someone becomes infected depend on many different factors.

Learn more about this new, non-surgical option. When it comes to managing heartburn, the basic treatments are available and reliable. Most of the 60 million Americans who suffer from heartburn at least once a month, after consulting their doctor and understanding their symptoms, find relief with one of three over-the-counter (OTC) medicines: antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, or proton pump inhibitors.

If you suffer from severe allergy symptoms and taking medication doesn’t seem to help you feel better, it may be time to turn to the experts to undergo some allergy testing. This can be a valuable way to find out exactly what your biggest triggers are and to determine how best to avoid them. Who Needs Allergy Tests When medication doesn’t do enough to relieve your runny nose, frequent sneezing and itchy eyes and throat, you may need to seek the advice of an allergist, who can do some strategic testing to find out exactly what is making you sick.

Each year we hear of the latest in medical innovations. Although these improvements amaze us at times, the majority of Americans will never come in contact with the latest breakthroughs…or so you think. In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming demonstrated penicillin’s antibiotic properties. However, it was not until 1942 that the now common antibiotic was available for mass production. Likewise, the first approved flu vaccine was developed by the United States military during World War II; however, it was not available for the public until the late 1950s.

Children learn what they live. Here are tips on how to teach your children well. We all want our kids to grow up eating nutritiously, getting plenty of exercise, and having a good outlook on life. How can you make that happen? Live healthfully yourself! You are a powerful influence on your children. If they see you "walking the talk" instead of just telling them what they should do, there's a great chance they'll grow up copying your good behaviors.

Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn. Learn how to find relief. Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn (most common during the second and third trimester.) The reason: As a woman's level of progesterone increases during pregnancy, her lower esophageal sphincter relaxes. This allows food and acid to reflux back into the esophagus, thus creating the feeling of heartburn or indigestion.

Your go-to guide for allergy medications. You're all too familiar with the discomfort that comes with an allergy attack all too well: the runny nose, red eyes, itchy throat and dry cough. These classic symptoms can prompt you to rush to your nearest drug store in search of relief, but the vast array of medications on the market today may be confusing enough to make your head swim.

Not feeling yourself? Your eating habits could be the reason. We all have them at times-days when life really tests us. Your car gets a flat on the way to work, you flub an important report, you can't help your child with his math homework, and to top it all off, you burn dinner. Your mood? Lower than this week's stock market, and understandably so.

When is a cough more than just a cough? When you cough, you probably assume you're sick. But did you know that coughing, instead of hurting your body, actually helps it heal and protect itself? This is because coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. In other words, it's working to prevent sickness.

Your home is crawling with bacteria. Where are the biggest hotspots? The front doorknob, the staircase banister, the microwave door. What do these three areas have in common? They're in your home, you touch them every day, and they're likely infested with microorganisms. Or, in layman's terms, germs. By nature, germs spread through the air, but they can linger on surfaces for 2 hours or longer.

These frightening illnesses have experienced a resurgence over the past few years. But why? During the 20th century, the scientific community made great strides toward the eradication of certain dangerous diseases. This was accomplished, in part, through improvements in sanitation and vaccinations, the invention of antibiotics, and advancements in medical technology.

Ear infections are very common in children. Here, a guide to their symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Ear infections are common, especially in children. In fact, about 75 percent of all children will probably have an infection before they turn three, according to National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Older children will probably complain of ear pain and small children who cannot speak well are likely to pull or rub their ear.

You might not have known it when you were young, but according to health experts, Mom was right all along. Remember all those times your mom told you to go to bed early and eat your veggies? You might not have wanted to admit it back then, but as it turns out, she was right--about almost everything. Here, the 10 best pieces of advice that moms give: 1. Wash your hands Think about everything you touched today--toilets, door handles, telephones.

Get the facts on this chronic liver disease, from causes and symptoms to prevention and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.6 percent of the U.S. population-roughly 4.1 million Americans-are currently infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Despite its prevalence, however, in many ways, hepatitis C remains a mysterious disease.

A guide to one of the most common and overlooked human viruses. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is so prevalent that as many as 95 percent of Americans between 35 and 40 years old have been infected at some time in their life, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). If it's so common, why have...

Find out why this emerging disease could become a global pandemic. Avian influenza, commonly known as the bird flu, is a contagious disease caused by a set of viruses that typically infect birds and, in very rare cases, pigs. The viruses tend to be highly species-specific, but have also been known to affect humans. ...

These critters could be doing their owners more harm than good. Pets provide us with abundant amusement and unconditional companionship. What's more, studies show that they can even benefit our overall health. Research from the University of Buffalo suggests that pets can help reduce their owners' blood pressure and regulate their heart rate in times of stress.

Germs tend to lurk in the most unexpected places. Learn what you can do to protect yourself. You may want to think twice about how you store your toothbrush, where you set your purse, and how often you replace your mascara. Research shows that billions of germs could be lurking in these hot spots—and making you and your family sick. Here, uncover top five secret hiding spots for germs, and learn what you can do to keep bacteria at bay.

Find out if your weird rashes, twitches, lumps and bumps are signs of something serious. You're showering after a workout at the gym when you notice something strange. There's a weird rash on your leg, a bump on your navel or maybe just a couple of indentations on your nail. It definitely isn't normal. But is it a sign of something serious?   Knowing what your body is trying to tell you isn't easy, especially when it comes to more unusual symptoms like these.

Will getting the flu shot prevent you from getting sick? Find out here. Many people may think the flu is not a serious disease and that it's just an inconvenient illness, like the common cold. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year as many as 36,000 people die from the flu. Most of them are older than 65, which is why people in this age group are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot.

More than 25 years since scientists discovered AIDS, myths about the virus still abound. Here, we dispel the top eight misconceptions. When cases of HIV/AIDS were first identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1981, the disease didn't even have an official name yet. Often referred to as Kaposi's sarcoma or gay-related immune deficiency (GRID), it would take another year for the virus to earn an official name and for scientists to discover that the disease wasn't limited to the gay population.

Meningitis has made big headlines, but do you know the whole story behind this contagious disease? Here, we debunk the condition's 10 most common myths. You've probably read the tragic news stories about the college kid or the young athlete who died from meningitis. Or you've heard the rumors about how you can catch it by kissing someone. But how much do you really know about the disease? Get the truth behind the top 10 meningitis myths.

A highly contagious childhood illness, chicken pox can make your child uncomfortable for about a week. Here, some ways to ease the itching. It's a moment many parents probably dread: Your child comes home from school complaining about itchy red bumps. It's the first sign of chicken pox. Although chicken pox is a very common (and relatively uncomplicated) illness, it is still important to make your child as comfortable as possible and to watch out for possible signs of complications.

Knowing the symptoms of bacterial meningitis could mean the difference between life and death. Headache, vomiting, fever, fatigue--to most people, these symptoms might sound a lot like the flu. But in some cases, they could indicate a much more serious condition: bacterial meningitis. According to the American College Health Association, meningococcal disease, the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, strikes 1,400 to 3,000 Americans each year, many of whom are young adults, adolescents, and children.

Find out how you can protect your teen or pre-teen against infection. As a parent, you probably want to protect your child from illness and injury whenever possible. One way to do that is to make sure they are properly vaccinated. You may have thought the days of vaccines ended when your child started kindergarten, but as medicine evolves, more and more vaccines are available for kids between the ages of 11 and 18.

Their symptoms may sound scary, but most of these conditions can be successfully treated with simple medications. Fluid-emitting blisters. Itchy, ring-shaped rashes. Crusty, painful sores. These symptoms of the skin may sound scary (and revolting), but, really, they're quite treatable—usually don't last for more than a couple of weeks. What is scary, though, is their highly infectious factor (some can be transferred through simply sharing hairbrushes or sleeping in the same bed.

These molds and bacteria simply won't back down — and it's their determination to thrive that makes them dangerous. Germs may be too small to see, but don't let their size fool you: Certain bacteria and molds are terrifying, causing more than 100,000 American deaths each year. To make matters worse, these microorganisms tend to mutate, becoming impervious to the drugs we've developed to defeat them.

Think catching a cold is bad? It could be worse. At least it's not one of these dreaded illnesses. A plague that wipes out 25 million people in three years. A disease that kills its victims within hours of the symptoms appearing. A flu that makes its sufferers turn blue before drowning in their own lungs. It sounds like the stuff of science-fiction movies, but for centuries, these horrid diseases were very real (in fact, some of them could still post a threat today).

With the slowly, but steadily rising temperatures, what does the future hold for our health? Killer heat waves. Fierce storms. Devastating floods. Natural disasters have been all over the news, and according to organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO), the increase is no coincidence: It's actually a direct result of global warming.

Could you be sick and not know it? Some diseases can sneak up on you without a single warning sign or with symptoms so nonspecific that it may take your physician precious time to figure out what's ailing you. Since early detection often results in more effective treatment, illnesses that slip under your (and your doctor's) radar can be especially dangerous.

What you don't know could hurt you. The relationship you have with your physician is a very important one. It should be rooted in trust and complete honesty. However, like most relationships, it's not perfect, and as you're likely to keep a few facts to yourself, your doctor is probably harboring some secrets of his own.

Is your city making you sneeze? High pollen and mold counts make some places worse than others. It's so uncomfortable. The watery eyes, the scratchy throat, the runny nose. The annoying (and sometimes, downright miserable) feelings associated with seasonal allergies are familiar to almost half of all Americans, according to a QualityHealth.com HealthOpin poll.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

Occasional heartburn isn't dangerous, but if it occurs on a frequent basis, it could indicate a more serious health condition. Here, a look at heartburn by the numbers. Heartburn is a digestive problem that occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, causing irritation. Classic symptoms include an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest and throat along with a bitter taste in the mouth.

Could your teenager contract meningitis at camp, in the classroom, or at the college dorm? Here, what you can do to reduce your child's risks. It's every parent's worst nightmare: Their teenager returns home from camp or college with a fever, headache, and stiff neck--symptoms that sound a lot like the flu. But as it turns out, their son or daughter is suffering from a much scarier illness, meningitis.

The average adult will suffer as many as four colds a year. Here, a look at the condition by the numbers. The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different virus types. Because of the variety of viruses involved, the body is never able to build up resistance against all of them.

Getting children clean may seem like an impossible task at times, but teaching good hygiene while they're young will start a lifetime of healthy habits. At times, it seems like toddlers are just trying to get dirty. They're out playing in the mud, sailing toy boats in the toilet bowl, and feeding themselves but getting food everywhere except in their mouths. How can you possibly get them clean and teach them to keep themselves clean? You must act as the example, experts say.

Your child has a runny nose and bad cough. You want her to feel better, but is it OK to give her cold medicine? Cough and cold medicines for kids under the age of 2 have been pulled from drugstore shelves, and experts continue to debate whether the medicines should be given to children younger than 6 or 11 years old. But your son or daughter has a cold now you don't have time to wait for pediatricians and government officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reach a consensus.

Drug-resistant bacteria are becoming a global health crisis. How did this happen? Infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics are emerging as one of the biggest public-health concerns of recent years. So-called superbugs were initially a problem unique to hospitals and clinics, but now cases are being reported among otherwise healthy people throughout the community.

Drug-resistant bacteria, like MRSA, are hard to treat once they develop. Fortunately, you can take these steps to protect yourself. It's frightening to think that a child could contract a deadly drug-resistant staph infection while hospitalized. Or that an otherwise healthy person could pick up Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) through skin contact. Until recently, the superbug phenomenon was limited primarily to hospitals, affecting the infirmed and otherwise immuno-compromised almost exclusively.

Want to lower your chances of sniffling your way through the season? Follow these simple tips. Sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and congestion are just some of the symptoms that characterize the common cold. Also known as acute viral nasopharyngitis or acute coryza, the condition is so common, in fact, that it results in 75 to 100 million U.S.

Find out how to protect yourself from medical errors, complications, and other hospital hazards. We've all heard the horror stories: A patient recovering from heart surgery catches pneumonia, a nurse gives her patient the wrong medication, a woman goes in for a routine procedure and suffers anesthesia-related complications. Unfortunately, people checking into hospitals may face some serious health hazards.

Want to soothe your pinkeye symptoms, or stop conjunctivitis before it starts? Check out our seasonal survival guide. Redness, swelling, itching, irritation these are just some of the symptoms of conjunctivitis, an eye ailment that affects millions of adults and children at any given time, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Also known as pinkeye, the condition refers to an inflammation of the conjuctiva, the thin, clear membrane that covers the eye's white portion.

Learn how to keep your child from getting sick without going overboard. As a new parent, you're nervous that your newborn might catch a cold or, worse, chickenpox or influenza. You're constantly trying to sanitize and disinfect everything from the pacifier to stuffed animals. If this sounds familiar, you're fighting the war on germs—something parents everywhere have been doing for years.

According to experts, most Americans aren't washing their hands the right way. Learn how to clean up your act. If you're like most Americans, your parents constantly reminded you to wash your hands as a child. And by the time you got older, the habit was firmly ingrained. But according to the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), most adults aren't washing their hands the right way.

Rosacea, which often causes constant redness in the face, can be frustrating and difficult to treat, but there are steps you can take to manage the condition. Rosacea is a common, long-term skin disease that affects an estimated 14 million Americans. The condition may produce persistent redness, or flushing; acne; and visible blood vessels in the center of the face. What's more, these symptoms can eventually spread to the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose.

Stuck at home with a cold? Find comfort with these soothing foods. You can't seem to fight off that nasty cold or flu, and you're stuck at home for several days. The good news? There are certain foods that can help soothe your symptoms. Although you may not feel like cooking or eating anything right now, these simple treats are easy to prepare and may even get you back to health more quickly.

Desks and cubicles may seem benign, but they're often a breeding ground for bacteria. Follow these six tips to stay healthy at work. If you're like most Americans, you put in long hours at work--and you have less time off than anyone in the developed world (U.S. workers average 13 vacation days a year, while the Japanese have 25, the Canadians take 26, and the French enjoy 37). Is all that time at the office making you sick? It could be, according to a study conducted by the University of Arizona.

There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection. For healthy individuals, influenza, commonly known as flu, lasts only seven to 10 days. But its symptoms can be severe from extreme fatigue and fever to body aches, chills, and more. Fortunately, the virus can be prevented and its symptoms suppressed.

How sick is too sick for work? Follow our cold and flu guidelines. Everybody knows what it's like to wake up with a cold. You feel groggy, congested, and exhausted. In a perfect world, you could sleep the day away. But if you do that, your boss won't be happy. After all, you're not in grade school anymore, so when is it acceptable to call in sick to work? Could It Be Contagious? On average, adults get two to four colds a year, according to the American Lung Association.

Every year, 5 to 20 percent of U.S. residents get sick with the flu. Here, a look at the disease by the numbers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu season can begin as early as October and continue through as late as May. During that time, 15 to 60 million Americans become infected with the disease—a phenomenon that costs American businesses approximately $7 billion a year in sick days.

According to a new study, 2007 is shaping up to be a record year for global antibacterial product launches. Heightened levels of germaphobia have given rise to a huge influx of new products developed to sanitize home, work, public places, and even food. According to the Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), new introductions of antibacterial non-food products increased from fewer than 200 worldwide in 2003 to some 1,610 in 2006—an impressive 713 percent growth rate.

Americans 45 and older are planning for ReFirement, not retirement. It should come as no great surprise that the most well-educated, well-traveled, and affluent generation in history doesn't plan on retiring. Instead, as they consider their options for the future, they're looking to reinvigorate their health, their work, their relationships, and their lives.

Are you thinking about getting a flu vaccination this year? Learn about the risks and rewards. Each fall, medical professionals encourage us to get flu shots in order to lessen our chances of coming down with influenza. For some of us, the flu vaccine can provide protection, or decrease the severity of the illness if we do get sick. But the flu shot isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone.

Follow these tips to minimize your chances of catching the flu this year. For some of us, getting the flu each year seems almost inevitable. Even if we get a vaccination, it isn't a guarantee that we won't get sick. We may feel run down due to our busy schedules, and that's when the flu swoops in, preying on our weakened state.