It may be time for spring break, but it is also time for cold and the lingering remnants of flu season too.

You want to enjoy the season to the fullest, so how do you avoid the inconvenience of having a cold and being down for the count? Here are simple lifestyle steps that can help you avoid the symptoms of the common cold.

• Take Vitamin D:

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It turns out that the flu shot for the 2012/2013 flu season is doing a startlingly bad job of protecting on of the most vulnerable age groups, the elderly.

The vaccine is proving only nine percent effective in people age sixty-five and older against the harsh strain to the flu virus that is predominant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained in a recent report. Health officials are baffled as to why this is the case, but it does help to explain why so many older United States residents have been hospitalized with symptoms of the flu during this flu season.

Despite this information, the Centers for Disease Control stand by their recommendation that everyone over the age of six months of age get flu shots. This recommendation includes the elderly, because those who any person who has been vaccinated and still gets sick may suffer less severe symptoms.

While this information can be distressing, it is important to understand that flu shots tend to protect younger people better than older ones. Elderly people have weaker immune systems that do not respond as well to flu shots.

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A variant of Norovirus first spotted in Australia is now sweeping through the United States.

The strain called "GII.4 Sydney" was identified in Australia in March 2012, and has been working its way around the United Kingdom in what our friends across the pond have been calling a “bang-up” Norovirus season. This strain is also on the books in France and New Zealand.

The "GII.4 Sydney" strain is known for causing sudden stomach upset, violent vomiting and watery diarrhea. It is possible that you have never heard of either the "GII.4 Sydney" strain or, more generally Norovirus, and actually have heard friends and family refer to the illness as “stomach flu.” You need to keep in mind that the illness is in no way associated with influenza.

Noroviruses are highly contagious and are shed in the feces of infected humans and animals. Oysters, salads and raspberries are among foods that have been responsible for outbreaks. Infected food handlers can transfer the virus to any food product just before it is served.

Methods of transmission include:

• Eating contaminated food
• Drinking contaminated water
• Touching your hand to your mouth after your hand has been in contact with a contaminated surface or object

Noroviruses are difficult to eradicate, because they can withstand hot and cold temperatures, as well as most disinfectants. As with any medical topic, the most important weapon in your “get better now” arsenal is simple knowledge regarding symptoms of Norovirus.

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Have you recently heard about the “vomiting virus?” Did you realize that the Los Angeles vomiting virus is actually a group of viruses called the Noroviruses? Join MD247 as we review Noroviruses, how they spread, causes for outbreaks and how the viruses are treated.

What are Noroviruses?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the

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Are you ill? Do you feel under the weather? Do you wonder if you have the symptoms of the flu? Please review our article regarding flu symptoms, and determine if you do need to talk to a doctor as soon as possible about the illness.

Fever:

A fever generally lasts three to five days, and it can run as high as 104° in children who are ill. In

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Vaccination is simply the best way to protect your body from the dangers of the influenza virus. If the active strain of the flu virus happens to be a different strain than the one used in the vaccine, there are additional steps you can take to keep your family and yourself healthy this flu season from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.

• Even though

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In a continued effort to provide credible information regarding flu symptoms to patients from Los Angeles to Boston, we put together an article discussing the common symptoms of the flu. This information is easy for all readers to print for their records, share with friends or simply revisit if symptoms are confusing you.

The flu is caused by the

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The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, including the throat, nose, sinus cavities, Eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx and very often the bronchial tubes. While more than 200 different viruses can cause the common cold, roughly 35% – 50% are caused by a group known as rhinoviruses. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks with few complications.

Although most colds resolve without complications, they are a leading cause of visits to the doctor and of time lost from both work and school. Treating the symptoms of the common cold has given rise to a multi-million dollar industry in over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Cold season in the United States begins in early autumn and extends through early spring, and the most common cold symptoms can include our checklist below. Remember that while every cold is different, certain symptoms of the common cold are very common and occur with almost every incarnation. Learn the most common symptoms of the common cold, so you can decide if you have a cold or something else.

1. Congestion
2. Watery Eyes
3. Itching in Eyes, Nose or Throat
4. Feeling Tired
5. Fever
6. Cough
7. Headache

Keep in mind that there are no medicines that will cure the common cold. Given an appropriate amount of time, your immune system will produce antibodies to fight the infection, allowing the common cold to be resolved without the outside intervention of any medical professionals. “Waiting it out” does not appeal to everyone, giving rise to a pharmaceutical industry supplying over-the-counter medications designed to relieve congestion and a host of symptoms.

It is important to note that antibiotics are useless against a cold.

Remember that the doctors from MD247 review common medical maladies for members of the supplemental telemedicine program every day.  Program members are encouraged to talk with a doctor regarding any and all symptoms.

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What are “seasonal flu vaccines?”

You will often hear people discussing the “flu shot,” which is actually one of two types of influenza vaccines that protect against the seasonal bouts of the “flu.”

The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is an inactivate vaccine, which is given by needle injection to the arm and contains a dead form of the

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The 20012-2013 influenza season is the worst it has been in a decade and on January 11, 2013 it reached what is considered epidemic proportions. The rate of illnesses with symptoms similar to influenza is normally close to 2.2 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year, doctor’s offices are seeing rates

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An illness with symptoms similar to influenza is sweeping the country, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that most areas around the country are experiencing high rates. 2013 will rival some of the worst years in recent history.

These illnesses can cause life-threatening complications. It is the worry over these

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The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, including the throat, nose, sinus cavities, Eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx and very often the bronchial tubes. While more than 200 different viruses can cause the common cold and roughly thirty-five to fifty percent are caused by a group known as rhinoviruses. Almost all

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Influenza, which is commonly referred to as “the flu,” is a viral infection that is typically caused by either influenza virus A or influenza virus B. Symptoms such as muscle aches, bodily chills, possible fever and a persistent cough can mean that you are coming down with a case of “the flu.” Common during the days when kids are heading

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“The flu,” or as it is medically known “influenza,” is a viral infection typically caused by either by influenza virus A or influenza virus B. Symptoms such as body aches, chills, potential fever and a persistent cough can mean that you are coming down with a case of the flu. Influenza is the most common during winter months, but you

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Fall brings brisk weather, a rush of school activities and the start of the cold and flu season. As always, prevention of the common cold is much better than heading to the medicine chest for your favorite cold remedies. Here are a number of tricks to help you, and the rest of your family, prepare for the cold and flu season this year. Keep

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All of you reading this blog have read in one place or another about the importance of keeping your computer safe from viruses that are capable of turning your computer into a useless brick. We always concern ourselves with sensitive digital information being syphoned to an outside malicious source. In our pursuit of digital safety, we often

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Who Needs a Flu Shot?

Is it possible that you could use another shot? It is possible but, like all shots, this one will protect you from a pretty terrible illness called influenza or the “flu.” In a healthy person, the flu causes a fever; aches in the body; symptoms that mimic the common cold or even just a nagging headache. A person with

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all Americans receive an annual flu vaccination, as long as they are at least six months of age.

The flu vaccine, each year, contains protection from the three influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during the yearly flu season. The vaccine is

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Are you able to easily identify common flu symptoms? Are you able to explain how the flu is different from a common cold? Learn more about flu symptoms, types and potential treatments for certain symptoms so you understand what you are up against this flu season. Discover the warning signs of more serious problems that manifest with influenza,

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What are “seasonal flu vaccines?”

You will often hear people discussing the “flu shot,” which is actually one of two types of influenza vaccines that protect against the seasonal bouts of the “flu.”

The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is an inactivate vaccine, which is given by needle injection to the arm and contains a dead form of

Read more ...

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read the full story

The symptoms of the common cold and influenza (the flu) are both very similar, yet treatments differ. It is important to know the difference between the two, so that an effective form of treatment can be implemented. The flu can be treated with certain prescription medications, but the common cold is something that patients typically need to

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This blog article deviates from our typical “modus operandi,” a phrase that all of you will know from television as “M.O.” or I could just say “we are aiming this one at the kids.” My reasoning is simple, it’s back to school time and I’m still young enough to know that we’ve got a few kids who will work to hit perfect attendance

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Influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu,” is a viral infection typically caused either influenza virus A or influenza virus B. Symptoms such as aches, chills, possible fever and a persistent cough can mean that you're coming down with a case of the flu. Common during the winter months, influenza can strike at any time during the year,

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I had to listen to a mix tape of “I don’t have one” and “I just may be dying” today.

There wasn’t an actual tape that I was listening to, but there was a mother claiming that her sniffles were both “nothing” and the “end of the world” over a span of several hours. It was like having a living/breathing Google session in my

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Have you ever been in a position where illness strikes, either yourself or a loved one, leaving you feeling terrible and looking for the advice of someone capable of providing an expedient course of treatment? It is frightening to chart the course alone, trying to sort through the advice of well-meaning friends and the abundance of

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What Is the Flu?
The flu, more scientifically known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. The influenza virus usually enters the body through mucus membranes in the mouth, nose, or eyes.

When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus then becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone

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When you have a cold or the flu, it's common to lose your appetite.  When you are ill, however, you may not take in enough liquids as well.  When you lose more water than you take in, you can get dehydrated. Infants and children are at greater risk because of their smaller size. If you also have fever, diarrhea or vomiting, the risk of

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The flu tends to come on suddenly, you're fine in the morning and aching and shivering that night, while a cold usually develops gradually over the course of two or three days. Flu usually causes a fever and aches, while a cold usually doesn't cause a fever and aches. Other symptoms of the flu include headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat,

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We've all been there: seated next to a sneezing, coughing person with no escape route available, worried that the next day we'll be the one hacking. But the truth is, catching an illness can't always be blamed on the obvious offenders.

Though you can pick up germs just about anywhere (disturbingly, viruses can linger on surfaces such as

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Sore Throat: Cold or Strep throat? What are The Differences?

Are you wondering if your painful sore throat is from a cold or strep throat? Here’s how you can tell.

Very often a common cold is accompanied by a sore throat, which makes it difficult to distinguish from strep throat. A cold is a virus, but strep throat is a bacterial

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