Questions About Cold and Flu

1. What happens to patients on chemo if they catch a cold or the flu?

   Question - When a cancer patient is undergoing chemotherapy treatment, it almost always lowers his white blood cell count. Sometimes this happens only for a short period of time and the white blood cell count bounces back, other times it becomes an ongoing problem...
   1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

2. What's the Best Treatment for a Cold?

   Question - The best way to treat a cold is to rest and treat symptoms if necessary. Since colds are due to viruses, antibiotics have not been shown to help, and in some cases they can be harmful.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

3. Does a common cold make arthritis body inflammation worse?

   Question - A common cold can trigger the onset of inflammation as the body's immune system can trigger flare-ups. A common cold though will not make the arthritis worse, it will only make the sufferer feel worse.
   1 Community Answer

4. What Can I Do to Avoid Getting a Cold?

   Question - The most important thing you can do is keep your hands clean and try to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes and nose, because that's how people give themselves cold germs.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

5. What Should I Do About a Cold That Won't Go Away?

   Question - Assuming you don't have danger signs that suggest you have the flu, most colds can be treated with rest at home. (The symptoms of flu are fever, cough, and sore throat, usually with accompanying body aches, chills, and fatigue. You may also have a headache or runny nose. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting...
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

6. What Are the Symptoms of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) or of Seasonal Flu?

   Question - The symptoms of H1N1 flu, also called swine flu, are essentially the same as the symptoms of normal seasonal flu. The most common signs of flu are fever, cough, and sore throat. Symptoms can also include body aches, headache, chills, runny nose, and feeling especially tired.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

7. What's the Best Treatment for Swine Flu or for Seasonal Flu?

   Question - For most people, the H1N1 flu (formerly known as swine flu) is like the seasonal flu: It causes a "self-limited" illness, which means that one feels sick but eventually gets better on one's own. In these cases, antiviral medications are not usually given. The mainstay of treatment is to stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration...
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

8. How Long Does It Take for a Flu Shot to Offer Protection?

   Question - According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), you should allow two weeks after getting a flu shot to develop protection against the flu. That's because after vaccination, the body has to work for a while to create the protective antibodies to the flu virus.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

9. Can a Flu Shot Give You the Flu?

   Question - No. Since the flu shot contains killed virus, it's not possible to get influenza from this vaccination. The less commonly used nasal vaccine (also known as FluMist) does use a live but very weak virus. Although it's theoretically possible that someone could get influenza from the nasal vaccine, this...
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

10. When's the Best Time to Get a Flu Shot?

    Question - As soon as the vaccines become available, which is usually by September or October of every year. For the fall of 2010, the usual seasonal flu vaccination will include protection against the H1N1 virus (formerly known as swine flu), which is still expected to be active during the 2010-2011 flu season...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

11. What Are the Most Common Side Effects of a Flu Shot?

    Question - The possible side effects depend on which type of vaccination you get. There are two ways to be vaccinated against the seasonal flu: You can get the intramuscular injection (commonly called the flu shot) of inactivated influenza, which contains killed virus...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

12. How Can I Avoid Getting Swine Flu -- or Any Flu?

    Question - The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get vaccinated. Protection against the H1N1 flu (formerly known as swine flu) is included in the 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine, so there's no need to look for more than one type of flu vaccine this year.
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

13. When Should I See My Doctor if I Think I Have Swine Flu -- or Any Flu?

    Question - For most people, the H1N1 flu (formerly known as swine flu) is like the seasonal flu: It causes a "self-limited" illness, which means you notice symptoms and feel sick but eventually get better on your own. Antibiotics don't work on flu, since it's caused by a virus, and antiviral medications aren't usually necessary to recover...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

14. What Should I Do if I Think I Have Swine Flu?

    Question - If you notice what you think are flu symptoms, don't panic. For the 2010-2011 flu season, experts do expect that the H1N1 virus (formerly called swine flu) will still be around. However, protection against this flu strain has now been incorporated into the seasonal flu vaccine. Every winter, thousands of people get the flu...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

15. Why is over-the-counter cold medication specifically for patients with high blood pressure frequently out-of-stock?

    Question - Why is over-the-counter cold medication specifically for patients with high blood pressure frequently out-of-stock in pharmacies and stores?

16. Is it ok to take Ambien with Zoloft, Benadryl, and Nexium?

    Question - Benedryl (diphenhydramine)is a powerful antihistamine. It works by blocking the response of smooth muscle in your nose/sinuses to histamine, which is a potent vasodilator released during an allergy attack. This is what makes your nose run when exposed to an allergen, eventually causing sinus congestion...
    1 Expert Answer

17. Can cold winter weather make COPD symptoms worse?

    Question - COPD symptoms could certainly worsen with weather change, including heat, cold, dry or humid environments. Your mother's case may be similar to patients with exercise induced asthma. In such people, breathing cold and dry air may trigger an attack...
    1 Expert Answer

18. What fever-reducing drug is safe to take with Alzheimer's medications?

    Question - Dementia and managing fever It is rare for someone your Mom’s age to have dementia, especially in the moderate to severe stage. It is very important that everyone with dementia receive the appropriate medications and avoid those that can cause further problems such as adverse drug reactions and intnteractions...
    1 Expert Answer

19. Can I take Adderall with a cold?

    Question - Yes, but you should be careful about what medicines you take to treat the cold. It's not good to take many decongestants. I believe you can use the OTC drug Mucinex though. It's probably best to talk to a pharmacist so they can tell you what you CAN take.
    1 Community Answer

20. I have the flu. Can I stop carb/levo until better?

    Question - i can't hold anything down

21. Do blood thinners make you feel cold?

    Question - "Blood thinners" do not increase your circulation. Their main purpose is to prevent blood clots from forming. Plavix is actually an antiplatelet medication and not a "blood thinner" like coumadin or warfarin. Feeling cold is not a documented side effect of Plavix however everyone metabolizes and responds to medications differently...
    1 Expert Answer

22. Should Adults Over Age 65 Get the Special High-Dose Flu Shot?

    Question - The CDC strongly recommends that adults over age 65 be vaccinated with seasonal flu vaccine every year. This can either be the usual seasonal flu shot or the new high-dose flu shot, called Fluzone High-Dose. This vaccine was designed specifically for those over age 65, and it contains four times more flu antigen than the usual flu shot...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

23. Can I travel while undergoing chemo?

    Question - Many people ask if they should limit activities or travel while receiving chemotherapy. The answer depends how well you are tolerating the therapy and how healthy you feel.
    1 Expert Answer

24. Am I in danger of contracting h1n1 (swine flu) after recent surgery?

    Question - Did your husband's doctor test him for swine flu? Are his symptoms severe? Hopefully, he will have a mild case and recover without any problems. Be sure that he gets plently of fluids so he does not get dehydrated.
    1 Expert Answer

25. Can the flu cause high blood pressure?

    Question - It has not known if the flu itself causes high blood pressure but some over the counter flu and cold medications can elevate blood pressure. Drugs such as pseudoephedrine can cause an elevated rise in blood pressure. If you already suffer from high blood pressure make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist...
    1 Community Answer

26. How can I tell if my mother is truly ill or if it's side effects of her breast cancer medications?

    Question - My mother is on her second cycle of Taxol for breast cancer. She is, at the same time taking Femara. She was doing fine the first cycle but now she is sick to her stomach and has diarrhea. My question is, how do I know if she has the flu or if this is the side affects of the treatments.

27. I had chemo two years ago. I've just had my first cold since...

    Question - It can be typical to feel fatigued after having a cold and depending on the virus some colds can cause more fatigue than others.
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

28. What extra precautions should my dad with diabetes take when he has the flu?

    Question - If your dad becomes ill, he should test his blood sugar levels more often than usual, as sickness -- even something seemingly minor like a cold or the flu -- can make his sugar levels soar. That's because the body produces more glucose as a natural response to illness...
    1 Expert Answer

29. In Illinois, can a nurse administer annual TB tests and Flu...

    Question - In Illinois, can a nurse administer annual TB tests and Flu Vaccines to employees in an assisted living facility without a physician's order? As a rule, ALF's do not have physicians on staff. The nurses can do the resident's TB tests off of the resident's PCP's orders---but what about employees?

30. How can we help my wife improve her hemoglobin and can low hemoglogin be a cause of a heart attack?

    Question - This is a very tough problem. There are a couple of issues going on here that I will address.
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

31. How do we get my mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer's, to allow us to clean her house or bathe her?

    Question - Your mother-in-law's resistance to cleaning may be because this is her home and she resents others taking control of it. Or it may be the disruption in routine, the extra noise and commotion. Two things to try: 1) Give her a task, such as dusting or pushing the va...
    1 Expert Answer, 7 Community Answers

32. Can chemo cause jaundice?

    Question - Yes, there are two ways chemotherapy can affect skin color. A common side effect of chemotherapy is discoloration of the skin and nails, usually graying, but sometimes yellowing. What you see is predominance of old or dead skin cells. This happens because chemotherapy kills fast-growing cells and slows the growth of new skin and nail cells...
    1 Expert Answer

33. Do you have any suggestions for helping my 13 year old deal with his grandmother's dementia?

    Question - Make sure your son understands what Alzheimer’s disease is. Kids often fear they can catch it like you can catch a cold. One way to help him understand memory loss: Tell him that his grandmother's brain is experiencing what happens when he forgets to click on "save" when he's working on a document o...
    1 Expert Answer

34. Should I have to give up my life to help my mother and grandmother?

    Question - Stop and think: How many years did you feel trapped being Cared for By your mother? Now you feel trapped caring for your mother and your grandmother.
    1 Expert Answer, 37 Community Answers

35. Are flu symptoms a sign of lymphoma?

    Question - Flu symptoms are not necessarily a sign of Lymphoma. These symptoms are similar to the body's general method of reacting to a serious infection and are called "flu-like" simply because the flu is the most common of such infections.
    1 Community Answer

36. How can I continue to deal with my dad's worsening Alzheimer's symptoms?

    Question - There is wisdom in your cry for help. You have been too heroic! You can't side step the grief of your mother's death and the falling apart of your marriage by taking on the care of your ill father. It happens, but no one person should have to bear this burden. Let's find some help so that the end of your father's life won't also be the end of yours...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

37. What can I do to help my dad stay comfortable during bath time?

    Question - It would be a good idea to start by checking with your father's doctor to make sure your dad isn't sick.
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer