flu

A number of factors are playing a role in this year’s surprising flu season numbers

Dear Doctors: My husband caught a cold this summer, and he swears the readings from his fitness tracker a few days before warned him that he was about to be sick. Do you think that’s really possible?

Dear Reader: Your husband’s observations about how changes in the data from his fitness [...]

Dear Doctors: I'm 23 years old and hardly ever get sick, not even a cold. I usually skip getting a flu shot, but my dad keeps telling my brother and me that it's really important to get one this year. Can you explain why? Is it going to protect us [...]

Dear Doctor: Why are people making a big deal out of the fact that you can lose your sense of smell and taste when you get sick with COVID-19? The same thing happens to me when I’ve got a plain old cold.

Dear Reader: Many of us who have slogged through [...]

Understanding symptoms and what they mean

From fall 2017 to spring 2018, flu severity was considered high across all age groups in the United States. As of October 27, 2018, there were 185 flu-related deaths in children reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and about 80 percent of those children had [...]

Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious viral illness that infects the nose, throat and lungs. It can be mild to severe, and even lead to hospitalization or death. As we head into flu season the best way to protect yourself and your family is to [...]

Dear Doctor: I’m hearing that vitamin D can reduce the risk of colds and flu – and that more foods should be fortified with it. What’s the evidence for that? As a doctor, I’ll  confess I’m skeptical about such a broad [...]

February is typically a peak month for flu activity. The flu is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus, which can lead to serious illness or even death. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend [...]

Flu-stricken patients are jamming emergency rooms across California and the country. Flu patients feel terrible. But at what point should they head to the hospital? Many visit at the first sign of sniffling. Others wait until there’s no choice. For guidance, [...]