The flu, much like a wildfire, spreads very easily. All it needs is a little bit of wind, right? According to a 2023 study that involved the 2021 to 2022 flu season, you had a 50% chance of contracting the virus. If you or someone you know is sick, then, how long does the contagious period last? Although this is a difficult question to answer precisely, health experts have several guidelines that may help stop the spread. 

How Does The Flu Spread?

The flu is a viral respiratory illness that primarily spreads via close contact with an infected person. Infected flu patients expel germ-filled droplets when they cough, sneeze, or talk. When those droplets land in the mouth or nose of another person, that person is at risk of becoming infected. The droplets can also land on surfaces, such as doorknobs, TV remotes, or keyboards, which a healthy person can touch and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose, thereby causing infection. 

You cannot always avoid these droplets when you are around someone with the flu. You can, however, take cautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following tips to avoid spreading the flu:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw that tissues away
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated (especially high-touch surfaces)
• Avoid close contact with sick people, and limit contact with others when you are sick
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth as much as possible
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and water

How Long Does The Flu Last?

Infected with the flu? Well, it can last a few days or a couple weeks. More often than not, people who decided to get a flu shot will get over infection quicker than people who did not get vaccinated. Flu symptoms, such as body aches, fever, or chills, typically come on quickly and subside slowly. According to health experts, the average time between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms is two days. 

Statistically, days two through four are the worst, regarding severity of symptoms. You will know that you are nearing the end of your flu when your fever is down and you no longer feel body aches. At that point, the virus is controlled, but coughing, runny nose, and fatigue can stick around for a little while after that. You may even experience some flu dizziness that can last for a couple days or weeks, depending on the cause. 

How Long Is The Flu Contagious?

Typically, you are most contagious during the first three days of sickness, according to the CDC. That said, you are likely contagious for a day before the onset of symptoms and several more once they subside. That means an infected person can spread the flu one day before they experience symptoms. You can spread it and not know it, especially if you did not know that the person you encountered was infected with the flu.

You are the most contagious when your symptoms peak, which is days two through four. It’s possible that you can continue to spread the virus until symptoms go away completely, though. Basically, you are no longer contagious once your symptoms are gone entirely. You can expedite your recovery through various alternative remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) flu medications. Just keep in mind that those OTCs that only lower fever will not help you get over your sickness faster or make you less contagious. They only make you more comfortable and able to deal with symptoms.

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The common cold is an upper respiratory infection that causes symptoms that plague the nose and throat. Typically, most colds are harmless and you may only develop a few mild symptoms. Colds, more than anything, are very annoying and you just want to feel better to leave the sickness behind you. 

Common symptoms of a cold include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, mild headache, sneezing, coughing, or low-grade fever. These symptoms usually last for about one week, but they can last longer in older adults, young children, or people with weakened immune systems. It is very common for adults to get two to three colds yearly, while children get them more frequently. 

It is very easy for a cold to spread. An infected person can sneeze or cough in your vicinity and you inhale microscopic droplets that contain the bacteria or virus. You can also touch a contaminated surface before touching your face and develop a cold that way. Given that there are over 200 viruses that can cause a cold, catching one is relatively easy. The rhinovirus is the most common, but  enteroviruses, human parainfluenza (HPIV), adenovirus, and coronavirus (the common cold version) can all cause common cold. Continue reading to learn more about the types of common colds. 

Enterovirus

Enteroviruses belong to a group of over 300 viruses, including echoviruses, polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, and rhinoviruses. These viruses can cause a range of illnesses, but the rhinovirus is the most common cold-causing virus. Other enteroviruses, including enterovirus D68 and coxsackievirus, can cause respiratory symptoms. There are non-respiratory enterovirus illnesses that can cause conditions such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, or aseptic meningitis. Common symptoms of enterovirus include cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, wheezing, or pneumonia. 

Rhinovirus

Rhinoviruses account for about 50% of common cold cases. Although they can spread throughout the year, rhinoviruses are most active in the spring and early fall. They spread easily in crowded places, such as offices, schools, and public transportation. Symptoms, which can include cough, mild sore throat, sneezing, mild fever, or runny nose, tend to go away in seven to 10 days. Rhinoviruses can also cause other problems, such as ear infections, breathing issues, or sinus infections, especially in people with allergies or asthma. 

Adenovirus

Adenovirus can cause cold symptoms that last for longer than symptoms that result from the rhinovirus. In fact, some people can experience these symptoms for weeks, or months. This virus is more common in the early spring and winter, although it can occur year round. Common colds caused by the adenovirus can spread easily in hospitals, schools, daycares, and military barracks. Symptoms can include cough, runny nose, fever, and sore throat. That said, adenovirus is also known to cause conjunctivitis (pink eye) and bladder infections or diarrhea. 

Coronavirus (Common Cold Version)

Before anyone even knew about COVID-19, coronaviruses were a typical cause of common colds. In fact, coronaviruses account for nearly 15% of seasonal colds, usually peaking in the winter. Coronavirus colds are usually mild and tend to last for one week, but they can lead to more serious issues, including pneumonia, for people with weaker immune systems. The common cold coronavirus is different from the coronaviruses that cause COVID-19. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 virus, however, you can test for your own safety and the safety of others. Common symptoms of coronavirus colds include sneezing, runny nose, stomach problems (not too common), mild cough, and occasional low-grade fever.

Human Parainfluenza Virus

Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) can cause infections in the upper and lower respiratory tract. That can affect airways in children under five years old, immunocompromised adults, and elderly people. There are four types of HPIV, with types one and two being the most common in fall. Type three occurs annually and is most common in spring and early summer, while type four tends to affect people year round. Symptoms of HPIV include fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, cough, or chest pain, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Determining which virus is behind your cold can be a little tricky, but certain patterns can clue you in to some degree. A barking cough usually indicates croup from HPIV, while a cold with pink eye comes from adenovirus. Your healthcare provider may want to run tests to detect the virus, depending on the severity of symptoms. 

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Is a life without movement a life worth living? Movement makes your life and body much healthier, and failure to exercise can bring a host of unwanted symptoms. If you don’t exercise, you may expect to see the number on the scale rise, but that isn’t always a telltale sign of lack of movement. Difficulty sleeping, anxiety, mood swings, and joint pain can indicate that your body needs to move. 

Exercise doesn’t translate to having a gym membership or heading to a yoga studio. Taking a brisk walk through the neighborhood or doing an at-home workout counts towards your movement efforts. A simple 30 minutes of movement per day can keep your body happy. Even if it takes setting an alarm to stand up and move for a few minutes every hour, do it! Continue reading to learn about common signs that indicate your body is craving more movement.

Low Energy

If you feel sluggish at work or have trouble getting over the afternoon slump, your body wants more movement. Nobody has energy that they tap into at will; rather, the body needs to generate energy. Mitochondria are the organelles in the body responsible for generating energy and the best way to improve their function is by engaging in regular exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts can help you accomplish this. 

Stress Or Anxiety

Tension in the shoulders, neck, legs, or even other areas can indicate that you need to move. Your body wants you to get up and go! Regular movement can help increase circulation and loosen up the muscles or prevent imbalances that result from sitting or standing too long. If you don’t regularly exercise, consider starting with gentle yoga to help reduce cortisol levels and elevate your mood. Regular physical activity also promotes relaxation, improves sleep, and helps reduce anxiety, according to a 2023 systematic review. 

You Frequently Get Sick

Now, if you have a toddler, getting sick is often par for the course. If you feel like you keep getting sick or cannot get over a lingering cough, though, you may need to move more often. A 2019 review found that moderate exercise triggered an anti-inflammatory response and regular exercise improves immune function, which decreases your risk of illness. Make sure that you don’t overdo it, though, because over-exercising may reduce immune response.

You Are Constipated

If you need to get things moving, one of the best natural remedies is to do just that: move. A 2019 review and meta-analysis found that people who engaged in 140 minutes or more of aerobic exercise per week improved symptoms of constipation. Other research supports this, presenting that people who move regularly are typically more regular. A 2022 meta-analysis found that moderate levels of activity decreased the risk of constipation. Movement stimulates your intestines to get moving!

Joint Pain And Stiffness

Most people avoid exercise because they think it will cause joint stiffness or general pain. Although you may experience some discomfort in the beginning, you will greatly appreciate the net positive effect in the long run. Physical inactivity is one of the most common causes of stiffness and joint pain. The reason for this is because being sedentary increases inflammation and reduces joint mobility. Regular physical activity, then, supports joint health by promoting the production of synovial fluid, which helps lubricate your joints. 

Brain Fog

Brain fog, although not a recognized medical condition, can be a symptom of many things. An inability to concentrate or difficulty solving problems at work may stem from inactivity. Lack of exercise can reduce blood flow and affect the brain’s ability to function properly. Not only does that affect concentration, but also memory and overall cognition. Researchers note that physical activity enhances blood flow to the brain and promotes neuron growth. That helps to enhance neural connectivity and boost brain health.

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Generally speaking, the common cold tends to resolve itself a week after you first experience symptoms. It is possible for cough, congestion, or runny nose to linger, but this is completely normal. If you have more energy and symptoms are less intense, your cold may be improving. According to experts, a cold is a minor viral infection that includes the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Aches

These symptoms tend to last about three to five days, depending on the person’s immune system and severity of infection. In the final days of your cold, most symptoms should have faded and your energy should be somewhat back to normal. A lingering cough or mild congestion is perfectly normal, but these symptoms don’t indicate that you are contagious. Below, we’ll indicate cold symptoms that may indicate that your cold is nearing an end. 

What Symptoms Indicate That A Cold Is Almost Over?

Colds tend to last about a week or so and most people find that symptoms ease within seven to 10 days from the onset of the cold. After about a week or so, you should notice that your energy levels increase. You may also find that it is easier to complete daily tasks and work throughout the day without experiencing fatigue. Just because you have more energy and feel better, your runny nose or congestion may last for an additional week. In fact, health experts note that you can experience nasal discharge for up to 14 days. That is the immune system’s response to fighting the cold. 

The Common Stages Of A Cold

Health experts break colds down into stages. Some people experience certain mild symptoms, while others experience more severe symptoms. This ultimately comes down to the person’s immune system and the virus they contracted. Most experts agree that it is common to feel the worst in stage 2, as opposed to stages 1 or 3. More about the stages of a cold below:

• Stage 1: Lasting one to two days, stage 1 symptoms tend to be mild. Most people report a sore throat, but fatigue, slight congestion, and mild runny nose are also common.
• Stage 2: Symptoms will normally increase by this stage (days three to five of your cold). You will typically feel the sickest during these days and can experience congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, body aches, cough, and fatigue. 
• Stage 3: By this stage (about a week after symptoms started), your symptoms are usually much more bearable. Remaining symptoms tend to include light congestion, cough, or runny nose. 

Can You Do Anything To Ease Symptoms?

One of the best things that you can do when you have a cold is to rest, but there are other home remedies that may ease symptoms. Certain things may or may not work for you, but the following general recommendations may help relieve cold symptoms:

• Using a saline rinse, such as a Neti Pot, to relieve nasal congestion
• Drinking herbal teas, such as ginger and lemon or peppermint, that soothe the throat
• Using a humidifier or diffuser with essential oils to help open nasal passageways 
• Increasing your fluid intake, especially water and teas
• Sitting in a sauna or steam room to help clear your sinuses and activate heat shock proteins
• Sucking on throat lozenges to relieve coughing or general throat pain
• Alternating between cold and heat packs to help reduce inflammation

The symptoms of a cold will start to fade around day seven, and you should start to feel much better. Continue to care for yourself even as symptoms fade because you don’t want to plague your body with anything else. Should symptoms persist or even worsen after a week, you may choose to consult a doctor to discuss your situation.

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When you have a stuffy nose, there is no better feeling than that moment when you finally breathe out of both nostrils. It’s a break from the blockage and any congested headache pain that existed before vanishes, if only for a brief moment. A quick way to achieve this state of easy breathing when you have a cold is by using a vapor rub. 

Have you checked the ingredients on store bought vapor rubs lately? Some of those ingredients are not kind to your skin, but you can make your own healthier version with all-natural ingredients. It doesn’t take long to make the rub in this article and it is fully customizable. For example, if you prefer to use different essential oils than the ones in the recipe, feel free to do so. The essential oils that we detail in this article simply have a proven ability to promote better, easier breathing. 

According to some studies and anecdotal reports, essential oils can help improve cold symptoms. Most of the human studies in existence show that essential oils can fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Because of these abilities, essential oils may help relieve many symptoms associated with congestion or coughing. Below, we will highlight several essential oils that may help improve breathing and get rid of a stuffy nose. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Inhaling peppermint essential oil’s aroma has a cooling effect that may help open your airways, allowing for easier breathing. Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which is a compound that affects mucus receptors in the nose. Menthol works to clear mucus and improve your ability to breathe with ease. Lab studies found that peppermint essential oil may fight bacteria, one of the primary culprits behind sinus congestion. This is why many nasal decongestants contain peppermint or peppermint essential oil.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil shows promise as one of the best alternative remedies for sinusitis and congestion. In fact, many over-the-counter decongestant products, including chest rubs, contain eucalyptus essential oil. Eucalyptus essential oil is often used in steam rooms or steam baths because it aids breathing and may relieve stuffiness. Researchers identified that cineole, a compound in eucalyptus essential oil, works to relieve sinusitis symptoms, including headaches, nasal obstruction, and runny nose. 

Tea Tree Oil

The way that tea tree oil works to improve sinus congestion is by fighting bacteria and viruses, two potential causes of congestion. A 2015 review noted that the alpha-sabine in tea tree oil exhibits antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Tea tree oil may also reduce inflammation, which may bring down swelling in the sinuses to ultimately relieve symptoms of congestion. 

DIY Vapor Rub

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Add the coconut oil and beeswax pastilles to the top of a double boiler and melt over medium-low heat. Alternatively, you can place the coconut oil and beeswax pastilles in a heat-safe glass bowl and melt in the microwave, but this may take longer. 
• Once the mixture is fully melted, allow it to cool for a few minutes before stirring in the essential oils. Let it cool for a while until semi-hardened. 
• Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture until fluffy, and then spoon it into a glass jar. Store it in a cool, dry place. 
• To use, rub a small amount on your chest when you have cough or cold symptoms.

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The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a serious respiratory infection that can affect people of all ages. Recently, many children’s hospitals across the country experienced an increase of pediatric patients hospitalized with the RSV, in addition to influenza. In most cases, RSV may only cause symptoms like difficulty breathing, lethargy, and cough, but it is most serious when it occurs in babies. 

What Causes RSV?

RSV is spread from person to person via close contact with an infected person via secretions from coughing or sneezing, or touching objects like toys or door knobs that have the virus on them. According to health experts, it takes between two to eight days from the time of exposure for someone to become sick. In most cases, symptoms last for three to seven days, during which time the infected patients are most contagious. Because it can spread so easily, health experts encourage you to isolate and limit contact with other people. The peak season for the RSV is between fall and spring. 

Symptoms Of RSV

People who become infected with RSV usually show symptoms within two to eight days after exposure. The most common symptoms of RSV include:

• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Decrease in appetite
• Fever
• Wheezing

These symptoms tend to appear in stages and not all at once. Very young infants who contract RSV may only experience decreased activity, irritability, and breathing difficulties. Surveys confirm that almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday. 

RSV Can Cause Serious Health Problems

In more serious cases, RSV can cause serious infections like bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the small airways in the lung. RSV can also lead to pneumonia, a lung infection. Health experts say that RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under the age of one. 

Healthy adults and children don’t usually require hospitalization. Some people with an RSV infection, especially infants under the age of six months and older adults, may require hospitalization if they have trouble breathing. In the most severe cases, a patient may require oxygen or IV fluids, if they have difficulty breathing or become dehydrated. Some patients with RSV have been in need of intubation with mechanical ventilation. In most of those cases, hospitalization only lasted a few days. 

Take Additional Steps To Prevent RSV Infection

The best way to protect yourself from RSV infection is to keep the body as healthy as possible. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, wash hands, and consider the following tips when trying to prevent the spread of the virus. 

• Avoid kissing your baby on the face if you have cold symptoms. Additionally, keep your baby away from older siblings, relatives, or anyone else with cold symptoms. 
• Wash toys and the baby’s environment regularly.
• Ask people to first wash their hands before holding or touching your baby. And you do the same if you want to hold a friend’s baby.
• Limit the time that high-risk children or babies remain in daycare or play settings, especially between late fall and early spring.
• Keep your baby away from high-risk settings, for example, crowded indoor spaces. 
• Avoid environments with smoke.

As a final note, it is common for babies to make a full recovery from RSV within one to two weeks. Most babies recover from RSV without receiving treatment in a hospital setting. More often than not, you can treat symptoms at home. You can use a cool mist humidifier to introduce moisture to the air to aid breathing, or use a bulb syringe to clear thick secretions from your baby’s nose. If you think your baby has dehydration or is in moderate to severe distress because of RSV infection, you should seek medical care.

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Some people don’t experience any symptoms, while others experience cold or flu-like symptoms due to COVID-19 infection. And then there are those who go through the whole nine, suffering from body aches, fever, cough, and loss of taste and smell. 

A new study was conducted in 2020 at NewYork Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical center in New York City. The scientists tested 266 people for antibodies to COVID-19 at least two weeks after their symptoms had mainly subsided. Tests revealed that the subjects no longer showed signs of active infection. None of the test subjects experienced severe cases, and they did not have signs of acute infection. During their tests for antibodies, the scientists observed that subjects had no lingering symptoms, save for potential loss of smell or taste. 

About two-thirds of participants reported that they either had an impaired sense of smell or taste. About 58% of participants said that infection altered both senses. Compared to people who never lost taste or smell, the people who did lose those senses were twice as likely to test positive for virus-fighting antibodies. 

Fever, Cough, Runny Nose Not Linked To Antibody Protection

In 2020, the most predominant COVID-19 symptoms were fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Interestingly enough, those symptoms did not have an influence on the presence of antibodies in people who recovered from acute infection. That suggests, according to the study, that loss of taste and smell may predict that you have a longer-lasting ability to fight the virus. 

According to the researchers that conducted the study, one limitation is that they relied on patients to accurately recall and report loss of taste or smell during infection. Another drawback from the study is that test subjects only reported loss of taste because their sense of smell changed. Scientists confirm that loss of smell can alter taste, which can compromise a person’s ability to distinguish the flavors in food they eat. Finally, the study wasn’t a controlled experiment to prove whether or not loss of taste and smell directly reduced risk of reinfection.

Do Antibodies Help Prevent COVID-19 Reinfection?

The study had limitations, but the findings are similar to other research on the presence of antibodies after a bout of COVID-19. A 2021 study found that people with negative antibody tests were 10 times more likely to get a second COVID-19 infection after three months. A similar study observed individuals from three to six months after a mild COVID-19 infection. The results indicated that everyone with antibodies did not get reinfected. In fact, nearly every single participant in that study retained high levels of antibodies after six months. 

In conclusion, this information may be useful in patient counseling, but more research is necessary to fully understand antibody protection. Additionally, COVID-19 infection differs from person to person, meaning one person may have higher antibody levels than someone who experienced the same symptoms. According to the preliminary studies, though, loss of taste or smell from COVID-19 infection may lower your risk of reinfection.

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When your whole family gets taken down by a virus, you can only think of one thing: you’re next. In an effort to keep yourself as healthy as possible, you avoid your family and do what you can to avoid getting sick. This scenario is especially common during the fall and winter seasons, when bugs spread throughout schools, offices, and more. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if one member in your household is contagious then it can easily spread to other people. Even though a virus can easily spread within the home, it’s also possible to stay healthy and well. The important thing to keep in mind when someone else, or your whole family, is sick is that you limit your exposure to them and care for yourself. The following tips aim to keep you as healthy as possible when people in your household are sick. 

Wash Your Hands…A Lot

After living through a pandemic, we imagine that everyone is a professional hand washer. You know that you should wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after entering your home from outside. Keep up this habit, but add frequency if your family or people you live with are sick. Ideally, you wash your hands every time you come in contact with the sick person(s) in your home. If they touched the TV remote, glass, bowl, or anything else, wash your hands and wash the item. 

Wear A Mask

Another benefit of the pandemic is that people know about face masks, which can help keep you safe when others around you are sick. In addition to you wearing a mask, the sick people in your household should also wear masks in communal areas. This is really beneficial if the person has a respiratory infection, as respiratory droplets can easily spread and infect you. If people have respiratory symptoms or runny nose, consider taking a COVID-19 test as a precaution. 

Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces Every Day

Germs are everywhere, especially if everyone in your household is sick. Most germs can survive on a variety of surfaces for varying periods of time. This is why you should make the extra effort to disinfect high-touch surfaces every day. Doorknobs, door handles, tabletops, countertops, bathroom faucets, cabinet handles, light switches, TV remotes, and toilet flushers should be disinfected once per day. For most viruses, regular household cleaning spray, soap and water, or a diluted bleach solution is optimal for disinfection. 

Ventilate Your Space

When the weather is cold, you don’t necessarily want to open the windows. If everyone in your home is sick, though, you should ventilate a couple times per day. When an ill person sneezes, coughs, or even exhales, they spread germ-filled droplets. Just as you remove germs from surfaces, you’ll also want to do the same to eradicate them from the air. If you can, open a window or two to increase the circulation. If you cannot do this, opt to use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Ideally, run this device in the room where the sick person spends most of their time. 

Get Enough Sleep

While this is a necessary recovery measure when you’re sick, it shouldn’t be neglected if you aren’t sick. Health experts find that avoiding sickness is more easily achieved when you get enough sleep. Poor sleep can suppress immune function, which decreases your ability to fight infection. Sleep experts recommend that you sleep for seven to eight hours per night, in addition to drinking enough water and eating a healthy diet. 

Limit Your Contact With Sick People

If you can avoid them, do so! Infectious disease specialists confirm that avoiding sick persons, especially those with respiratory infections, is a great strategy if you don’t want to get sick. As mentioned previously, viruses can spread via respiratory droplets, so being in close proximity to an infected person increases your likelihood of inhaling those infected droplets. Stay in your room as much as possible and avoid sharing items with sick people. Additionally, try to set the sick people up in their own areas of the house to limit your contact with them.

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For more than two years, the world has seen the evolution of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. From people on ventilators to asymptomatic carriers, COVID-19 affects everyone differently. We’ve also seen breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals and reinfection among the unvaccinated and vaccinated. It continues to be an evolving situation, as do the top symptoms. 

The UK-based Zoe Health Study (formerly the COVID Symptom Study) recently identified the most common COVID-19 symptoms among current infections. This study based the findings on the information from more than four million people who used a special app to report signs of infection. The recent analysis found that infections from omicron sub-variants result in symptoms that mimic those of the common cold or flu. Symptoms may vary depending on vaccination status, underlying health conditions, and overall health. 

Coronavirus symptoms from earlier variants now rank lower on the list of the most common symptoms. Loss of smell (or other sensory changes from COVID-19), shortness of breath, and fever are less common among newer infections. And although vaccinated individuals can still contract COVID-19, the study found that the symptoms were much more mild among them, or that they experienced very few symptoms. Additionally, vaccinated individuals got better more quickly. 

Top COVID-19 Symptoms Among Those Who’ve Received Two Vaccine Doses

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Persistent cough
• Headache

Researchers in the Zoe study found that vaccinated people who tested positive for COVID-19 reported sneezing. If you are vaccinated and start sneezing a lot without explanation, consider getting a COVID test as you may be infected. This will help reduce the risk of spreading the virus to those around you, some of whom may be in worse health than others. 

Top COVID-19 Symptoms Among Those Who’ve Had One Vaccine Dose

• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Persistent cough

Zoe study editors observed that persistent cough was one of the original symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Among the most recent data, though, it ranks lower than sneezing and runny nose, two symptoms that were originally thought to be unrelated to COVID-19 infection.

Top COVID-19 Symptoms Among The Unvaccinated

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Persistent cough

According to the Zoe study, loss of smell is still in the top 10 symptoms for unvaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19. It ranks at number nine, but shortness of breath (an original symptom) now ranks at number 30. 

Why Have The Top Symptoms Changed?

The data from the Zoe study is consistent with what many clinicians have observed in COVID-19 patients over the past few months. Why the shift in symptoms is not entirely clear, though. Infectious disease specialists think that the change in top symptoms is multifactorial. The virus has evolved over time in order to maximize transmission and higher levels of immunity in the population (attributed to vaccination and prior infection). 

Cough, Cold, Or Flu? It May Be COVID-19

We covered that symptoms of recent omicron infections tend to mimic those of the common cold or flu. Because of that, people who experience those symptoms may not think that they have COVID, especially since they weren’t common symptoms earlier in the pandemic. If you do experience those symptoms, especially if they are respiratory symptoms, it is wise to test to confirm infection. COVID-19 is still a relevant illness, despite the fact that nearly all restrictions have been lifted. Take care of your health, get a new bivalent COVID-19 booster this fall if you want to, and be safe during the upcoming holiday season. 

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As the leaves fall and the rain arrives, you have to worry about the possible clogging of gutters around the home. It is a pain to get on a ladder and clean them, but health experts point out that this chore may be integral to your overall health. That’s right, folks, your health is not only dependent on what’s inside your home, but what’s outside as well. 

The main purpose of gutters is to divert rainwater away from your house. The gutters funnel it down downspouts and onto the ground. The falling leaves or debris from trees can accumulate in gutters and cause blockages. If water cannot flow out the downspouts, then it can seep into your home and begin the molding process. Not only does this ruin indoor air quality, but it also increases the risk of allergies and poor respiratory health. 

Because gutters help defend your home against water damage, it is your responsibility to make sure they are clean. Removing leaves and other debris can make it so that rainwater drains efficiently and keeps your home safe from leaks. The last thing you want is for clogged gutters to cause moisture build-up inside your home. 

Why Is Mold Bad?

Besides the fact that it is disgusting to look at, mold can irritate the respiratory system and worsen lung or breathing problems. Even if you aren’t allergic to mold, you can still develop allergy-like symptoms when exposed to it. The most common reactions to mold include itchy eyes, stuffy nose, wheezing, or irritated skin after inhalation. Reactions can be more serious for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions, including emphysema, COPD, asthma, or those with mold allergies. Common reactions for that group after mold exposure include shortness of breath, chest tightness, respiratory infections, and intense coughing. In some cases, mold may trigger the onset of new health issues. Inhaling or touching mold spores may also cause someone to become allergic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The Link Between Clogged Gutters And Mold Growth

First off, blocked or clogged gutters can create unnecessary strain on the gutters, putting them at risk for falling. Cleaning them two to three times per year is a great practice, but you may need to do it more often in the fall and winter, depending on where you live. Clogged gutters also invite dangerous pests to reside in them. Wasps, specifically, can build very large nests in clogged gutters and become a serious hazard quickly. 

In regards to your health, though, clogged gutters can hold the combination of stagnant water, decaying matter, and debris. When the sun cooks these three, it essentially bakes mildew and increases the risk for other disease-ridden residues. When mold seeps into the siding of your home, it can collect inside your interior. Not only does this cause respiratory problems, but it can also damage your home’s foundation. Plus, any moisture build-up leads to quicker mold growth! Because you spend a significant amount of time in your home, you want to make sure it is as healthy as it can be. Follow the tips below to avoid clogged gutters!

How To Clean Your Gutters

Keep water and mold growth out of your home by clearing debris and leaves from your gutters. There are a few rules you can follow to have the cleanest gutters ever:

• Always check your gutters every one to two months for debris build-up. You may be able to get away with doing it less often, but this depends on where you live. It also depends if you have gutter guards, which can be very beneficial if you live near a lot of trees. 
• You’ll need a ladder, tarp, and heavy-duty rubber gloves. Spread out the tarp before you head up the ladder. Make sure that the tarp covers the area under the ladder, so that it catches whatever debris you toss down. Things will get messy, so make sure you put on the rubber gloves. 
• Remove all leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris you see from the gutters and pull it out by hand. Toss it down onto the tarp and don’t try to push it down the downspout. 
• Once you remove the majority of the clutter, use a garden hose to spray away any small leftover pieces.

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