NEWS

Flu
You can actually infect someone before you start feeling symptoms of the flu.You are most contagious in the 3 to 4 days after you start to feel sick, but you remain contagious as long as you have symptoms. Usually this is about a week, but it could be a few days more for children or people with weak immune systems. You can also pass it on a day or so before you start feeling sick. Some people can transfer the virus without ever getting symptoms. 

It's no wonder these kinds of treatments are popular -- we still have no cure for colds or the flu. While the flu vaccine may prevent the flu, and some prescription medications may shorten its symptoms, most conventional medications just ease symptoms. Many natural remedies can give you short-term relief as well, and a few may help you get better. See which ones show the most promise.

Watermelon
Here’s a juicy tip: Cup for cup, fruits that are high in water or fiber have fewer carbs than other fruits. Watermelon, the sweet summertime treat, is 92% water and the lowest-carb fruit by far, with 7.5 carbs for every 100 grams. It also has lots of vitamins A and C. Enjoy one cup, or 10 watermelon balls if you’re feeling fancy.

By Julie Appleby and Michelle Andrews
Flu season will look different this year, as the country grapples with a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 172,000 people. Many Americans are reluctant to visit a doctor’s office and public health officials worry people will shy away from being immunized.
Although sometimes incorrectly regarded as just another bad cold, flu also kills tens of thousands of people in the U.S. each year, with the very young, the elderly and those with underlying conditions the most vulnerable. When coupled with the effects of COVID-19, public health experts say it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for the proper function of the immune system, vision, and cell growth and differentiation.
It acts as an antioxidant in cells and helps repair damage. It also helps ward off age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss. Vitamin A is found in foods like liver, meat, fish, and dairy products. Another compound called beta-carotene is found in orange fruits and vegetables including cantaloupe, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and apricots. It is also found in spinach, red peppers, and broccoli. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.

Vitamin A

It boosts your immune system and guards against infectious diseases. Taking 10,000 international units (IU) for 1-2 weeks may help you heal after an exercise-related injury. Vitamin A is easy to find, too. It runs high in liver, fish oils, milk, eggs, and leafy greens.

Bromelain

Got pineapple juice? Then you have this enzyme that packs anti-inflammatory powers and supports your immune system. It’s sometimes used to treat tendinitis and minor muscle injuries like sprains. Some studies have shown bromelain may ease inflammation after dental, nasal, and foot surgeries. More research is needed. Doctors usually suggest taking capsules or tablets. That’s because drinking juice won’t supply enough.

Summary: Children learn more and remember better when writing by hand, a new study reports. The brains of children are more active when handwriting than typing on a computer keyboard.
Source: NTNU

Stressful moments in our lives can change the way we perceive the passage of time, but there are ways you can help your mind feel like it’s back on track.
Periods of stress can distort your perception of time.
Emotions contribute to how fast and slow time passes.
There are ways to take control of time perception during the pandemic.
Feeling like you landed in a time warp the last few months? You’re not alone.

As you age, your cartilage - the spongy material that protects the ends of your bones - begins to dry out and stiffen. Your body also makes less synovial fluid, the stuff that acts like oil to keep your joints moving smoothly. The result: Your joints may not move as freely as they used to. It sounds a little crazy, but the best thing you can do is keep on trucking. Synovial fluid requires movement to keep your joints loose. 

Fall allergies, COVID-19, and irritation from wildfire smoke can cause similar symptoms.

• Overlap of symptoms from allergies, COVID-19, and wildfire smoke can make it difficult to know which you’re experiencing.
• Treatment for each is different.
• Exposure to wildfire smoke can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections like COVID-19.
  
  

With more than allergens circulating around this fall, it can be difficult to tell what’s causing the symptoms you may experience, like sore throat, runny nose, and headache. Could these symptoms be signs of COVID-19, irritation from wildfire smoke, or simply fall allergies?

“If you take a step back and put the whole picture into perspective, it can be easier to tell the difference. For instance, smoke exposure can be more temporary and include more burning than itching, which typically comes with allergies,” Dr. Tina Sindher, allergist at Stanford Health Care, told Healthline.

However, Sindher adds that some people with severe seasonal allergies can present symptoms similar to those of a viral infection like COVID-19.
“They may have a mild fever, and that’s when it gets confusing,” she said.
To make sense of it all, here’s a breakdown of the differences between each and what you can do about it.