PULSE YOUR HEALTH

  Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes a severe coughing fit. It can affect people of any age, but it is especially dangerous for young children, who may have trouble breathing, vomit, or even die from complications. Whooping cough is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis , which attaches to the cilia (tiny hair-like structures) that line the respiratory tract. The bacteria produce toxins that damage the cilia and make it hard to clear mucus and other secretions from the lungs. This leads to inflammation, irritation, and a persistent cough. Symptoms of Whooping Cough The symptoms of whooping cough usually appear about 7 to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria, but they can take up to 21 days to develop. The infection has three stages: The first stage, called the catarrhal stage, lasts for 1 to 2 weeks. It is similar to a common cold, with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and mil

  A sore throat is a common condition that affects many people at some point in their lives. It can cause pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat that may worsen when swallowing or talking. A sore throat can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, body aches, headache, nausea, or vomiting.   Causes of Sore Throat There are many possible causes of a sore throat, but the most frequent one is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Other viral infections that can cause a sore throat include mono (mononucleosis), measles, chickenpox, croup, and COVID-19. Viral infections usually resolve on their own within a week or two, and do not require antibiotics. However, some sore throats are caused by bacterial infections, which may need treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications. The most common bacterial infection that causes a sore throat is strep throat (streptococcal infection), which can lead to serious problems such as rheumat

  A cough is a common symptom that affects many people. It is a natural reflex that helps your body clear your airways from irritants, mucus, or infections. But what are the main causes of cough and how can you treat them? Common causes of acute and subacute cough Acute cough is a cough that lasts less than three weeks, while subacute cough lasts three to eight weeks. These types of cough are usually caused by viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza , respiratory syncytial virus infection or COVID-19 . These infections can cause inflammation and irritation in your throat, nose, and lungs, leading to a cough that may be dry or productive (bringing up mucus). Other possible causes of acute and subacute cough include: Inhaling an irritant, such as smoke, dust, chemicals, or a foreign object Pneumonia , which is an infection in one or both lungs Whooping cough, which is a bacterial infection that causes a severe cough with a whooping sound Bronchitis, which is an inflammation

JN.1 is arising star in the coronavirus world, a subvariant of Omicron that's quickly spreading its wings. It emerged in 2023 with an extra trick up its sleeve - a mutation that seems to make it even more contagious than its parent. This rapid growth has put JN.1 in the spotlight, sparking concerns about its impact on the pandemic. While there's no evidence JN.1 causes more severe illness, its ability to dodge past immunity worries scientists. The good news? Vaccines still offer protection, and public health measures like masking and hand hygiene remain key to keeping this variant in check. So, stay informed, stay safe, and remember, JN.1 may be new, but the rules to beat the virus remain the same.  Here are 12 facts about this variant of the coronavirus. Emergence and spread: 1. Descendant of Omicron: JN.1 is a subvariant of the Omicron variant, BA.2.86, with a single additional mutation in its spike protein. 2. First detected in September 2023: JN.1 was first identified in t

  The coronavirus pandemic has been raging for more than two years , and it shows only little signs of slowing down. As the virus spreads and mutates, new variants emerge that pose different challenges for public health and vaccine development. One of the latest variants to be detected is JN.1, which was first reported in Japan in October 2021. What is JN.1 and why is it concerning? JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, which is currently the dominant strain of the coronavirus worldwide. JN.1 has several mutations in its spike protein, which is the part of the virus that attaches to human cells and allows infection. Some of these mutations are similar to those found in other variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, and Omicron. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), JN.1 has been detected in at least 19 countries as of December 2021, including Japan, South Korea, China, India, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the United States. However, its global preval