Colds and flu

Avian Flu: Cost is the key as yet another ineffectual drug is pushed

Medical researchers are a little like politicians in one major regard: they both like to keep us in a state of terror. For the politician, it’s a useful device in order to remove civil liberties ‘for... more>

Antibiotics: Doctors continue to prescribe them, even when they shouldn’t

Just as dogs bury bones, and footballers fall over in the penalty area, and buses don’t turn up when you’re in a hurry, so doctors prescribe antibiotics. more>

Flu Jab: A sinking feeling about this Titanic problem

Doctors fear that millions of elderly people are at considerable risk because of the poor distribution of this winter's flu vaccine. Just over one-third of the 13.2 million Britons who supposedly nee... more>

Avian Flu: More bad news for our greatest hope

Anyone here remember avian flu? You know, nasty disease, kills everyone. Even the UK’s very own chief medical officer of health Sir Liam Donaldson told an expectant public earlier this year that 750... more>

Flu Jab Season: They don’t work, of course, researchers discover

The over 65s among us will soon be exhorted to visit their local doctor for their seasonal flu jab. And if they’re as well read as our readers, they’ll have ringing in their ears the World Health Org... more>

The common cold

This greatest bugbear of an upper respiratory tract infection is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, or even occasionally, allergic reactions. more>

Staying healthy in the ‘fifth’ season

Most of us believe there are only four seasons, but there is a fifth one that runs from November to February - the colds/flu season. Chances are, at some point in your life - and, for some people, onc... more>

A shot up the nose

No rolling up your sleeve for a painful shot in the arm. Just a couple of sniffs and you are protected from the dreaded flu. That’s the sales pitch for the latest flu vaccine FluMist, more>

Bee healthy

Propolis - that gummy substance collected by bees from leaf buds and tree bark - may be helpful in preventing and shortening the duration of the common cold in both children (Rom J Virol, 1995; 46: 11... more>

I lost my sight after flu jab

On the 7th October 2002, I had a flu jab at the local nursery. On the following day, I was sick at the same time I started to lose sight in my right eye. It worried me so much that I visited my local... more>

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