Category: Viral infections

According to a 2021 study published in *Clinical Nutrition*, over 30% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients experienced significant unintentional weight loss. This statistic confirms that, under certain conditions, a virus can cause weight loss by triggering a complex series of bodily responses.

According to the National Institutes of Health, viral infections like the flu and COVID-19 can significantly increase the risk of an irregular heartbeat. This is because illness can put a strain on your cardiovascular system, leading to temporary but noticeable changes in your heart's rhythm. In this article, we'll explore the complex relationship between being sick and your heart's electrical system and explain why an irregular heartbeat is a potential side effect.

Over 200 different viruses, most commonly the rhinovirus, can cause the common cold. When one of these microscopic invaders takes hold, a complex cascade of events unfolds inside you. So, **what happens to our bodies when we get a cold?** Your immune system mounts a fierce, multi-stage defense to fight off the infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), muscle aches and fatigue are common symptoms of influenza and can sometimes linger even after other symptoms fade. Understanding and addressing these lingering effects is key to a smooth recovery and learning how to treat muscle weakness from flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults get an average of two to three colds each year. Given its frequent occurrence, many people often question: **Is a cold considered being sick?** The answer is unequivocally yes, as it is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

It's a common misconception that sweating helps expel viruses from the body, but medical professionals confirm that this is not scientifically accurate. While sweating is a natural part of regulating body temperature, it does not actively flush out the pathogens causing an illness.

According to the World Health Organization, more than half of the global population has the virus that causes cold sores, but you can fight back. Knowing **how to make a cold sore go away before it fully forms** is key, as early intervention during the tell-tale tingling stage can significantly reduce its severity and duration.

While most cold sores heal on their own within 7 to 14 days, with prompt intervention, the healing process can be sped up significantly. This guide addresses **what's the quickest time a cold sore can heal** and how acting at the very first tingle can make all the difference.

It's a long-standing health myth that you can "sweat out" a virus like a cold or the flu, but medical experts confirm this is simply not true. While sweating is a natural bodily function during an illness, it does not help viruses go away or speed up your recovery.

While it can feel like a cold hits you out of the blue, the typical incubation period is 1 to 3 days after exposure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Understanding how sudden can a cold come on helps differentiate it from other, faster-acting illnesses and prepares you for what's next.