H1N1 influenza, commonly called swine flu, is again being reported more frequently across North India, including Delhi-NCR. The increase in cases during the current season has understandably caused concern among families. However, there is no reason for panic. H1N1 is now a seasonal influenza virus, and most otherwise healthy people recover completely with appropriate supportive care. The important message is that influenza can occasionally become serious, particularly in old

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a condition characterized by persistent nerve pain that occurs after a person has experienced an episode of shingles (herpes zoster). Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the body and later reactivate, causing shingles. During a shingles outbreak, a painful rash typically develops along a specific a

What is the flu? The flu is an infection that is caused by viruses. The medical term for the flu is "influenza." There are different type...