Daily Life Guide

If you have a sore throat accompanied by a fever, it is easy to confuse it with a simple cold or tonsillitis. In particular, if the pain suddenly worsens when swallowing saliva or food, you should also check the condition of your tonsils. While tonsillitis shares many symptoms with a cold, it is often distinguished by a high fever, severe pain when swallowing, and swollen tonsils covered in white discharge. From now on, I will summarize the key signs, how to manage them at home, and the criteria for visiting a doctor all in one go. Symptoms of tonsillitis include severe pain when swallowing and tonsils… Read more

Do you experience recurring sneezing and a runny nose every autumn, leaving you confused whether it is a cold or allergic rhinitis? If the same symptoms repeat during a specific season, you should first examine the pollen and indoor allergens that increase starting in late summer. With autumn allergic rhinitis, you can reduce the burden of symptoms by decreasing exposure to causative substances and controlling the environment that irritates the nasal mucosa. Let's organize the information step-by-step, covering criteria for distinguishing it from colds and air conditioning-induced rhinitis, tips for going out and managing bedding, and when medical attention is necessary. The key to autumn rhinitis… Read more

It is easy to think that norovirus is food poisoning that only occurs in winter, but in reality, vomiting and diarrhea can also occur after eating raw oysters or sashimi during the summer. If you suddenly find yourself frequently running to the bathroom and having difficulty even drinking water, it is difficult to dismiss it as simple indigestion. In this article, I will organize the entire process in a single flow, from the onset of norovirus symptoms to transmission routes, hydration at home, and situations requiring medical attention. I will even cover the fact that there is still a period during which you can transmit the virus to family members even after symptoms have subsided… Read more

Are you confused about whether you can shower after getting a flu shot, or when you can resume exercise or drink alcohol? You might also worry about whether pain at the injection site or a slight fever is a normal reaction or if you need to visit a doctor. The key is to avoid putting additional strain on your body immediately after vaccination and to monitor the severity and duration of symptoms. Short showers are permitted if you follow the conditions, and you should return to your daily routine as your body allows, while avoiding high-intensity exercise and drinking for at least 48 hours. Read more

If you feel fine in the morning but are suddenly struck by a fever of around 38 degrees, chills, and body aches in the afternoon, it is easy to confuse whether it is a cold or the flu. While both colds and the flu cause similar symptoms like coughing and a runny nose, there are distinct differences in the causative viruses and the way symptoms manifest. The key is not to make a diagnosis based solely on a runny nose or fever. In this article, we compare the causes, onset sequence, and patterns of cough, phlegm, and muscle pain associated with colds and the flu, as well as points to look for when distinguishing them from COVID-19 and the signs requiring medical attention… Read more

If the fever is mild and only the cough has dragged on a bit, it is easy to mistake it for a simple cold; however, pediatric Mycoplasma pneumonia can begin with seemingly mild symptoms. When distinguishing it from a cold, you must examine the duration of the cough, the child's activity and dietary levels, and respiratory status together, rather than just the fever level. In this article, I will summarize the characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumonia in children, the criteria for requiring medical attention, and precautions to take at home, in that order. A dry cough that lasts longer than a cold… Read more

If cold symptoms have disappeared but a dry cough persists for three weeks, it is difficult to simply dismiss it as a weakened throat. The causes can vary, ranging from hypersensitivity remaining in the airways to postnasal drip, cough-variant asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux. A post-infection cough can also manifest as a subacute cough lasting 3 to 8 weeks. However, since the response differs depending on whether the cough subsides over time or repeatedly worsens in specific situations, it is necessary to examine the progression of symptoms and accompanying signals together… Read more

For a humidifier, it is more important to adjust the humidity within the 40–60°C range according to the indoor temperature and season, rather than raising it too high. In particular, humidity levels in the same space can vary significantly during the winter when heating is on and the summer when air conditioning is used. In this article, I will organize the information step-by-step, covering everything from seasonal standards and temperature-based adjustment methods to the maintenance scope for a newborn's room, as well as humidifier types and cleaning methods. First, measuring the current levels with a hygrometer and humidifying only as much as necessary is… Read more