Health Check: when is "the flu" really a cold?

Credit: Chris Bickel/Science/IFPMA

For many people, a severe cold is "the flu", i.e. infuenza.

In fact, a cold & influenza are quite different:

Cold
● a cold & influenza are caused by different viruses
● just to complicate things, colds are caused by over 200 different viruses
● colds are characterised by upper respiratory tract symptoms — some or all of: sneezing, running &/or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, slight fever, headache
● on average, expect to have 3 colds per year
● no immunisation available

Influenza
● much more serious disease
● upper respiratory tract symptoms are less prominent
● high fever, chills, shaking, muscle & joint pain, lack of energy, headache, cough
● may lead to pneumonia
● frequency is more like 3 cases of influenza in a lifetime

No immunisation is available against colds — seasonal immunisation is available against influenza. Immunisation provides protection against the 3 influenza viruses which are most likely to be causing infections in that season. I.e. immunisation is required each year.

Contrary to common expectation, a "flu shot" (i.e. influenza immunisation) provides no protection against colds.

https://theconversation.com/health-check-when-is-the-flu-really-a-cold-25150?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+22+April+2014&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+22+April+2014+CID_7292b5082a3d522480d894271b5512ad&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=But%20as%20Frank%20Bowden%20points%20out / flu cold mild illness resolves without treatment sneeze sneezing runny running blocked nose sore scratchy throat cough low-grade fever headache malaise lack of energy doctors doctor upper respiratory tract infection URTI common 200 different viral subtypes cause colds rhinovirus coronavirus respiratory syncytial virus RSV metapneumovirus parainfluenza bronchus bronchiole small airways lungs hyper-reactive trigger asthma attack post-viral cough whooping cough complication complicated ear infection sinusitis viral antibiotics illness influenza virus less common severe disease nasal symptoms sore throat sicker high fever chills shaking severe muscle aches malaise headache cough /

Marvel selfies

Credit: Butcher Billy

https://www.behance.net/gallery/Marvel-Selfies-Avengers-Project-by-Butcher-Billy/15782791 / Marvel comics self image photograph portrait Captain America Hulk Thor Spider Man Spidey Iron Man Avengers arrow /

Passwords you need to change now because of Heartbleed (infographic)

Well ... some of them at least.

http://bgr.com/2014/04/15/heartbleed-checker-passwords-change-list/

More important, is to understand that until the particular site is patched for the Heartbleed bug, your password & other data remain at risk. If you change your password today, on a site which has not been patched, your new password may be hacked tomorrow.

Take home message: most important is to change your password after the site in question is patched.

More about Heartbleed & how it works. / vulnerability vulnerable exploit exploiting hack hacker hacking theft OpenSSL sensitive data server revealed attacker usernames passwords credit card numbers dangerous allow access server's digital keys impersonate servers decrypt communications major new security vulnerability severe implications entire Web Internet bug server server's memory sensitive user data stored private data usernames passwords credit card numbers extremely serious issue Netcraft Internet research firm information protect protected security experts log into accounts afflicted sites patch patched problem confirm fix progress customer service teams information John Miller security research manager TrustWave security compliance firm Yahoo OKCupid sites caution red flag change passwords security experts confirmation fix further activity vulnerable site security patch change passwords sensitive accounts banks email first two-factor authentication another piece of identifying information /

Get rich, live longer — the ultimate consequence of income inequality

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/04/more-money-more-life-the-depressing-reality-of-inequality-in-america/360895/ / Brookings economist Barry Bosworth crunch data income lifespan rich people live longer lifespans growing grow faster rate problem worse for women men gender rich man live 10 years longer after he turns 55 poor man longevity gap one generation women live longer than men inequality gap getting worse rich woman 55 can expect to live a decade longer than a poor woman money chart expected lifespan middle and lower income women causality higher quality health care smoke cigarettte smokercultural tax reasons smoking kills geography policy morality /

"If all cars were electric, charging them would crash the grid" — Wrong (video)

/ grid load shedding time of day electric avenue charge recharge off peak offpeak rate LiIon lithium ion battery cell range night cluster electric vehicle EV load balancing balance Nissan Leaf /

How to fold a shirt in under 2 seconds (video)

/ pack short sleeved T shirt luggage right left handed practice /

Samsung Galaxy S5 finger print scanner hacked within days of release

Credit: Security Research Labs/BBC

At the time the iPhone 5 was released, the security of its finger print scanner & the security of finger print scanners in general, was queried. In practice, it was hacked soon after its release.

Despite the example of the iPhone 5, Samsung's new Galaxy S5 smartphone includes a finger print scanner. Now, within days of it's release, it too has been hacked.

Surprised?

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/galaxy-s5%e2%80%b2s-fingerprint-scanner-already-hacked-video

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27050779

Take home message: Don't use fingerprint scanners if security is important. / researchers researcher research fooled new handset mould glue fingerprint sensor Samsung Galaxy S5 handset hack hacker hacking hacked device on sale Berlin based Security Research Labs fooled equipment mould created spoof sensor Apple iPhone 5S researchers thief thieves exploit flaw Samsung's device trigger money transfers PayPal payments firm risk SRL SR Labs fingerprint authentication secure pay mobile devices passwords credit cards losses screen create mould glue graphite spray fake lock out thieves /