Google has long been the go-to tool for many people with health-related questions, and 2024 was no different.
Americans across the country turned to search engines for answers to their medical concerns throughout the year.
Soliant Health, a Georgia-based medical job search site, analyzes 2024 Google search data to identify popular questions in each state and some of the most commonly searched medical queries on Google. I did.
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Below are the seven most searched questions and answers from Karen Stockdale, a registered nurse based in Australia.
The analysis found that many people use Google to ask about the contagiousness of a particular disease. (St. Petersburg)
1. Is bronchitis contagious?
Although bronchitis is not contagious, Stockdale revealed to Soliant that the virus that causes bronchitis can be.
Illnesses such as colds, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus can all cause bronchitis, which can be contagious for several days to a week, she said.
2. Is pneumonia contagious?
Stockdale said there are many types of pneumonia, but the most common are viral or bacterial.
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“Bacterial pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria that already live in the upper respiratory tract and occurs after a cold or flu,” she says. “This type of pneumonia can be contagious, but it doesn't spread that easily.”
Viral pneumonia can be caused by other viruses, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), influenza, RSV, and other communicable diseases.
According to the nurse, both bacterial and viral pneumonia can be contagious. (St. Petersburg)
“These respiratory illnesses are easily spread to others through droplets in the air, which means the underlying viral infection is contagious,” the nurse added.
3. What is Lupus?
According to Stockdale, lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a person's own immune system to malfunction and attack healthy tissue.
“This is a long-term disease that causes inflammation and pain in many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and internal organs,” she says.
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Lupus can affect different parts of the body, so symptoms can vary. The disease is most common in women between the ages of 15 and 44, Stockdale noted.
4. How much water should I drink every day?
Americans were curious about how much water they should drink.
Stockdale says hydration is key to good health, but the exact amount varies from person to person depending on gender, weight and other factors.
Experts say the recommended amount of drinking water per day varies from person to person. (St. Petersburg)
“For example, a petite woman's intake requirements will be quite different than a male bodybuilder,” she says. “The best way to determine optimal fluid intake is to [consider] weight and activity level. ”
Dr. Stockdale mentioned Penn Medicine's recommendation to drink 0.5 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, depending on the amount of physical activity.
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“If you're not doing strenuous exercise, half an ounce per pound is plenty,” she said.
“If you work outdoors, play sports, or are otherwise very active, you need 1 ounce of water per body weight to keep your body hydrated. .”
5. Is strep throat contagious?
Mr Stockdale warned that the group of bacteria that causes strep throat, called group A streptococcus, is “highly contagious”.
According to nurses, strep throat is spread through droplets from sneezes and coughs. (St. Petersburg)
These bacteria can be spread through droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs and by sharing drinks or food.
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“People with untreated strep throat can be contagious for up to three weeks and can infect others,” the registered nurse warned.
6. How long does the flu last?
The flu can cause very unpleasant symptoms and may last longer than expected.
Stockdale says the average flu infection lasts five to seven days. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, cough, and sore throat.
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“People with compromised immune systems may experience symptoms for a long time,” the nurse said.
The flu can last from 5 to 7 days. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, cough, and sore throat. (St. Petersburg)
7. What causes high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, usually develops “slowly over time,” Stockdale said.
This condition can be caused by various medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and genetics.
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“People who are obese, have diabetes, and have low levels of physical activity are more likely to develop high blood pressure,” Stockdale said.
“Some women experience high blood pressure during pregnancy.”
