Ask Doctor Cory.

Dear Dr. Cory:

What are hiccups, and what causes them?

Amy Sullivan
Wilton, Connecticut

Dear Amy:

Under your lungs is a large, flat muscle called the diaphragm (DIE-a-fram). This powerful muscle almost divides your body in half. The diaphragm tightens and relaxes as you breathe in and out.

Anything that irritates the diaphragm can cause it to tighten and give you the hiccups. The more common causes are eating or drinking too fast, or being excited or tired.

Most cases of hiccups stop on their own after a short amount of time. More stubborn cases can be helped by trying to break the cycle and taking a big drink of water. You can also try holding your breath or breathing into a paper bag for a few minutes. This increases the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs, which may slow or stop the diaphragm from tightening.

Dear Dr. Cory:

How and why do you get the flu?

Taylor Jackson
Pueblo, Colorado

Dear Taylor:

Influenza (in-floo-IN-za), or flu, is caused by a group of viruses which can easily be passed from one person to another.

Flu viruses enter your body through your nose or mouth, spread by direct contact with a person infected with the flu. This can happen through droplet transmission when someone talks, sneezes, or coughs, spraying viruses into the air on little droplets of saliva or mucus. You then become infected by breathing these droplets in through your nose or mouth. Viruses can also be spread by touching something that an infected person has recently touched, and then putting your hand to your nose or mouth.

Regular handwashing is one of the best Ways to protect yourself from flu viruses, Along with avoiding contact with sick people.

Unlike bacteria, there are no medicines That kill viruses. There are some antiviral medicines that help to make flu infections less severe. There are also flu vaccines available that should be given to high-risk children, such as those with chronic conditions like asthma. Flu vaccines can also be given to any healthy child six months of age or older. The vaccine helps to prevent flu infections and prevents spreading flu to others. There is a new nasal-spray flu vaccine that will probably be available for the 2001-2002 flu season. This would be a nice change from getting another shot!

Dear Dr. Cory:

Where do most common germs come from?

Rachael Clopton
Emporia, Kansas

Dear Rachael:

Germs are most often found in the form of bacteria and viruses. They are tiny living organisms that are found all around you in the air, water, ground, and even on the foods that you eat. They are on your skin, between your teeth, and under your fingernails. Some types of bacteria that live in your body are even helpful to you.

Viruses and bacteria can be picked up from things that you touch. Cold viruses can live for several hours on dry surfaces, such as the telephone. So even if the sick person isn't around you, he may have left a surprise virus for you on the doorknob. If someone doesn't cover his sneeze or cover his mouth when he coughs, he may be sending a flu virus right to your nose.

So keep washing your hands, not only before eating and after using the bathroom, but also before rubbing your nose or eyes, or putting anything into your mouth. Thoroughly rinse all fruits and vegetables under cold running water, and be sure that all meats and poultry are completely cooked.

Your friend,

Cory SerVaas, M.D.