How Long Can HIV Live Outside of the Body?

Still, the risk of infection is at best unlikely. But even if that were to occur, the odds of infection remain low to nil. Perceived risk is an individual’s subjective evaluation of the risk of an illness. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health The perception can persist even though an event is unlikely. By contrast, documented risk is an evaluation of risk based on available data. After more than 35 years of HIV research, the likely and unlikely routes of infection are well-established....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 272 words · Manuel Hernandez

How Long Can Scabies Live in a Mattress?

Scabies mites can live in a mattress for two to three days. Olga Shumytskaya / Getty Images What Is Scabies? Scabiesis the itchy rash brought on by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Olga Shumytskaya / Getty Images These tiny insects tunnel under the skin where they lay eggs. Scabies most often occurs in crowded, tropical regions and infestation has nothing to do with hygiene or cleanliness. Treatment options include medicated creams or oral medication....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 409 words · William Gonzalez

How Long Can You Live with Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure(CHF) triggers when the heart cant pump enough blood out to the body. Despite advances in treatment, the outlook for people with CHF is generally poor. A number of heart-related health conditions can contribute to CHF. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions. They includecoronary artery disease,high blood pressure,cardiac arrhythmia, or a previousheart attack. This article explains the factors that may affect outcomes for people who are living with CHF....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 942 words · Patricia Montgomery

How Long Can You Wait to Take Plan B and It Still Be Effective?

Plan B decreases the chance of unintended pregnancy. It is available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies, family planning clinics, or health department clinics. Wladimir Bulgar / Getty Images How Long Is Plan B Effective? Wladimir Bulgar / Getty Images Plan B One-Step is a hormonal drug taken by mouth that contains 1.5 milligrams of levonorgestrel. This is the same timeframe during whichspermare still viable. Sperm can survive in thefemale reproductive tractand be capable of fertilizing an egg for four to five days....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 471 words · Joanna Clark

How Long Do Antibiotics Stay in Your System?

This article will discuss how long different antibiotics will stay in your body after taking them. Getty Images / Israel Sebastian How Long Do Antibiotics Stay in Your System? Most antibiotics start working right after you take the first dose. Getty Images / Israel Sebastian Each antibiotic may stay in your body for a different amount of time, as many different classes exist. Amoxicillin, for example, is excreted through the kidneys and urine....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 481 words · Samantha Lawson

How Long Do Antidepressants Take to Work?

Antidepressants are medications that treat symptoms of depression. Most are believed to work by making certain chemicals calledneurotransmittersmore available in your brain. These chemicals help regulate mood and emotions. andreswd / Getty Images Some people may start to notice improvements sooner, after about one to two weeks. How Long Do They Take to Work? Most antidepressants take around four to eight weeks to work, but everyones response to these medications is different....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 389 words · Lawrence Klein

How Long Do Cold and Flu Germs Live on Surfaces?

The common cold and diseases like influenza are triggered by germs called viruses. These germs are infectious and can stay on surfaces and make you sick if they key in your body. How long they can “live” (remain infectious) on a surface varies. Jon Hicks / Getty Images These include rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses. Influenza viruses (A and B), cause the seasonal flu. Viruses are not technically considered “living” because they are not made of cells....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 565 words · Roberta Hebert

How Long Do COVID-19 Headaches Last?

They may also be associated with or accompanied by long COVID symptoms. COVID headaches may last hours and come back frequently for weeks or months. COVID headaches appear to affect certain populations more than others. Ekaterina Vasileva-Bagler / Getty Images COVID headaches have been described as similar totension headachesandmigraines. Findings on COVID headache duration vary across studies. COVID headaches can persist for weeks or months after recovery from COVID-19. What Makes COVID Headaches Last Longer?...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 198 words · Jessica Tucker

How Long Do Depressive Episodes Last?

The average depressive episode lasts around five to seven months.Depression and its contributing factors are different for each person. You may experience depression after quitting nicotine or drinking, after a breakup, or alongside a new diagnosis. Depression symptoms include the following: From there, depression could last weeks, months, or even years. Fiordaliso / Getty Images Is Depression Lifelong? For many people, depression is a lifelong mental health condition that comes and goes in episodes....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 260 words · Kristina Flores

How Long Do Doxycycline Side Effects Last?

Doxycycline, like many antibiotics, can cause certain side effects. These side effects sometimes include upset stomach, skin rashes, or light sensitivity, among others. Getty Images / andreswd What Is Doxycycline? Getty Images / andreswd Certain infections may require more treatment days as opposed to others. How much you take will depend on your age and your reason for taking it. Doxycycline only works for bacterial infections. It cannot treat viral infections....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 332 words · Timothy Barrett

How Long Do Plan B Side Effects Last?

This article will discuss how long these side effects may last and what can be done to alleviate them. PixelsEffect / Getty Images What Is Plan B and How Does It Work? Plan B is an emergency contraceptiveavailable over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription or ID. PixelsEffect / Getty Images It can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure. The medication comes in an aluminum foil blister package containing one 1....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 302 words · Marc Malone

How Long Do Tetanus Vaccinations Last For?

A tetanus shot lasts for 10 years. If youre unsure when you had your last tetanus shot, consult a healthcare provider for guidance. Tetanus infection is rare, especially if you are up to date on your vaccinations. Less than 50 tetanus cases are reported each year in the United States. Because of this, the CDC advises getting a booster shot every 10 years. Some researchers suggest that adults who had all their childhood vaccines might not need more tetanus shots....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 508 words · Bernard Santos

How Long Do the Effects of Cyclobenzaprine Last?

Cyclobenzaprineis a generic prescription medication classified as askeletal muscle relaxantormuscle relaxant. This in-depth article will cover the effects of cyclobenzaprine and provide other important information about this medicine. grandriver / Getty Images What Is Cyclobenzaprine and How Does It Work? grandriver / Getty Images It is used along with other measures like rest and physical therapy. Cyclobenzaprine is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It works in the brain (not directly on muscles) to help relieve muscle spasms....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 631 words · Allison Pham