Boiling Springs Pharmacy

10/13/2026

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. Three out of four children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. Adults can also get ear infections, but they are less common.

The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing, because sound cannot get through all that fluid.

If your child isn't old enough to say "My ear hurts," here are a few things to look for:

Tugging at ears
Crying more than usual
Fluid draining from the ear
Trouble sleeping
Balance difficulties
Hearing problems

Ear infections are common in children. The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. Learn what to look out for.

10/12/2026

What is dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness and vertigo are not the same thing, but they are often mixed up.

Dizziness can make you feel lightheaded, woozy or unsteady on your feet.
Vertigo is the feeling that you or the room is spinning even when nothing is moving.
These feelings may get worse when you walk, stand up, or move your head, and they can make you lose your balance. You may also have nausea, vomiting, sweating, trouble walking, or ringing in your ears.

What causes dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness and vertigo can happen to anyone, but they are more common as you get older. As people age, they may have more health conditions and take more medicines, which increases the chance of dizziness.

Get the facts on symptoms, causes, and treatments for dizziness. Know how dizziness differs from vertigo, which is feeling that the room is spinning.

10/09/2026

What are infectious diseases?
Germs, or microbes, are found everywhere - in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many of them are harmless, and some can even be helpful. But some of them can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.

What are the different types of germs that cause infectious diseases?
There are four main types of germs:

Bacteria are one-celled germs that multiply quickly. They may give off toxins, which are harmful chemicals that can make you sick. Strep throat and urinary tract infections are common bacterial infections.
Viruses are tiny capsules that contain genetic material. They invade your cells so that they can multiply. This can kill, damage, or change the cells and make you sick. Viral infections include HIV and the common cold.
Fungi are primitive plant-like organisms such as mushrooms, mold, mildew, and yeasts. Athlete's foot and yeast infections are common fungal infections.
Parasites are animals or plants that survive by living on or in other living things. Malaria and head lice are infections that are caused by parasites.

Infectious diseases are caused by four main kinds of germs. Vaccines, proper hand washing and medicines can help prevent infections. Discover more.

10/08/2026

Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold, flu, or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Causes of chronic cough include:

Chronic bronchitis
Asthma
Allergies
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Smoking
Throat disorders, such as croup in young children
Some medicines
Water can help ease your cough - whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporizer. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under four should not have cough medicine. For children over four, use caution and read labels carefully.

09/29/2026

What is the common cold?
The common cold is a mild infection of your upper respiratory tract (which includes your nose and throat). Colds are probably the most common illness. Adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, and children have even more. Colds are more common in the winter and spring, but you can get them at any time.

What causes the common cold?
More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common type. The viruses that cause colds are very contagious. They can spread from person to person through the air and close personal contact. You can also get infected when you touch something that has the virus on it and then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose. For example, you could get a cold after you shake hands with someone who has a cold or touch a doorknob that has the germs on it, and then touch your face.

What are the symptoms of the common cold?
The symptoms of a common cold usually include:

Sneezing
Stuffy nose (congestion)
Runny nose
Sore throat
Coughing
Headache
The symptoms usually start a few days after you become infected with the virus. Some symptoms can last for 10-14 days.

Common cold symptoms usually begin 2 or 3 days after infection and last 2 to 14 days. There is no cure for the common cold. Learn tips for relief.

09/28/2026

What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs. It causes the air sacs of your lungs to fill up with fluid or pus. Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, depending on what caused it, your age, and your overall health.

What causes pneumonia?
Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause pneumonia.

Bacteria are the most common cause. Bacterial pneumonia can occur on its own. It can also develop after you've had certain viral infections such as a cold or the flu. Several different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia, including:

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Legionella pneumophila; this type of pneumonia is often called Legionnaires' disease
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Viruses that infect the respiratory tract may cause pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is often mild and goes away on its own within a few weeks. But sometimes it is serious enough that you need to get treatment in a hospital. If you have viral pneumonia, you are at risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia. The different viruses that can cause pneumonia include:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Some common cold and flu viruses
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. Symptoms of pneumonia vary to mild to severe. Read about the signs of pneumonia.

09/25/2026

What are germs?
Germs are microorganisms. This means that they can be seen only through a microscope. They can be found everywhere - in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many germs live in and on our bodies without causing harm. Some even help us to stay healthy. But some germs can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.

The main types of germs are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

How do germs spread?
There are different ways that germs can spread, including:

Through touching a person who has the germs or making other close contact with them, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils
Through breathing air after a person with the germs coughs or sneezes
Through touching the f***s (p**p) of someone who has the germs, such as changing diapers, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Through touching objects and surfaces that have germs on them, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
From mother to baby during pregnancy and/or childbirth
From insect or animal bites
From contaminated food, water, soil, or plants

Stopping the spread of germs is as easy as thoroughly washing your hands or covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Raise your hygiene IQ here.

09/24/2026

Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold, flu, or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Causes of chronic cough include:

Chronic bronchitis
Asthma
Allergies
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Smoking
Throat disorders, such as croup in young children
Some medicines
Water can help ease your cough - whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporizer. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under four should not have cough medicine. For children over four, use caution and read labels carefully.

Coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. There are two types of coughs: acute and chronic. Learn the causes of chronic cough.

09/22/2026

What is the flu?
The flu, also called influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Each year, millions of Americans get sick with the flu. Sometimes it causes mild illness. But it can also be serious or even deadly, especially for people over 65, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses.

What causes the flu?
The flu is caused by flu viruses that spread from person to person. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, they spray tiny droplets. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person may get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

The flu can cause serious illness in people over 65, babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a vaccine.

09/08/2026

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. It can help you to cope. The anxiety may give you a boost of energy or help you focus. But for people with anxiety disorders, the fear is not temporary and can be overwhelming.

What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are conditions in which you have anxiety that does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

It's normal to be anxious at times. It may be time to get help if anxiety attack is severe or when anxiety doesn't stop. Learn about anxiety disorders.