Google has long been a tool of choice for many health-related questions – and 2024 was no different.
Throughout the year, Americans across the country turned to the search engine to find answers to their medical concerns.
Soliant Health, a Healthcare The Georgia-based job search site analyzed Google search data from 2024 to identify popular questions from each state, as well as some of the most Googled medical searches.
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Below are seven of the most frequently searched questions and answers from Australia-based nurse Karen Stockdale.
According to the analysis, many people turn to Google to ask how contagious certain diseases are. (iStock)
1. Is bronchitis contagious?
Bronchitis is not contagious, but Stockdale revealed to Soliant that the virus that causes it could be contagious.
diseases like Colds, flu and RSV can all lead to bronchitis, which can be contagious for a few days to a week, she said.
2. Is pneumonia contagious?
Although there are many types of pneumonia, the most common are either viral or bacterial causes, according to Stockdale.
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“Bacterial pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria already living in the upper respiratory tract and develops after a cold or flu,” she said. “These types of pneumonia can be contagious but don’t spread as easily.”
Viral pneumonia can be caused by other viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other infectious diseases.
Both bacterial and viral pneumonia can be contagious, a registered nurse said. (iStock)
“This Respiratory diseases can easily be transmitted to others via airborne respiratory droplets, meaning the underlying viral infections are contagious,” the nurse added.
3. What is Lupus?
According to Stockdale, lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a person’s immune system to malfunction and attack healthy tissue.
“It is a long-term condition that causes inflammation and pain in many parts of the body, such as the skin, joints and internal organs,” she said.
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Because lupus can affect different parts of the body, symptoms can vary. The disease is most common in women ages 15 to 44, Stockdale noted.
4. How much water should I drink daily?
Americans were curious about how much water they should drink.
While hydration is key sound Healththe specific amount varies depending on gender, weight and other factors per person, Stockdale said.
The recommended amount of drinking water per day varies from person to person, the expert said. (iStock)
“For example, the intake needs of a petite woman would differ significantly from that of a male bodybuilder,” she said. “The best way to determine your optimal water intake is to consider body weight and activity level.”
Stockdale pointed to Penn Medicine’s recommendation of drinking 0.5 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, depending on the amount physical activity.
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“If you don’t engage in strenuous activity, 0.5 ounce per pound should be enough,” she said.
“If you work outside, exercise, or are otherwise very active, 1 ounce of water per body weight is needed to regenerate your body.”
5. Is strep throat contagious?
The Group of bacteria Stockdale warned that group A strep, which causes strep throat, is “very contagious.”
According to the nurse, strep throat bacteria are transmitted through droplets from sneezing and coughing. (iStock)
These bacteria can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs, but also through sharing drinks or food.
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“A person with untreated strep throat can be contagious and infect others for up to three weeks,” warned the registered nurse.
6. How long does the flu last?
The flu can be extremely unpleasant and cases can last longer than expected.
The average Influenza case takes five to seven days, according to Stockdale. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, cough and sore throat.
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“In people with weakened immune systems, symptoms may occur for a long period of time,” the nurse said.
The flu can last five to seven days. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, cough and sore throat. (iStock)
7. What causes high blood pressure?
High blood pressurealso known as high blood pressure, usually develops “slowly over time,” Stockdale explained.
The condition can be caused by various medical conditions, an unhealthy lifestyle and genetic causes.
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“People with obesity, diabetes and low physical activity are more likely to develop high blood pressure,” Stockdale said.
“Some women may also suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy.”
