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If you are feeling under the weather, here is some expert advice to help you figure out whether you have Covid or a seasonal cold. London (PA Media/dpa) – Coughs and sneezes seem to be inescapable at the moment – whether you’re at work, commuting or relaxing at home, it’s hard to avoid them. With headlines buzzing about new Covid variants and social media filled with speculation, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell whether that scratchy throat or runny nose is a sign of Covid or just a typical seasonal cold. To help clear up the confusion, we spoke to the experts. Here’s what they had to say… What causes a cold and what causes Covid? “Colds are caused by a bunch of different viruses, but the most common culprit is the rhinovirus, a tiny troublemaker that loves to set up camp in your nose and throat,” explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical in the UK. “Covid, on the other hand, is caused by a single virus, SARS-CoV-2, which is a type of coronavirus. “Both attack your respiratory system, but Covid tends to go deeper, sometimes affecting the lungs and even other organs.” What is the new strain of Covid and how is it different? Stratus (XFG) and Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) are some of the newest strains of Covid that have been dominating headlines recently. “Stratus is linked to hoarseness and fatigue, whereas Nimbus is associated with a ‘razor-blade’ sore throat and digestive symptoms like nausea and bloating,” explains Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, lecturer in microbiology at Britain's Teesside University. “Both are highly transmissible but not more severe than previous variants.” How do Covid and colds tend to spread? “Both spread mainly through droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or even talks near you,” says Tang. “Covid, however, can also spread more easily through the air in tiny particles that linger, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. “So, while a cold might need a bit of close contact to catch, Covid can sometimes sneak across the room if you’re unlucky.” Are the symptoms of a cold and Covid different or do some overlap? Colds and Covid can be tricky to distinguish as many of their symptoms overlap. “Both can give you a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing,” says Tang. “However, Covid can also cause fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and that telltale loss of taste or smell – although that’s less common with newer variants. “Covid is also more likely to make you feel wiped out, like you’ve been hit by a truck, whereas a cold tends to stay in your head and chest.” Do the symptoms of a cold and Covid tend to last for a similar amount of time? “Cold symptoms normally last approximately for a week to 10 days,” says Lopes. “Whereas Covid symptoms typically last for up to two weeks, but some may experience them for longer, even persisting for months. “Covid can also cause serious complications, such as pneumonia or long Covid, which affect multiple body systems, not just the respiratory tract.” Are the treatments for colds and Covid different? “Colds can be managed with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and decongestants.” says Lopes. “Mild cases of Covid are treated similarly, but high-risk individuals may be prescribed antivirals.” Should I still test for Covid? “Yes, especially if you’re feeling unwell and work around vulnerable people like in healthcare or care homes, or if you want to avoid spreading it to family members who might be at risk,” says Tang. “You can still buy rapid lateral flow tests from pharmacies or order them online. Some workplaces and community settings also provide them for free. Testing helps you make informed choices, like staying at home if you’re positive.” When should you go to a GP about a cold or Covid? “You should see a GP if you have a high fever that won’t go away, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or if your symptoms drag on beyond 10–14 days without improvement,” advises Tang. “For Covid specifically, seek help quickly if you feel short of breath or your oxygen levels drop. Always trust your gut, if you’re worried, get checked out.” How can you prevent yourself from getting a cold or Covid at this time of year? “Wash your hands often, keep rooms well ventilated, and try not to touch your face too much,” advises Tang. “Avoid close contact with people who are clearly under the weather, and if you’re feeling sick, be kind, stay home and rest. “For Covid, staying up to date with vaccines gives great protection – and don’t underestimate the power of good sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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By Hyunjoo Jin and Brenda Goh SEOUL/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Micron plans to stop supplying server chips to data centres in China after the business failed to recover from a 2023 government ban on its products in critical Chinese infrastructure, two people briefed on the decision said. Micron was the first U.S. chipmaker to be targeted by Beijing – a move that was seen as retaliatory for a series of curbs by Washington aimed at impeding tech progress by China's semiconductor industry. Shares of the chipmaker fell 1.4% in premarket trading. Since then, both Nvidia and Intel chips have similarly fielded accusations from Chinese authorities and an industry group of posing security risks, though there has not been any regulatory action. LENOVO TO REMAIN A CUSTOMER Micron will continue to sell to two Chinese customers that have significant data centre operations outside China, one of which is laptop maker Lenovo, the people said. The U.S. company, which made $3.4 billion or 12% of its total revenue from mainland China in its last business year, will also continue to sell chips to auto and mobile phone sector customers in the world's second-largest economy, one person said. Asked about the exit from its China data centre business, Micron said in a statement to Reuters that the division had been impacted by the ban, and it abides by applicable regulations where it does business. Lenovo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S.-Sino trade tensions and tech rivalry have only escalated since 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump began imposing tariffs on Chinese goods during his first term. That same year, Washington ramped up accusations against Chinese tech giant Huawei, accusing it of representing a national security risk, imposing sanctions a year later. Huawei has denied those charges. Nvidia and Intel have also denied charges that their products pose risks to Chinese national security. Micron also said in 2023, before the conclusion of China's probe, that it stood by the security of its products. Currently, the U.S. has sanctioned hundreds of Chinese entities. China, which is more reliant on imported tech, has taken far fewer regulatory actions. LOSING OUT ON CHINA'S AI BOOM The ban on Micron products in critical infrastructure by China – the world's second-largest market for server memory – has meant the company has missed out on the country's data centre expansion boom. That's benefited rivals Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as well as Chinese companies YMTC and CXMT, which have been aggressively expanding with the support of the Chinese government. Investment by data centres used in computing in China surged ninefold to 24.7 billion yuan ($3.4 billion) last year, according to a Reuters review of government procurement documents. That said, Micron's challenges in China have been offset by huge demand for data centres and related tools elsewhere, thanks to the global adoption of artificial intelligence. That's helped the company report record quarterly revenue. According to a third source, Micron's data centre team in China employs over 300 people. Reuters was not able to immediately establish how many jobs may be affected. Micron has been downsizing in other areas in China. In August, it laid off a few hundred people in its universal flash storage programme after deciding to cease development of future mobile NAND products globally, according to the South China Morning Post. Areas where it has continued to expand in China include its chip packaging facility in the city of Xian. "We have a strong operating and customer presence in China, and China remains an important market for Micron and the semiconductor industry in general," Micron said in its statement to Reuters. ($1 = 7.1224 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul, Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Liam Mo in Beijing; Additional reporting by Kritika Lamba; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Edwina Gibbs)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Don’t underplay your symptoms as pneumonia requires prompt treatment. London (PA Media/dpa) – Coughs and colds are rife this time of year, but how can you tell when they might be a sign of something more serious, like pneumonia? Recognising the difference between an ordinary cough and a potentially dangerous lung infection can play a crucial role in ensuring timely treatment and a smooth recovery. To help clarify the signs, we spoke to Dr Claire Agathou, co-founder of the A-Z General Practice at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, who explained exactly what pneumonia is, what its key symptoms are, and when to seek medical advice. What is pneumonia? “Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which causes inflammation in the tiny air sacs in the lungs, which are called alveoli, which then fill with fluid or pus,” explains Agathou. “This makes it much harder for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream which leads to coughing, breathlessness and fever. “It can affect just one lung or sometimes both and ranges from mild to life threatening.” According to British charity Asthma + Lung UK, there were 518,525 hospital admissions for pneumonia alone in England last year and almost a fifth of these patients were readmitted again after 30 days. What causes it? “Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae, but viruses and less commonly fungi can also trigger it. We often call this an atypical pneumonia,” says Agathou. “Pneumonia can develop after a viral illness like a flu when the immune system is really run down or when bacteria is inhaled into the lungs.” How can I tell if my cough is likely to be from pneumonia vs from a viral infection or allergies? Are there any key differences to look out for? “Typically a more viral or an allergic cough tends to be on the drier side. Sometimes, if it’s viral, it’s also linked to a sore throat or feeling a bit congested and usually improves itself after a week or two,” says Agathou. However, she highlights that pneumonia coughs are typically “productive”, i.e, bring up mucus or phlegm. “If you’re bringing up green, yellow or rusty-coloured phlegm and start to feel very feverish, are experiencing any breathlessness, those would be the sort of things that would start to make you think it might be pneumonia,” says Agathou. “You will generally feel more unwell and weak with a pneumonia than you would with a simple cold or hay fever-like symptoms, if it was allergy related.” Any there any other key symptoms to look out for? “Another big thing to look out for is chest pain, or pain when breathing in,” highlights Agathou. “Another common symptom that we see, particularly in older adults, is confusion. In addition, when you’ve got a pneumonia you may pass much less urine and tend to be dehydrated, so these are some other things to look out for.” Who is more at risk? “It is possible for anyone to develop pneumonia and many healthy adults recover well with antibiotics,” says Agathou. “However, the rates are much higher in vulnerable communities – so in the elderly or people with reduced immune function or respiratory conditions. “It’s really important that babies, the elderly or those with chronic conditions, weaker immune systems or respiratory conditions displaying symptoms are seen to very promptly.” When should you go to a GP about your symptoms? “If you’ve got a cough that’s just lingering and persisting after five to seven days, you should be seen by a doctor,” advises Agathou. “But, irrespective of time frame, if you have a really severe cough, feel really unwell and start to feel that your breathing is off the norm, then I would get checked out very quickly by a GP. “If there is a pneumonia there, we want to treat it as soon as possible when it’s mild, to prevent you from getting much worse.” How is pneumonia diagnosed? “When you go to a GP, we check your oxygen levels, your breathing rate, your temperature, your pulse and all of these things that can indicate to us how severe the infection is,” explains Agathou. “We also listen to your chest to see if we can hear anything unusual and if we are very concerned we can organise an X-ray.” How is pneumonia treated and managed? “If it’s a typical pneumonia, antibiotics and fluids are the primary sources management,” says Agathou. “Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed, provided that the person is able, is not vomiting, and is in a suitable condition to be managed at home. However, the most severe cases need hospital care, oxygen support and fluid.” Why are people more susceptible to pneumonia in the colder months? “In the colder months, our immune systems are working harder because of the stress from a cold response, and also because infections tend to spread more,” says Agathou. “We also know that flu is more common in the winter months, and when people have flu or viruses it means their immune systems can be weaker and that’s why you’re more susceptible to getting pneumonia.” Are there any ways to prevent yourself from getting pneumonia? “It is all about making sure that your immune system is kept as strong as possible,” says Agathou. “For example, doing things that can help us fight infection better, like making sure you’re dressed warmly and taking multivitamins. “In addition, if you are eligible for the flu and/or Covid vaccine you should consider having these.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Hyunjoo Jin and Brenda Goh SEOUL/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Micron plans to stop supplying server chips to data centres in China after the business failed to recover from a 2023 government ban on its products in critical Chinese infrastructure, two people briefed on the decision said. Micron was the first U.S. chipmaker to be targeted by Beijing – a move that was seen as retaliatory for a series of curbs by Washington aimed at impeding tech progress by China's semiconductor industry. Shares of the chipmaker fell 1.4% in premarket trading. Since then, both Nvidia and Intel chips have similarly fielded accusations from Chinese authorities and an industry group of posing security risks, though there has not been any regulatory action. LENOVO TO REMAIN A CUSTOMER Micron will continue to sell to two Chinese customers that have significant data centre operations outside China, one of which is laptop maker Lenovo, the people said. The U.S. company, which made $3.4 billion or 12% of its total revenue from mainland China in its last business year, will also continue to sell chips to auto and mobile phone sector customers in the world's second-largest economy, one person said. Asked about the exit from its China data centre business, Micron said in a statement to Reuters that the division had been impacted by the ban, and it abides by applicable regulations where it does business. Lenovo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S.-Sino trade tensions and tech rivalry have only escalated since 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump began imposing tariffs on Chinese goods during his first term. That same year, Washington ramped up accusations against Chinese tech giant Huawei, accusing it of representing a national security risk, imposing sanctions a year later. Huawei has denied those charges. Nvidia and Intel have also denied charges that their products pose risks to Chinese national security. Micron also said in 2023, before the conclusion of China's probe, that it stood by the security of its products. Currently, the U.S. has sanctioned hundreds of Chinese entities. China, which is more reliant on imported tech, has taken far fewer regulatory actions. LOSING OUT ON CHINA'S AI BOOM The ban on Micron products in critical infrastructure by China – the world's second-largest market for server memory – has meant the company has missed out on the country's data centre expansion boom. That's benefited rivals Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as well as Chinese companies YMTC and CXMT, which have been aggressively expanding with the support of the Chinese government. Investment by data centres used in computing in China surged ninefold to 24.7 billion yuan ($3.4 billion) last year, according to a Reuters review of government procurement documents. That said, Micron's challenges in China have been offset by huge demand for data centres and related tools elsewhere, thanks to the global adoption of artificial intelligence. That's helped the company report record quarterly revenue. According to a third source, Micron's data centre team in China employs over 300 people. Reuters was not able to immediately establish how many jobs may be affected. Micron has been downsizing in other areas in China. In August, it laid off a few hundred people in its universal flash storage programme after deciding to cease development of future mobile NAND products globally, according to the South China Morning Post. Areas where it has continued to expand in China include its chip packaging facility in the city of Xian. "We have a strong operating and customer presence in China, and China remains an important market for Micron and the semiconductor industry in general," Micron said in its statement to Reuters. ($1 = 7.1224 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul, Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Liam Mo in Beijing; Additional reporting by Kritika Lamba; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Edwina Gibbs)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

(Reuters) -Meta said on Friday it will let parents disable their teens' private chats with AI characters, adding another measure to make its social media platforms safe for minors after fierce criticism over the behavior of its flirty chatbots. Earlier this week, the company said its AI experiences for teens will be guided by the PG-13 movie rating system, as it looks to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. U.S. regulators have stepped up scrutiny of AI companies over the potential negative impacts of chatbots. In August, Reuters reported how Meta's AI rules allowed provocative conversations with minors. The new tools, detailed by Instagram head Adam Mosseri and Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, will debut on Instagram early next year, in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, according to a blog post. Meta said parents will also be able to block specific AI characters and see broad topics their teens discuss with chatbots and Meta's AI assistant, without turning off AI access entirely. Its AI assistant will remain available with age-appropriate defaults even if parents disable teens' one‑on‑one chats with AI characters, Meta said. The supervision features are built on protections already applied to teen accounts, the company said, adding that it uses AI signals to place suspected teens into protection even if they say they are adults. A report in September showed that many safety features Meta has implemented on Instagram over the years do not work well or exist. Meta said its AI characters are designed not to engage in age-inappropriate discussions about self-harm, suicide or disordered eating with teens. Last month, OpenAI rolled out parental controls for ChatGPT on the web and mobile, following a lawsuit by the parents of a teen who died by suicide after the startup's chatbot allegedly coached him on methods of self-harm. (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)