Google has long been a go-to tool for many people health related issues – and 2024 was no different.
Americans across the country have turned to the search engine for answers to their medical concerns throughout the year.
Soliant Health, a health care Georgia-based job search site, analyzed 2024 Google search data to identify popular questions from each state, as well as some of the most commonly searched medical queries on Google.
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Below you’ll find seven of the most searched questions, along with answers from Karen Stockdale, a registered nurse based in Australia.
Many people are turning to Google to find out how contagious certain diseases are, analysis shows. (iStock)
1. Is bronchitis contagious?
Bronchitis is not contagious, but Stockdale revealed to Soliant that the virus that causes it might be.
Diseases like cold, 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 viral or bacterial, 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 do not spread as easily.”
Viral pneumonia can result from other viruses, such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other contagious diseases.
Bacterial and viral pneumonia can be contagious, a registered nurse said. (iStock)
“These respiratory conditions are easily transmitted to others via respiratory droplets in the air, meaning the underlying viral infections are contagious,” the nurse added.
3. What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a person’s immune system to malfunction and attacks healthy tissue, according to Stockdale.
“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 explained.
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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 each day?
Americans were curious about how much water they should drink.
Although hydration is essential good healththe specific amount varies per person based on gender, weight and other factors, Stockdale said.
The recommended amount of drinking water per day varies between people, the expert explained. (iStock)
“For example, the dietary needs of a petite woman differ significantly from those of a male bodybuilder,” she said. “The best way to determine your optimal water intake is to (take into account) your body weight and activity levels.”
Stockdale referenced Penn Medicine’s recommendation to drink 0.5 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight, depending on the amount of physical activity.
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“If you’re not doing strenuous activity, 0.5 ounces per pound should be enough,” she said.
“If you work outside, play a sport, or are very active, 1 ounce of water per body weight will be needed to replenish your body.”
5. Is strep throat contagious?
THE group of bacteria that causes strep throat, called group A strep, is “highly contagious,” Stockdale warned.
Strep throat bacteria are spread through droplets from sneezing and coughing, according to the nurse. (iStock)
These bacteria can be spread through droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs, as well as through sharing drinks or food.
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“A person with untreated strep throat can be contagious for up to three weeks and infect others,” warns the registered nurse.
6. How long does the flu last?
The flu can be extremely uncomfortable and cases may last longer than expected.
The average case of flu lasts five to seven days, according to Stockdale. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, congestion, diarrhea, cough and sore throat.
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“Those with weakened immune systems may experience a longer period of symptoms,” 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 hypertension, usually develops “slowly over time,” Stockdale said.
This disease can be caused by various medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices and genetics.
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“People with obesity, diabetes and low levels of physical activity are more likely to develop high blood pressure,” Stockdale said.
“Some women may also have high blood pressure during pregnancy“.