Doctor Column

Viruses 101 and the Body’s Battle Against These Relentless Invaders February 5, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD In the film, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” several people in the fictitious small town of Mira, California visit psychiatrist, Dr. Miles Bennell. They have similar complaints: the personality of their loved ones have been hijacked by some outside force changing them eventually into emotionless, robotic humans. INFLUENZA — ‘MORE THAN A COLD’ February 21, 2016 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Most people would agree that the flu is more troublesome than a cold. Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral infection that targets your nose, throat, larynx and lungs. Flu virus droplets spread through the air when people sneeze, talk or cough. You can also contract the virus by touching a surface with the virus and then touching your nose or mouth.