Treating Colds and Flu

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Treating Colds and Flu

 

Colds and the flu or influenza are similar in many ways, yet the flu

can sometimes lead to more serious problems, such as pneumonia. Colds

and flu are the most common and communicable and spread easily

between people. They are more likely to strike when a person's immune

system is low. The common cold is an acute (short-term) viral

infection of the upper respiratory tract.

 

Symptoms of a cold include runny or congested nose, sneezing,

fatigue, headache, body aches, cough and general feeling of malaise.

A sore throat is sometimes a (differential) symptom of a more serious

condition distinct from the common cold (such as strep throat) that

may require medical diagnosis and treatment. A cough can be further

differentiated by the sound of the cough and the ability to expel or

not to expel the phlegm. The color of the phlegm is also looked at.

(See Traditional ).

 

The flu typically affects 20%-50% of the U.S. population each winter.

It's a highly contagious disease, spreading mostly by direct person-

to-person contact and coughing is the most effective method of

transmission. The flu virus can linger in the air for as long as

three hours. In close quarters, conditions are ripe for the spread of

the virus.

 

Symptoms of a flu are very similar to that of a cold, but the signs

of a flu can be much more severe, especially at the oneset. A fever,

characteristicly high (102-104 F); that lasts 3-4 days, a severe

cough that gets worse, with chest discomfort or pain can be signs of

pneumonia. Severe body aches and fever/chills are side effects of the

body doing its job of trying to fight off an infection.

 

Colds can be spread through the air, such as when a person sneezes,

or by contact with contaminated objects.

 

Those most at risk are children in 5 to 14 year range, who spend much

of their time in school, in close contact with their classmates. More

serious complications occur in elderly adults and those with

compromised immune systems.

 

The remedies for a cold or flu are sleeping, resting, plenty of clear

fluids, and avoiding sugar, which will assist your immune system to

recuperate. There is no proven cure for colds or flu, but time.

 

 

Tips For Avoiding A Cold

 

1. Wash your hands often. This is the number one preventative measure

you can take. You can pick up cold germs easily, even when shaking

someone's hand or touching doorknobs or handrails. You should lather

up your hands well for at least 20 seconds, then rinse-off the soap

thoroughly for another 20 seconds. Be sure to include the areas under

you nails when you wash your hands, as they are a lurking ground for

germs. Drying your hands, studies have shown, is also an important

step in removing germs.

 

2. Keep your immune system strong. Get good quality sleep, eat

nutritious food and stay strong with moderate exercise.

 

3. Limit airborn risks by keeping your nose clear and hydrated.

Usually, we infect ourselves by placing our own virus contaminated

hands to our faces. Less frequently, we can catch them from airborne

sources.

 

4. Sneeze or cough into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.

 

5. Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant.

 

6. Don't touch your nose, eyes, or mouth. Germs can enter your body

easily by these paths.

 

7. Any season is cold and flu season but the most prevelant time

tends to be in the fall and winter, when people are together in close

surroundings.

 

8. Avoid large crowds in enclosed areas as much as possible,

especially during cold and flu season.

 

9. Keep your feet and neck warm. Cold feet and a chilled neck cannot

cause a viral infection. When the feet or neck are cold, cold

contracts, that includes the mucous membranes in the nose. When

mucous membranes contract, they dry out and cause the glands to stop

functioning. This easily allows dust and bacteria in, as the nose

stops it's filtering function, making your entire system more

vulnerable.

 

10. Sometimes even when we do our best to avoid these situations,

they occur regardless. Just being aware is half the battle.

 

 

Antibiotics and Over the Counter Drugs

 

Antibiotics do not kill viruses and they should not be used for colds

or flu. They can treat bacterial complications such as sinus or ear

infections. The overuse of antibiotics has become a very serious

problem, which leads to a resistance in disease-causing bacteria that

may decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics when you really need

them.

 

Children and teenagers with symptoms of flu or chickenpox should not

take aspirin or products containing aspirin or other salicylates. Use

of these products in young flu and chickenpox sufferers has been

associated with Reye syndrome, a rare condition that can be fatal.

Because cold symptoms can be similar to those of the flu, it's best

not to give aspirin to people under 20 with these types of symptoms.

 

 

Managing Your Cold

 

1. Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.

 

2. Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold

symptoms worse.

 

3. Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices and clear soups.

Fluids help loosen mucus. Fluids are also important if you have a

fever because fever can dry up your body's fluids, which can lead to

dehydration.

 

4. Don't drink alcohol.

 

5. Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore

throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.

 

6. Use saline (salt water) nose drops to help loosen mucus and

moisten the tender skin in your nose.

 

7. Consider supplements such as Vitamin C, 2,000 to 4,000 mg in

divided doses (based on bowel tolerence). Vitamin E compliments C,

400 IU. Echinecea, Goldenseal, Garlic and Licorice root all help in

fighting viruses and strengthening immunity.

 

8. Chicken soup has been shown to have healing properties. Enjoy this

great old remedy.

 

9. Keep washing your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze

and cough in order not to spread the virus to others in your

household.

 

10. Pay attention to good hygiene and skin care. Eat a proper diet.

 

 

For many more ways to decrease the duration of a cold with herbs,

nutrition, homeopathy and Chinese medicine go to:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/cold_flu.htm

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit