Dealing with a Cold or flu

 

Many people perish because   of lack of knowledge, because of their ignorance..

 

First Know the Difference Between Cold and Flu Symptoms and how next to deal with them.

-Ironically some of the cold medications available can help, or instead seriously lead to heart problems.

 

One of the most common recommendations on dealing with flu  is to drink plenty of fluids.. and precisely here is where many people do err, and do make themselves sicker..

 

-For example taking orange or other related juices with your medications can nullify the positive effect of the medications.

-Now many people also wrongfully believe that drinking more tea, soft drinks, Coca-Cola, Pepsi is a  help here as well..  but it clearly is not.. these products contain caffeine, and caffeine helps to dehydrate you, to reduce the water, juices need to help your stomach to dissolve the food you eat, causing thus an increased stress on the both the stomach and next on the heart as well, leading to their increase  breathing difficulties problems next too,

 

* Seniors especially need to take more care, precautions because they have a degenerated immune system that does not effectively protect them now from cold and flus, and on top of that they tend to reinfect themselves by not washing their own hands often enough, and not washing the areas they often come into contact such as door  knobs, handles, light switches, canes. A essential uncostly need, solution  is to buy a spray can of alcoholic disinfectant and to spray these places, even the whole room when you have had a flu to try to prevent it from coming back.

What causes colds and the flu?

Viruses. Over 100 different viruses can cause colds. There aren’t as many viruses that cause the flu. That’s why there’s a shot for the flu and not for colds.

What can you do to feel better?

There’s no cure for a cold or the flu. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses. All you can do to feel better is treat your symptoms while your body fights off the virus (see below).

Ways to treat your cold/flu symptoms

• Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.
• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.
• 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.
• Don’t drink alcohol.
• 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.
• Use saline (salt water) nose drops to help loosen mucus and moisten the tender skin in your nose.

Should you take medicine for a cold or the flu?

No medicine can cure a cold or the flu. Medicine can, however, help relieve some of your cold or flu symptoms. Check with your doctor before giving any medicine to children.

 

 

 

  Notice the importance of washing hands, since some viruses seem able to live up to 3 weeks on door knobs, etc., and hands are a common method of spreading a virus to your moth and next to the rest of your body

  

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

 

 

How do I treat a cold?	There is no cure for the common cold. You  can simply ease the symptoms while you have a cold. Get plenty of rest and fluids Take an Over the Counter medication to make yourself more comfortable by easing symptoms.
How do I treat the flu?	Like  the cold, there is no single “cure” for the flu. Look to ease symptoms while you have the flu. Because the symptoms are similar, many of the treatments that work to ease cold symptoms also ease flu symptoms. See a doctor if your symptoms include trouble breathing, faintness or very high fever.
How do I prevent colds and flus?	A good, healthy lifestyle including adequate sleep, moderate exercise and a balanced diet will help keep you and your immune system strong. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your mouth and nose with your hands. Avoid crowded places during the peak of cold and flu season.
What should I know about the flu vaccine?	The flu vaccine comes in two forms: injection and nasal mist. The vaccine is not 100 percent effective in preventing the flu, but is generally believed to be about 70 to 90 percent effective. Because the flu virus is constantly changing, you must get the flu vaccine every year, preferably at the beginning of flu season, in order for it to be most effective.

 

How can you tell if you have a cold or the flu?

A cold and the flu cause many of the same symptoms. But a cold is generally mild, while the flu tends to be more severe. 

Emergency Cold/Flu Symptoms:

In children:

• High (above 102 F) or prolonged fever
• A cold that lasts for more than 10 days
• Trouble breathing, fast breathing or wheezing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Earache or drainage from the ear
• Changes in mental state (such as not waking up, irritability or seizures)
• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but return with a fever and a worse cough
• Worsening of chronic medical condition (such as diabetes or heart disease)

In adults:

• High (above 102 F) or prolonged fever
• A cold that lasts for more than 10 days
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Fainting or feeling like you are about to faint
• Confusion or disorientation
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Severe pain in your face or forehead
• Hoarseness, sore throat or a cough that won’t go away

Sleepless nights equal more colds in US study
Reuters -  WASHINGTON (Reuters) – People who sleep less than seven hours a night are three times as likely to catch a cold as their more well-rested friends and neighbours, US researchers reported on Monday.
Good night’s sleep may prevent a cold, study finds Boston Globe
7 Tips on Fighting Off a Cold U.S. News & World Report
Washington Post - Minneapolis Star Tribune - WebMD - AHN
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