First thing first, identify
Is It a Cold or the Flu?
Is it a cold or the seasonal flu? Symptoms can
confuse you, so unless your doctor runs a rapid flu test. As soon as you start
to get sick, it’s hard to know for sure. Here are some basic guidelines on how
to tell the difference between cold and flu symptoms, and what to do if you
have either one of these infections.
This seasonal
respiratory infection is a leading cause of clinic’s visits and missed work or
school days. While a cold generally resolves quickly, symptoms can last for up
to 14 days if your immune is too week else for an average healthy person it is
less and so on. However, unlike the flu, symptoms are generally mild and in
most cases do not lead to any serious health complications.
The RHINOVIRUS is most often the
one that makes people sneeze and sniffle, and it’s highly contagious. Other
frequent cold-causing pathogens include coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial
viruses. Most cold-causing viruses
thrive in environments with low humidity, which may be why colds are more
common during the fall and winter months. However, you can catch a cold any
time of year.
You can get sick if you touch a surface (such
as a countertop or doorknob) that has recently been handled by a cold-infected
person, and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes. To avoid thus one must be attentive while being with the infected
person.
If you have a cold, you’ll probably experience symptoms such as:
·
runny or stuffy nose
·
sore throat
·
sneezing
·
mild-to-moderate fever
·
cough
·
headache or body aches
·
mild tiredness
Colds are contagious during the first 2-3 days, so stay home and rest
up. Because this is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective in
treating a cold. However, over-the-counter medications (antihistamines,
decongestants, acetaminophen, and non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines)
can relieve congestion, aches, and other cold symptoms. Drink plenty of fluids
to avoid dehydration.
Some people take natural cold
remedies, such as zinc, vitamin C, or Echinacea. These remedies can prevent or
reduce the symptoms or length of a cold.
Colds usually
clear up within a few days. See a doctor if your cold hasn’t improved in about
a week, or if you develop significant or persistent fevers. You could have
allergies, or a bacterial infection (such as sinusitis or strep throat) that
requires antibiotics. A nagging cough could also be a sign of asthma or
bronchitis.
“We
can put a man on the moon, but we still can’t cure the common cold.” While
it’s true that doctors haven’t yet identified a vaccine, there are ways to
prevent this mild but annoying affliction.
Avoidance
Because colds spread so easily, the best prevention is avoidance.
Stay away from anyone who is sick, and don’t share utensils or any other
personal items such as mobile phones, money, toothbrush, towel or any item
touched by that person. Sharing goes both ways — when you’re sick with a cold,
stay home.
Good
Hygiene
I hope everybody
is very much aware of this habit and I must not right more on Personal hygiene.
However if you have any question I would be happy to answers it. Keep your
hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth when they’re not freshly washed. Cover
your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and always wash your hands
afterward.
What Is the Seasonal Flu?
Influenza
— or the flu, as it’s better known — is another upper respiratory illness.
Unlike the common cold, the flu can develop into a more serious condition such
as pneumonia. This is especially true for young children, older adults,
pregnant women, and people with immune compromising health conditions such as
asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
Unlike the cold,
which can hit at any time of year, the flu is generally seasonal. Flu season
usually runs from fall to spring, peaking during the winter months. During flu
season, you can catch the flu in the same way you’d pick up a cold: by coming
into contact with droplets spread by an infected person.
The seasonal flu is caused by the
influenza A, B, and C viruses. Active strains of influenza virus vary from year
to year. That’s why a new flu vaccine is formulated and released each year.
Flu symptoms can
be similar to those of a cold, although they tend to be more severe. Symptoms
can include:
·
dry, hacking cough
·
moderate-to-high fever (although not everyone with the flu will
run a fever)
·
sore throat
·
shaking chills
·
severe muscle or body aches
·
headache
·
stuffy and runny nose
·
profound fatigue (may last up to two weeks)
Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, but this is
more common in children.
In most cases, fluids and rest are the best way to treat the
flu. Over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers such as ibuprofen and
acetaminophen may control your symptoms and help you feel better. However,
never give aspirin to children. It can increase the risk of a rare but serious
condition called Reye’s syndrome. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
The drugs can shorten the duration of
the flu and prevent complications such as pneumonia, but you need to take them
within the first 48 hours of getting sick in order to have a positive impact.
Call
your doctor when you first have symptoms if you’re at risk for complications
from the flu. Serious complications include:
·
people over the age of 50
·
pregnant women
·
children under the age of 2
·
those with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, steroid
treatment, or chemotherapy
·
people with chronic lung or heart conditions
·
people with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, anemia, or
kidney disease
·
people living in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes
Contact your doctor right away if your symptoms do not improve,
or if they become severe. See a doctor if you have signs of pneumonia,
including:
·
trouble breathing
·
severe sore throat
·
cough that produces green mucus
·
high, persistent fever
·
chest discomfort
Monitor children closely, and seek prompt medical treatment if
they develop the following symptoms:
·
labored breathing
·
irritability
·
lethargy
·
refusing to eat or drink
·
trouble awaking or interacting
The
best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot. Most doctors recommend
getting the flu vaccine in October, or at the
very start of flu season. However, you can still get the vaccine in late fall
or winter.
To avoid picking up the influenza virus, wash your hands often
and thoroughly with warm soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth, and try to stay away from
anyone who has the flu or flu-like symptoms.
It’s important to
adopt healthy habits to keep cold and flu germs at bay. You should always
make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise,
and manage your stress during cold and flu season and beyond.Top of Form
Now let me tell you what things to follow on daily basis to avoid and cure such things apart from the ones mentioned above.
- If you have such symptoms the very first day you should get some oranges and keep it in sunlight for an hour before taking out juice out of it and consume it empty stomach in morning, as it will be the first thing to consume and our body tends to absorb nutrients from food when its empty for long hours. If you are having this on daily basis there is no chance you can et sick until unless one gets too close to the infected person like holding hands or sharing a coke, kissing a sick person and so on.
- . If you get a bunch of kiwis, this fruit is very helpful during the infection period. kiwi has more vitamin c than orange thus is a better option if your are infected already.
- stick to fluid diet such as juices, ors solution, lots and lots of water preferably warm every time you drink. But do not mix hot and cold water the whole day, if you are taking warm then stick to warm every time you drink or if at room temperature then let it be at room temperature every time. As we do not want to change the temperature inside our body so frequently which will lead to worst condition.
- As a fluid diet one can always get simple chicken soup.
- one must always keep his stomach full tight with fluid every time during infection.
- Be a couch potato. Listen to your body. If it’s telling you not to exercise, don’t. If it’s urging you to spend all day in bed, do. Don't press on with daily chores even in the face of severe cold or flu symptoms. Rest is “another way of supporting the body’s ability to fight infection,”
- Humidify. Breathing moist air helps ease nasal congestion. One good strategy is to indulge in a steamy shower several times a day -- or just turn on the shower and sit in the bathroom for a few minutes, inhaling the steam. Another is to use a steam vaporizer or a humidifier. *********DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS UNTIL YOU MAKE SURE THERE IS NO TEMPERATURE CHANGE FACED BY YOUR BODY INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL****
- BE A SUCKER. there are good range of throat lozenges, surprisingly effective to reduce coughing.
SINCE THERE IS NO SUCH VACCINE TO CURE THIS INFECTION, ONE MUST FOLLOW ABOVE REMEDIES TO MAKE IT EASY TO SURVIVE IN THOSE DAYS, REST IF FOLLOWED FOR REGULAR BASIS ONE CAN STAY AWAY FOREVER FROM SUCH INFECTION.
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW, IF IN CASE I MADE A MISTAKE OR MISSED OUT SOMETHING.
REGARDS
LALIT KUMAR