Are You Prepared For The Cold And Flu Season This Year

Are You Prepared For The Cold And Flu Season This Year?

With summer behind us and temperatures dropping, the cold and flu season cannot be far behind. When a cold or the flu strikes, it’s important to know some facts that might be able to shorten the duration or even lessen the symptoms. Sometimes it can be difficult to know the difference between an “old wives tale” and medical evidence, so we did some research and came up with some of the most commonly asked questions regarding colds and respiratory infections such as the flu.

What’s The Difference Between A Cold And The Flu?

Cold symptoms are generally much milder than when you have influenza. Even though some of the symptoms are similar, each sickness is caused by a different virus. The only completely accurate way to diagnose either is by getting tested at your doctor’s office. People suffering from the flu usually have a quick onset of the illness and will generally run a high fever. The cold tends to affect a person over a few days time and things like a runny nose or watery eyes are more common than with the flu. The most important difference between a cold and flu is the possible life-threatening complications that can be present with influenza. The very young, very old, and anyone who has chronic medical conditions, are especially vulnerable to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

What’s The Way Best Treat A Cold?

Keeping your body hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is one of the best things you can to prevent another infection from occurring. Refrain from caffeinated drinks like coffee, regular tea or soda.Avoid alcohol that can interact with any cold remedies that you might be taking to relieve your symptoms. Herbal decaffeinated tea can help ease a sore throat and may improve your sleep pattern.

It’s especially important to nourish your body with healthy foods that can boost your immune system and might shorten the duration of your symptoms. You may not have much of an appetite, but broth, chicken soup or toast can be foods that are easy to eat when you’re not feeling well. Citrus fruits that are high in Vitamin C can also speed healing.

What Are The Best Treatments For The Flu?

Most cases of the flu are mild enough to not require medical attention. Over-the-counter medications can be used to control fever, aches, body chills and pain. Decongestants are recommended for stuffy or runny noses and sinus pain. Drinking plenty of fluids and keeping hydrated will help the immune system function better and may shorten the duration of the illness. Get plenty of rest and avoid over-exertion. If you are in a high-risk group, make sure you notify your physician at the first sign of symptoms since there are antivirals that can be administered within the first 48 hours. Lastly, stay away from people as much as possible. If you do have to go out, wear a face mask to protect others from contracting the virus from you. You should also wash your hands frequently to kill germs and reduce the risk of added infections.

Do Natural Remedies Like Vitamin C Or Echinacea Really Work?

In recent years, more and more homeopathic and natural products have become popular with their promises to shorten a cold or to even help prevent getting sick. We’re going to take a closer look at some of these cold products and see if they actually do what they are intended to do.

Zinc – Available in a nasal spray, this product claims that it can reduce the length of your cold and improve the symptoms. The makers of zinc nasal sprays believe that the zinc in their product will coat the cold virus, which will prevent it from being able to attach to cells in the nasal passage.
Echinacea – This herbal remedy has been used for generations and is believed to have a positive effect on the immune system. Scientific studies have had mixed results, but is is possible that with the right kind of echinacea (root, flower, seeds), duration of colds may be reduced.
Vitamin C – This vitamin has been thought to prevent colds and shorten the duration of symptoms, however, recent studies have found that there is no supporting evidence that Vitamin C will prevent a cold. There was some evidence that suggested that taking extremely large doses of Vitamin C on the first day of sickness may shorten the life of the cold virus.

What Else Can Be Done When Suffering From The Cold Or Flu?

In addition to the several over-the-counter remedies, there are some things that can be done to lessen the symptoms of a cold or the flu.

Stay Hydrated – Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. Sports drinks, juices, and herbal teas can all help your body stay hydrated.
Use Steam – To clear out a stuffy nose, use steam from a hot shower or boil a large pot of water, drape a towel over your head and carefully inhale the steam. Using a humidifier can also help dried out sinuses to feel moisturized.
Salt Water – When a sore throat is present, try gargling with a salt water to soothe inflamed tissues. Salt water may also be used as a nasal rinse to clear mucous and allow for improved nose breathing.
Blow Your Nose – It is better to blow your nose often than to have mucous building up or sliding down your throat, which can lead to a red, inflamed and sore throat. Never blow your nose hard as that can actually cause the cold virus and bacteria to enter into the auditory canal.
Get Plenty Of Rest – A cold or the flu virus can take a toll on your body and immune system. Getting plenty of rest will help get you back on your feet sooner. At least 8 hours of sleep per night is vital for quicker recovery.

When Should A Doctor Be Seen?

Most healthy adults and children will be able to weather a cold or the flu from home. However, those in high-risk groups should always contact our staff at the first sign of symptoms since there are antiviral medications that can be prescribed.

A doctor should be called if any of the following symptoms are observed: