Colds and Flu – How’s your health?

Colds and Flu – How’s your health?

It’s coming up that time of year when the colds and flu are more prevalent that at any other time of the year.   For many people who are susceptible to colds and flu, it isn’t a time of year to look forward to.  Many people have their flu injections in Autumn in preparation for the oncoming season.

There are around 200 different viruses that cause colds, which makes contacting a cold very easy.  Just because the weather is cold and you often feel cold, doesn’t cause colds, the common cold is more prevalent in the cold weather due to the fact that people congregate together indoors out of the cold and thus the air is circulated due to air-conditioning and heating in these modern times.  Whilst we are all together in offices, classrooms, shopping centres etc, we are susceptible to other people sneezing and coughing.

Tiny droplets are released into the air by people coughing and sneezing, this helps the virus spread very quickly.   Then those same infected people often touch things, like door handles, rails, phones etc and once another person comes along and touches it also, the virus is then transferred to the new host.  The way the virus transfers to you, is either by breathing in infected droplets in the air or by you touching something that is infected and then rubbing your eyes, nose or putting your fingers in your mouth and bingo you now have the virus too.

So what are the symptoms of the common cold? 

A cold mainly affects the lining of the nose and the throat and you can expect to experience most of the following:

• blocked or runny nose
• fever and headaches
• sore throat
• coughing
• sneezing
• eyes that are red and watery
• generally feel quite unwell

Ways to avoid spreading your cold

It is almost unavoidable when catching colds, unless you wear a face mask and wash your hands constantly.  If you know of someone in your office or nearby that has a cold, then washing your hands will significantly reduce your chances of contracting the virus, warm soapy water is enough to kill strong viruses without the need for special antiseptic preparations that are marketed these days.   

Another way to reduce the spread is to cough or sneeze into a tissue or handkerchief, although you cannot always rely of others to do this in return. Hence the reason why the common cold is so common!  If you do not have a tissue on hand and must use your hand to sneeze or cough into, then wash them immediately.

To reduce the spread of colds, try to stay at home if possible. If your children are sick, keep them home from school.  Resting as much as possible will help speed up your recovery.  Avoid soldiering on if you can possibly help it, you will only spread the cold to others in your office or workplace and then they will have to take time off too.   Even healthy people get colds and it does not mean that you have a weak system.

Cut down on late nights, if you need to go out only do so if it is absolutely necessary.  The world will go on without you for a couple of days.

Try to eat as healthily as possible, avoid alcohol and if you smoke try to cut back or even avoid this too.   Leave all vigorous exercise for the duration of the first week of a cold, you need all the strength you have to fight the virus. By resting and looking after yourself you will recover that much quicker.

Drink a lot of fluid (avoid alcohol).   Preparations that include Echinacea as early as possible when you know a cold is lurking or as soon as you can feel a cold coming on, may be significant in the cold taking a good hold of you. 

You should see your family doctor when any sort of infection sets in.  Your symptoms will either become worse or you will appear to not be getting any better after about 4 or 5 days. Infections such as ear, nose (sinusitis), throat and lung (pneumonia or bronchitis) these conditions will not clear up on their own quickly.  If you are susceptible to asthma, a cold can bring on an attack. 

How do you know if you have an infection?

• You will most likely have a high temperature (38 degrees or above).
• A bad cough, any chest pain or a wheeze.
• Pain in the area, such as an earache, throat pain etc that gets worse
• Green or yellow mucous or phlegm

Influenza (Flu)

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

These are a different batch of viruses.  Spread the same way as a cold.  The flu can come on very rapidly, you will almost positively have:

• a headache 
• a fever 
• aches and pains throughout the rest of the body
• feeling hot and cold due to a high temperature
• generally feel quite unwell

Personal hygiene is the same as for a cold, washing your hands often while you are around other people who are infected will greatly decrease your chances of catching the flu.  Immunizations are available against the flu however these are usually recommended for the elderly and those particularly susceptible to the influenza viruses.

As for colds, there is no cure for the flu and rest is highly recommended for a speedier recovery. Try to avoid contact with others to minimize the spread of the virus.

To help prevention or perhaps lessen symptoms there are preparations available that are proven to help reduce symptoms.

Olive leaf extract:

This has been proven to strengthen the body’s resistance to infection.  They contain antiseptic and fever reducing properties.  Olive leaf extract is a rich source of Oleuropein, which helps to support the body’s immune system.

Echinacea:

Echinacea is very popular today. It is known to support the immune system and maintain an infection free environment in your body.  It will provide protection against colds and flu and if you are already infected it will help reduce the duration of the virus. It is extremely popular and widely used for respiratory illnesses.

Marshmallow:

This is high in mucilage which makes it an excellent demulcent.  It will bring comfort to a painful throat and relax your cough.

Nasturtium:

This herb contains antiseptic and healing properties. It’s great for Bronchial infections, Influenza, and a Dry Cough.  Also excellent for hay fever due to its histamine content.

These are just a few of the preparations that can be found in the supplements listed on this website under colds and flu. 

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