|
Colds, Flu’s and Coughs
What is a Common Cold
The common cold is an infection in nasal passage and throat. The common cold is generally harmless and will affect most people at some stage in their life. Colds can last between 5 and 7 days. Children catch colds more often than adults because of their immature and resistant immune system. and
Causes of Colds
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause colds. The most common being the rhinovirus. The virus spreads through the air so if someone sneezes or coughs near you, your likely to catch it. The virus can be easily transmitted through touching such things as door handles, cups etc that an infected person has touched previously. The cold virus enters your body through your nose or mouth.
Cold Symptoms May Include:
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Low Fever
• Hoarseness
• Runny Nose
• Watery Eyes
• Blocked Nose
• Feeling Fatigued
• Sore / Itchy Throat
• Mild aches and Pains
Treatments For Colds
The best treatment for colds is to strengthen your immune system and follow good hygiene methods. If you have a lowered immune system you are more susceptible to catching a cold. Keeping your body warm with hats, gloves, scarves and socks can also help. Natural immune building supplements such as Garlic, Echinacea, Vitamin A,C and E, iron Chlorophyll and Omega 3 fish oil, Ginger , Propolis, Lemon, Olive leaf, Grape Seed Extract, Minerals, Iron, Zinc and Selenium are the most popular for helping to fight off colds and infection.
Medications such as decongestants (clear congestion) and antihistamines (treat allergy symptoms) may help with common cold symptoms these suppress symptoms and the immune system but do not cure a cold. In most cases it is best to let your immune system fight of the virus
What Is a Flu
The flu or influenza is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses and is far more severe than the common cold. Influenza viruses are constantly changing some die out and others mutate in to a pandemic that can quickly spread from country to country. The infectious stage begins the day before illness onset and can persist for 5 to 7 days. Flu viruses can last up to 2 weeks or more in their human host.
Causes OF Flu
Influenza is transmitted through the air by coughs or sneezes containing the virus. Influenza can also be transmitted by direct contact with bird droppings, nasal secretions, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with lowered immune are more at risk for developing serious complications from influenza viruses and in some cases can be deadly.
Symptoms may include:
• Chills and or fever
• Sore throat
• Muscle pains
• Severe headache
• Coughing
• Weakness/fatigue
• General body aches
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Diarrhea and abdominal pain (especially in children)
Self Help Treatment For Colds and Flu
- Rest in bed for a few days
- Use antiseptic gels and soaps
- Keep the room temperature warm but not hot
- Use lozenges, gargles and sprays for sore throats
- Gargle with warm salt water to relieve sore throats
- Drink 8-10glasses of water per day (thins the mucus)
- Have foods or supplements with vitamin C, Garlic and echinacea
- Use Epsom salts in a bath to relieve fatigue and aching muscles
- Use tissues for sneezing and blowing your nose, then discard them
- Stay at home away from public places to avoid spreading the infection
- Do not smoke during this time as it irritates your lungs and causes more mucus
- Drink warm lemon and honey water to soothe the throat and kill the viral infection
- Use a drop of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil on a tissue to hold up to the nose and sinus area, to clear the nose
- Take Paracetamol to relieve headache, body aches and fever.
- Avoid alcohol and dairy products
NOTE: Antibiotics do not kill viruses, they only kill bacterial infections. Your doctor would only prescribe antibiotics if your cold or flu becomes complicated by a bacterial infection.
Complications:
A cold or Flu may become bacterial as well as viral. See your GP for advice and treatment if you notice any of the symptoms below.
See a GP if you have:
• Chest Pain
• Coughing up Blood
• Dark green Phlegm
• A Fever at or over 38°C (101.2°F)
• Not gotten over the cold within 7 days or the flu within 14 days
• A Severe Throat Infection (swollen glands)
• A Sinus Infection (pain in forehead and nasal area)
• A Middle Ear Infection (painful ears and lack of balance)
• Pneumonia Symptoms: (lung infection) cough that won’t go away
What is a Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. A Cough is described as a sudden and often repetitive reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants and other obstructive foreign bodies. Common Coughs can be dry with no phlegm, chesty with phlegm, a cough caused by allergies or it may also be a pre courser to an asthma attack. More serious and persistent coughs lasting 8 weeks or more can be a symptom of an underlying condition. You will need to see your doctor for a diagnosis and/or treatment.
Common Causes of Coughing
• Adenovirus
• Allergies
• Pneumonia
• Asthma
• Bacterial upper respiratory tract infection
• Bronchiolitis
• Bronchitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Croup
• Foreign body aspiration
• Influenza
• Laryngitis
• Post viral cough
• Postnasal drip
• Pneumonia
• Pleural infection
• Tonsillitis
• Upper respiratory infection
• Viral upper respiratory tract infection
Cough Treatment
There are a number of liquid cough medicines, cough lozenges, antihistamines and natural remedies on the market to help suppress coughs. Talk to your chemist to help you find the right over the counter medicine for you.
Home Remedies for Coughs
Lemon Honey Drink: 1 teaspoon of honey 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Stir mixture in a little bit of drinking water and drink immediately. Take this 2-3 times a day can help sooth cold, flu and coughs.
Honey, Ginger, and Lemon Syrup: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons honey. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon of powdered ginger. Mix well and give a teaspoon to your child when he is having a coughing episode.
Herbal Teas: Herbal tea sooths irritated throats, loosen congestion, and helps to calm a stubborn cough. Peppermint, ginger, or chamomile tea are a good choice.
Warm Chicken Soup: Warm chicken soup really does soothe a cough and congestion. The soup appears to inhibit the movement of neutrophils, a common white blood cell. This reduces inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, which in turn helps improve cold and cough symptoms.
Related Products
|
