     |
Common Cold & Flu
Understanding Cold & Flu The common cold is a viral infection of the lining of the nose, sinuses, throat and large airways. This is the upper respiratory tract infection that is caused by a virus. Colds mainly spread when a person's hands come in contact with nasal secretions from an infected person that contains the cold viruses. Less often, colds are spread when a person breathes air that contains droplets that were coughed or sneezed out by the infected person. A cold is most contagious in the first one or two days after symptoms develop. Influenza (flu) is an infection of the lungs and airways with an influenza virus that causes fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches and lethargy. Influenza is different from the common cold as they are caused by different viruses. The flu produces symptoms that are more severe and affects the cells much deeper down in the respiratory tract. Influenza virus is spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by having direct contact with an infected person's secretions.
Symptoms of Cold & Flu Symptoms of the cold start 1 to 3 days after infection. The first symptoms that could be felt would be discomfort in the nose or throat. Then sneezing starts, and the infected person has a runny nose and feels mildly ill. Fever is not common but may develop. Initially, the secretions from the nose may be watery and clear. Eventually it becomes thicker, opaque, yellow-green and less. Sometimes, cough may also develop. Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although the cough may last longer. With influenza, symptoms start 1 to 2 days after infection and can begin suddenly with a chilly sensation. Fever is common during the first few days with temperature rising to 102oF or 103oF. There will be pains and aches throughout the body and felt most on the back and legs. Headaches can be severe with aches around and behind the eyes causing them to be sensitive to bright light. Initially, there will be a scratchy sore throat, dry cough and a runny nose. The cough may get severe and chesty. In some, symptoms may include nausea and vomiting.
Causes of Cold & Flu There are many different viruses that cause colds, but the common ones are the rhinoviruses, within which there are about a hundred known subtypes. Whereas in influenza, there are two types of virus, type A and type B with many different strains within each type.
Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions A strong immune system is the best defense against cold and flu. Build up your immune system with plenty fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C if you are prone to catching a cold or flu. However, if you are unfortunate enough to get infected, the best way to stop a cold or a flu is to nip them in the bud when you feel them coming on. Once the virus establish a firm foothold, it will take a much longer time and suffering before you can be rid of it completely. See below for a very effective recipe that helps prevent that cold or flu. When you have the cold, as the name suggests, your internal body is "cold" so you need to keep warm, and take food that heats up your body. During a cold, try to avoid fruit juice. Yes, that's right. I don't recommend fruit juice when you have a cold and flu, except for a handful allowable items that are listed below. Although oranges are often recommended for its vitamin C, I believe this should also be avoided as it may irritate the throat and cause more mucus. Another thing you definitely must avoid when you have the cold is milk and milk products. During a cold or a flu, drown yourself with plenty clear liquids. Drink lots of warm water with a pinch of sea salt. The water should be as warm as possible yet not too hot that it burn your lips. The warm water helps to relieve the soreness in the throat and the sea salt (not table salt) helps break up the accumulating mucus and congestion in the chest. The old wife's advice to drink chicken soup for a cold is actually very therapeutically potent. Chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which is released when you make the soup. Cysteine works to thin out and help move the lung's secretions so they do not clog air passages and can be coughed up to be expelled.
When you feel a cold or a flu coming, often a little discomfort at the back of your throat, take this hot drink which is very effective in nipping the problem in the bud. Drink it two or three times a day.
The anti-viral properties in lemon fight infections and halt the progress of a cold. Ginger’s warming action is excellent for treating a cold or flu. Honey adds an anti-bacterial property to help hasten the healing of an infection. Juice a small lemon together with its peel. Throw in an inch of old ginger root. To this, add 2 tablespoon of honey or to taste. Add approximately 200 ml of hot water. Sip it hot.
Cabbage and carrots stimulate the immune system and the production of anti-bodies that make good remedy in fighting off bacterial and viral infections. The addition of celery makes the recipe more tasty and provides the vitamins and minerals to support the immune system. Leave these out at room
temperature for at least one hour before juicing.
When you feel a sore
throat or a cold coming, eat raw garlic. If you do it early
enough, you may not even get sick. Garlic has very potent
anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It is also effective to
prevent recurrent infections, frequent yeast infections and other
infections. Finely chop or use the food blender to chop up two cloves of fresh garlic and let it expose to the air for a few minutes while you wash up your blender or chopping board. The chopping releases the enzyme allinase in the garlic. Gather the chopped garlic on a spoon and swallow them whole with water.
|
