People infected with an influenza or cold virus become contagious 24 hours after the virus enters the body (often before symptoms appear). Adults remain infectious (can spread the virus to others) for about 6 days, and children remain infectious for up to 10 days. Factors that may increase the risk of catching a cold are fatigue, emotional stress, smoking, mid-phase of the menstrual cycle, and nasal allergies. Factors that do not increase the risk of catching a cold include cold body temperature (Example being out in the cold or enlarged tonsils). General health status and eating habits do in that they have impact on your immunity and “fight or flight” in fighting off infection as opposed to getting sick due to a healthy body overall.
Watch for flu signs & symptoms (S/S) and in comparison here with the cold signs & symptoms (S/S) when trying to decipher what you have before going to the doctor:
FLU S/S: COLD S/S:
-High fever lasting 3 to 4 days -Headache is rarely
-General Aches and pains=often & severe -Slight for cold
-Fatigue and weakness lasts up to 2-3 wks. -Mild, if even present
-Extreme Exhaustion-Early and Prominent -Never occurs
-Chest Discomfort,Cough=common,severe -Mild-moderate&hacking cough
-Sore throat is sometimes -Common symptom
-Stuffy nose is present sometimes -Common symptom
-Diarrhea&vomiting(more common=children) -Uncommon for any age
***Note weakness and tiredness can last up to a few weeks with the Flu.***
Regarding cold symptoms also be aware for these specifics, which include:
-Nasal Symptoms=runny nose and congestion to follow, along with a cough by the fourth or fifth day.
-Fever is uncommon in adults but a slight fever is possible but note in children they can likely have a fever with their cold.
-With the symptoms above you can also have the nose that teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few days later these become thicker and darker. Dark mucus is natural and does not mean you have developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.
**Know several hundred different viruses may cause your cold symptoms. A virus cannot be treated with an antibiotic since they only are treatment for bacterial infections.***
Now let’s review what we know now, which is the common cold and the types of flu (Types A,B, and C) with knowing their symptoms (the cold versus the flu) and The Flu statistics of how many are affected yearly with what complications can arise, based on Part 1 of yesterday’s article on the cold and flu lets now start in letting us be aware of factors in prevention of a cold vs. flu.
Let’s prepare ourselves in knowing factors for prevention of these 2 BUGS THE COLD and THE FLU (particularly) with knowing what to do when you or someone in the home has it.
The biggest factor in prevention of the COMMON COLD or THE FLU and a great healthy habit and that would be washing your hands with soap and water often, especially:
-
Before, during, and after preparing food
-
Before eating
-
After using the bathroom
-
After handling animals or animal waste
-
When their hands are dirty
-
When someone in your home is sick
-
FOR AVOIDANCE IN GETTING THE FLU OBTAIN YOUR VACCINE YEARLY!
What to do when you have the cold or, worse, the flu:
Keep your face off-limits. The flu virus enters through the eyes, nose, and mouth, so those with the flu or a simple cold should never touch their faces unless they’ve just washed their hands.
Keep your distance. Stay clear of people who are sick-or feel sick.
Avoid sharing food, drinks, and utensils. Do not share drinking glasses-and to break off portions of food and to pour off beverages before consuming them.
Make sure you or your sick child who is sick gets enough sleep. Too little sleep can cause the feeling of run-down and lower the immunity. Yet a National Sleep Foundation poll found that most children need 1 to 3 more hours of sleep than they’re getting every night usually. How much should they be getting? Experts recommend 11 to 13 hours a night for preschoolers and kindergartners and 10 to 11 hours for school-aged children. Adults 8 hours of sleep a day if not more when sick with a cold or the flu. How to make sure this can be accomplished: Establish an earlier-bedtime routine, this just takes disciplining by the parent or yourself if an adult.
Let your kids, including adults stay home when they’re sick. They’ll feel better sooner and won’t pass their illness on to their classmates or for an adult passing it on to colleagues at work especially the first few days when contagious so don’t go into work those few days.
Keep tissues handy. The flu spreads when infected people cough or sneeze. So adults use them and encourage your kids to cough and sneeze into a tissue or their upper arm if tissues aren’t available. (Coughing into a bare hand can also spread germs if kids touch something before they can wash.)
Use those wipes! Flu germs can live for several hours on surfaces such as countertops and doorknobs. Wipe down contaminated objects with soap and water.
Ask your doctor about antiviral medications. Although not approved for use in children under 1, these drugs can be used in older children & adults to prevent influenza or even can treat the flu in the first 2 days of onset.
Live a healthy lifestyle. MOST IMPORTANT!!! A healthy lifestyle may help prevent them from getting sick in the first place.
*******Recommended is to check with your MD on any changes with diet or exercise especially if diagnosed already with disease or illness for your safety.*******
REFERENCES FOR PART 1,2, AND 3 ON THE COLD AND THE FLU ARE:
1-Kimberly Clark Professional website under the influenza.
2-Web MD under “COLD, FLU, COUGH CENTER” “Flu or cold symptoms?” Reviewed by Laura J. Martin MD November 01, 2011
3-2013 Novartis Consumer Health Inc. Triaminic “Fend off the Flu”
4-Scientific American “Why do we get the flu most often in the winter? Are viruses virulent in cold weather? December 15, 1997.
- 5- Wikipedia “the free encyclopedia” 2013 website under the topic Influenza.