COLDS & FLUS
 

What Is It?
Colds are by far the most common illness in the world. 90% of the population will have at least one cold per year. The flu is similar, and sometimes has the same symptoms as a cold, but is often much more severe and lasts longer. Cold and flu viruses attack the nose, sinuses, and throat.
These viruses cause runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Fever might also occur, usually with the flu. It may be difficult to tell the difference between colds and flu (especially in children).
For most healthy people the difference between colds and flu isn't important. For the elderly and young children, the flu can be very serious.
 
How Do You Get It?
The only way to catch a cold or flu is from other people. The viruses are spread by tiny droplets in the air (such as from a cough or sneeze) or from direct contact (especially handshaking). People can spread the virus from a day or two before they even have symptoms and three or four days after the symptoms start.
 
How Can You Prevent Catching A Cold?
  • Practise preventative measures: wash your hands, and keep your fingers away from your eyes and nose.
  • Avoid close contact with cold sufferers.
  • Help your immune system: get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, eat well-balanced meals, sleep for 7 to 8 hours each night, and get regular exercise.
  • Consult your doctor for an annual flu injection. Although not 100 per cent effective, the vaccination dramatically lessens the severity of the flu (but has no effect on the common cold).
Practical Ways To treat The Common Cold
  • Don't use antibiotics. Antibiotics won't help a common cold, the flu or other upper respiratory tract infections caused by viruses. They are used to treat infections caused by bacteria, and so maybe prescribed by your doctor if you have a bacterial infection following a cold or flu. Most viruses however are fought and overcome by your immune system. If you have a cold, use common sense.
  • Treat the symptoms. Over-the-counter cold remedies, decongestants and simple pain relievers may relieve some cold symptoms, but will not prevent, cure, or even shorten the illness. However, they can make you feel better!
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of liquids is essential to prevent dehydration. Hot honey and lemon drinks are a great way to soothe the throat and help to clear the nasal passages and sinuses. Also try inhaling steam. To assist with a sore throat, try throat lozenges, gargles and throat sprays.
  • Take it easy. Shifting into lower gear by staying at home with plenty of rest is a good idea until you're feeling better. You won't be popular if you spread your cold around the workplace! Likewise, if you have children who are sick, keep them at home too. Kids spread germs quickly!
Will antibiotics help you to get better?
Antibiotics won't stop your cold from getting worse and will not stop infection spreading to other people. Importantly, using antibiotics when you don't need them may make them less effective when you do need them. Antibiotics may cause side effects like stomach upsets, diarrhoea and thrush.
Antibiotics may be helpful in treating respiratory illnesses not caused by viruses. These include: middle ear infection (otitis media), which can cause severe earache in children; severe tonsillitis; and sinusitis, which may cause facial pain and a thick discharge from the nose. However, these illnesses tend to get better by themselves, and antibiotics are needed only in some cases.
 
Facts
  • Viruses cause both colds and flu, and the real difference between them is simply the type of virus that causes the illness. Colds are caused by a number of different viruses, but especially rhinoviruses ("rhino" is Greek for nose, so these are "nose viruses"). Flu is caused by influenza viruses.
  • The symptoms usually begin 1-4 days after contact with the virus and usually last 5-7 days, but can linger on.
  • 90% of the population will have at least one cold per year.
  • Young children may have lots of colds each year, but as they grow older they catch fewer colds as they build up immunity.

For More Information Australia

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Telephone the NPS Medicines Line on 1300 888 763, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6pm, for confidential, independent information about medicines for consumers.
For More Information USA
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Click here for some great advice & information
 
For More Information UK
  • Visit this site click here I found it to be very helpful & informative