Cold & Flu Treatment, Causes, Types, Symptoms, Medication And Facts

Almost anyone that you speak to who’s had the flu would agree that the best strategy for fighting the flu is preventing it in the first place. Anywhere from five to 20% of us get the flu each and every year. Even before the era of H1N1 virus, around 35,000 people a year died from one kind of flu and other in the United States of America.

Stopping Its Spread
The key to stopping the spread of flu is figuring out how it is spread. We already know quite a bit about that. The most common methods are simply sneezes and coughs. Flu viruses are hardy and can ride on droplets into your lungs nose or throat. Flu viruses also can survive on surfaces long enough to get picked up by the hands and make their way into another body by way of the nose, the eyes or the mouth.

Since preventative measures involving behavior can only be so effective, the most effective preventative against the flu virus is a vaccine. Right now most common forms of flu can be prevented for the most part by a vaccine. Additionally, recent months have seen the development and testing of a vaccine specifically targeted to prevent the H1N1 virus from occurring.

It’s not a bad idea to talk to your doctor to confirm that a flu shot is your best choice for fighting the flu. The simple fact of the matter is, that in most cases, it is. Complications from the flu can be much more serious, especially for infants and aging populations, than any complications that might arise from getting a flu shot. Recent information coming to light regarding the H1N1 virus may also indicate that it is especially important for adolescents to be vaccinated against this form of the flu.
So what are the side effects of a flu shot?
Side effects from flu shots are extremely rare. Certain people can experience a low-grade fever, a runny nose and nonspecific aches and pains. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that being vaccinated against one form of flu will make you more susceptible to contracting another variety of the flu.

The scientific and medical communities do acknowledge that in very exceptionally rare cases allergic reactions to the flu shot can occur. Typically these reactions are experienced by people who have already been diagnosed with an allergy of one kind or another. If you have allergies you may want to discuss this possibility with your doctor before going ahead with a shot.

People who are frightened of needles can opt for a vaccine delivered as FluMist. This is a flu vaccine that is administered just like a nasal spray. Infants under two and pregnant women should avoid being vaccinated using FluMist. The main reason for this is that instead of dead viruses this form of vaccine contains weakened viruses instead.

What Else Can I Do?
One other very effective preventative measure that individuals can take is paying particular attention to disinfecting and sanitizing areas in the kitchen and bathroom in their homes and simply washing their hands.

Even in the modern world of multitasking it isn’t very often that we get to do two things at once effectively. Since the way we get colds and flu is so similar we can fight them off two a time using the following techniques:

Of course we should never take viral infections lightly and the flu can be just plain dangerous. Some preventive medicine needs to keep us on our toes and a little bit of humor doesn’t hurt anyone’s overall health either.

Snooze Your Way to Success
Being deprived of the amount of sleep that you need can lead to just about any disease that you can name. The number of antibodies and other cells in your body that are designed to ward off disease replenish while you’re sleeping. On average an adult need six to eight hours of sleep. Babies may need as many as 18 hours of sleep. Toddlers need about 12 hours of sleep. And although they may object, preschoolers still may need a good 10 hours of sleep per day. Scientists have yet to explain why your children may not want to take a nap. If you can’t get them to nap put then to bed a little earlier.

You Gotta Move
You gotta move, not only when your favorite dance tune is on or when someone gives you a swat and you feel like retaliating. To stay healthy you need to exercise. Hike, walk, bike, yoga or dance, but don’t just sit there if you want to stay healthy.

This Disease Gives Me Just What I Need … An Excuse to Drink
By drinking we mean staying hydrated and staying away from too much alcohol and too much caffeine. That’ll only make things worse. Cold and flu symptoms can be improved or vanquished by drinking eight to 10 cups of water a day of the 8 ounce variety. Your immune system will thank you as it goes to work on your behalf.

Have another Hit of Fresh Air
It’s a fact of modern life that our indoor atmosphere sometimes ends up being much more unhealthy for us than the one outside, especially in winter. Chase potential toxins outdoors by opening a window once in awhile.

Don’t Get Stuffy
Of course you don’t want to get stuffy or a cold or the flu. You’ll get fewer colds and less flu if you keep your house a little bit cooler. Hot dry air is just what the viruses have ordered. A cooler, moister indoors is just what the doctor’s ordered.

It’s the Germs Dude!
Our battle is against an unseen enemy. We can fight this enemy by washing our hands many times a day. Meal-time and bathroom time are especially important times for washing one’s hands…fore and aft, top and bottom. If Kitty or Fido licks your hand they won’t be offended if you wash your hands shortly thereafter.

Mobile weaponry can include nontoxic wipes and hand sanitizers.

Strategy
Practice strategic sneezing. By that we mean sneeze into your arm or a tissue if one is handy. Stifling a sneeze with your hands plays in the “hands” of the enemy.