Have You Got A Cold Or The Flu?

 

    They both can cause stuffy noses, coughs, headaches or fevers.  There are some symptoms that may indicate you are dealing with one or the other.

SYMPTOMS OF A COLD

Typically will come on gradually.

Rarely include a fever.

Sore throat at the most.

Day-to-day activities are manageable.

SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL FLU

Develops suddenly in most people.

Fever above 102 degrees.

Entire body will ache.

You feel like you have been hit by a bus.

SYMPTOMS OF H1N1 (aka swine flu)

Symptoms typically appear quickly, even overnight.

Sometimes no fever.

Vomiting and diarrhea.

You feel like that bus ran you over.

GENERAL RULE

     Wait until the fever has been gone for 24 hours, without the help of medication, before going back to school (for kids) or work (for adults).

Did you know...

     Wet hands spread more germs than dry ones.  So make sure to dry hands completely after washing them.  Use a dry paper towel to turn off faucets in the bathroom and also to open the door.  This is a good rule to follow even at home.  Speaking of home.  When you first arrive home at the end of the day.  Wash those hands.  This will help prevent spreading any germs around the house that you might have brought home with you from the outside world.

     We are all aware of over the counter medications available to treat the different symptoms to feel better.  These days it's important to do things the natural way.  So I have listed some alternative (natural) treatments for those symptoms.

• Sore throats get from lozenges, hard candies, salt water gargle or hot tea with honey & lemon.
• Treat a runny nose and sneezing with a saline nasal spray or a cool-midst humidifier.
• Congestion  can also be relieved with a cool-midst humidifier.
• A dry cough does well with honey (local is better) or cough drops.
• Treat a moist cough with the same honey or cough drops.
• Body aches and fever need a lot of fluids and a lukewarm sponge bath will soothe.
• Diarrhea is well treated by a diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Hydrating liquids.
• Nausea and vomiting means the brat diet (see above) as well.  Hydrating liquids as well.