Cold and Flu Season Arrives !


by Nathan Tingen
Tips for staying healthy during the winter, includes information on SARS and an explanation of the difference between colds and flu.

What You Should Know and Do
How many colds have you had in your lifetime? Even if you’ve had a lot, chances are that there are more to come. With more than 200 known viruses responsible for the common cold, there’s really no telling just how soon you’ll come in contact with one. While colds can occur at any time of the year, they are far more likely to occur during the fall and winter. Worse yet, the winter months also represent the height of the flu season.

Anyone who has suffered through the flu or a bad cold doesn’t want to experience another one anytime soon. While there’s no foolproof way to avoid infection, there are steps you can take to minimize your potential of getting sick this winter.

1. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially after touching questionable surfaces or coming into contact with a person that is sick.
2. Drink plenty of water and other good fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
3. Maintain a balanced, nutritious diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Get adequate rest. A tired body is more susceptible to attack than a well-rested one.
5. Where possible, limit your exposure to others who may be sick. Take a few minutes to wipe down common surface areas such as handrails, doorknobs and sink handles to help slow and prevent the transmission of germs.

Getting sick this season is not a foregone conclusion, so be sure to do what you can to prevent unwanted illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 10 to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu during each flu season. And, according to their records, about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year.

Illness in the News
Recent years have brought to light many worries over illness on the international level. In February 2003 SARS—severe acute respiratory syndrome—made headlines worldwide for its flu-like symptoms that hid a more serious ailment. Over 8,000 cases of SARS were documented, resulting in more than 700 deaths.
Although SARS and other ailments may have captured the headlines lately, seasonal flu is actually a more immediate concern. Most people recover from the flu relatively easily after suffering only mild discomfort. Sometimes, however, the effects of the flu are far more serious. Each year, seasonal flu results in hospital stays for over 100,000 people. While it’s good to be aware of health issues around the globe, don’t forget about the health concerns in your neighborhood.

Cold vs. Flu. What’s the Difference?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses brought about by viral infections. Although the viruses that cause them are different, the two illnesses have similar symptoms. So similar, in fact, that it can be difficult to distinguish between the two by symptoms alone.
Colds are the most common cause of illness in adults and children. Symptoms of a cold will rarely last more than a few days. The flu is much more than a bad cold and can last more than a week. Generally, a cold will not produce further complications. The flu, however, may lead to other serious diseases, and in rare cases, even death.

Cold Symptoms
• Mild fever
• Body aches
• Tiredness
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Sneezing

Flu Symptoms
• High fever, chills and shaking
• Intense generalized muscle and joint pains
• Weakness and extreme tiredness
• Sore throat
• Dry cough that later produces a lot of phlegm.

Posted: Sunday - December 24, 2006 at 08:17 AM          

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