Common cold and Flu are viral infections caused by different viruses. Both common cold and flu cause respiratory illnesses. A person starts showing symptoms of cold and flu within three days of catching a virus. Symptoms of common cold and flu may vary from person to person but in general a person can experience one or several of following symptoms:
1- Cough
2- Runny or Blocked nose
3- Sore throat
4- Sneezing
5- Congestion
The symptoms of flu are severe than common cold and a person attacked by flu virus can have additional symptoms like:
1- Head/ Body Ache
2- Fever
3- Fatigue
It’s not uncommon for you to feel tired for several days after your flu symptoms have subsided. It’s important you stay home from school or work until you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. This is without taking fever-reducing medications. If you have the flu, you’re contagious a day before your symptoms appear and up to five to seven days afterward.
The worst part of the illnesses is that no amount of antibiotics can cure common cold or flu, normally it takes 5 days to recover from common cold but in some cases it can take up to 10 days. But the good thing is that there are some very effective and easy ways to fight off the symptoms of common cold and flu and make this period as bearable as possible.
1- Stay Hydrated
I have myself witnessed that most of the times during cold or flu it’s even so hard to swallow your saliva or even sip on a water but trust me dehydration will make it worst. Try to keep yourself as hydrated as possible. Drink water, fresh juices, honey and lemon water, ginger tea, chicken broth. These drinks will help loosen congestion and will prevent dehydration.
Avoid caffeinated drinks, soda, cold drinks, coffee and alcohol as these drinks can make you dehydrated.
2- Gargle
To help soothe a sore throat, gargle with salt water. Take 1 glass luke warm water and add half or quarter tea spoon salt in it. Lemon juice is a proven antibacterial and antiviral. It can tremendously decrease the healing time of canker sores and blisters in the mouth. To get the benefits squeeze the juice of one lemon and add along with salt and water and gargle.
3-Use Humidifier
Congestion is without a doubt relieved with humidity. The mist from a humidifier is known to un-stuff congested mucous membranes in the nose, throat, and lungs. Kids can breathe more comfortably and they recuperate sooner.
A cool mist vaporiser or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which can help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use steam, which hasn’t been shown to help and may cause burns.
4- Use Pain Killers
To relieve pain and soothe aching muscles adults can use one 500mg tablet of paracetamol/panadol or ibuprofen or asprin every 6 hours.For children older than 6 months, you can use either paracetamol or ibuprofen. But for kids under the age of six months use only Paracetamol 5ml every 4 hours or depending on the weight of your child. Ask your child’s doctor for the correct dose for your child’s age and weight.
These medicines will not only relieve pain pain but will also help with fever.
You should seek medical attention if you have:
- Fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C) in adults and 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up to 12 weeks
- Fever lasting three days or more or returning after a fever-free period
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Severe sore throat, headache or sinus pain
5-Use Decongestant Sprays
Combat Stuffiness using over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays. These sprays and drops can help relieve stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend putting several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb, gently place the syringe tip in the nostril about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 12 millimeters) and slowly release the bulb. Saline nasal sprays may be used in older children.
6- Take Rest
During common cold or flu you feel generally tired and specifically unwell. These feelings of tiredness and fatigue may come on fast and be difficult to overcome. But to avoid these feelings of fatigue and discomfort try to take proper rest. It might not be possible in presence of all these symptoms but by taking above mentioned measures you can vanquish the symptoms and make this period relevantly pleasant.
HealthandBeauty206 