The Common Cold and Influenza

The biggest difference between a cold and the flu is the onset of a fever (small children can develop a fever with a cold)and fatigue. With the common cold, you rarely get a fever and you shouldn't feel fatigue. Colds usually last for about one week to ten days and the flu much longer, twelve days or more followed by a week or more of residual coughing and fatigue. The cold and flu are rarely dangerous among healthy adults. But, if you are over 65 or have had any complication previous that could weakened your immune system, such as heart or lung disease, you will want to seek medical as soon as you develop cold or flu-like systems.

Take vitamin C and zinc lozenges at the first sign of a sore throat or stuffiness in the head or nose. This can shorten the duration of a cold and may even stop it altogether. Take the lozenges every three hours for the first day of cold symptoms.

Don't take aspirin if you have a cold or the flu, especially don't give children any product containing aspirin with symptoms of any viral infection. This may increase the chance of the child getting Reye's Syndrome. Aspirin also depletes the body of vitamin C.

When you have a cold or the flu, you might not feel like eating. You should switch to a liquid diet by consuming hot soups and broths. This should help in relieving your symptoms and shorten the duration of your cold or flu. Chicken soup is good for the soul and your body.

If you just have the cold and not the flu, remain as active as possible. Moving around helps to loosen built-up mucus and fluids.

There are homeopathic remedies out there for cold symptoms. Look into Calcarea carbonica, Anas barbariae, and Ferrum phosphoricum. There are also herbs out there that help with colds. Astragalus helps promote white blood cells. Wild pansy, chuan xin lian, eucalyptus, and Mullein are useful for coughs and congestion.

Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of colds and flus. Discard tissues by flushing if possible. Don't shake hands if you have a cold or the flu.

Winter time increases everybody's chances of catching a cold or the flu. There is no cure for the common cold or influenza but you can take preventive measures such as taking Bovine colostrum during the cold and flu season. Hopefully you stay cold and flu free this season. If not, follow the advice above and get well soon.