We would all like to forget about the winter season and runny noses, sore throats, coughs and fevers, but the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still holds true.
Colds are caused by viruses that are different from those that cause influenza, with about 1 billion cases a year in the United States.
Cold viruses are highly contagious, but as people age, they tend to experience fewer colds. People over the age of 60 average less than one cold per year, while some children experience anywhere from six to 10 colds a year.
While we still don’t know how to prevent the common cold, avoiding contact with those already infected, frequent hand washing and using a disinfectant on contaminated objects will help.
While there is no proof that you can catch a cold by going outside with wet hair or getting chilled on a cold day, managing stress is important, because stress can affect the immune system. Running a humidifier in cold weather helps prevent the mucous membranes lining the nose from drying out.
Of course, regular exercise and a healthy diet help to boost the functioning of the immune system, as well. As for the flu, also known as influenza, the most effective method of prevention is to get the annual vaccine, which prevents the flu in most people over the age of 65.
The vaccine is a mix of three forms of the flu that are expected to cause disease in the coming season.
Prevention can be by means of an injection or an inhaled nasal spray, although the later is only approved for those between 5 and 50 years of age. The flu vaccine can be helpful for nearly everyone but it is especially important for small children, pregnant women, patients with lung, heart and metabolic conditions, residents of nursing homes, health care workers and anyone over the age of 50.
The most frequent side effects of the injected vaccine are mild soreness at the site and slight fever or muscle pain that may last for a day or two. The flu vaccine has been associated with the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome, though according to the Centers for Disease Control, this occurrence is extremely rare.
Both the inhaled and the injected vaccine are grown in eggs and may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to egg products.
After an incubation period of from one to four days, a flu infection may cause the following symptoms: fever, muscle pain, chills and sweats, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, congested or runny nose and lack of appetite. Fever and headache are more common symptoms with the flu and are a way to distinguish the flu from the common cold.
It is important to note that the 2009 H1N1 swine vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine.
If you are in danger of contracting swine flu, you will require both vaccines in order to be protected. Consult your doctor or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (800) 232-4636. Many senior centers and drug stores will be offering the flu vaccine, or you can find a list of places offering the vaccine near you on the Web site findaflushot.com.
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