Trick or Treat: A Cold or The Flu?
A Cold or The Flu? What to do?
The symptoms are confusing, but here’s a simple test: high fevers, body aches, extreme fatigue and a constant dry cough are likely to be flu, according to experts at eMedicineHealth. The common cold generally consists of; a runny or stuffy nose, a mild fever, and coughing.
In either case, antibiotics are not the cure for these virus caused illnesses, because antibiotics cannot fight viruses. In fact, taking prescription medications weakens their effectiveness for when you really need them; so reserve them for only bacterial infections.
Often, what you need to ease the symptoms of colds and flu can be found right at home.
For chest congestion:
•Drink plenty of fluids (8 to 10 cups a day) such as water, sports drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger-ale. Fluids help break up congestion, prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist.
•Inhaled steam can ease congestion too. Create steam with a humidifier, or steam up the bathroom by running a hot shower.
For nasal congestion:
• Relieve clogged nasal and sinus passages caused by excessive mucus with either decongestant pills or with a nasal spray. These are best taken (for a limited time) following a hot shower and lots of nose blowing to clear out the mucus as much as possible.
For fever and pain, body aches and tiredness:
• Rest in bed.
• Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can help decrease fever and ease sore throat pain and body aches.
For cough:
• For a dry hacking cough, you may choose a medication that contains a cough suppressant –Look for over-the-counter medications that contain dextromethorphan.
• For a cough that produces excessive mucus, or phlegm, you may want to use an expectorant that loosens phlegm. Guaifenesin the most common active ingredient.
For sore throat:
• A warm salt-water gargle can relieve a scratchy throat.
• Lozenges, mouthwashes, and sprays that contain a numbing ingredient can ease the pain.
Source: Consumer Health News