Physiotherapy and Allied Health
The Truth About Colds and Flu
Despite great advances in medicine, the common cold continues to affect us. The winter months are usually considered prime time for colds, but is this really the case? We’ll explore some of the myths of the common cold and how we can reduce our risk of catching one.
The common cold is a mild upper respiratory illness, the hallmark symptoms of which are nasal stuffiness, sneezing, sore throat and cough. Common colds
are responsible for considerable discomfort, lost work, and medical costs.On average, adults get 2-5 colds a year and schoolchildren can get 7-10 colds
a year.
Upper respiratory tract illnesses are the 3rd most common reason for visiting a doctor.
IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMMON COLD AND THE ‘FLU. THEY ARE CAUSED BY DIFFERENT VIRUSES BUT WHAT’S THE EASIEST WAY TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
Common colds are usually caused by a group of viruses called ‘rhinoviruses’
Influenza is a caused by a different group of viruses.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense.
Influenza involves the lungs, whereas the common cold does not.
RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CONSUMING FOODS RICH IN FLAVONOIDS PROVIDES US WITH PROTECTION AGAINST CATCHING A COLD.
Australian research has shown that eating foods rich in flavonoids provides up to 33% protection from the common cold
Flavonoids are found in lots of fruit and vegetables, including green tea, apples, blueberries, cocoa, red wine and onions.
PREVENTION IS BEST
Not touching the nose, eyes, or mouth with potentially contaminated fingers can reduce transmission of the virus through direct contact. Transmission of
common cold infection is mostly through hand-to-hand contact, with subsequent passage to the nostrils or eyes.
Because the common cold is caused by a virus instead of a bacterium, anti-bacterial soaps and gels are no better than regular soap for removing the
virus from skin or other surfaces.
Handwashing & maintaining good health for immunity (healthy diet & regular activity)
WHY IS WINTER THE SEASON FOR COLDS... OR IS IT?
We don't have indisputable evidence that winter is "cold season."
The incidence of rhinovirus infections peak during autumn, with a smaller outbreak in spring.
The influenza pandemic of 1918-19, which killed at least 20 million people worldwide, reached peak virulence in the most of the world during the late
spring and summer.
WHAT ABOUT VITAMIN C AND ECHINACEA. CAN THEY HELP REDUCE THE DURATION AND SEVERITY OF A COLD?
Despite the widespread use of vitamin C, research has shown that they do not reduce the duration or severity of the common cold.
Some echinacea supplements may shorten the duration of a cold by about half a day and may slightly reduce symptom severity. But the research results
have been too minor to be significant.
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