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| Cold and Flu Prevention Methods |
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Each year, millions of Americans are affected by the cold and flu, illnesses that can quickly sweep through schools, workplaces, and towns. Unfortunately, there are so many prevailing myths about the cold and flu viruses that many people have no idea how to prevent either ailment from affecting them. There are, however, a number of things that you can do to avoid getting the common cold, and preventative measures that you can take to limit your potential for experiencing the seasonal flu.
It is important to understand the nature of the two illnesses, as many people confuse severe colds with influenza, and vice versa. The common cold is a minor infection of the throat and nasal passages. It is caused by a number of different viruses, and lasts anywhere from a week to a week and a half, depending upon the age and overall health of the patient. The youngest and oldest in our society experience the most difficulty with the cold In fact, small children catch the common cold an average of seven times each year. Accounting for more doctors' visits than any other illness, the common cold is highly contagious, as the virus is transmitted within droplets of fluid and passes from one person to another via touch or inhalation. The flu is similar to the cold, but its symptoms are more severe, and affect the whole body - especially the lungs.
Cold and flu symptoms are readily identified, and are generally easy to distinguish from one another if you know what you are looking for. Within a few days after a patient has caught a cold, symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing begin to appear. Other symptoms include a diminished appetite and sense of smell, congestion, and an irritated throat that is usually accompanied by a cough. Most cold symptoms center upon the head and throat. The flu tends to focus on t lungs and the body as a whole. Though many flu symptoms mirror those of the common cold - albeit at greater intensity levels, the presence of high fevers and lingering muscle aches is generally indicative of the flu.
There are differences in the prevention of the two illnesses as well. While there are things that you can do to limit your exposure to the cold virus, there are no sure-fire methods for completely avoiding them. To limit your potential for getting a cold, you should avoid contact with anyone who has a cold, and thoroughly wash your hands if you do come into contact with a cold sufferer. In addition, you should develop a habit of keeping your hands and fingers away from your own eyes and nose, as that is one of the most common ways that the cold is transmitted. If someone in your home is infected with a cold, separate the towels, glasses, and other items that they come into contact with so that healthy family members don't come into contact with these items.
To prevent the flu, the most advisable course of action is still the flu vaccine. The flu shot is preferable to the spray, as tests show that better results are achieved with the injection. Flu vaccines should be taken every year, as the flu virus changes from year to year, necessitating the creation of new vaccines on an annual basis.
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