Prevention, treatment and knowing the difference.
By: Sherry Torkos, R. PH., B. SC. PHM., The Canadian Encyclopedia Of Natural Medicine, National Post, Published: Feb. 17, 2010
By: Sherry Torkos, R. PH., B. SC. PHM., The Canadian Encyclopedia Of Natural Medicine, National Post, Published: Feb. 17, 2010
Colds and flu are both caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract--the nose, sinus passages and throat. there are more than 200 viruses that can cause colds; the most common family is known as the rhinoviruses. these are also called "nose viruses", based on a Greek word "rhino" meaning nose. According to statistics, 72 per cent of Canadians get colds each year. Adults average 2.5 colds a year while children contract six to eight per year.
Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection caused by viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. As of January 23 there have been 39,020 confirmed cases of influenza (both seasonal and H1N1 flu) in Canada.
The flu can be distinguished from the common cold because it generally results in a more severe illness, with a sudden onset of headache, chills and cough followed rapidly by a high fever, appetite loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. the incubation period for influenza is 24 to 72 hours. Adults with influenza remain infectious for 3 to 5 days after onset of symptoms, and children may remain infectious for up to a week after onset. influenza Typically lasts a week to 10 days.
We are in the midst of cold and flu season and this year has been particularly worrisome for Canadians with the heightened concerns of the H1N1 pandemic. As such, there is also greater interest in strategies for prevention.
Cold symptoms, on the other hand, generally involve the upper respiratory tract with runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and throat irritation. Symptoms usually begin two to five days after initial infection and often resolve in several days to a week.
In some people, especially young children, those over 65 years of age, or people with other systemic illnesses (e. g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses), influenza can be very severe, requiring hospitalization. people with these risk factors should receive immunization against influenza each year.
In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April however, the 2009-2010 influenza season began earlier this year, in August. the flu is not caused by cold weather, rather it is more common in the winter because humidity is lower and we spend more time indoors, in close contact with one another, making it easier to contract and spread germs. Colds are also more common in the winter, for the same reason as the flu, but they can happen any time of the year.
Catching a cold or flu causes much more than just personal suffering. it is estimated that the social costs of the common cold is $400 million per year which makes it more costly than asthma, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined.
The public Health Agency of Canada commissioned Statistics Canada to assess the impact of H1N1 and seasonal flu on hours worked over a three-month period, starting in November, using the Labour Force Survey. According to this report, 1.5 million employed people aged 15 to 69 reported they were absent from work as a result of the H1N1 or seasonal flu, representing 9.0 per cent of workers in that age group. On average, these absent workers lost 19.6 hours of work each, for a total of 29.5 million hours lost.
As a pharmacist I am often asked about what can be done to prevent or treat cold and flu. We have all heard about the importance of vaccination for the flu, and hand washing and covering our mouth and nose when we cough or sneeze to prevent contracting or spreading a cold or flu, but there is much more that can be done to cut your chances of catching a bug this season and it all begins with a strong functioning immune system.
Our immune system is our defense network against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. this network is comprised of millions of cells, tissues and organs, such as the skin, the respiratory system (nose, tonsils, sinuses and lungs) and digestive tract. this complex system works hard every day to protect us against infection and even cancer.
Our immune system, far from being a static and fixed entity, is a dynamic and adaptive process with elaborate communication networks. thus, it can be heavily influenced by a broad variety of factors, including diet and lifestyle. in this report you will learn about strategies to optimize immune system health, the role of supplements and other things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting a bug this season. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you do happen to get sick keep in mind most cases of cold and flu are mild and can be treated by staying home and getting adequate rest, drinking fluids and taking products for symptom relief. it is important to see your doctor if you have any serious medical conditions or if you have a fever greater than 38 Celsius (102 F) along with aching, fatigue, sweating, and chills, or if there is vomiting, ear pain, coloured phlegm, or if symptoms persist longer than 10 days. Contrary to common belief, antibiotics are of no benefit in treating a cold or flu, unless you develop a secondary bacterial infection such as strep throat, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Sherry torkos is a pharmacist, fitness instructor, and author of several books including the Canadian encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Her website is: www.sherrytorkos.com.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information courtesy of the National Post for public health benefit. Feb. 17. 2020
Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection caused by viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. As of January 23 there have been 39,020 confirmed cases of influenza (both seasonal and H1N1 flu) in Canada.
The flu can be distinguished from the common cold because it generally results in a more severe illness, with a sudden onset of headache, chills and cough followed rapidly by a high fever, appetite loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. the incubation period for influenza is 24 to 72 hours. Adults with influenza remain infectious for 3 to 5 days after onset of symptoms, and children may remain infectious for up to a week after onset. influenza Typically lasts a week to 10 days.
We are in the midst of cold and flu season and this year has been particularly worrisome for Canadians with the heightened concerns of the H1N1 pandemic. As such, there is also greater interest in strategies for prevention.
Cold symptoms, on the other hand, generally involve the upper respiratory tract with runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and throat irritation. Symptoms usually begin two to five days after initial infection and often resolve in several days to a week.
In some people, especially young children, those over 65 years of age, or people with other systemic illnesses (e. g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses), influenza can be very severe, requiring hospitalization. people with these risk factors should receive immunization against influenza each year.
In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April however, the 2009-2010 influenza season began earlier this year, in August. the flu is not caused by cold weather, rather it is more common in the winter because humidity is lower and we spend more time indoors, in close contact with one another, making it easier to contract and spread germs. Colds are also more common in the winter, for the same reason as the flu, but they can happen any time of the year.
Catching a cold or flu causes much more than just personal suffering. it is estimated that the social costs of the common cold is $400 million per year which makes it more costly than asthma, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined.
The public Health Agency of Canada commissioned Statistics Canada to assess the impact of H1N1 and seasonal flu on hours worked over a three-month period, starting in November, using the Labour Force Survey. According to this report, 1.5 million employed people aged 15 to 69 reported they were absent from work as a result of the H1N1 or seasonal flu, representing 9.0 per cent of workers in that age group. On average, these absent workers lost 19.6 hours of work each, for a total of 29.5 million hours lost.
As a pharmacist I am often asked about what can be done to prevent or treat cold and flu. We have all heard about the importance of vaccination for the flu, and hand washing and covering our mouth and nose when we cough or sneeze to prevent contracting or spreading a cold or flu, but there is much more that can be done to cut your chances of catching a bug this season and it all begins with a strong functioning immune system.
Our immune system is our defense network against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. this network is comprised of millions of cells, tissues and organs, such as the skin, the respiratory system (nose, tonsils, sinuses and lungs) and digestive tract. this complex system works hard every day to protect us against infection and even cancer.
Our immune system, far from being a static and fixed entity, is a dynamic and adaptive process with elaborate communication networks. thus, it can be heavily influenced by a broad variety of factors, including diet and lifestyle. in this report you will learn about strategies to optimize immune system health, the role of supplements and other things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting a bug this season. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you do happen to get sick keep in mind most cases of cold and flu are mild and can be treated by staying home and getting adequate rest, drinking fluids and taking products for symptom relief. it is important to see your doctor if you have any serious medical conditions or if you have a fever greater than 38 Celsius (102 F) along with aching, fatigue, sweating, and chills, or if there is vomiting, ear pain, coloured phlegm, or if symptoms persist longer than 10 days. Contrary to common belief, antibiotics are of no benefit in treating a cold or flu, unless you develop a secondary bacterial infection such as strep throat, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Sherry torkos is a pharmacist, fitness instructor, and author of several books including the Canadian encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Her website is: www.sherrytorkos.com.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information courtesy of the National Post for public health benefit. Feb. 17. 2020
