The common cold and flu are an infection of your nose and throat caused by viruses.
The common cold and flu are contagious; it can be spread by air droplets from coughs and sneezes and by touching infected surfaces. It is contagious from 1–2 days before symptoms begin until the symptoms have stopped.
The common cold and flu are contagious; it can be spread by air droplets from coughs and sneezes and by touching infected surfaces. It is contagious from 1–2 days before symptoms begin until the symptoms have stopped.
Is It a Cold or the Flu?
Symptoms that the cold and flu have in common include coughing, headache, stuffy nose, fatigue, and muscle aches. Other cold symptoms are a runny nose, fever up to 102 degrees, sore throat, and sneezing. With the flu, on the other hand, a fever may be over 102 degrees and symptoms can include chills, sweats, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Symptoms that the cold and flu have in common include coughing, headache, stuffy nose, fatigue, and muscle aches. Other cold symptoms are a runny nose, fever up to 102 degrees, sore throat, and sneezing. With the flu, on the other hand, a fever may be over 102 degrees and symptoms can include chills, sweats, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Causes
The common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. Around 50 percent of colds are caused by rhinoviruses, other cold-causing viruses include:
-human parainfluenza virus
-Human metapneumovirus
-coronaviruses adenovirus
-human respiratory syncytial virus
-enteroviruses
When a virus manages to overpower the body's immune system, infection occurs. The first line of defense is mucus, which is produced in the nose and throat by the mucus glands. This mucus traps anything inhaled, such as dust, viruses, and bacteria. Mucus is a slippery fluid that the membranes of the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina produce.
When the mucus is penetrated by the virus, the virus then enters a cell, the virus takes control and uses the cell's machinery to manufacture more viruses, and these viruses then attack surrounding cells.
Risk factors
Some people are more susceptible to the common cold than others, including:
-children under 6
-older adults
-individuals with weak immune systems
-smokers
Anyone who has been around infected individuals is also at risk; for instance on an airplane or at school. Also, people are more susceptible to colds in fall and winter, but they can occur at any time of the year.
Complications
Being infected with the common cold can lead to the following complications:
-Acute Bronchitis
-Pneumonia
-Acute Bacterial Sinusitis
-Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
-Asthma
There are some precautions that can help avoid catching the common cold. These include:
-Avoid close contact with someone infected with a cold.
-Eat plenty of vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables to help keep the immune system strong.
-When sneezing or coughing, make sure it is done into a tissue. Discard the tissue carefully and wash your hands.
-If you sneeze into your hands, make sure you wash them with soap and water immediately.
-If you have no tissues or a handkerchief, cough into the inside (crook) of your elbow rather than your hands.
-Wash your hands regularly; cold viruses can be transmitted from one person to another by touch. In fact, more germs are passed by shaking hands than by kissing.
-Avoid touching your face, especially your nose and mouth.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166606.php
The common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. Around 50 percent of colds are caused by rhinoviruses, other cold-causing viruses include:
-human parainfluenza virus
-Human metapneumovirus
-coronaviruses adenovirus
-human respiratory syncytial virus
-enteroviruses
When a virus manages to overpower the body's immune system, infection occurs. The first line of defense is mucus, which is produced in the nose and throat by the mucus glands. This mucus traps anything inhaled, such as dust, viruses, and bacteria. Mucus is a slippery fluid that the membranes of the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina produce.
When the mucus is penetrated by the virus, the virus then enters a cell, the virus takes control and uses the cell's machinery to manufacture more viruses, and these viruses then attack surrounding cells.
Risk factors
Some people are more susceptible to the common cold than others, including:
-children under 6
-older adults
-individuals with weak immune systems
-smokers
Anyone who has been around infected individuals is also at risk; for instance on an airplane or at school. Also, people are more susceptible to colds in fall and winter, but they can occur at any time of the year.
Complications
Being infected with the common cold can lead to the following complications:
-Acute Bronchitis
-Pneumonia
-Acute Bacterial Sinusitis
-Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
-Asthma
There are some precautions that can help avoid catching the common cold. These include:
-Avoid close contact with someone infected with a cold.
-Eat plenty of vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables to help keep the immune system strong.
-When sneezing or coughing, make sure it is done into a tissue. Discard the tissue carefully and wash your hands.
-If you sneeze into your hands, make sure you wash them with soap and water immediately.
-If you have no tissues or a handkerchief, cough into the inside (crook) of your elbow rather than your hands.
-Wash your hands regularly; cold viruses can be transmitted from one person to another by touch. In fact, more germs are passed by shaking hands than by kissing.
-Avoid touching your face, especially your nose and mouth.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166606.php
Attention!
Attention!
Who should avoid herbal medicines?
Taking a herbal medicine may not be suitable for:
-People taking other medicines
-People with serious health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease
-People who are going to have surgery
-Pregnant or breastfeeding women
-The elderly
-Children – as with all medicines, herbal medicines should be kept out of the sight and reach of children
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice before trying a herbal medicine if you fall into one of these groups.
Herbal medicines and surgery
It's important to tell your doctor if you take any herbal medicines before undergoing surgery.
This is because:
-Some herbal medicines might interfere with anaesthesia and other medicines used before, during or after procedures
-Some herbal medicines may interfere with blood clotting and blood pressure, which may increase the risk of bleeding during or after surgery
Your doctor may therefore advise you to stop taking any herbal medicines during the weeks leading up to your operation.
HOME REMEDIES FOR FLU AND COMMON COLD IN CHILDREN
HOME REMEDIES FOR FLU AND COMMON COLD IN CHILDREN
When your child gets sick with a flu or cold, you just want to make them feel better. To help ease their symptoms, you can use simple and reliable home remedies.
Age from 3 to 14 years is defined as childhood. You can apply any of the following cures in the treatment of a flu and common cold in accordance with the age and taste of your child.
Tips to Help Your Child Feel Better
-Drink plenty of fluids and keep well hydrated, being dehydrated when infected with a cold and a flu can make symptoms worse.
-Get rest. Rest helps the body focus its energy on getting well, so keep kids home from school to keep them warm, and well-rested.
-Use a humidifier. A humidifier in your child's room can keep the air moist and break up nasal and chest congestion.
-Talk to your pediatrician before giving OTC cold and cough medicines. These medicines should not be given to children under 4 years of age, according to the FDA and the drug makers. Also, evidence indicates medicines such as antihistamines, decongestants, and cough medicines don't really help, but they could pose a small risk of serious side effects.
-Never give aspirin to children or teens, as such use has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can be fatal.
Cold symptoms usually appear 2 or 3 days after exposure to a source of infection. Most colds clear up within 1 week, but some last a bit longer.
1- Nettle Tea: Nettle tea is a reliable and effective herbal tea that can be used in the treatment of children with colds or flu.
Ingredients
-1 teapot
-1 cup of water
-1 pieces nettle bag or 2 g of dried nettle
Directions
-Pour a cup of water inside the teapot and boil the water.
-Then place 1 pieces nettle bag or 2 g of dried nettle inside your teapot.
-Let your tea steep for about 10 minutes. And then strain.
-Give your child ¼ , ½ or 1 cup of this tea, according the to feel age, on an empty stomach 2 or 3 times daily.
-If you want you can add honey.
2- Bay Leaf (Daphne) Tea: About 1 hour after drinking this tea, the post-nasal drip and nasal discharge stops. Nasal passages of your child are opened and your child breathe more easily and get a good night's sleep.
Ingredients
-1 Cup of water
-1 teapot
-2 Bay leaves
Directions
-Pour 1 cup of water into the teapot and boil the water.
-Place 2 bay (daphne) leaves.
-Give your child ¼ or ½ cup of this tea, according the to feel age, on an empty stomach 2 or 3 times daily.
3- Garlic Tea: One of the best known benefits of garlic herbal tea is its ability to help when your child have a cold and flu. Age from 3 to 14 years is defined as childhood. You can apply any of the following cures in the treatment of a flu and common cold in accordance with the age and taste of your child.
Tips to Help Your Child Feel Better
-Drink plenty of fluids and keep well hydrated, being dehydrated when infected with a cold and a flu can make symptoms worse.
-Get rest. Rest helps the body focus its energy on getting well, so keep kids home from school to keep them warm, and well-rested.
-Use a humidifier. A humidifier in your child's room can keep the air moist and break up nasal and chest congestion.
-Talk to your pediatrician before giving OTC cold and cough medicines. These medicines should not be given to children under 4 years of age, according to the FDA and the drug makers. Also, evidence indicates medicines such as antihistamines, decongestants, and cough medicines don't really help, but they could pose a small risk of serious side effects.
-Never give aspirin to children or teens, as such use has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can be fatal.
Cold symptoms usually appear 2 or 3 days after exposure to a source of infection. Most colds clear up within 1 week, but some last a bit longer.
1- Nettle Tea: Nettle tea is a reliable and effective herbal tea that can be used in the treatment of children with colds or flu.
Ingredients
-1 teapot
-1 cup of water
-1 pieces nettle bag or 2 g of dried nettle
Directions
-Pour a cup of water inside the teapot and boil the water.
-Then place 1 pieces nettle bag or 2 g of dried nettle inside your teapot.
-Let your tea steep for about 10 minutes. And then strain.
-Give your child ¼ , ½ or 1 cup of this tea, according the to feel age, on an empty stomach 2 or 3 times daily.
-If you want you can add honey.
2- Bay Leaf (Daphne) Tea: About 1 hour after drinking this tea, the post-nasal drip and nasal discharge stops. Nasal passages of your child are opened and your child breathe more easily and get a good night's sleep.
Ingredients
-1 Cup of water
-1 teapot
-2 Bay leaves
Directions
-Pour 1 cup of water into the teapot and boil the water.
-Place 2 bay (daphne) leaves.
-Give your child ¼ or ½ cup of this tea, according the to feel age, on an empty stomach 2 or 3 times daily.
It is recommended that patients with the following diseases be abstained from using bay leaves:
-Peptic ulcer and inflammatory bowel disease due to the ability of the agent to irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
-Impaired functioning of the kidneys, liver, urinary system.
-Diabetes.
-Dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.
-Individual intolerance to the active components of bay leaves.
It fights nasty cold symptoms and treats flus, helping you to recover while at the same time strengthening respiratory system of your child.
The garlic infusion helps to treat hoarseness, coughs and a sore throat as well.
Attention: Large medicinal doses for long periods can increase the risk of bleeding. Because garlic can increase the risk of bleeding, people who take blood thinners should not take garlic.
Ingredients
-1 garlic clove per cup of water.
-1 Cup of water
-1 teapot
Directions
-Pour a cup of water inside the teapot and boil the water.
-Then Chop and crush one garlic clove and place it inside your teapot.
-Let your tea steep for about 15 minutes. And then strain.
-Add honey and lemon juice to taste.
-Give your child ¼ or ½ cup of this tea, according the to feel age, on an empty stomach 2 times daily.
4- Chicken soup: Chicken soup is good for soothing both cold and flu symptoms. The hot soup helps break up the congestion associated with both colds and the flu. The salt in the soup and its warmth can soothe a sore throat. A 2000 study claimed to have shown that it also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can relieve congestion too, although this is still uncertain.
5- Milk - Turmeric Mixture: Turmeric has a strong antiseptic content. It causes the death of bacteria that cause excessive mucus production in the respiratory tract. It also strengthens the immune system and provides protection and resistance to possible diseases.
Attention: Large medicinal doses for long periods can increase the risk of bleeding. Because turmeric can increase the risk of bleeding, people who take blood thinners should not take turmeric.
Directions
-Put a teaspoon of powdered turmeric in a cup of hot milk.
-Add honey.
-Give your child ½ or 1 cup of this mixture, according the to feel age, on an empty stomach 2 times daily.
If your child has a cough
-Cough syrups can’t cure the cold or flu, and some can cause serious side effects like seizures. The FDA warns against using OTC cough medicines for kids younger than age 2. And doctors aren’t sure how safe these drugs are for older kids.
Instead, give your child a teaspoon of honey. The thick liquid will coat his throat and relieve coughing. But don’t give it to babies under 12 months -- it’s not safe for them.
-Before going to bed at night, apply a thin layer of honey to your child's back and then cover it with a paper towel. If you try this app 2-3 times, it will stop coughing. Quality of honey is important.
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