The Common Cold and The Flu

What's going on?

A cold and influenza ("The Flu") are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses.   More than 300 different viruses can cause colds and influenza E.g.adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus. Much smaller than a bacterium, a virus is a tiny cluster of genetic material surrounded by a protein wrapper that uses host cells to create copies of itself -and in so doing, sometimes destroys the host's cells.

Is it allergies or a bacterial infection instead of a cold or flu?

A cold will last, at most, a few weeks, but allergy symptoms can last all season.

Examples of bacterial infections.   Include sinus, ear and lung infections (bronchitis and pneumonia), which may have the following symptoms:

• Fever over 102 °F (38.9 °C)
• Ear pain;
• Pain around your eyes, especially with green nasal discharge;
• Shortness of breath or persistent uncontrollable cough;
• Persistently coughing up green and yellow sputum;

 If you have a bacterial infection, some of the natural antivirals used for cold/flu are also antibiotic E.g. Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), Wild Oregano Oil (WOO), Ionic Colloidal Silver (ICS)

How do you catch a cold or the flu?

The most common way to spread a cold/flu virus is by hand-to-hand contact.   E.g. you shook the hand of someone with a cold/flu virus who just blew their nose, or you touched something they touched. Cold/flu viruses can live for hours on objects, such as pens, keyboards, coffee mugs, door knobs, telephones, shopping cart handles, etc.making cross-contamination pretty easy. The virus gains access to your body when your contaminated hand touches your nose, mouth or food, or you have an open wound on your hand.

A virus is not as likely to be contracted through coughing, sneezing or kissing, and definitely not from being out in the cold and rain.

A weakened immune system is virtually an open door to a virus, conversely - a strong immune system will protect you.   The usual offenders that tear down your immune system include:

• Eating too much sugar and too many grains (convert to sugar in body);

Sweeteners

• Not getting enough rest

REST

• Allowing emotional stressors to take over your life
• Vitamin D deficiency.   A large study involving 19,000 Americans confirmed that those with lowest D levels were more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza and other respiratory infections.

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Ginde AA et al, Arch Intern Med.2009;169(4):384-390.

Vitamin D -The sunshine vitamin

• Use of antibiotics.     ABs not only kill pathogenic bacteria, but also your body's probiotic ("good") bacteria - major players in maintaining your immune system.

Probiotics -"For Life"