"Cold" and "Flu" Season is Coming!

So let's take today . . . and better understand what this season of "discomfort" really is . . .

Okay . . . so to most of us . . . the "discomfort" from a "cold" or the "flu" . . . means a nose that won't stop "dripping", a cough that becomes a nag and a scratchy throat that hurts no matter how much water we drink.

But . . . how can we tell if we have a "common cold" . . . or the "flu"???

Because "BOTH" . . . a "cold" and the "flu" cause "infections" . . . by entering the body through the mouth, nose and eyes.

And "knowing" the difference between a "cold" and the "flu" . . . is key to effectively treating our symptoms.

So let's start with . . . the "common cold" . . .

The "common cold" is a "viral infection" of the nose and throat . . . and even though it feels pretty "major" . . . it's usually "harmless".

This "cold" is caused by any one of over 200 viruses that cause "inflammation" of the membranes that line the nose and throat. And the "rhinoviruses" cause most "colds" and spreads easily to others.

Okay . . . so what time of year do we normally get a "common cold"???

Well . . . in the Northern Hemisphere . . . that would be . . . December, January and February . . . but in the Southern Hemisphere . . . it's June, July and August.

And how long does a "common cold" last???

Well . . . most people recover in a week to 10 days . . . with "all" symptoms being gone within 1 to 2 weeks.

And who is most likely to get a "common cold"???

Well . . . believe it or not . . . "everyone" . . . and we're MORE likely to get a "cold" . . . than the "flu"

Why you ask???

Well . . . this is due to the body being able to build up an immunity to "flu viruses" . . . whereas . . . with a "cold" . . . it's not as much about "antibodies" . . . but rather our "immune system".

And therefore . . . many "adults" get a "cold" 2 or 3 times a year . . . with infants and young children sometime getting a "cold" even more times than that.

And what are some symptoms of the "common cold"???

Well . . . that would be . . .

Sneezing

Stuffy nose

Runny nose

Sore throat

Coughing

Mucus dripping down the throat (post-nasal drip)

Watery, itchy eyes

Muscle aches

Fatigue

Headache

Loss of appetite

And how do we catch a "common cold"???

Well . . . people that have a "cold" . . . spread this virus through the "air" to others.

You know . . . by sneezing, coughing, etc.

But guess what???

We can also spread a "cold" through contact with stool (poop) . . . or respiratory secretion's.

And tomorrow we'll talk about the "flu"

As always, feel free to DM or contact me at; miraclemeadows.net/contact/