Cold and Flu Season Is Almost Here
Hey there, ReadyNutrition Readers! What could be more beneficial to you in the advent of the Common Cold/Flu season than knowledge on how to treat and prevent them from occurring in the first place? Except maybe some of JJ’s chicken soup (which is pretty darn good, by the way….I make it with rice and a ton of celery and carrots)? Well, I can’t send all the soup, so this will have to suffice. Take this info along with you as the weather cools and you’re spending more time camping and hiking in the cold weather.
The Cold Hard Facts on the Common Cold
The Common Cold is defined as an acute infection of any and all parts of the respiratory tract from the nasal mucosa to the nasal sinuses, throat, larynx, trachea, and bronchi.[1] Most people come down with a cold at least once per year. School-aged children are most susceptible due to the facts that their immune system is not as highly developed as and adults, and that they are in close proximity to a larger “pool” of sick little minnows. Perhaps that is Garlic (Allium sativum) is (as usual) the all-around wonder herb. Garlic is effective in preventing the common cold, reducing recovery time, and reducing symptom duration.[5] The herb is available in capsule or tablet form in the aforementioned establishments, and as a solid or aqueous extract in your health food concerns. Daily dosage is 4 grams of fresh garlic per day. A clove can be consumed 1-2 times per day, or up to 8 mg essential oil.[6]
Influenza
Influenza is another virus to worry about during the colder months. It has plagued man throughout the ages and is only now in the “infancy stages” of being understood, especially in function. The disease (seasonal) is described as being an acute, contagious, respiratory infection with fever, headache, and cough, originating with a virus (influenza A, in 65% of cases, or influenza B, in 35% of cases). Incubation is usually 1-3 days with the illness running its course in about a week. There are more than 400 types of viruses. Current antiviral medications include amantadine and rimantadine.
Over-the-counter medications are for treatment of symptoms while the body is fighting the infection and recovering. Such medications are guaifenisin (an expectorant),acetaminophen (fever and pain), and robitussin (cough), among others. We are all undoubtedly familiar with them. So how do viruses work? What are they? Let us explore some basics to better understand them.
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