Flu plagues many
John Elmore
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Features
Flu season is back and going strong, and without proper knowledge you could be the next victim of illness.
According the Center for Disease Control Web site, this season's most common illnesses - the flu and the common cold - are extremely similar, but they have subtle differences.
The common cold's symptoms consist of a sore throat, runny nose, coughing or sneezing; feeling tired, exhausted, or weak; and headaches, a small appetite and a low fever.
The flu has very similar symptoms, including body aches, a sore throat, coughing and sneezing, irritated eyes, nausea, headache, congestion, vomiting and a high fever. All and all, The CDC considers the symptoms of the flu generally worse than that of the common cold.
Both, if left untreated, can lead to other ailments. Ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia are potential risks of an untreated sickness. If you know somebody who is already sick, it is best to just avoid contact to avoid spreading the ailment further.
Wash your hands many times a day and avoid rubbing your eyes or mouth. A useful item to have is a small bottle of "Germ-X" or any other hand sanitizer.
"I find that the best way to prevent an oncoming cold is drinking a gallon of orange juice as soon as I notice its onset," said sophomore business major Wes Windham.
Common daily multivitamins are also a valuable tool to help prevent against sickness. Green tea and orange juice are common drinks that many people use to help boost their immune system.
If you are already sick, chicken soup is a classic remedy that has stood the test of time. Not only is it hearty, it is also easy on the stomach and builds strength for when the body is rejecting a lot of other foods. It is important to drink a lot of fluids to clean out the body's systems and also to stay hydrated. Tylenol can be used if a fever gets too high, but according to the CDC website, aspirin can lead to a liver disease called Reye Syndrome. Antibiotics do not work, either, because the common cold and the flu are viral illness, not bacterial.
There are some over-the-counter medicines that can help speed up the healing process. Tamiflu and Relenza are a couple of the name brands that you can find at the local pharmacy. If you are sick, be sure to get a lot of rest to allow the body to fight off the virus. Also, be sure to avoid stress.
As with most cases, the best treatment is prevention. If you become ill and the illness lasts along time, it is important to visit a doctor.
So be sure to practice safe steps to prevent contracting the flu, a cold or any other bug that might be floating around.
According the Center for Disease Control Web site, this season's most common illnesses - the flu and the common cold - are extremely similar, but they have subtle differences.
The common cold's symptoms consist of a sore throat, runny nose, coughing or sneezing; feeling tired, exhausted, or weak; and headaches, a small appetite and a low fever.
The flu has very similar symptoms, including body aches, a sore throat, coughing and sneezing, irritated eyes, nausea, headache, congestion, vomiting and a high fever. All and all, The CDC considers the symptoms of the flu generally worse than that of the common cold.
Both, if left untreated, can lead to other ailments. Ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia are potential risks of an untreated sickness. If you know somebody who is already sick, it is best to just avoid contact to avoid spreading the ailment further.
Wash your hands many times a day and avoid rubbing your eyes or mouth. A useful item to have is a small bottle of "Germ-X" or any other hand sanitizer.
"I find that the best way to prevent an oncoming cold is drinking a gallon of orange juice as soon as I notice its onset," said sophomore business major Wes Windham.
Common daily multivitamins are also a valuable tool to help prevent against sickness. Green tea and orange juice are common drinks that many people use to help boost their immune system.
If you are already sick, chicken soup is a classic remedy that has stood the test of time. Not only is it hearty, it is also easy on the stomach and builds strength for when the body is rejecting a lot of other foods. It is important to drink a lot of fluids to clean out the body's systems and also to stay hydrated. Tylenol can be used if a fever gets too high, but according to the CDC website, aspirin can lead to a liver disease called Reye Syndrome. Antibiotics do not work, either, because the common cold and the flu are viral illness, not bacterial.
There are some over-the-counter medicines that can help speed up the healing process. Tamiflu and Relenza are a couple of the name brands that you can find at the local pharmacy. If you are sick, be sure to get a lot of rest to allow the body to fight off the virus. Also, be sure to avoid stress.
As with most cases, the best treatment is prevention. If you become ill and the illness lasts along time, it is important to visit a doctor.
So be sure to practice safe steps to prevent contracting the flu, a cold or any other bug that might be floating around.
Be the first to comment on this story