Cold & Flu
Cold & Flu Colds make the upper respiratory system less
resistant to bacterial infection. Secondary bacterial infection
may lead to middle ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus
infection, or strep throat. People with chronic lung disease,
asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to
develop these complications. The symptoms of a cold and an
allergy are similar and can be confused. Ordinarily, the common
cold will cause red, inflamed nasal membranes, with thick,
yellow nasal secretions. If there's a cough, it will be loose
and eventually productive. With an allergy, the nasal membranes
will be pale and boggy with thin, watery, colorless secretions.
If there's a cough with an allergy, it will be dry and
unproductive. There will not be any fever with an allergy, but
with a cold there may, of course, be fever. Children who are
allergic sometimes exhibit a distinctive appearance. They
frequently have dark, puffy half-moons under their eyes and may
also have the "allergic salute" from wiping the nose diagonally
across the face. Colds may also be passed through direct
contact. If a person with a cold touches his runny nose or
watery eyes, then shakes hands with another person some of the
virus is transferred to the uninfected person. If that person
then touches his mouth, nose, or eyes, the virus is transferred
to an environment where it can reproduce and cause a cold. There
are no medicines that will cure the common cold. Given time, the
body's immune system will make antibodies to fight the
infection, and the cold will be resolved without any
intervention. Antibiotics are useless against a cold. However, a
great deal of money is spent by pharmaceutical companies in the
United States promoting products designed to relieve cold
symptoms. These products usually contain antihistamines,
decongestants, and/or pain relievers. Herbs won't replace
pharmaceuticals, but the research shows that--for many
conditions--herbs work well, are cheaper than drugs and cause
fewer side effects, Herbs aren't quite mainstream, but they're
moving in that direction. Patients are interested in them, and
doctors are increasingly familiar with herb research. research
has shown that the active ingredients in some natural remedies
may actually boost the immune system, which may help stave off
future infections. These ingredients can be found in medicinal
teas, sprays, syrups, extracts, tablets and supplements.
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