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Preventing the flu naturally this winter

The flu is not anything to sneeze at. It kills about 10,000 people of five years and older each year in South Africa. While that’s a relatively small number compared with the past year’s COVID-19 deaths, it’s still a heavy toll.

Comparing COVID-19 and the flu 

Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2), and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Like SARS-CoV-2, flu is transmitted by hitching a lift on droplets from the upper respiratory tract, and by people transferring virus-carrying droplets by hand from surfaces to their nose, mouth and eyes. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer.

The impact of COVID-19 on the flu

Just like COVID-19, the flu virus transmission is prevented through masking, physical distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor areas, good hand hygiene and isolating. Therefore, unsurprisingly, much fewer cases of the flu were reported in 2020 – both during lockdown, and afterwards (due to the COVID-19 hygiene practises in place). You may have even noticed that you haven’t had the same number of colds over the past year?

What this tells us is that basic principles are effective in preventing the transmission of germs that cause the common cold, the flu and even COVID-19. This is important because, as winter approaches, we don’t want to be faced with the prospect of a “double disease whammy”, COVID-19 plus the flu.

Preventing a “double whammy”

While waiting for the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine to gather some pace, here are 3 other ways you can improve your overall health and lower the risk of catching COVID-19 or the flu this winter.

  1. Follow basic COVID-19 regulations
    • Wash your hands
    • Santitise
    • Wear a mask
    • Social distance
    • Don’t attend large gatherings
  1. Maintain a healthy immune system
    • Eat well
    • Move more
    • Make sleep a priority
    • Manage your stress
    • Expose yourself to some daily sunshine
  1. Get vaccinated: have an annual flu jab and accept a COVID-19 jab when it becomes available

Both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine are safe and effective. By having the flu jab, your risk of developing any severe complications, if you do happen to get flu, is reduced. This means you won’t be putting any strain on the health system. It also means that if you DO present with severe complications, your doctor can more easily exclude flu as a possible factor. Second, it lowers your risk of getting flu which automatically lowers your immunity. With a lower immunity, you’re more likely to pick up other infections… and in this case, COVID-19. Little information is available on the severity of COVID-19 and other viral co-infections. But a recent report suggests that influenza and COVID-19 co-infections may result in more severe disease in high-risk patients and complicate the diagnoses.

How does cold medication work?

A cold is a viral infection that affects the nose, ears and throat. It has symptoms that generally resolve within ten days.

Cold medications don’t “cure” or shorten your cold, but they can ease some symptoms. In most cases, getting plenty of rest and keeping fluids up can do the trick on their own.

Let’s look at commonly used cold remedies. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve symptoms, they include:

Decongestants and saline nasal sprays

Nasal decongestants and saline (salt water) nasal sprays can help relieve a blocked nose. When it comes to decongestants, you can use drops or sprays for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause rebound symptoms. Before using a decongestant, check with your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you.

Expectorants: Help loosen mucus so you can cough it up.

Pain relievers: Ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains.

Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines: These are a combination of the above. Cough and cold medicines often contain paracetamol. Be sure to check the label to avoid overdosing and taking other medicines that may contain paracetamol too.

Complementary medicines: Some may find vitamins (like vitamin C), mineral supplements (like zinc) or herbal medicines (like echinacea) helpful. However, there isn’t enough evidence to show they’re effective in helping to treat or prevent colds.

Antiviral medications

If you’re likely to suffer complications, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. These medicines won’t cure your cold, but if they are taken within 48 hours of symptoms they can help:

  • Reduce the length of time you are ill by around 1 day
  • Relieve some of the symptoms
  • Reduce the potential for serious complications
  • Stop the virus from multiplying in your body.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics won’t help the symptoms of a cold or stop them from spreading to other people. This is because they are viral infections. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Read and follow the directions on medication labels carefully. If you’re not sure about something check with your doctor or pharmacist.

References:

Coronavirus – how to stay calm and clean

Where and when did it all begin?

On the 31st of December 2019, China alerted the World Health Organisation to several patients with flu-like symptoms in a city called Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province. Initial assessments of these patients ruled out “known” flu-like viruses including bird flu, seasonal flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Once these initial patients were assessed, they were placed into quarantine. The suspected source of the outbreak was identified as a busy seafood market in the city the following day. Days later Chinese authorities identified the virus, called Coronavirus, a family of viruses including the common cold, SARS and MERS. The new virus was named 2019-nCoV.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1960s and their name comes from their crown or halo-like shape. Their danger lies in their ability to adapt. This means they can easily spread between and infect different species. While some coronaviruses can cause the common cold, others can develop into more serious illnesses that lead to difficulty breathing, pneumonia and death.

Where did it come from?

Scientists have confirmed that the Coronavirus, like around 70% of new human pathogens, was transmitted from an animal. Genetic analyses have come up short of pinpointing the culprit so far, but among the prime suspects is the pangolin, a long-snouted, ant-eating mammal virtually unknown in the West but widely prized in China as a delicacy and for its purported medicinal virtues. In February 2020, China placed a ban on trading and eating several different types of wildlife, including pangolin.

Spreading like wildfire

As a respiratory virus, Coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the infected person’s nose.

By mid-March, 2020, the virus had touched every continent, with more than 126,000 confirmed cases, and a total of 4,600 deaths. On 5th March, the first South African case was confirmed in a resident of Kwa Zulu Natal who had recently travelled to Italy. (For live updates and virus tracking, visit https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6)

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of contracting the Coronavirus include those who have existing heart or lung diseases, people with weakened immune systems (e.g. HIV, TB, diabetes or cancer), infants, and older adults.

What are the symptoms?

Patients who have contracted the virus have experienced fever, shortness of breath and coughing. The virus can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs and can cause them to fill with fluid.

The incubation period for a virus is the time between catching the virus and showing symptoms of the disease. For Coronavirus, health officials estimate an incubation period of between one and 14 days. Most people start showing symptoms about five days after becoming infected.

What you can do to protect yourself

Most importantly: DON’T PANIC. Your best defence in preventing Coronavirus is a strong immune system. One of the biggest factors impacting immunity is stress, so the less time you spend worrying about contracting the virus and the more time you spend proactively staying healthy, the better your immunity becomes.

The media is abuzz with reporting new cases as they appear around the world. One aspect of Coronavirus seldom reported is the recovery rate. Of the 96,000 plus people who have contracted the virus, more than 55,000 have recovered.

To protect yourself and your family, follow these rules:

  1. Wash your hands often, using the proper technique. If you only do 1 thing, make it this. Always use soap and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash and rub the entire hand surface, including the back of your hands.
  2. Keep your distance. Aim to keep at least 1 metre between yourself and someone who is coughing or sneezing.
  3. Fist pump don’t shake. Fist bumps transfer only about 10% of the number of germs that handshakes do (out of interest, high 5’s transfer around 50%)
  4. Avoid touching your face. The average person touches their face around 23 times per hour. Germs on your hands are easily transferred into your body via the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. Keep your hands busy by holding a pencil, or a stress ball
  5. Practise respiratory hygiene. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing
  6. Seek medical care early. Stay at home if you feel unwell, even if your symptoms are mild. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, reach out to Hello Doctor immediately and speak to our doctors anytime (24/7) about your own personal concerns, what you should do and where you can be tested if need be.

Social media is flooded with stories and images about the virus, many of which are not true. In the case of Coronavirus, knowledge is power. Limit your worry and anxiety by limiting your, and your family’s exposure to media coverage that you perceive to be upsetting. Stay informed about developments using reliable and reputable sites and channels only.

Busting a few myths about Coronavirus

  1. Coronavirus cannot be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or any other country reporting cases
  2. Having a hot bath will not prevent you from catching Coronavirus. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
  3. To date, there has been no evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.
  4. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the virus
  5. Spraying alcohol all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. There is also no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline can offer protection from coronavirus
  6. Existing vaccines against pneumonia do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. Since the virus is so new and different, it needs its own vaccine
  7. While garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties, there is no evidence it can prevent infection from Coronavirus
  8. Antibiotics are powerless against Coronavirus since they are effective only against bacteria.

Why is my nose runny? 

Your nose and sinuses constantly produce mucus to keep the nose moist. This mucus protects the inside of your nose and stops germs and viruses from progressing further into your respiratory system. A runny nose, also known as rhinorrhoea, happens when excess mucus is produced and drains from the nose. The fluid can be either thin or thick, or clear or cloudy, and the flow can be irregular or constant.

Common causes include:

  • Colds and flu: Mucus from illnesses can fill the nasal cavity and cause temporary nasal obstruction.
  • Crying: When you cry, tears drain through the tear ducts, into the nasal cavity, and then into the nose.
  • Cold weather: Cold conditions can sometimes cause a reaction that produces mucus.
  • Sinuses infection: The sinuses, or cavities of the face that drain into the nose, can fill with infected mucus resulting in sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).
  • Allergic rhinitis: Allergies or a nasal reaction to allergens like pollen or pet dander.
  • Non-allergic rhinitis: An irritant like smoke or pollution, or the body’s reaction to cold weather or hot food.

How can you relieve a runny nose?

Antibiotics aren’t needed to treat a runny nose, as it usually gets better on its own. Sometimes, an over-the-counter decongestant may help. However, it might not be appropriate if you have certain conditions or take other medications. Check with your doctor to see which over-the-counter medicines are suitable for you.

The best treatments for a runny nose typically include:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
  • Rest
  • Eating well
  • A saline nasal spray to help relieve symptoms
  • A cool-mist humidifier at your bedside to help with congestion that’s worsened by dry air

How can you relieve a runny nose due to an allergy?

  • Stay indoors when pollen count is high – usually in the early morning and on windy days.
  • Keep windows closed during allergy season, and use air conditioning if possible.
  • Wear a dust mask if you’re working outdoors, change your clothes, and take a shower after coming indoors.
  • Avoid contact with cats and dogs if you are sensitive to animal dander.

Fortunately, there are many safe and effective over-the-counter medications such as nasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines available to help control allergy symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may refer you to an allergist for testing. If not, they may prescribe medication to help relieve symptoms.

Prevent the sniffles

These tips can help stop germs from spreading:

  • Wash your hands often.
  • Throw away used tissues after blowing or wiping your nose.
  • Keep away from those who have colds or infections.
  • Eat well and exercise regularly to help boost your immune system.
  • Cough and sneeze into the inside of the elbow, not into your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect tables, countertops, door handles and your mobile phone

References:

Myth-busting: The truth about allergies

Beliefs can be hard to change even after you’ve found out that they’re scientifically wrong. Allergies are no different; let’s bust the myths of allergies.

Myth 1: Cut flowers trigger allergy symptoms.

Fact: Store-bought flowers aren’t to blame for your allergies. Pollen made by grass, weeds and grass are usually to blame for your sniffles.

Myth 2: Food allergies aren’t serious.

Fact: Food allergies can cause symptoms like hives, a stuffy nose, vomiting, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. If an allergic reaction is severe or spreads to other parts of your body, it becomes what’s called anaphylaxis; which is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
People with food allergies must always be alert and aware of what ingredients are used in their food.

Myth 3: Moving to another part of the country can get rid of allergies.

Fact: Allergens (foreign substances) exist everywhere, so relocating probably won’t help you escape allergies. Airborne allergens like pollen can travel distances, and indoor allergens, like pet dander and cockroaches, exist anywhere. A change of climate may reduce your exposure to certain allergens. Dust mites, for example, thrive in heat and humidity, so they’re less common in drier climates. But if you have allergies, you may also develop new allergies in a different environment.

Myth 4: Food allergies are the same as food intolerances.

Fact: When it comes to food allergies, your immune system produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE for short) when it notices a food allergen. IgE antibodies fight the “enemy” food by releasing histamine and other chemicals. These chemicals then trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction which can be deadly.
Food intolerances don’t involve the immune system. They can cause great discomfort, but aren’t life-threatening.

Myth 5: A food allergy always develops in childhood. Then you’re stuck with it for life.

Fact: According to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), you can develop a food allergy at any age, even to a food that you’ve safely eaten before. Children may outgrow a food allergy over time. This is common with allergies to milk, egg, soy and wheat. Allergies that are harder to outgrow include peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

Myth 6: Allergies aren’t dangerous – they won’t kill me.

While it doesn’t happen often, in extreme cases, a person can go into anaphylactic shock which may cause death. Always take an allergic reaction seriously.

Reference:

3 tasty recipes to protect you from the flu

Flu season has arrived so it’s time to give the germs a good fight! The best way to arm yourself is to boost your body with flu-fighting foods. Here are three delicious recipes to send colds and flu packing.

Hearty veggie soup

Ah, nothing beats a warm and hearty bowl of vegetable soup in chilly weather. Packed with eight different vegetables, a bowl of soup offers flu-busting friends like vitamins B, C and K, potassium and antioxidants. The best part is that you can use whichever veggies you have on hand! Pack a punch of protein and an extra dose of vitamins with chicken or beef and bone broth.

You will need

  • 1 tbsp olive oil.
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped.
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped.
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped.
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced.
  • 2 cups green beans, trimmed and chopped.
  • 1 tin of diced tomatoes.
  • 4 cups vegetable stock.
  • 1½ tsp dried oregano.
  • 1 tsp dried basil.
  • ½ tsp dried thyme.
  • 1 tsp sea salt.
  • ½ tsp black pepper.
  • 4 cups of kale, stemmed and chopped.
  • 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped.

Method

  1. Heat up a large pot over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Throw in onion, carrot and celery and cook for 3-5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
  3. Add garlic and bell pepper and cook for a minute.
  4. Add green beans and cook for another minute.
  5. Top with diced tomatoes, vegetable stock and spices and give it a stir.
  6. Bring to a boil and then allow it to simmer, uncovered over medium-low heat for 25 minutes.
  7. Add the kale and cook for 5 more minutes until wilted.
  8. Top with fresh parsley and serve warm.
  9. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze to keep for a few weeks.

Chamomile ginger popsicles with lemon and honey

Who said you can’t have treats when you have the flu? Chamomile ginger popsicles offer an icy alternative to throat lozenges and a dessert swap for ice-cream. Ginger, lemon and honey boast flu-combatting vitamins and minerals like antioxidants and Vitamin C. Chamomile is known for its soothing properties, so this treat makes for a great sore throat remedy, too.

Ingredients

  • 1 large lemon, juiced
  • 5cm piece of ginger, thinly sliced.
  • 2 tbsps honey.
  • 2 teabags of chamomile tea.
  • 2½ cups of boiling water.

Method

  1. In a heat-proof bowl, mix together the lemon juice, ginger, honey, and chamomile tea bags.
  2. Pour boiling water over the top of the tea bags and steep for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove tea bags and strain out the ginger slices. Let it sit until the water has slightly cooled.
  4. Pour into popsicle moulds and freeze completely.

Pineapple smoothie

If you’re a fan of tropical flavours, you’re in for a breakfast treat with this smoothie. Not only does it have a refreshing flavour, but as it’s chock-full of pineapple, it offers immune-boosting Vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

  • 250g frozen or fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks.
  • 1 cup of coconut water.
  • 2oranges, peeled, halved and seeds removed.
  • 10gfresh ginger, peeled and chopped.
  • 4 tsp shredded coconut, unsweetened.
  • 2 tsp chia seeds.
  • 4 tsp honey
  • A handful of ice(optional for a thicker smoothie).
  • Fresh pineapple and toasted desiccated coconut to garnish(optional).

Instructions

  1. Place all the ingredients into a blender and whizz for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
  2. Pour between 2 glasses, top with extra pineapple and toasted coconut and enjoy.

References:

How to get bed rest when you have the flu

Your head is pounding, your nose is stuffy and you have a terrible cough. Your doctor suggested “bed rest”, but how are you supposed to rest when you feel awful?

When you have the flu, your body takes a toll and must repair itself. This means rest. Staying in bed and resting helps speed up the healing process while attempting to soldier through your symptoms will only leave you sick for longer. A healthy person who rests and follows their doctor’s prescribed medication should recover from the flu within 10 days. On the other hand, without bed rest, a healthy person will take longer to recover, may infect others with their flu and become sicker as the flu can become viral if left untreated.

Although you may think that resting at home is a waste of time, when your doctor says you need bed rest, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Here’s how to get proper rest when you’re sick.

Rest up 

  1. Drink something warm
    If you’re suffering from the sniffles, drinking something hot will help loosen mucus. This will make it easier for you to breathe. The steam from a hot drink like soup or tea is what does the trick, as well as from a shower or bath. If you’re having tea, add some honey to soothe your throat and help with your cough.
  2. Sit up in bed
    Bed rest doesn’t literally mean that you must lay down for the entire day! Prop yourself up in bed while reading or watching television. When you lie down, a postnasal drip can build up which makes your throat sore and may cause you to cough. Use a few pillows to prop yourself up in bed. This will help you sleep better, and ease sinus pressure which lets up when your head is higher than your body.
  3. Sleep alone
    You’re more likely to get enough rest if you don’t have to share a bed with someone. So, if possible, sleep alone while you’re recovering from the flu. You’re also less likely to infect your partner or children.
  4. Try medication
    Besides sipping on hot drinks, ask your doctor or pharmacist about medication to help ease your symptoms or speed up your recovery. Make sure you follow your prescription carefully and don’t stop taking medication if you feel better! Talk to your doctor first.
  5. Use a humidifier
    Moisturise the air in your home and room with a vaporiser or humidifier. This will help to prevent your cold symptoms from drying out your airways. Remember to clean your humidifier or vaporiser regularly so that it won’t trap bacteria or mould.
  6. Avoid alcohol
    If you struggle to sleep, don’t turn to alcohol as a crutch. Alcohol can dehydrate you which can swell up your sinuses and keep you up at night. It can also react badly to any flu medication you may need to take.

Good to know

  • It usually takes two to three days from when you’re exposed to the flu or cold virus before you start feeling any symptoms. You may feel fine, but when the symptoms come on, it’s important to contain your germs. Containing your germs is important because if you infect others and stay around each other, your flu can spread and boomerang back to you, making it feel like you’ll never recover.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands regularly to prevent spreading germs.

References

How sick is too sick to go to work?

Just how sick do you have to be to stay home? But how sick can you be to qualify for a day off?

Well, truth is if you’re really feeling unwell and especially if you have a fever, you need to stay home. You also have to consider whether you’re putting yourself or others at risk if you go to work.

If the symptoms of your condition, or the side-effects of medication could cause an injury or accident on the job, affect others, or if your work flow is interrupted and you can’t focus, then you need to stay at home.

Don’t put yourself and others at risk. Remember, some people are vulnerable to viruses and infections and can easily be infected; especially pregnant women, young children and older people.

Signs that you’re too sick to go to work:

  • Fever
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoeah
  • Dizziness and confusion

According to research, airborne “breathing droplets” from sneezing and coughing commonly spread infectious germs. The flu virus can last for up to 24 hours depending on the surface. So, it’s recommended that you stay home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours.

Stay home, even if you think you’re feeling better especially if you have:

  • Limited access to a bathroom during the day.
  • Little or no way to wash your hands often.
  • Nowhere to store or use any medication you need.
  • To directly work with the public or with food that goes to the public. It would be unhygienic and unprofessional to sneeze, cough, and sniffle under these circumstances.
  • To work outside in the heat or in a strenuous job, like construction, and there’s no other option for light work.

When are you fit enough?

If your health condition no longer affects your ability to do your normal duties, you may be able to return even though you’ve only partly recovered.

But make sure you’re actually well enough to work. After your sick leave and while you’re taking your prescribed medication, the best way to assess your current health is to ask for another appointment. Tell your doctor that you want to go back to work and ask if they think you are well enough.

If you’re able to be somewhat busy at home for a full day and have finished your medication, you’re probably physically able to return to work.

Good to know

  • Remember to wash your hands often.
  • Keep hand sanitiser ready and use it often.
  • Clean the common work areas with sanitising or disinfectant wipes.

Don’t be a hero and drag yourself to work if you’re too sick. And remember, your coworkers will appreciate you not bringing your germs around them!

References

How long does the flu last?

You’ve been coughing and sneezing for what seems like forever!

“When will it end?”

Well, if your symptoms include a fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue and sometimes, diarrhoea and vomiting… then you should stay home and avoid contact with other people.

Flu stages

Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus can come on very quickly. Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after the infection.

  1. Flu often has signs of fever or chills. A headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue follow after.
  2. As the infection progresses, you may have warm and flushed skin, bloodshot or watery eyes, a severe cough with phlegm, and nasal congestion. Children may experience nausea and vomiting.
  3. Flu can last for one to two weeks and severe symptoms may subside in two to three days. You’ll probably feel weak and fatigued, and have a dry cough for up to seven days

How contagious is it?

If you’re infected with influenza you may be contagious from one day before symptoms start until five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may continue to be contagious for longer than seven days. Stay at home until the contagious period has passed. This will help you avoid passing germs and picking up a virus from others.

Avoid the common cold

Cold is spread by a virus that can stay alive on different surfaces. So, make sure the areas in your home are clean as far as possible. You can easily catch the cold from someone who has it, so if you notice someone coughing and sneezing excessively, avoid them!

  • Use a tissue when you sneeze.
  • Turn your head away from others when you cough or sneeze.
  • Bring up your elbow and cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Get some relief

To help get rid of a common cold, take a hot shower. The steam from the shower can help clear your sinuses and respiratory passages. When you’re in the shower, gently blow your nose to help get some of the mucous out of your passages. Don’t shower too long though, you may get dehydrated.

If your symptoms last longer than 10 days and start to get worse, see a doctor.

Fight off the flu

With flu, prevention is key. Get a flu injection to reduce your chances of catching the flu. If you do catch the flu, act quickly and get the right medication from your doctor. Add lots of fruit and vegetables to your diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep to keep your immune system in shape to battle the flu. Remember; always wash your hands after shaking hands with people or touching communal bathroom door handles and lift knobs.

Get some relief:

  • Sleep and get plenty of rest, your immune system needs a lot of sleep to recover.
  • Treat your cough so you can rest easier.
  • Drink many fluids.

If your fever comes with a severe headache, throat swelling, unusual skin rash, mental confusion, and vomiting for more than three days, be sure to see a doctor.

References:

Is chicken soup good for flu?

Chilly months seem to go hand-in-hand with colds and flu.

There’s the inevitable itch in your throat, coughing, headache – and of course, the sniffles. Before downing your over-the-counter medication, is it worth trying that old natural remedy: chicken soup? It’s delicious, warm and filled with nutrients – and seems to do the trick.

Here’s why.

Magic liquid

According to studies, cooking chicken releases the amino acid cysteine, which resembles a drug that can treat upper respiratory infections. Even better, when you add vegetables to your soup, you’re adding vitamins too, which ups your flu-fighting capabilities.

Drinking liquid broth soups also speeds up the movement of mucous in your nose. The hot liquid opens up your blood vessels which increases blood flow and allows the mucous to flush everything out. The warm broth not only soothes your throat, it helps you stay hydrated and eases congestion too.

More helpers

  • Add garlic to your soup. This pungent ingredient has antibacterial properties that help the immune system fight infections.
  • For veggies, choose tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, spinach and broccoli. These health helpers are packed with antioxidants that will help keep your immune system healthy.
  • Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are bursting with nutrients and Vitamin C, which will help fight off the sniffles. Drink water to stay hydrated. Sip on 100% orange juice with pulp. It’s packed with Vitamin C and folic acid, which will give your immune system a boost while quenching your thirst.
  • In cold weather, hot ginger tea warms the body.

A word on probiotics

Regulating the good bacteria in your gut can help boost your immune system. Have some yoghurt with your favourite citrus fruits to get a boost of Vitamin C too. Greek yogurt is filled with sickness-fighting probiotics, and packed with more protein than regular yogurt.

Turn up the temperature

  • Add a dash of cayenne pepper to your soup or stew. Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin C and helps relieve chills, coughs, and congestion. It’s also an antioxidant and antiseptic. You can even stir some into your tea.
  • Chilli peppers can ease congestion and reduce swelling around your nose and throat. It will also help thin out your mucous enough for your body to cough or sneeze it away.
  • Sprinkle red pepper flakes on your vegetables, grains, chicken, or meat. A little goes a long way. They will boost immunity and open up your blocked nose.
  • When you eat spicy foods, your body will naturally loosen the mucous and phlegm that’s clogging your body and you might be able to breathe a little easier.
  • Stay away from spicy foods if you have an irritable stomach; it may only aggravate your symptoms.

References:

My phlegm is yellow – do I need antibiotics?

Coughing and wheezing, sniffles and sneezing are all symptoms of a cold, flu or even a sinus infection. These symptoms may leave you feeling down and lousy. Over-the-counter medication may have not eased the symptoms. Is it time for antibiotics?

An antibiotic is not ‘stronger’ than other medication

Would you say that spoons are stronger than scissors? Of course not. We understand that scissors have a different function to spoons: the one is used for cutting, and the other is used for dishing up.

The same rule applies to antibiotics: it’s not stronger than other medication: it is different. It works well to kill bacteria, but it can actually cause harm if you take it for a viral infection. Just like you won’t use a scissor to eat soup, or a soup to cut hair, you shouldn’t use an antibiotic to treat anything except a properly diagnosed bacterial infection.

Taking an antibiotic, particularly for a cold, can be a problem. This is due to the common misconception that antibiotics can treat all types of infections. Two thirds of South Africans mistakenly think that antibiotics are effective for colds and flu. Don’t be one of them! Antibiotics are only active against bacteria. Colds and flu are caused by viruses against which antibiotics have no effect. The more antibiotics you use, the higher your chances of developing resistant bacteria.

Cold vs. flu

There’s a difference between a cold and flu. Yes, they’re both respiratory illnesses but are caused by different viruses.

Upper respiratory infections like colds and influenza are caused by a virus. Antibiotics only kill bacteria. With viruses, you generally need a vaccination to prevent them and antiviral medication to treat them. Your doctor can prescribe this for you and will help you figure out if it’s a viral or bacterial infection.

In essence, antibiotics will kill both good and bad bacteria and leave your body even more vulnerable to infections.

Phlegm 101

When you have a cold, you may produce yellow phlegm. This doesn’t need antibiotics.

Yellow phlegm: Your body is fighting off an infection or virus or you could be getting sick.
Green phlegm: Your immune system is fighting back the infection. If the colour persists for more than a week or you develop a fever, check with your doctor.

So, do you need an antibiotic?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotics can do more harm than good. Remember, taking antibiotics increases your risk of developing an antibiotic resistance infection later; which is a result of taking antibiotics for the wrong reasons and when they haven’t been prescribed to you. They also kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, allowing more harmful bacteria to grow in its place.

Trust your doctor to prescribe antibiotics when it’s necessary! Don’t try to convince them that you ‘really need it’.

Treat a bacterial infection right away

  • Act quickly. Begin treatment at the first sign of infection.
  • Change your diet. Eliminate sugar that could feed pathogenic bacteria.
  • Get two times as much good bacteria in your diet (probiotic foods). This will build up a healthy immune response.
  • Get enough rest to boost your immune system.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to help you replace those you’ve lost.

References:

When does flu become dangerous?

Are you prepared for the flu season? Find out what you should watch out for, and whether you’re at risk for complications.

What is Flu?

Influenza (flu) is a viral disease that develop very quickly, spreading through your upper respiratory tract and sometimes progressing to your lungs. It’s highly contagious and it’s spread through airborne water droplets (when someone coughs or sneezes) or through close contact with an infected person.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Flu?

General flu symptoms include a

  • fever
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • muscle pain
  • stuffy nose
  • cough
  • body discomfort

Certain, more severe strains of flu can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

How do I Treat Normal Flu?

Most mild flu symptoms improve over 2 to 5 days, but it’s normal to still feel run down for a week or so. Make sure you get plenty of rest, continue drinking fluids, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help reduce pain and fever.

Antibiotics aren’t prescribed for flu, as they have no effect on viral infections, however your doctor might prescribe antiviral medication if you’re considered high risk.

How do I Know if I’m High Risk?

People who are high risk include those who are over the age of 65, pregnant women, young children, or people who have been diagnosed with:

  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • A weakened immune system (for example HIV)
  • Chronic lung disease (for example COPD)
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes

When Should I See the Doctor?

If symptoms persist for longer than 2 weeks, or if you develop any of these serious symptoms, it’s time to see the doctor:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Severe chest pain
  • Severe headache
  • Confusion or dizziness
  • Persistent vomiting

In the case of children, watch for rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, blue skin tone, refusing to take fluids, or if symptoms suddenly get worse.

How Can I Prevent Flu?

During flu season, wash your hands with warm water and soap every time you shake hands with someone or touch a surface that might be contaminated. Also, stay healthy by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly, and taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. You can also get a flu vaccine, which is available from most pharmacies, and recommended if you fall into the high risk category.