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I Have A Cold or the Flu (Part 1 of 3) Both the common cold and the flu
are respiratory illnesses. It can be difficult to tell the difference. Different
viruses cause colds and the flu. Colds are caused by any one of 200 viruses, rhinovirus
being the most common. Colds will come on gradually and spread easily, usually
through hand contact or from sneezing and coughing. The common cold
will involve the sinuses, ears and the bronchial tubes. The cold lasts on the
average of one week. Mild colds may last for 3 days and severe colds can last
up to two weeks. Symptoms may include stuffiness, runny nose, sneezing, red eyes,
sore throat, occasionally and and low-grade fever. Treatment is usually over the
counter medicines to treat the symptoms: Tylenol or aspirin to relieve the fever
or aches, cough medicine for the cough, decongestant to the stuffiness and runny
nose or there are combination over the counter meds that will contain several
of the listed medications all in one pill. Antibiotics are ineffective against
viruses. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks or you are feeling worse, contact
your health provider. Occasionally cold can lead to a sinus infection which may
be bacterial. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems such as
pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations. The flu will
usually come on fast as opposed to a cold, which is usually gradual. The symptoms
usually last from 4 to 7 days but the fatigue and weakness can last 2 to 3 weeks.
The symptoms include high fever lasting 3-4 days, loss of appetite, severe muscle
aches, chills, severe headache, severe dry cough, fatigue and exhaustion. Both
the flu and the cold are spread through respiratory droplets from cough and sneezes.
They also can be spread by contact, touching something that the virus is on and
then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Influenza or the flu should not
be confused with a stomach virus that some people refer to as the "stomach
flu." The vaccine that we receiver for the flu will not prevent the "stomach
flu" or medically known as viral gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis will present
with the following symptoms - abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, nausea and
vomiting. It is caused by one of a number of viruses and can be contagious. It
like the respiratory flu is more common in the winter months. In infants, young
children and the elderly the big concern is dehydration due to the diarrhea and
vomiting. Next week we will discuss how to prevent getting the flu, especially
if you are not able to get the flu vaccine. Remember even with getting the vaccine
you are not guaranteed not getting the flu. The vaccine hopefully will protect
you against the viruses they suspect will cause the flu each year. Each year the
viruses change. So with the vaccine it will help you build antibodies against
the viruses and lessen the severity if you do get the flu. How
To Prevent Getting the Flu (Part 2 of 3) Prevent getting the flu and colds
begins with good health habits. The habits are everyday things that we do but
this is a good time to stop think of what we are doing and why. The
best defense
is good hand washing technique. Hand washing should be done frequently and with
warm water and soap. To be effective the hands should be washed for at least twenty
seconds. A simple method to know if you are washing long enough, especially with
children, is to sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself. At home change the
hand towels frequently during the cold and flu season. Have a separate towel for
the person in the home that may be ill. - Get plenty of sleep. A well-rested
body is the best defense against a range of illnesses. Healthy sleep helps bolster
the immune system.
- Exercise and regular physical activity strengthens
the immune system.
- Drink plenty of water during the day. Fluids keeps
you hydrated, delivers nutrients to your organs and flushes toxins from the body.
- The
eyes, nose and mouth are entry ports for cold and flu viruses. Germs are often
spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then
touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
- Try to avoid using your hands
to cover your mouth when you sneeze. Again the virus is transferred to your hand
and then you touch someone or something and transfer the
germs. Use a tissue
and discard properly. Don’t put them in your pocket or tuck it in your sleeve
to be saved and used again. If you do not have a tissue handy turn your head away
from others and cough or sneeze into you sleeve. - Sharing is not always
good. Avoid sharing the communal bathroom cup because you could inadvertently
catch germs. Opt for the disposable paper or plastic one time use cup. Throw away
toothbrushes after an illness such the cold or flu.
- In the workplace and
at home wipe down your telephone with an alcohol wipe or one of the several disinfecting
wipes on the market. You may also want to wipe down your desk or computer keyboard
especially if you share this equipment with other people.
- If you have
young children take the time to periodically wipe down their toys with an antibacterial
wipe. In general in the home wipe down countertops, the door knobs and
other
common places that that members of the family come in contact that may have collected
germs from the outside. - If possible stay home from work, school, church
and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your
illness. You are most contagious with a cold or
the flu usually in the first
24 to 72 hours of the onset of the illness. With holiday shopping
coming up avoid the crowds at the malls if possible. Washing hands again if you
stop to eat. You might want to have hand wipes or the small size of alcohol
base hand sanitizers in your purse or pocket. Wash hands thoroughly when your
return home. Next week we will talk about what to do if you do get the flu. "Be
joyful in hope, patient in afflictions, faithful in prayer." ~Romans 12:12 What
to Do If You Get the Flu (Part 3 of 3)
Despite all your best efforts
and good health habits you find yourself or someone in your family ill with the
flu. As you know there is no magic cure for the flu. The object is to treat the
symptoms, keep the person as comfortable as possible and prevent complications
by being observant and seeking medical help when appropriate and trying to contain
the spread of the flu to other members in the household. TIPS FOR COPING
WITH THE FLU: - Bed rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent
dehydration and to flush the toxins from the body.
- Use over the counter
meds such as Tylenol, Motrin, etc. to reduce the fever and ease the body aches.
Do not give aspirin to children.
- Keep your distance from the person who
is ill if possible. Avoid close contact with the person who has the flu.
- Dispose
of used tissues properly and quickly (do not keep them in your pocket or at the
bedside).
- Hand washing is extremely important for the caregiver and the
patient.
- Contact your health care provider for a prescription antiviral
medication. There are several antiviral meds that can be given such as Tamiflu,
Relenza, Flumadine and Symmetrel. These drugs will not cure you of the flu but
they will shorten the duration and the severity of the flu symptoms. To be most
effective they need to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. As with
any medication there is a risk of side effects and you need to contact your health
provider.
- Watch for complications. Contact your doctor if you experience
a worsening of symptoms.
- Contact your physician if symptoms persist beyond
a week or if your temperature is above 102 degrees.
- In children, sinus
and ear infections can develop.
- In both children and the elderly, especially
those with pre-existing medical problems, dehydration is a concern. Signs of dehydration
include sunken eyes, low urine output, lack of sugar tugor (skin lacks its normal
elasticity and sags back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold), dry
mouth, and confusion.
OTHER COMMON SENSE TIPS INCLUDE:
- Use antibacterial wipes to clean common surfaces around the house (such as
doorknobs, counter tops, telephone and table).
- Use the sanitary wash cycle
on your dishwater.
- Have the ill person use separate hand towels.
- Wipe
down children's toys with an antibacterial wipe or soap and water.
- Open
up the window and air out the bedroom for a few minutes when changing the bed
linens.
Stay Well, Be Healthy, Be Informed
Parish Nurse Ministry The
Parish Nurses of St. Blase belong to the St.
Joseph's Parish Nursing Network |
