Tips for the colds/flu season

Dr Douglas Street, Contributor

This season of merriment has its downside: the colds and flus. As it is also a time for giving and sharing, we happily share our viruses with those around us.

These ailments can quickly turn this happy season into pure misery. But is this inevitable? What can be done?

The common cold is different from influenza (flu), which is a more serious infection than the common cold. Influenza can also be fatal. They are both caused by viruses, and so are very contagious.

The cold is caused by over 250 viruses of different families, while influenza is caused by the influenza, family of viruses. For these reasons, there is usually an available vaccine for influenza, but none for the cold. The vaccine for influenza protects against most types of flu but not the cold.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the cold usually last about two to five days and include runny nose, sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion. Influenza usually causes cough, generalised aches, fever, loss of appetite, and sore throat. The upper respiratory tract symptoms (stuffy nose, etc) are more common in the cold, while the generalised symptoms (body aches, etc) and cough are more common with the flu.

They are both spread by droplets in the air produced by coughing and sneezing, or from contaminated surfaces. Cold temperatures, tend to worsen symptoms, but it has not been proven to increase transmission of the viruses.

Handwashing helps

Handwashing tends to reduce transmission by about 20 per cent. It would be interesting to note that antibacterial soaps and alcohol-based hand-wipes have not been shown to be any better than regular soap. Smoking makes one more susceptible to them and prolongs the illness.

Fatigue and vitamin D deficiency also make one more susceptible. Strangely enough, a strong immune system makes symptoms more noticeable as the body is fighting the infection, while a weak immune system makes symptoms less likely, even though the virus can still be spread. The most effective way to limit spread is to keep away from uninfected people. Proper ventilation and sunlight also help.

Antibiotics do not help with these infections, but the influenza vaccine can help to reduce the risk of contracting it. The vaccine should be recommended, especially to pregnant mothers, young children, and persons aged 50 and over, as well as to individuals with serious chronic conditions. Medications do help to control the symptoms though.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall; 3 Barnett Street, Montego Bay; and Omega Medical Centre, Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.