Cold or Flu?

As temperatures cool and we move indoors ‘cold and flu season’ is right around the corner.

Cold or flu? How do you tell the difference?

                          COLD                        FLU                         

Symptoms:       above the neck           below the neck

                          stuffy nose                 fever

                          sneezing                     body ache

                          sore throat                  chest pain

 Prevention:     wash hands often        flu shot

     Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, hydrate, and get your of rest.

     You can’t ‘burn the candle at both ends’ and expect to stay healthy.

 Treatment:     These ease the symptoms, but not the duration.

                          ibuprofen                   aspirin

                          acetaminophen          acetaminophen

                          antihistamine             antihistamine

                          decongestant             decongestant

                          throat lozenges          prescriptions-tamiflu & relenza

What about home remedies?

NOT RECOMMENDED:  echinacea, zinc lozenges

RECOMMENDED:
salt - ½ T. salt in glass of water. Gargle 3 times per day. Reduces upper respiratory infections by 40%.
sesame oil - Soothes irritated & stuffy nose. (This is new to me, I will be trying it.)
probiotic yogurt - Helps with digestion.
(Dr. Oz) 

I personally like to rub my chest and neck with Vicks vapoRub and then wrap my neck with a sock. (Oh, how attractive is that? My mother likes this one.) Oh wait, there is more. Just before I close my eyes I rub the Vicks on my cheeks for my sinuses. The vapors affect your eyes so I do it just before I close them to go to sleep. I also think eating something hot so your nose runs is good.