MediPharm: Conditions: Cold, Flu & Immunity

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Common Cold

A common cold is an infection of your upper respiratory tract, which is your nose and throat. Any one of more than 200 viruses can cause a common cold.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of a common cold usually appear about 1-3 days after exposure to a cold virus. Signs and symptoms of a common cold may include:

Runny or stuffy nose
Itchy or sore throat
Cough
Congestion
Slight body aches or a mild headache
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Low-grade fever (up to 38.9°C)
Mild fatigue

The discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color as a common cold runs its course.

Risk factors

Your risk of a cold is increased when you are exposed to cold viruses, have an allergic reaction that affects your nasal passages or have a weakened immune system.

Prevention

You can take some precautions to slow the spread of cold viruses by washing your hands often, keeping kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, sneezing and coughing into tissues, not sharing drinking glasses or utensils with other family members, and avoiding close, prolonged contact with anyone who has a cold.

Flu

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. Anyone can get the flu, but young children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems and those with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable.

Signs and symptoms

Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And you usually feel much worse with the flu.

Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

Fever over 101°F (38.3°C) in adults, and often as high as 103°F (39.4°C) to 105° F (40.6°C) in children
Chills and sweats
Headache
Dry cough
Muscular aches and pains, especially in your back, arms and legs
Fatigue and weakness
Nasal congestion
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea and vomiting in children

Prevention

Steps that can help you stay healthy include thorough and frequent hand washing, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and avoiding crowds during the flu season.

Consider the Alternatives

Echinacea. Echinacea supplements are popular in Europe and the United States for prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Echinacea purpurea herb is believed to be the most potent echinacea species for this indication. For URTI treatment, numerous human trials have found echinacea to reduce duration and severity, particularly when initiated at the earliest onset of symptoms.
Vitamin C & Zinc. Adequate intakes of vitamin C and zinc are essential for health. These nutrients interact with our immune system by supporting immune responses and by providing antioxidant protection from free radicals produced during the inflammatory response. Both nutrients play important roles in immune function and the modulation of resistance to infectious germs, reducing the risk, severity and duration of infectious diseases. A large number of randomized controlled intervention trials document that adequate intakes of vitamin C and zinc ameliorate symptoms and shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections including the common cold.
Spirulina. A rich plant source of phytonutrients phycocyanin and chlorophyll that helps to strengthen the immune system. It cleanses the body from metabolic wastes.

Source: Wintergerst ES, et al. Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab 2006; 50: 85-94.

Bio-Natural Vitamin E Plus Selenium	Echinacea Plus Spirulina	Hipoten C	Spirulina
Vitamin C-250 mg	Zinc-Plus