By Dr. John A. Papa, DC, FCCPOR(C)
It is that time of
year again when a dramatic increase in coughs and sniffles appear in schools,
workplaces, and homes across the country.
A cold or flu can negatively impact our work, productivity and quality
of life. In Canada alone, colds and flu
account for direct economic losses in the tens of millions of dollars. Proactive and preventative measures are the
most effective means of avoiding or minimizing the negative effects of colds
and flu. Learn more about cold and flu
basics along with which preventative strategies can be significant defenses
against them.
Influenza or (the “flu”) and
the common cold are viral respiratory infections (they affect the nose, throat,
and lungs). Viruses are spread from
person to person through airborne droplets that are sneezed out or coughed up
by an infected person. In other
instances, viruses can also be spread when a person touches an infected surface
such as a doorknob, countertop, or telephone, and then touches his or her nose,
mouth, eyes, or ears. As a result, these
illnesses are most easily spread in crowded public places such as schools,
workplaces and grocery stores. People
infected with an influenza or cold virus become contagious 24 hours after the
virus enters the body and often before symptoms appear. Adults remain infectious (can spread the
virus to others) for about 6 days, and children remain infectious for up to 10
days.
Influenza commonly peaks
between October and March each year, affecting 10% to 40% of the population.
There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Type A influenza causes the most serious
problems and symptoms in humans.
Although most people recover fully, the flu causes approximately 7,000
deaths annually in Canada. Most of these
deaths occur in high-risk populations such as the elderly, very young children,
and those with serious medical conditions or weakened immune systems.
Over 200 different known cold
viruses cause the common cold. Most colds
(30% to 40%) are caused by rhinoviruses. In Canada, the peak times for colds are at
the start of school in the fall, mid-winter, and again in early spring. It is estimated that on average, children
catch approximately eight colds per year; adults catch roughly four per year;
and seniors about two per year.
It is easy for people to confuse a
bad cold with the flu, but there are unique characteristics of each. Headache, high fever, severe aches and pains
in body parts, extreme fatigue, weakness and exhaustion often accompany the
flu, and are uncommon or less severe with the common cold. The common cold frequently has symptoms of
stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat, whereas these symptoms will sometimes
occur with the flu. The main
complications of the flu and common cold are bacterial infections of the
sinuses or lungs (pneumonia). Symptoms
of these complications include fever, chills, and yellow, green or brown sputum
or nasal discharge. Children may also
develop ear infections. These complications
are signs that medical treatment may be necessary.
Knowing how viruses
and germs spread, it is understandable that one of the best ways to prevent
catching the cold or flu is through proper hand washing. Without proper hand washing, the spread of germs
follows a chain reaction. First, the
germs travel from the hands to the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. From there, they spread to other people or to
surfaces such as doorknobs. This then
paves the course of hand-to-hand transmission of these infectious
diseases. Regular hand washing is
something that all individuals should practice habitually. The best hand washing technique involves
three simple steps. First, use warm
water whenever possible. Second, work up
a good lather all the way up to the wrists for at least 10 to 15 seconds. The use of regular soap is sufficient for
washing. Third, do not forget to wash
all surfaces including the backs of the hands, wrists, between the fingers, and
especially the fingernails. Get in the
habit of frequently washing your hands when touching anything in public. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes, ears, or nose
with unwashed hands. This is one of the
major ways we can prevent viruses from entering our bodies.
There are
also many positive lifestyle changes individuals can make to help protect them
from colds and flu. A well-balanced diet
full of fruits and vegetables, along with adequate water intake is essential
for optimal immune functioning. It is
important to avoid foods that sabotage our health, and habits such as cigarette
smoking, for our immune systems to function efficiently. Regular exercise has the ability to
positively affect every organ, structure, and system in the body, including the
immune system. Making sure you get
enough restful sleep daily allows the body to recharge, recover, and
recuperate. Stress management is key in
keeping the body and mind strong. Individuals who continually fail to
effectively manage stress may become more susceptible to illness.
The best
approach in maximizing our immunity against colds and flu is to be proactive
through preventative measures.
Understanding how germs are spread and knowing how to protect ourselves
through proper hygiene and healthy lifestyle habits can be very effective in
preventing colds and flu or minimizing their severity.
This article is a
basic summary for educational purposes only.
It is not intended, and should not be considered, as a replacement for
consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a duly licensed health practitioner.
