Cold and Flu Symptoms and Care
Learning the symptoms of the common cold and flu is the first step, to effectively cure them.
Cold and Flu Symptoms and Care
With more than 200 common cold viruses and various types of flu with different strains, avoiding the common cold or flu is difficult. Busy schedules, hectic lifestyles and close contact with others makes us even more vulnerable to the many respiratory viruses. However, taking proper care can help to bring relief and shorten the duration of its symptoms.
Colds and flus share a number of common symptoms, however, it is important to know the difference between them to cure them effectively. A cold is more minor as far as respiratory illness than the flu is. While cold symptoms can persist for a few days, flu symptoms can you make you feel worse for a few days to weeks and can result in serious health problems such as pneumonia.
Symptoms of Common Cold
Symptoms of the common cold usually begin with a runny nose, sore throat and are followed by congestion, headaches, cough and watery eyes. Frequent itching in the nose, throat or eyes are also very normal with cold. It is also common to feel little tired or feel a lack of energy in doing your everyday activities. Having fever along with a common cold is rare in adults, but children can get a slight fever with a cold. You may also develop dark and thick mucus with watery nasal secretions.
Symptoms of Flu
Flu symptoms can vary from person to person, and they frequently overlap the symptoms of the common cold. Fever is the most common symptom of the flu, and it usually gets accompanied by chills. Feeling completely exhausted, and tired is also very common with the flu. You might also feel body aches, sore muscles and a lot of discomfort in carrying out your routine chores. It is very rare, but sometimes you can experience slight vomiting and diarrhea when contacted with the flu.
Tips for treating the cold and flu
While there is no definite cure for the cold and flu, you can try these simple home remedies to take effective care of your cold and flu:
- Try to gently blow your nose frequently. It is important to expel mucus from your nose rather than sniffling it back into your nose.
- Staying warm and rested helps your body to regain its energy and divert it toward the immune battle. Cold and flu taxes your body, so it is advisable to minimize any type of physical activities.
- Gargle frequently with warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt to bring temporary relief to your sore throat.
- Drink plenty of hot beverages such as hot lemon tea, chicken soup, ginger or herbal tea to relieve nasal congestion and soothe the inflamed membrane that line your nose.
- A hot shower can make you feel better as it causes mucus to drain and helps easing a stuffy nose and congestion in your chest. Additionally, you can also inhale steam by sitting over a bowl of steaming water and draping a towel over your head.
- If your head is constantly throbbing and is difficult to breathe, you may find relief by applying warm compresses. It may help you to feel more comfortable.
- Drinking ample amounts of water keeps your respiratory system hydrated. Drinking water helps to dissolve thick mucus that builds up in the respiratory system.
- You can also take medications such as Mandanol Paracetamol Tablets or Covonia Cold & Flu Formula to provide effective relief and combat the symptoms of the common cold and flu.