It is said that if you can carry on with normal day to day activities then you have a cold, not flu. Influenza is the most severe form of the cold virus and renders a person to bed.

With flu you will most certainly not be willing or able to carry on as normal, it will make you feel really ill.

Influenza is a viral infection that causes many of the same symptoms as the common cold.

At first you might think that you are coming down with a cold, it may start with a runny nose, this is inflammation of the mucous membranes, a sore inflamed throat and bronchial tubes.

The virus causes this inflammation. You may have a headache, cough, and achiness.

If you suspect that you might have flu you should consult a doctor or pharmacist, if possible

via a phone consultation so that you will not spread the flu virus to others, such as children, older people, babies and those who might be more susceptible to catching these viruses. The flu virus can be dangerous to many people, who could develop complications due to flu. Your physician or pharmacist will advise you on how best to deal with this debilitating illness. They may suggest taking an over the counter cold and flu remedy. This might help alleviate symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, runny nose and cough.

If you feel so ill that you cannot get out of bed then you must presume that you have flu.

With flu your whole body will most probably be aching and will feel like lead.

The advice given to people suffering from flu is generally bed rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics for the aches and pains. You may be advised to take Zinc lozenges, as they may help to reduce the symptoms of a cold. This only works however if taken early in the cold.

With flu you should expect to be ill for a couple of weeks as opposed to a week to ten days for a cold.

If you have flu you are more likely to not want to eat much, so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids and chicken soup. Be kind to yourself and try to give the body

plenty of tender loving care.

To help prevent flu from occurring it is important that your body is at its best so that fighting off the virus will be easier, and should you succumb to flu you will recover quicker.

It is well known that eating plenty of foods rich in vitamins, such as vitamin C will provide the body with protection. Although vitamin C cannot prevent colds and flu, it can lessen the symptoms and severity of the illness, therefore also shortening the duration of it. Beta-carotene is also essential for a strong immune system and is found in cantaloupe, broccoli, sweet red peppers,prunes, strawberries and citrus fruits.Chicken soup is now accepted as being a useful treatment for colds and flu, and serves as a decongestant and also a mild antibiotic. Curries and Mexican foods will also help to ease symptoms because they have anti-inflammatory properties.

There are plenty of home remedies you can try to help prevent and lessen the effects of the flu virus. As I have mentioned above – chicken soup. Make lemon and lime juice, ginger can stop nausea, so if you feel sick due to stomach flu, ginger tea may help with this. A steam inhalation would loosen up any congestion and clear the bronchial tubes, you could add some eucalyptis oil to the water.There is no cure for the cold or flu, but there are ways of helping the body to defend itself, via the immune system. Flu vaccines are available and should be accepted by people who would benefit from having them.