Flu Immune» Chills http://fluimmune.net Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:17:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Colds and Flu are not Just About the Winter Chills http://fluimmune.net/flu-information/colds-and-flu-are-not-just-about-the-winter-chills/ http://fluimmune.net/flu-information/colds-and-flu-are-not-just-about-the-winter-chills/#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:20:13 +0000 http://fluimmune.net/flu-information/colds-and-flu-are-not-just-about-the-winter-chills/ The winter chill may be partly responsible for the numerous cases of flu, coughs and colds that are recorded during that season. But in truth, a lot of people who even had their flu shots will not be spared from getting other disease-causing virus strains if they have weak immune system. Having a strong immune system means having a better chance of fending off flu-causing microbes. And in case you already caught the flu bug, your body will be able to fight the virus easily and speedily if you have healthy immune defenses. Here are six effective ways to strengthen your immune system. Chew Some Garlic Garlic is one of the most versatile herbs available. Aside from fighting off fungal infections, it also has properties that are effective in fighting off viruses and bacteria. Adding a few cloves of garlic in your meal could really help buildup your immune system. If you are not a fan of garlic and eating its raw cloves feels like doing a segment in the Fear Factor show, then you can always look for supplements that contain garlic. Just visit your nearby health store and you will surely find this product. Disinfect Your Room The cold weather makes some microorganisms live longer. This is one of the reasons why many people get infected by contagious diseases, such as flu and colds. One way to minimize your chances of catching the disease during the cold season is by making your house clean and bug-free. Just make sure that the disinfectant and cleansers you will be using to clean your room are organic and free of harmful chemicals. The odor and fumes from chemical-based cleansers might make you fell sick and nauseous. Improve Your Blood Flow People end up staying at home and watching television when it is cold and damp outside. More often than not, the chilling temperature prevents them from performing physical activities like walking and jogging. As a result, their blood circulation suffers and they get sick easily. In order to promote good blood flow, you better start moving your body even when you are inside your home. Do some leg lifts, crunches and push ups while watching your favorite TV program. Hydrotherapy can also help perk up your sluggish blood flow. By dousing yourself with hot and cold water alternately, you are helping to improve your circulation. Have Some Chicken Soup If you feel like you are about to be sick, you can treat yourself with some homemade chicken soup. Studies have found that chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory properties, which help prevent the flare up of colds and sore throat. Don’t Forget The C A sure way to boost your immunity is by regularly taking Vitamin C supplement. If you think your diet lacks this much-needed nutrient, you can always look for a multi-vitamin supplement that has Vitamin C and zinc, which are the leading immune booster. Aside from taking supplements, it will do you much good if you eat more fruits and vegetables. Not only are these foods healthy, but they are also rich in antioxidants that help make your immune system stronger. Detoxify If you seem to be prone to viral and bacterial infections, then there might be something wrong not only with your immune system, but with your whole body as well. Sometimes, people who are not getting the right amounts of nutrients in their bodies are susceptible to catching all sorts of diseases. Ensure that all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that you are taking via supplements and your healthy diet are fully absorbed by your digestive tract. One way to go about this is by undergoing the detoxification process. This program will help get rid of waste products, toxins and fecal matter rotting inside your intestines due to years of neglect and living an unhealthy lifestyle. You can do colon cleansing by eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water and taking products that are specifically designed to clean your gut. One detoxification system you can use is Colpurin. Know more about this product by visiting http://www. colpurin. com/.

]]> http://fluimmune.net/flu-information/colds-and-flu-are-not-just-about-the-winter-chills/feed/ 0 The difference between a cold and the flu http://fluimmune.net/health-fitness/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu/ http://fluimmune.net/health-fitness/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:04:31 +0000 http://fluimmune.net/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu/

PREVENTION

To prevent suffering from a cold is simple as maintaining good hygiene. In addition to good hygiene, the only prevention against the flu is to ... ]]> Many people have trouble distinguishing between a cold and the flu. This is because they sometimes share similar symptoms. Even though a cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by two totally different viruses.

There is over two hundred viruses that could cause a cold. The most predominant virus that causes a cold is the Rhinovirus. In fact, 30% to 50% of all colds are caused by this Rhinovirus, which is a virus of the sinuses.

Unlike a cold only three virus cause the flu. Influenza Type A and Type B are the major causes of most flu epidemics. Influenza Type C virus tends to be more stable and may only cause mild respiratory issues. In fact the flu shot only protects against Influenza Type A and Type B but not Type C.

To be able to understand the differences between a cold and the flu we need to look at each symptom.

ACHES

With a cold you may feel slightly achy. Most of the time, the ache is barely noticeable. With the flu, however, you will notice that achy feeling and it can be quite severe.

FEVER

It is rather rare to run a fever with a cold. You can almost guarantee to run a fever with the flu, though. In fact you can run a fever of 100 102 degrees and will continue for 3 4 days.

CHILLS

Chills are quite common when you have the flu. However, chills are not a part of the symptoms list for colds.

STUFFY NOSE

Sinus congestion isn’t as common with the flu but it isn’t unheard of. A stuffy nose is present to everyone who suffers from a cold.

SNEEZING

Sneezing can be expected if you suffer from a cold. If you are suffering from the flu that you may sneeze a little but it is doubtful that you will have sneezing fits.

SORE THROAT

Having a sore throat is quite common with a cold. This is due to the nasal drainage in your throat. If you have the flu, you won’t usually suffer from a sore throat. If you do, you probably suffer from a stuffy nose too.

HEADACHE

If you have a headache, you are probably suffering from the flu instead of a cold. A headache isn’t considered a symptom of having a cold so if you happen to be suffering from a headache with a cold it is usually cause by something else.

COUGHING

Coughing is present with both the flu and a cold. However, the cough is different for each one. The flu has a dry, unproductive cough while a cold has a cough that is hacking and usually productive.

CHEST DISCOMFORT

Chest discomfort is also present with both a cold and the flu. A cold generally has mild to moderate discomfort while the flu has severe chest discomfort.

TIREDNESS

With a cold you will experience a little tiredness. With the flu, however, you may suffer from moderate to severe tiredness and exhaustion. This most often lasts for 2-3 weeks.

TIME OF ONSET

Cold symptoms will gradually creep up on you. But the flu symptoms appear much faster. In fact flu symptoms can appear within 3-6 hours.

COMPLICATIONS

The cold can cause complications such as an ear ache due to sinus congestion. The flu can cause complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The complications from the flu can sometimes be life-threatening.

PREVENTION

To prevent suffering from a cold is simple as maintaining good hygiene. In addition to good hygiene, the only prevention against the flu is to get an annual flu shot or FluMist.

TREATMENT

The cold and the flu treatments are different from each other as well. With the cold, all you can do is let it run its course and treat individual symptoms. With the flu, however, you can take an antiviral drug such as Oseltamivir or Zanamavir within 24 to 48 hours of the first onset.

]]> http://fluimmune.net/health-fitness/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu/feed/ 0 The difference between a cold and the flu – Part 4 http://fluimmune.net/health-fitness/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu-part-4/ http://fluimmune.net/health-fitness/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu-part-4/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:07:45 +0000 http://fluimmune.net/the-difference-between-a-cold-and-the-flu-part-4/

B. Symptom Differences
I. Fever
Cold rarely causes fever, but the flu causes high fever. Actually, one of the main different symptoms ... ]]> Both of the cold and flu are respiratory illnesses. However, they are caused by different viruses. As we know, the flu is similar to a cold, and it seems hard to tell the differences between them. Most of us know that the common cold is mild, but the flu is more serious. However, not all of us know the differences between them very clearly. This article is to help you to know the symptoms of the cold and the flu, so that you can tell them clearly. The following are the differences between them.

A. Outbreak Time

Usually, the outbreak of the cold occurs during spring and winter, though the cases of the cold can be found all year around. The main reason for a cold is the dramatic changes of the temperatures. When it is warm inside and very cold outside, it is easy for a person to catch a cold when the temperature changes dramatically. The flu occurs, mostly, in late autumn and winter.

B. Symptom Differences

I. Fever

Cold rarely causes fever, but the flu causes high fever. Actually, one of the main different symptoms between a cold and the flu are high fever. The flu will cause the infected person to have a fever of over 102 Fahrenheit (39 Centigrade); while a cold seldom can. Besides headache, the person will suffer from high fever, bacterial pneumonia, pleural effusion, heart diseases, etc. These complications cannot be brought up by a cold.

II. Aches

The cold causes slight aches, while the flu causes severe aches. When a person catches a cold, he/she seldom feels muscle aches. Even if there is one, the aches are mild. If he gets hit with the flu, he usually suffers from very bad muscle aches three days after the symptoms are apparent.

III. Chills

A cold will cause rare chills, but the flu does. When a person catches the flu, he/she will feel cold now and then. He/She is on the way of running a high fever.

IV. Coughing

The cold causes hacking and productive coughs, while the flu causes dry and unproductive coughs.

V. Other Symptoms

It is uncommon to find sneezing, headache, and sore throat in the flu, while these symptoms are common if a person catches a cold. The flu will lead to bacterial pneumonia and chest pain, wild the cold doesn’t.

VI. Duration

A cold lasts for three to seven days, but the flu lasts seven days or more. That is to say, a cold is much milder than the flu. The flu becomes apparent seven days after a person is infected with the flu virus. It will become more and more serious, which leads to complications.

C. Death Rate

The flu has

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