Combating Colds And Flus
THE SUNDAY AGE
Saturday May 28, 1994
This year, you will get three-and-a-bit colds. If you have young children, make that five. But the statistics don't do justice to the misery: the aching face and throbbing nose and general desire to sink into the bed and never get up again.
The flu is even more debilitating and may even be lethal. In the interests of a really warm winter, we bring you the complete guide to preventing cold and flu, and then surviving them if all else fails.
Introducing the enemy.
Flu: Influenza was first recorded in Athens in 430BC and this viral infection has been going strong since. It has baffled the scientific community with its cunning ability to shift shape and evolve, always one step ahead of science.
More worryingly, the flu is a potentially lethal disease. Between 350 and 450 people die each year in Victoria from flu and pneumonia. Even young people have died from doses of the flu but it is primarily of danger to the elderly, people who are already weak for some reason, and those whose immune systems have been suppressed by drugs or disease.
Doomsayers are predicting another flu epidemic for this winter.
American and European hospitals reported twice as many flu cases this year as in 1992, which suggests that Australia, too, might be on the verge of an epidemic. One American medical expert predicted that this winter 1700 Australians will die, and 17,000 will be admitted to hospital this year because of influenza infections.
Cold: The common cold is often confused with the flu, mainly because people like to dramatise their illness when they ring work to take the day off. Like the flu it is a viral infection, caught by hand to hand contact or from particles floating through the air.
There are more than 100 cold viruses, which is one reason it has defeated science and, like the flu, the cold virus is a shape-shifter, it changes constantly. The differences include the fact that colds don't make you as miserable as the flu and there is usually less fever involved. The average cold lasts about half as long as a dose of flu.
Keeping your head down.
Flu: The first step to preventing both flu and colds is to love your life. There is some evidence that feelings of stress and being out of control lower the T-cells that fight infection. So reduce stress, get in control and relax. According to naturopath Ian Thomas, products such as garlic have also been linked with strengthening the immune system. He says your naturopath can even provide you with a homeopathic flu prevention preparation. There is no evidence, however, that exercise helps keep infection at bay but you might as well (it will prevent the spring dieting panic).
Dr Peter Stone, general practitioner, says the only sure prevention for the flu is a vaccination, which is generally given between March and May because it takes the body 10 to 14 days to build immunity.
Vaccination prevents the illness occurring in 70per cent of people, with 30per cent experiencing a milder form, and has no terrible side effects.
Yet a study by the Victorian Health Department this year showed half of Victoria's 500,000 ``over 65s" and three-quarters of the 500,000 people with chronic diseases are not getting their jabs. A flu vaccination costs $16 for people recommended by doctors, $2.60 for pensioners and $20 for private script.
Dr Stone says a flu vaccination is also a good idea for people who have to deal with the public a lot (for example, doctors or tram conductors), or people who feel they cannot be absent from work.
The following groups of people are on the government free list and should be vaccinated: people aged over 65; adults and children with chronic illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, AIDS and chronic liver and kidney disease; residents in nursing homes and people receiving immuno-suppressive treatment such as certain steroids and cancer therapy.
Cold: Dr Stone says there is no firm evidence that anything can prevent you getting a cold, although people who are tired or run down or suffering from malnutrition (and that includes people who over eat food that is low in food value) are more susceptible to infections.
Some studies have suggested that a high intake of vitamin C can play a role in preventing colds, around a gram a day. See notes above about keeping your immune system punchy, as well as eating well. Mr Thomas says: ``Naturopaths look at the whole person, and if someone was continually getting colds, we would look at building up the immune system, using garlic and other remedies."
Chinese medical practitioners, Roy Mumford and James Li, say traditional Chinese medicine sees the human body as a balance, and illnesses can result if imblances occur so your Chinese herbalist will work to keep your whole body balanced to prevent diseases.
Stay as happy and outgoing as you can get this winter, even if you are a surly misanthropist in summer. Research at the famous Common Cold Research Unit in Salisbury, England, found that extroverts are less likely to get colds. Major lifestyle changes are also likely to make you get colds, so put off that divorce or house move.
Don't worry too much about sitting in drafts or going to bed with your hair wet, it might lower your resistance a little, but what really causes colds is the virus (however Dr Stone says in some cases the virus might already be living in the throat and might become activated if the throat-owner gets chilled or run down).
Worst case scenario.
Flu: Despite your best efforts, you get it and you know you've got it because you feel absolutely miserable. The onset is sudden and usually occurs in the late afternoon or evening. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, aching muscles and joints, coughing, lethargy, head cold, sudden chills, shivering and a headache. The average bout of flu lasts between seven and 10 days and may put you in bed for a week or two.
There is the possibility of complications, including problems with the heart.
Cold: The classic cold symptoms start with an upper respiratory infection, runny or blocked nose, sore throat and headache. Sometimes there is no fever (although this can vary and some colds do involve a temperature). It will gradually work its way down into the chest but usually you will be feeling better by that stage. The average cold lasts two to five days.
Making an escape (by the book).
Flu: Get to bed as soon as possible and stay there, ideally until your temperature has been normal for 48 hours. Don't over eat if you have a temperature (but make sure you are getting glucose or sugar in your drinks). Drink plenty of fluids, take asprin or paracetamol and do the community a favor by striving not to infect anyone else. If, after the first few days, your temperature is not falling and you are not feeling better, seek medical attention.
Cold: Like the flu, your cold is a viral infection so there is no cure and antibiotics are not appropriate (unless you get a secondary bacterial infection). Dr Stone says a severe cold may indicate it is time to take notice of your body and give it some rest, go to bed and get plenty of sleep.
Large doses of vitamin C (500milligrams to one gram) may reduce the severity and length of the infection (for example it may run for three and half days, instead of five). Apart from that, take asprin or paracetamol. You may also want to use a decongestant or soothing cough medicine, although some doctors argue the safest and least expensive way to deal with a cold is to take no drugs and to let the disease run its course.
The international consumer organisation, Health Action International, estimated 85per cent of cough and cold medications are ineffective and may even be harmful. Cold lozenges may help soothe your throat, but no more than any other kind of lolly. Definitely stop smoking; it makes the symptoms worse and can increase the chances of complications.
Making an escape (an alternative route).
Flu: Naturopath Ian Thomas says you can take natural remedies as soon as you feel the flu or a cold coming on, blasting your body with large doses of garlic and vitamin C (around four grams). He says naturopaths can prepare a range of herbs or homeopathic products that can hurry the disease along.
Chinese herbalists have numerous treatments for the flu, such as the leaves of the swamp mahogany gum tree. Mr Li and Mr Mumford says the practitioner would look, not only at symptoms, but the overall picture of lifestyle, habit and emotional state, and treatments might include herbs (taken either in powders or pills), acupuncture, acupressure or cupping (applying suction cups to pressure points).
Cold: Chinese herbalists will also help you out with colds, using such potions as boiled ginger or infusions of elder flowers and peppermint.
Mr Li and Mr Mumford say ``cupping" is particularly good for colds, because it works to draw out cold that has entered or developed within the body. ``Moxibustion also treats colds by the application of moxa (a smouldering herb called motherwort) above acupuncture points to warm and tonify," they say.
Mr Thomas says sometimes a cold can be a ``good clearing process".
However he would also recommend doses of iron phosphate and potassium chloride to speed up the process, the first to help with inflammation and temperature, and the second to dry up the drips.
Rations.
Flu and the cold: Dr Stone says the most important thing for both conditions is to keep up fluid intake, particularly if you have a temperature. If you are feeling sick, food may not be particularly appealing, so eat fast energy food, such as carbohydrates, rather than rich fatty foods. Glucose or sugar in the drinks may help keep your energy up. Mr Thomas suggests immediately cutting back on all mucus- producing dairy products.
Potential weapons.
Cold: The drugs in your cold medication may include: dextromethorphine (a cough suppressant), chlorpheniaramine (antihistamine used to shrink the nasal passage and dry the drip), phenylpropanolamin (decongestant that shrinks nasal membranes), pseudoephendrine (oral decongestant found in Actifed and Sudafed) and guaiphenesin (an expectorant which makes mucus thinner so it can be coughed up).
Be careful. Nasal decongetants should only be used for short periods; prolonged use can cause the nose to become congested again. They may also be dangerous for people with heart problems. People with high blood pressure should also be careful since some cold medications constrict blood vessels which can increase blood pressure.
Some bronchodilaters in cough mixtures, such as ephedrine sulphate, can adversely affect people with glaucoma or heart and circulatory conditions, and gives them shakes or palpitations. Antihistamines may make you sleepy if you are already feeling ill, so be wary of driving.
Pregnanant women shoud check with their doctors first before using over-the-counter cold medications.
Messages from home.
The things mother said would help.
Camphor bag pinned to your singlet.
Rag soaked in methylated spirits and pinned around the neck at night.
Hot honey and lemon drink (add whisky as you get older).
Chicken soup.
Stick your head and a towel over a steaming bowl of water laced with Vicks Vapour Rub.
Tripe with onions and garlic.
Eucalyptus drops on your hankie.
© 1994 THE SUNDAY AGE
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