Answer:

Although the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Because they have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell them apart, but generally cold symptoms are much milder than flu.

Common cold symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Mild fever

The flu, on the other hand, often causes higher fever, chills, body ache and fatigue.

Answer:

The common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. It's just too difficult for scientists to prepare a vaccine that protects against all of the cold viruses. Also, there's less need for a cold vaccine. Colds are minor infections of the throat, nose and sinuses. Colds generally come and go with no serious complications. You're miserable for a few days, and then it's over.

Answer:

If your symptoms last longer than two weeks and you are sniffing, and have red, itchy eyes, the evidence points to allergies. However, it's often hard to tell because people with allergies and asthma are more likely to get colds. They may already have inflamed and irritated lungs, so they are less able to fight off a cold virus.

Answer:

There is no cure for the common cold. The most important thing you can do is drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated. This will help prevent another infection from setting in. Keep drinks like coffee, tea and colas with caffeine to a minimum as they may contribute to the dehydration. As for eating, follow your appetite. If you're not really hungry, try eating simple foods like white rice or broth.

• Chicken soup is comforting, plus the steam helps break up nasal congestion. A hot toddy may help you sleep, but beware of mixing alcohol with other cold remedies.
• Over-the-counter cold medicines, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can offer relief from aches and fever.
• Aspirin should not be given to those under 16 years of age because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
• Decongestants can help make breathing easier by shrinking swollen mucous membranes in the nose. Use for no more than two or three days.
• Saline nasal sprays can also open breathing passages and may be used freely.
• Cough preparations are not hugely effective. For minor coughs, water and fruit juices probably help the most. Children suffering from a cough or cold should be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower their temperature and if they have a cough, use a simple cough syrup (such as glycerol, honey or lemon). In 2008, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) reviewed over-the-counter products used for treating cough and colds in children, which lead to changes in packaging on many children’s cough medicines and new advice that certain medicines should no longer be given to children under the age of two.
• Gargling with salt water can help relieve a sore throat.

Answer:

Some studies show that zinc may help cut a cold's severity and duration. The NHS says taking zinc syrup, tablets or lozenges may be an effective treatment for the common cold. However, results are conflicting and suggest that zinc may have a minimal benefit at best. Studies on echinacea show that it is not effective in preventing colds. However, in one study, 120 people with cold-like symptoms took 20 drops of echinacea every two hours for 10 days and had briefer colds than others.


As for vitamin C's effects, a survey of 65 years' worth of studies found limited benefit. The researchers found no evidence that vitamin C prevents colds. However, they did find evidence that vitamin C may shorten how long you suffer from a cold.
 Some studies show that it may help prevent more serious complications such as pneumonia or lung infections. 

To prevent colds the natural way, it's best to make sure you've got a well-nourished immune system. Dark greens like spinach are loaded with vitamins A and C. Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Some researchers believe that low-fat yoghurt may help stimulate the immune system, although more studies are needed.


Regular exercise, aerobics and walking, also boosts the immune system. People who exercise may still catch a virus, but they have less severe symptoms. They may recover more quickly compared with less-healthy people

Answer:

You don't usually need to see a doctor or get antibiotics when you have a cold. Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses.

However, a cold can turn into a sinus infection. If your sinuses become blocked and cannot drain properly, you can develop inflammation and a bacterial infection. An ear infection may also result from a cold. Although sinus and ear infections can improve on their own, sometimes you need antibiotics to clear the bacterial infections from your body.

Symptoms of an ear infection include ear pain, fever, and/or a feeling of fullness in the ears.

Symptoms of a sinus infection include a runny or stuffy nose, facial pain, and pressure and headache.

Answer:

You're contagious for the first few days of your cold, so it's best to stay home then. You need to be careful not to cough or sneeze around other people. Also, you will recover quicker if you get some rest.






Answer:

Hand washing! Both flu and cold viruses are transmitted the same way, through microscopic droplets from an infected person's respiratory system. Someone sneezes or coughs, and droplets are sprayed onto any nearby surface, including you. If people cough or sneeze into their hands (without a tissue), they can contaminate every surface they touch. If you touch that same surface, you pick up the virus. If you rub your eyes or nose, you've just infected yourself.

To protect yourself and prevent spread of cold and flu viruses:

• Wash your hands frequently. Use an alcohol-based gel if you don't have access to water.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your hands. Wash your hands afterwards.
• No tissue? When you cough, turn your head away from others.
• If you have a sudden sneeze, bend your arm and sneeze into it.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean any shared surfaces (like phones and keyboards) frequently. Viruses can live on surfaces for several hours.
• Stay away from crowds during cold and flu season.

Answer:

This is one of the most persistent myths about colds. The only way to catch a cold is by being exposed to a cold virus. Cold air may weaken your immunity and this could make your body more receptive to a cold virus, but only if you come in contact with it. If you've caught a cold after becoming chilled, it's only coincidence.






Answer:

School children are incredibly good at passing a virus along. Children naturally exhale more highly concentrated virus droplets than adults do. They also exhale them for longer periods of time. Plus, children are very active, always in each other's faces. And there is a general lack of hygiene; children don't their wash hands enough. They don't cover noses or mouths when they sneeze or cough. Even more importantly, they don't get very sick, which means they continue to spread the virus while they are very contagious.