Galway Advertiser 2006/2006_02_09/GA_0902_E1_018.pdf 

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18

Galway Advertiser

February 9 2006

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY O'CONNOR Fighting the big chill
Red nose. Streaming eyes. Fevered brow. These are the telltale signs of illness. But are you suffering from a runof-the-mill cold or flu? And how can you tell the difference? Dr Joe Fitzgibbon, a local doctor and author with a special interest in allergies and fatigue, says people often confuse colds and flus and usually presume they have the flu when what they are really suffering from is a cold. While both the common cold and the flu are viral infections, flus are much more severe, he says. "Colds are frequent, affect the upper respiratory tract only and clear after three to four days. Treatment is simple - paracetamol or neurofen, hot drinks and TLC. Most people who say `I have the flu' actually have a cold. "Flus are much more severe, usually sufferers have a high temperature, feel absolutely lousy and have aches and pains all over. It may take a lot longer to recover from flu and it may be particularly dangerous/severe for the elderly or infirm." He says many people confuse upper respiratory symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, headache, sinus trouble, etc, with colds when in fact they are allergies. "When allergic people get a cold it can last twice as long as normal (because they already have underlying allergic inflammation). "Also, there is the question of secondary infection: bacteria taking advantage of the viral infection, setting up ear or sinus infection or maybe `going to the chest'." Local pharmacist Darragh O' Loughlin agrees that heavy colds are often mistaken for flu and urges people to learn more about both conditions to ensure their illness is treated correctly. He is encouraging people to pick up a new flu information leaflet, produced by Benylin 4 Flu, which is available free from pharmacies. "The symptoms of a heavy cold are regularly mistaken for the flu," he says."It is important to understand both to ensure you treat your illness correctly and return to good health as quickly as possible. "The information leaflet Understanding Flu helps people identify whether they have flu or a heavy cold using a handy chart which clearly highlights the differences between the two conditions. I would recommend that every home should have a copy of it so they are prepared to deal with flu." He describes colds and flu as contagious, viral infections. While some common characteristics are shared by the two, symptoms of high fever, headache, body aches and pain are likely to confirm flu. Flu is caused by a virus that enters the body through the nose or throat through coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can take between one and four days to develop and leave you feeling wiped-out, exhausted and weak for up to three weeks. The change in weather has led to an upsurge in the number of people visiting their doctor seeking treatment for the common cold and flu. During the first eight months of 2004 the number of flu cases reported in Ireland was 365. This figure more than doubled in 2005 with a dramatic 846 cases recorded
People often confuse colds and flus and presume they have the flu when what they are really suffering from is a cold, says Dr Joe Fitzgibbon.

day before the symptoms appear and remain potentially infectious for three to five days * People usually contract colds and flus in crowded humid places, such as cinemas, buses, schools, churches * Viruses enter the body through the nose, mouth and eyes * Colds and flu are more common between October and March because colder weather conditions allow the virus to spread more easily. * Doctors urge particularly vulnerable people to avail of the antiflu jab which offers up to 80 per cent protection against the virus. While it may not always prevent an attack, it greatly reduces the complications and symptoms. * Flu can be a serious illness, especially for older people. Some 85 per cent of flu related deaths occur in people aged over 65 years. Other susceptible groups are young people who have chronic lung, heart or kidney disease or a suppressed immune system. * Colds and flus are viral infections so antibiotics are of no help. It is important not to take these if you do not have a bacterial infection. Antibiotics can wipe out normal bacteria that live in your body which can result in symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and yeast infections. Also, the overuse of antibiotics over the years has contributed to the rise in drugresistant bacterial infections. * Other than hibernating, there is no sure fire way of ensuring you don't catch a cold or flu. There are however a number of steps you can take to reduce your chances of infection. Pay attention to your general health by eating well and including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as part of your daily diet. This will give your body the best chance of fighting off potential infection." * What can you do if you have a cold or flu? Even if you have a light cold and do not need to stay in bed, it is still important to recognise your limitations. As your body deals with the virus, you will become tired and worn out more easily so slow down. Avoid stuffy and smoky atmospheres as they will make you feel worse. If you are a smoker, stop because this will only irritate the mucous membrane lining of your nose and will make respiratory problems worse. People battling colds and flu need more fluids than usual. Drink plenty of water and juice and eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. Drinking hot fluids will also help you ease your cough and sore throat.

in the first eight months of the year. Sufferers are urged to drink plenty of fluids, eat a balanced diet and avoid alcohol and tobacco. If symptoms persist after three to five days they are advised to visit their GP.

through the air at 100mph so anyone within a 30 feet radius can be affected If you think you are coming down with flu, keep warm. This keeps the virus out of the lungs. Rest often and as much as possible, too. * A healthy lifestyle will help you fight off infection. Stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, lose weight if overweight, avoid too much tension and do not over-exercise. * The flu - one of the most powerful viruses in the world - is highly contagious and is easily passed on by breathing in the tiny droplets from the breath of infected people. Experts say flu remains unique among respiratory viruses because of its ability to vary itself every year and because of the loss of life it causes. * The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms is about two to three days. The contagious period varies but an infected person can probably pass on the disease the

Facts about colds and flus
* A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. As many as 200 viruses are known to cause a cold. While it can take the body's natural defence mechanism five to seven days to deal with the infection, treating the symptoms can often prevent a secondary infection from setting in. * The likelihood of catching a cold is nearly double for a person who is suffering high stress levels * A typical person will spend six years of his/her life suffering from colds
A typical person will spend six years of his/her life suffering from colds.

* Sneezing propels cold viruses