What
are Coughs, Colds & Flu?
Coughs, colds and influenza affect most, if not
all, of us at least once a year, but children seem to be more susceptible
to them than adults and far more likely to be treated for them when they
occur. In the UK & USA, more money is spent On over-the-counter
medications for coughs and colds than any other childhood ailment. Yet,
while some of these treatments may relieve the symptoms associated with
colds and coughs, none will, in fact, effect a cure, all interfere with the
body’s own efforts to cure itself (e.g. by ‘drying up mucus and many are
associated with dangerous side effects. The truth is that without treatment
a common cold will usually last about one week - with or without treatment.
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Known Causes
There are two basic theories – the chill theory and the viral theory. The
chill theory is based upon the fact that there is a much higher incidence of
colds and flu in the winter and that these ailments are related to exposure
to the cold weather. This theory, a favourite of mothers and grandmothers,
argues that colds are brought about be failing to dress in warm enough
clothes - coats. gloves, mittens and hats - during the cold weather.
The viral theory on the other hand suggests that colds are caught more
frequently in winter because children are in school, confined in classrooms
devoid of fresh air. Both theories may hold some truth; the flu, colds, and
coughs are often caused by viruses, but exposure to the cold may lower the
body’s resistance to these viruses.
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Symptoms
The symptoms of the common cold
vary from one person to the next, however, they generally include a watery,
irritated eyes, a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and a low-grade fever.
Influenza often also includes body aches, vomiting, diarrhoea arid a high
fever. If nasal secretion is clear, gray or white, it is usually an
indication of a cold or flu, whereas if the secretions are yellow it can
indicate the presence of pus, which is an indication of bacterial sinusitis.
Colds can accompany other bacterial infections such as bronchitis or
otitis (middle ear infection). Common colds and the flu do not, be
themselves, require any invasive medical treatment (as mentioned above).
This is also true of viral pneumonia a disease which can only be confirmed by
X-ray and. in any event, is associated with mild symptoms. Bacterial
pneumonia, on the other hand, is a very serious condition and does require
immediate medical attention. The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include a
fever above 102 degrees, severe shortness of breath, aversion to bright
lights, stiff neck and blueness of the skin.
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Conventional
Treatment
The medications most commonly
used for treatment of cold and influenza symptoms fall into six categories:
decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines, cough suppressants, pain
killers and, last but not least, antibiotics. According to Dr Robert S
Mendelssohn MD, who was a pediatrician for over thirty years and former
chairman of the Medical Licensing Committee for the State of Illinois and
associate professor of Preventive Medicine & Community Health in the
School of Medicine of the University of Illinois all of these medications
have a number of things in common - they are unnecessary they are associated
with several harmful side effects, they interfere with the body’s own
efforts to defeat the disease, and they are a waste of money!
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