If you wake up sneezing, coughing and feeling tired, you could have caught a cold or even worse, the flu! Differentiating between a cold and the flu is not easy, as both illnesses share a number of the same symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sore throat and cough. However, the flu comes on suddenly and with greater intensity, with symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and tiredness.
The flu is contagious
Colds and the flu are both viral respiratory illnesses but are caused by different viruses. There are around 200 viruses that cause colds and 3 that cause the flu. The flu is an extremely contagious viral disease. The virus can be easily passed on from person-to-person through the respiratory droplets that are sneezed or coughed by the infected people. People can be infected by the droplets deposited on their mouth or nose, or by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose. The flu virus can generally survive on hard surfaces for up to 8 hours!
People infected with the virus may spread it to others one day before the symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. The flu is mild in most cases, but there are chances that it may lead to other serious health complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infections or even pneumonia. Younger children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to the flu and other upper respiratory infections.
What weakens the immune system?
The immune system is a network of cells and organs that work together to defend our bodies against diseases caused by infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. As we age, the immune system begins to decline, leaving us more vulnerable to developing an array of infectious diseases. Besides, our immune responses can be weakened by various external influences.
We tend to ignore stress, but it may have a major influence on our immune system. Modern lifestyle habits such as a sedentary lifestyle and lack of sleep can make us more prone to infections. Excessive consumption of highly processed foods and alcohol, cigarette-smoking, medications and exposure to radiation can impede the functioning of immune cells, increasing our susceptibility to infectious diseases. Lack of proper hygiene habits exposes our bodies to more germs, thus, leading to poor immune systems.
Strengthening our immune functions
Remember, antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but do not work on viruses. We should take precautions and rebuild our immune system as a preventive measure against viral infections. Look out for natural herbs such as elderberry, reishi mushroom and astragalus to strengthen the immune functions.
It is crucial to get enough sleep and rest to allow the body to de-stress and rejuvenate. Drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated and have a regular exercise regimen to build a stronger body. Practice a healthy lifestyle and nourish the body with a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Elderberry
With a long history of medicinal use, elderberry has earned its reputation as a powerful immune-stimulating herb. It has been clinically proven to shorten the duration of the flu and relieve flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, coughing, nasal-mucus discharge, and nasal congestion within a few days.
Of all the different varieties of elderberries, Sambucus nigra is one of the most popular species which packs a healthy punch of anthocyanins. The anthocyanins are shown to strengthen the immune functions by boosting the production of cytokines, the proteins involved in regulating the immune responses to diseases. Elderberry has 5 times more anthocyanins than blueberries.
Elderberry is thought to have a more potent antiviral activity than Echinacea. It contains an antiviral compound known as antivirin which is able to disarm the virus by neutralizing the hemagglutinin spikes on the surface of the virus. Deactivated viruses can no longer pierce the cell walls and invade the cells.
Reishi mushroom
Reishi mushroom, commonly known as lingzhi, is a fungus that has been cherished for over 4000 years as a longevity-promoting tonic. Researchers have identified the water-soluble polysaccharides in reishi mushroom which have potent immune-modulating effects.
They can suppress an overactive immune response, which in turn helps to control the symptoms of allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases. They also enhance the production of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in the body, thereby, supporting the body’s natural immune defenses against free radicals.
Astragalus
Astragalus has also long been used to strengthen the body’s natural defences. It is thought to increase not only the production of interferon but also stimulates the activity of natural killer cells which fight against viral infections. Unlike echinacea, astragalus can be taken on a daily basis. It is effective at protecting the bodies against colds, the flu and upper respiratory infections.
While the flu outbreaks usually happen in the winter months, it may occur all year round in equatorial regions like Malaysia. Take appropriate precautions and practice a healthy lifestyle to protect yourself and your family from catching the flu.
