Are you perhaps one of those people who gets sick easily once the cold and flu season approaches? Then, this is a must read for you!

With young children back in schools, and work facilities opening back up, being aware of your health and cleanliness is extremely important during this season. Wash your hands frequently to help eliminate any germs that don’t belong.

Influenza Virus

The influenza virus is a version of a flu. There are many types of variations being spread around on a daily basis. Following proper health protocols will help minimize the spread.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infects the nose, ears and sometimes the lungs. It can be a mild or a severe illness.

Preventable ways to lower the risk of contracting the flu viruses would be to get a flu shot or flu vaccination. This is offered by our public health system every year. As new variants arise, it is a good additional protection to have.

The Difference Between a Cold Versus Flu 

A cold and flu are both viral infections. This is a respiratory tract infection that is caused by a specific virus. Cold and flu both have different types of symptoms that develop. 

During a cold, you will notice that this predominantly impacts your upper respiratory tract. Generally affects anything that is above the neck level such as throat, sinus, eyes and ears. A cold can ultimately last between one to three weeks.

A flu penetrates deeper into our respiratory tract. This causes more profound symptoms such as body aches, bone aches and exhaustion. However it also can include fever, headaches, cough and sore throat. The flu can generally last between 5-7 days. 

Flu Symptoms 

  • Muscle or body aches
  • Fatigue ( tiredness)
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Headaches

Cold Symptoms

  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Low fever
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Cough
  • Congestion

Tips to Keeping the immune system on track

Staying on top of our health during the common cold and flu season is very important. With everything that has been going on it is important to take extra care of our health. 

You will notice as the seasons change so will the temperature start to fluctuate. Dressing accordingly to stay warm will help minimize the chances of compromising the immune system. 

Drinking plenty of water to help stay hydrated and flush away any unwanted bacteria out of your system. Including some herbal teas can be a great addition to your daily routine. Herbal tea has plenty of splendorous benefits to boost the immune system. 

Warm tea will help elevate your throat and help with congestion. Adding ginger or honey to your tea to help with inflammation and to soothe the throat. It additionally increases antibacterial properties that aid in rapidly curing colds.

Keeping active and getting the exercise that the body craves is extremely important. Physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. Exercise will keep you healthy and help strengthen your immune system. Will also help fight viral and bacterial infections.

Fueling your body with the proper vitamins and nutrients that it needs in order to keep the body system in healthy conditions to be able to combat anything that might occur. Eating lots of fruits or vegetables with high vitamin C content to engage in a strong immune system. 

During the cold and flu season, it is always good to add the support of supplements that contain high antioxidants and bioflavonoids to help boost your immune system. Bioflavonoids are known to have superior antioxidant activities. Adding additional support supplements to entice the body for getting ill, especially for those who are most skeptical of getting sick.

Cold and Flu Survival Kit

  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Herbal Tea
  • Cough syrup
  • Humidifier
  • Kleenex
  • Nasal Spray
  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin C
  • Disinfectant wipes

If you’re really not feeling well and you’d come down with the cold, having chicken noodle soup can always be helpful to soothe your throat and aid with opening up the airways due to the warm liquid. 

Of course in any case where you do feel sick from a cold or flu it is important to also see your health care practitioner for additional advice.

 

Disclaimer 

Pascoe Canada does not offer health or medical advice as we are not a healthcare practitioner. Please speak with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any program related to nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical, and/or wellness. All content published by Pascoe Canada is developed through collaborating with licensed medical professionals and contributors. This includes text, graphics, images, and other material on the website, newsletter, and products (“Content”). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always do your own research on whether this is for you along with your healthcare practitioner advice. Always consult your healthcare practitioner prior to using specific herbs because you might have underlying conditions that need professional care. The content is general in nature and is subject to change. It is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.