Defense Against the Cold and Flu Season

Did any of you meet up with coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, achy, sleepy, dopey and grumpy this past holiday? I’m not talking about those evil relatives of Snow White either! The evil dregs of cold and flu season are upon us. We had a little of it going on in my house and a lot of it going on with the swim club while doing “parade duty” over the weekend. Even today, the first day back to school after five days off, the classrooms were obviously without a number of smiling faces. So how sick is too sick to go to work or to school? It’s a good question, because I know many parents that are put into a very tight spot if one of their children is sick and they can’t get out of work to care for them.

Colds are the most frequent cause of illness in children and adults. The common cold is a group of symptoms in the upper respiratory tract caused by a large number of different viruses. The most common virus that causes ten to forty percent of common colds is the rhinovirus. Most cold virus’ enter the body through the nose or mouth after touching something that has the virus on it and gets transferred to your nose and/or mouth. Symptoms of a cold include a runny nose, sneezing, scratchy and/or sore throat, cough, headache and the symptoms usually last for seven to ten days.

Influenza (“flu” for short) is an extremely contagious viral disease that appears most frequently in winter and early spring. Even though both colds and influenza stem from viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract, the symptoms of the flu are more pronounced and their complications are more severe. Flu symptoms generally make you feel dreadful all over, the symptoms come on fast and can include high fever, weakness, muscle and joint ache, chest discomfort, a nasty cough and can last ten to fourteen days.

The #1 reason to call in sick or not go to school: You’re contagious! A lot of diseases are contagious before you realize you are sick. Once you know you are sick, you may not be contagious anymore. It’s smart to play it safe and stay home for a day or two to make sure your symptoms are on the healing “up-swing” instead of still in the dead middle of feeling terrible.

The #2 reason to call in sick or not go to school: You won’t be productive. Sometimes going to work sick will prolong your sickness and will end up keeping you out of work for even longer. There’s also the potential of getting other coworkers or students sick, both of which will prolong the unhealthy workplace for a much longer amount of time.

The #3 reason to call in sick or not go to school: You could be a danger to others around you. Particularly for individuals who depend on sharpness of mind, focus of brain cells, balance and control of body strength. Medications, lack of sleep and severe cold/flu symptoms do not allow you to be the best that you are, therefore performing certain work tasks could make you a danger to yourself or to others around you.

If you are sniffling with no other symptoms, you most likely only have allergies so grab a tissue and continue with your day. If you have a productive cough, stuffed up sinuses, low-grade fever and you feel achy and tired, it is likely you have a full blown cold, so stay home. Coughing alone doesn’t mean that you should stay home. Prolonged coughing, coughing that is bringing up mucus from your lungs and is uncontrollable are reasons to stay home. If you are experiencing shortness of breath and green mucus, you should stay home and get an appointment to see a doctor. It could be more than a lingering cold, perhaps bronchitis or pneumonia.

Ways to prevent flu and colds. Even the healthiest person is not immune from catching either a cold or flu periodically. However, there is proof that you can keep your immune system healthy by eating your vegetables, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep and reducing stress in your life. Keeping yourself healthy gives you a better fighting chance to not get sick. Also washing your hands frequently and staying away from individuals who are sick are also two very essential ways to avoid colds and the flu.

Lastly, the rule of thumb for exercise while sick is; if the symptoms manifest only above the neck (sore throat, sneezing, nasal congestion and tearing eyes) then exercising is considered O.K. If your cold symptoms manifest below the neck (body aches, tightness in the chest, chills, fevers) then you definitely should not exercise and running a fever is a definite no for exercise. Rest is what your body needs.

 

Deborah Holmes

November 26, 2007