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We would all like
to forget about the winter season and runny noses, sore
throats, coughs and fevers, but the old adage, “An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still
holds true.
Colds are caused by viruses that are different from those
that cause influenza, with about 1 billion cases a year
in the United States.
Cold viruses are highly contagious, but as people age,
they tend to experience fewer colds. People over the age
of 60 average less than one cold per year, while some children
experience anywhere from six to 10 colds a year.
While we still don’t know how to prevent the common
cold, avoiding contact with those already infected, frequent
hand washing and using a disinfectant on contaminated objects
will help.
While there is no proof that you can catch a cold by going
outside with wet hair or getting chilled on a cold day,
managing stress is important, because stress can affect
the immune system. Running a humidifier in cold weather
helps prevent the mucous membranes lining the nose from
drying out.
Of course, regular exercise and a healthy diet help to
boost the functioning of the immune system, as well. As
for the flu, also known as influenza, the most effective
method of prevention is to get the annual vaccine, which
prevents the flu in most people over the age of 65.
The vaccine is a mix of three forms of the flu that are
expected to cause disease in the coming season.
Prevention can be by means of an injection or an inhaled
nasal spray, although the later is only approved for those
between 5 and 50 years of age. The flu vaccine can be helpful
for nearly everyone but it is especially important for small
children, pregnant women, patients with lung, heart and
metabolic conditions, residents of nursing homes, health
care workers and anyone over the age of 50.
The most frequent side effects of the injected vaccine
are mild soreness at the site and slight fever or muscle
pain that may last for a day or two. The flu vaccine has
been associated with the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre
syndrome, though according to the Centers for Disease Control,
this occurrence is extremely rare.
Both the inhaled and the injected vaccine are grown in
eggs and may cause allergic reactions in people who are
sensitive to egg products.
After an incubation period of from one to four days, a
flu infection may cause the following symptoms: fever, muscle
pain, chills and sweats, headache, fatigue, cough, sore
throat, congested or runny nose and lack of appetite. Fever
and headache are more common symptoms with the flu and are
a way to distinguish the flu from the common cold.
It is important to note that the 2009 H1N1 swine vaccine
is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine.
If you are in danger of contracting swine flu, you will
require both vaccines in order to be protected. Consult
your doctor or call the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention at (800) 232-4636. Many senior centers and drug
stores will be offering the flu vaccine, or you can find
a list of places offering the vaccine near you on the Web
site findaflushot.com.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
