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Information for this article was very kindly provided by Clarkston Internal Medicine, office of Drs. Chase, Mirijanian and Okka. If you are in need of a primary care physician you may contact them at 248-625-1600 or online at www.clarkstoninternalmedicine.com. They are conveniently located at 7210 N. Main St. Suite 200, Clarkston, MI 48346.
It's that time of year again: Cold & Flu Season! Many of us are suffering through it already or likely will be. Make sure you know how to treat yourself and your family - and how to prevent getting sick in the first place!
The Common Cold
The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper-respiratory passages including the nose, throat, sinuses, ears, Eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx and bronchial tubes. Possible complications include bacterial infections of the ears, throat, sinuses or lungs. Most patients recover spontaneously in 7 to 14 days.
Frequent signs and symptoms
-Runny or stuffy nose. Nasal discharge is watery at first, then becomes thick and yellow.
-Sore throat.
-Hoarseness.
-Cough that produces little or no sputum.
-Low fever.
-Fatigue.
-Watering eyes.
-Appetite Loss.
Causes
Any of at least 100 viruses. Virus particles spread through the air or from person-to-person contact, especially hand-shaking. Risk increases with:
-Winter (colds are most frequent in cold weather).
-Children attending school or day care.
-Household member who has a cold.
-Crowded or unsanitary living conditions.
-Infection my be facilitated by stress, fatigue, or allergic disorders.
Preventive measures
-Avoid unnecessary contact during the contagious phase (first 2-4 days).
-Wash hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or before handling food.
-Avoid crowded places when possible, especially during the winter.
-Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet that includes plenty of citrus fruits and other sources of vitamin C.
Treatment
-To relieve nasal congestion, use salt-water drops (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water).
-Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to increase air moisture. Clean the humidifier daily.
-For a baby too young to blow his nose, use an infant nasal aspirator. If mucus is thick and sticky, loosen it by putting 2 or 3 drops of salt solution into each nostril. Don't insert cotton swabs into a child's nostrils. Instead, catch the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab, roll it around and pull the discharge out of the nose.
-Vitamin C in large doses (up to 1000 mg a day) may shorten duration.
-No medicine, including antibiotics, can cure the common cold. To relieve symptoms, use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen, decongestants, nose drops or sprays, cough medicines and throat lozenges.
-Bed rest is not necessary, but avoid vigorous activity; rest often. Keep a regular diet. Drink extra fluids, including water, fruit juice, tea and carbonated drinks.
Notify your primary care doctor if you experience:
-Increased throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or throat.
-Coughing episodes that last longer than the intervals between coughing; cough that produces thick, yellow-green or gray sputum; cough that lasts longer than 10 days; or difficult or labored breathing between coughing bouts.
-Fever that lasts several days or fever over 101°F.
-Shaking chills, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
-Earache or headache.
-Skin rash; dusky blue or gray lips, skin or nail beds.
-Pain in teeth or over sinuses.
-Unusual lethargy or irritability.
-Delirium.
-Enlarged, tender glands in the neck.
-Inability to bottle-feed or breast-feed an infant.
Influenza (Flu, Grippe)
The flu is a common, contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. Incubation after exposure is 24 to 48 hours. There are three main types of influenza (A, B, C) but they have the ability to mutate into different forms. Outbreaks of different forms occur almost every winter with varying degrees of severity. Influenza affects both sexes and all ages except infants. Most patients recover in 7 to 14 days if no complications occur. Possible complications are bacterial infections, including bronchitis or pneumonia. Treatment with antibiotics is usually necessary and recovery may take 3 to 6 weeks. These can be especially dangerous for chronically ill persons or those over age 65.
Frequent signs and symptoms
-Chills and moderate to high fever.
-Muscle aches, including back ache.
-Cough, usually with little or no sputum.
-Sore throat.
-Hoarseness.
-Runny nose.
-Headache.
-Fatigue.
Causes
Infection by viruses of the myxovirus class. The viruses spread by personal contact or indirect contact (such as use of a contaminated drinking glass). Risk increases with:
-Stress.
-Excessive fatigue.
-Recent illness that has lowered resistance.
-Pregnancy (3rd trimester).
-Students.
-People in semi-closed environments.
-Immunosuppression from drugs or illness.
-Crowded places during an epidemic. Preventive measures -Avoid risks listed above. -Have a yearly flu shot if you are over the age of 65 or have chronic heart or lung disease. -Avoid unnecessary contact with people who have upper-respiratory infections during the flue season. -Use of amantadine for high-risk persons (that haven't been vaccinated) or need additional control measures.
Treatment -Lab studies, such as blood tests and sputum culture; x-rays of the chest (if complications). -To relieve nasal congestion, use salt-water drops (1 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of water). -To relieve a sore throat, gargle often with double-strength tea or salt water (warm or cold). -Use a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture. This thins lung secretions so they can be coughed up more easily. Don't put medicine in the humidifier; it does not help. Clean humidifier daily. -To avoid spreading germs, wash your hands frequently especially after blowing your nose or before handling food. -Use warm compresses or a heating pad for aching muscles. -For minor discomfort you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen, cough syrups, nasal sprays or decongestants. -Do not take aspirin; some research shows a link between the use of aspirin (especially in children) during a virus illness and the development of Reye's syndrome. -An antiviral drug, amantadine, for seriously ill persons of for those at greatest risk from complications my be prescribed. -Rest is the best medicine. If you are in good general health, rest helps your body fight the virus. -Appetite is usually lacking. You may just want liquids at first, then small meals of bland starchy foods (dry toast, rice, pudding, cooked cereal, baked potatoes). -Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (especially if you have a high fever). Extra fluids, including, fruit juice, tea and noncarbonated drinks, also help thin lung secretions.
Notify your primary care doctor if:
-You or a family member has symptoms of influenza.
-The following occur during treatment:
-Increased fever or cough.
-Blood in she sputum.
-Earache.
-Shortness of breath or chest pain.
-Thick discharge from the nose, sinuses or ears.
-Sinus pain.
-Neck pain or stiffness.
-New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs in treatment may produce side effects.
So now you're armed and ready for the cold & flu season. We hope you stay healthy! | 
practice as well.