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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2005)
Cha-may weeya Medicine Talk Siletz Community Health Clinic Is It a Virus, Bacteria, or an Allergy? What To Do... Colds and Flu All information about colds and the flu on these two Colds and flu viruses probably ac count for more unnecessary trips to the pages is provided by Hope Publications doctor than anything else. of the The problem is, there’s not much your doctor can do except provide you International Health with sympathy and tell you what you Awareness Center, Inc., already know: Rest, take a pain reliever, 616-343-0770 www.hithope.com. and drink plenty of fluids. So keep these self-care suggestions on hand for the next time you come down with a cold or the flu. It could Runny and/or stuffy nose? Aching muscles? Headache (non-sinus)? Dizzy? Fever? Cough? Dry Cough? Raising Sputum? Hoarseness? Recurs at a particular season? Only a single complaint (sore throat, earache, sinus pain, or cough)? Do antibiotics help? Can the doctor help? Allergy Virus* Bacteria Often Usual Often Often Often Often Often Rare Often No Rare Rare Rare Rare Often Sometimes Rare Often Rare No Often Never Never Rare Never Rare Sometimes Rare Sometimes Often Usual No Seldom Usual Yes Yes Unusual No Sometimes save you the supreme hassle (and ex * Viral infections and allergies do not improve with treatment by penicillin or other antibiotics. pense) of an unnecessary doctor visit. Over-the-Counter Medicines? According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Americans waste more than $1 billion a year on cold rem edies “that simply don’t work.’’ Ask your pharmacist for advice about cold and flu relief. Do not use TV commercials or magazine ads as a basis for your medicine choices. “Saline nose drops” Add w teaspoon salt to two cups of warm water that has been boiled (to rid it of chlorine, which can cause conges tion, and to sterilize it) or use distilled water. Administer with a dropper, as needed, to relieve nasal congestion. “Honey-lemon cough mixture” Non-Prescription Medicines That Work • • • • Headache: Use aspirin, acetami nophen, or ibuprofen Coughs: An expectorant will liq uefy the secretions and help your body cough up the material. Use a cough suppressant only in the late stages of a cough, when it is dry and hacking. Throat lozenges: for adults and older children. Nasal congestion: Use sprays or nose drops, such as Afrin. What It Means “Urge Fluids” For adults, this usually means drinking at least one eight-ounce glass of liquid every hour while awake. “Saline gargle” Add w teaspoon salt to two cups of warm or cool water. Gargle with this mix ture, as needed, to relieve sore throat pain. 20 • Siletz News • Mix two parts honey with one part lemon juice. The honey is soothing to the throat and also acts as an expectorant. The lemon juice helps reduce the vis cosity of the phlegm. Adults may take this mixture by the teaspoon as needed. Children may take ~ teaspoon. Do not give honey to infants under age 1. “Diarrhea diet” Stick to clear fluids for 12 to 24 hours. When the diarrhea has stopped, use the “BRAT” diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Avoid alcohol, coffee, citrus fruits and juices, fats, and dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt, ice cream) for three to six days. “Vomiting diet” Suck on ice chips and Popsicles, if nothing else will stay down, to maintain hydration or sip lukewarm “de-fizzed” regular cola (helps control nausea; pro vides sugar). As you get better, try soup, bouillon, Jell-O, and applesauce. January 2005 Viruses: The Big Three Head Cold Symptoms, some combination of • • • • • • • Sore throat Runny and/or stuffy nose Cough Congested ears Headache, dizziness Swollen glands Fever, chills Influenza Symptoms • • • • • • Sore throat and nasal congestion (sometimes) Muscle aches (sometimes very un comfortable) Dry cough Headache, dizziness Fatigue Fever, chills “Stomach Flu” Symptoms Nausea, vomiting • Abdominal cramps, diarrhea Home Care Guidelines 1. Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve headache, muscle ache, and fever. Follow label directions. (Children and teens should use acetami nophen; children’s aspirin use for viral illness is associated with Reye’s syndrome.) 2. Rest (in bed, if necessary). If you feel well enough to be up and about, OK. Just take it easy. You’re most contagious the one to four days before you come down with symptoms - not while you’re ill. 3. Drink plenty of liquids. Your body needs extra fluids when you have a fever. Also, extra fluids help keep the mucous more liquid, which can help prevent bacterial complica tions such as ear infections and bronchitis. Salty liquids (e.g., chicken soup, bouillon) can help with dizziness. If you have a headache or cough, or are congested, a vaporizer can help you feel better and breathe easier. A steamy shower works, too. Warm washcloths on your forehead and upper cheeks can help relieve sinus congestion.
