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.