Natural Approaches to Preventing and Treating Colds and Flu
How can you prevent and treat a cold or the flu with natural medicines? First of all, a little background.
The common cold is just that – common. On average, Americans get 2 to 4 colds per year.
Colds are caused by viruses that we either inhale or contract through physical touch.
Colds often begin with a sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, nasal discharge and stuffiness.
Ear and sinus infections can sometimes follow a cold.
If the sinus infection is caused by a virus, then antibiotics are unhelpful.
Influenza viruses cause a contagious respiratory illness commonly called the flu. Flu complications include viral and secondary bacterial pneumonia. Consult your physician if your symptoms get worse rapidly, or if you have a high fever lasting a few days or more, lung congestion, high fatigue, body aches or swollen lymph nodes.
Flu symptoms are typically more intense than a cold and include (but aren’t limited to):
