Getting sick is the easy part. Knowing what exactly you or the one you are caring for is suffering with is the hard part. Here is a flowchart (pardon the pun) describing the various winter illnesses and their symptoms. We will also look at appropriate treatments for each and when to seek a doctor's advice.
The 'Flu':
This is a common misnomer; we call all sorts of symptoms 'the flu'. There are stomach and cold varieties. The 'cold' variety is usually characterized by a significant fever. Over 101 in adults is a significant fever. Children tend to run a bit higher. The 'flu' will also include intense body aches( the 'run-over-by -a-bus' type). Fever and aches differentiate the flu from a 'cold'. There is not much you can do for the flu besides giving comfort measures like Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Sinus Infection:
This is characterized by pain in sinus regions under the eyes, in the temples, and above the back teeth near the ears. Sinuses are cavities which fill with fluid and cause pressure.
With a genuine sinus headache, I cannot get relief with just pain reliever; the preparation must include decongestant. It is also very soothing to take a hot shower and massage the painful sinus areas. This gets the fluids flowing and relieves pressure. Drinking lots of fluids and taking extra vitamin C are helpful also.
You can also 'blast' the sinuses with warm salt water solution. This requires a nasal bulb syringe. Squeeze the bulb to fill the syringe. Hold one nostril shut and flood the other nostril with the salt water. Repeat with the other side. This will flush the sinus.
Many people have been helped by having their sinuses surgically bored out. For frequent sinus infection, the sinus bone becomes damaged and this course may be the best way to prevent further damage.
Nasal allergies:
Sufferers with these problems have itching in the back of the throat, a clear drainage in the throat that causes a dry persistent cough. Often the eyes will tear up and itch. These symptoms tend to get worse at night. Anti-histamine's like Benadryl will clear up these symptoms, but they cause intense drowsiness and inability to focus, work or operate machinery. They are hard on the body in the long run also.
I like a product called Loratadine. It's trade name is Claritin-D. This is a once a day treatment which doesn't cause drowsiness. You can purchase it over the counter and the generic is much less expensive.
Strep throat:
Strep will manifest itself primarily as a sore throat, but generally with headache, fever and nausea and vomiting. Strep is related to Scarlet Fever which is very serious, so early detection and treatment are importantStrep is diagnosed with a throat culture. It is a bacterial infection and is often very painful. A sinus sore throat can be very painful also and can imitate strep. This is definitely a time to see your doctor. She can run the test and tell you in moments whether it's strep.
Strep (streptococcus) responds very well to an antibiotic. It responds quickly also. Strep is fairly contagious also, so have other members of the household checked if they exhibit any sore throat.
Bronchitis/Pneumonia:
This is an infection and fluid build up in the bronchial tubes which lead from your esophagus to your lungs. If the infection moves to one or both lungs it becomes pneumonia. It is characterized by a heavy, wet relentless cough and achy chest. Since the coughing can get almost spastic at night and the sufferer can not rest, I use a dextromethorophan product to quiet the cough and dry the fluids
This is just a comfort treatment, not a cure. It can be treated with antibiotics, but must be tested and determined to be bacterial rather than viral. Rest, warmth and fluids are the primary course of treatment. Avoiding cold, damp air is indicated as well.
The best advice is still to get rest, eat well and exercise to ward off any infection.
Source:
http://voices.yahoo.com/when-cold-not-cold-247476.html?cat=5
