Ahh… autumn. Hues of gold, red and orange set the tone for the season. It’s the return of sweater weather… pumpkin patches… and kids playing on a blanket of fallen leaves. We all love fall. It’s a wonderful time of year. But fall also marks the return of cold and flu season. So, why does it seem to magically appear around this time of year? Well, there are two main reasons: the weather and kids.

First, let’s talk about the weather. Contrary to popular opinion, cold temperatures aren’t to blame for catching colds or the flu. One of the reasons is the change in humidity, which helps cold and flu viruses since they thrive in lower humidity. This type of environment can dry the lining of nasal passages, making them more vulnerable to infection. Additionally, the fall and winter months make each day chillier and the days shorter so people tend to spend more time indoors congregating at home, schools, offices, day care centers, etc. And, of course, closer quarters help spread germs faster via touch or airborne droplets.

As for kids, now that they are back in school, the classroom becomes an enclosed playground for germs. Since most kids are not too concerned with hygiene, and handle many of the same toys and various school stuff all day long… the germs spread. The kids infect each other and then carry the germs home to share with the whole family.

Is it a cold or the flu?
The basic difference lies in how quickly and how hard it hits you.

The Common Cold
A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract that is caused by more than 200 viruses, with rhinovirus being the most common. Most adults get 2-4 colds a year, whereas children get 6-9 colds a year. The typical cold lasts 4-7 days at most.

A cold virus is usually spread by hand-to-hand contact and then enters the body when you touch your eyes and nose after exposure.

The start of a cold usually begins 1-2 days after you have been exposed to the virus, with a watery nose as the first major symptom. Other symptoms of a cold include sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, nasal congestion, low fever and, possibly, minor body aches.

Influenza
Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system including your throat, nose, bronchial tubes and lungs. Approximately 20,000 people die each year from complications related to the flu while another 200,000 are hospitalized. Those mostly at risk include older adults and those who have diabetes, lung disease or a weakened immune system.

While other viral infections, like the common cold, appear to have some similar symptoms such as nasal congestion, running nose, sneezing, and sore throat, they are not the flu. With the flu you can get very high fever, as high as 106, F, and, may last up to a week. You are likely to feel worse with the flu versus a cold when you include symptoms such as aches and pains, chills and sweats, fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite. All told, the flu can last 7-10 days.

What can I do to protect myself?
Eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise frequently. Because colds result from so many different viruses, there is no effective vaccine available. For influenza, you can protect yourself by getting a flu shot.

For either condition, some of the basic precautions apply:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Don’t share drinking glasses, utensils, etc.
• Discard all used tissues
• Drink plenty of fluids

Echinacea is a popular herb used to boost immune cell activity and activate the body’s natural protective processes. Zinc is another nutritional supplement that enhances healthy immune system function.

What should I do if I am sick?
For the common cold, over-the-counter medicines may help you feel better since they help alleviate some of the symptoms that come with colds and the flu. Unless you are at risk of complications from influenza, your doctor will primarily suggest bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids so you don’t become dehydrated. If the symptoms persist or if you have other complications, please consult your doctor.