It starts with a scratchy throat. Then the eyes begin to water and a runny nose is soon to follow. The cold and flu season is back! The first step in treating your cold or flu is knowing which one you have:



Colds are milder and have different causes and symptoms from the flu. Starting symptoms for a cold are sneezing, coughing, tiredness, runny nose and little (1-2 degrees above normal) or no fever. You may also experience muscle aches and pains, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache.



The average flu begins suddenly and hits hard. Symptoms include: feeling weak, tired, feverish, and experiencing a cough, runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headaches, eye pain and sore throat. It also takes a longer period of time to recover from the flu in comparison to the common cold. The flu may begin to settle after a few days but some symptoms will stay for up to 2 weeks or longer, whereas the common cold is usually settled within 7 days.



There are no foolproof ways to treat the common cold and flu, although there are a few suggestions that may help you feel better:

• Stay home and get plenty of rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Gargle salt water to help cleanse the throat.
• Use over-the-counter products such as lozenges, throat and nasal sprays and vapor rubs.
• Use a humidifier at night time to help open breathing passages and get a better sleep.

• Get the flu vaccine: It is the top weapon in fighting the influenza virus.
• Avoid crowded situations: In cold and flu season, try to avoid busy areas where viruses can easily be spread.
• Hand washing: Most viruses are spread through direct contact. Cleanse your hands for up to one minute with warm soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to help eliminate germs.
• Don't cover your sneezes and cough with your hands: Germs and viruses cling to bare hands. Muffling coughs and sneezes should be done with a tissue or aimed in an alternative direction from where people are situated.
• Get fresh air: A regular dose of fresh air is important, especially in cold weather when indoor heating systems dry you out and makes your body more susceptible to cold and flu viruses.
• Eat yogurt: Some studies show that eating a cup of yogurt daily can reduce susceptibility of colds by 25%. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease. Also, eat plenty of dark green, red and yellow vegetables and fruit. Vegetables and fruit carry phytochemicals which help boost your immune system and provide the body with vitamins.