Thecommon cold, catarrh or nasopharyngitis is a viral disease of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). The common cold, which generally takes effect during seasonal transitions and sudden temperature differences, can be confused with the flu. The common cold can be overcome more easily than the flu.
The common cold, which occurs frequently during the winter months, is an upper respiratory tract disorder caused by coronaviruses, enteroviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses. Towards the end of the pandemic period, it is also confused with coronavirus symptoms . The common cold problem can be overcome much more easily. In addition, the common cold can often be confused with the flu. The striking difference between these two diseases is that the flu is characterized by a runny nose and sneezing. In addition, while high fever is a normal finding in influenza, it is occasionally experienced in the common cold, headache, bone and muscle pain can be experienced in influenza, but not intensely in the common cold. The common cold is an ailment that can be overcome more easily than the flu.
What is good for cold and flu?
These two diseases can be similar to each other. It is necessary to consume foods to strengthen the immune system. Consuming these foods provides faster recovery. There are also some rules to be considered to prevent contamination and recover faster. We can list these rules as follows;
- In order to alleviate the symptoms of colds and flu, it is first necessary to rest plenty at home.
- Drinking plenty of water and eating fruits and vegetables with vitamin C content is one of the first things to do. Along with this, it is important to drink hot herbal tea that warms the throat.
- To avoid infecting family members, it is necessary to be a little more isolated and to pay attention to cleanliness in common toilets and sinks.
- It is very important to frequently ventilate and humidify the room where the sick person stays.
In addition, in the presence of flu and colds, more attention should be paid to nutrition than usual, some of the foods and food groups are as follows;
Fruits and vegetables with vitamin C content: Among the indispensable winter and summer fruits; oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, kiwi, bananas, apples and many other fruits can be consumed. Along with this; foods such as lemon, red pepper, green pepper, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts can also be consumed.
Mint lemon Boil 2.5 tablespoons of dried mint in 2 cups of water with half a lemon in the form of small pieces without peeling the peel. When it boils, it is filtered and placed in a glass and can be drunk hot.
Ginger honey 1.5 teaspoon honey and 1.5 teaspoon powdered ginger are mixed and consumed without waiting.
Throat lozenges: These lozenges, which can be found in pharmacies, have a great effect in cleansing from infections. They can be absorbed in the mouth and consumed.
Warm milk with cinnamon and honey: 1.5 teaspoon or 1.5 tablespoon of honey is added to 1.5 glasses of warm milk, mixed thoroughly and consumed by adding cinnamon powder. The milk should not be too boiling.
Lime linden with lemon: The leaves of the linden are added into the teapot. Then lemons are sliced and added on it. Then hot water is added on top and left to infuse for 10 minutes, then it can be drunk hot.
Chicken and trotter soup: It is cooked hot. Chicken broth soup and trotter soup soothes the throat. It relieves the symptoms of the disease.
Herbal teas: Herbal teas contribute to the relief of the symptoms of the disease during colds.
How to distinguish between cold and flu?
The most obvious difference between the common cold/nasal drip and the flu is the presence of a runny nose in the common cold and its general absence in the flu. In addition, the common cold is a much simpler condition than the flu and does not pose great risks. You can recognize this condition, which is recognized by an examination by a specialist physician, when you look at the symptoms;
- There is occasional fever in the common cold. In flu, fever is high.
- There may be no or very little headache in the common cold. Headache is experienced in flu.
- Sore throat is not very common in people with colds. It is experienced intensely in flu.
- Pain, fatigue and weakness in almost every part of the body become more pronounced in the flu.
- Nasal congestion is common in the common cold. Flu may not show such a symptom.
- Coughing is rare in the common cold, but common in the flu.
- Complications from a cold are fewer, whereas flu can cause more serious complications.
- There is no vaccine for the common cold, but there is for the flu.