Health for All says
As the seasons change and the environment changes, the peak of colds and flu will also arrive. Cold and flu are common respiratory infections in people with similar symptoms, but there are actually many distinct differences between the two. This article will explain the difference between colds and flu, susceptible populations, and preventive measures from the perspective of TCM.
1. The difference between a cold and a flu.
Both colds and flu are respiratory infections caused by viruses, but the two have different viruses and different clinical symptoms.
1.Virus differences: Colds are usually caused by rhinoviruses, while influenza is caused by influenza viruses. There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C, of which type A and B are more pathogenic viruses, while type C has less impact on the human body.
2.Symptom differences: Cold symptoms are mild, mainly including nasal congestion, runny nose, throat discomfort, mild cough, etc.;Flu symptoms are more severe, manifested as high fever, malaise, headache, muscle aches, cough, etc.
3.Difference in rate of onset: colds are usually gradual, with symptoms getting progressively worse;Influenza, on the other hand, has a sudden onset and rapidly worsens.
2. Susceptible populations.
1.Age factor: Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immunity are more susceptible to the virus because their immune systems are relatively weak and unable to effectively fight off the virus.
2.Seasonal factors: Colds and flu mostly occur in autumn and winter, because the temperature is lower in autumn and winter, people gather indoors, air pollution is serious, and the virus spreads more rapidly.
3.Health conditions: People with chronic diseases such as chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, diabetes, etc., are susceptible to the virus and have more severe symptoms.
3. Preventive measures.
Traditional Chinese medicine pays attention to "treating the onset of the disease before it occurs, and treating the source of the disease before the onset of the disease". Here are some tips when it comes to preventing colds and flu:
1.Strengthen physical fitness: through traditional Chinese medicine conditioning, adhere to moderate exercise, maintain a comfortable mood, appropriately increase nutrition, and improve the body's immunity.
2.Room ventilation: Keep the room well ventilated and open the windows regularly for ventilation to reduce the retention of viruses indoors.
3.Avoid tobacco and alcohol: avoid spicy and irritating foods, reduce sugar intake, and eat a light dietQuit smoking and limit alcohol to alcohol because smoking and drinking alcohol weaken the respiratory tract's resistances.
4.Wash your hands frequently: Frequent hand washing is a basic part Xi of infection prevention, especially after contact with public places or people with upper respiratory tract diseases.
5.Chinese medicine prevention: Chinese medicine believes that diseases come from the mouth, so some Chinese medicine can be used to prevent colds and flu. For example, using traditional Chinese medicine such as honeysuckle, forsythia, and peppermint to make tea can clear away heat and detoxify and improve immunity.
Conclusion: As common infectious diseases, the difference between cold and flu and preventive measures need to be paid attention to in daily life. By strengthening personal hygiene Xi, adjusting dietary structure, strengthening physical exercise, and regularly using Chinese medicine for prevention, we can effectively reduce the occurrence of colds and flu and maintain good health.
Health References:
1.Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expert Consensus on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Influenza of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Trial)[J].Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2020, 61(05): 391-397