How to Avoid Winter Illness, Colds and Influenza

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How to avoid winter illness - colds and influenza

With the onset of winter, we are reminded of the possibility of runny noses, coughs, and influenza. Much time is lost from both work and leisure. For many people the question is not "will I catch a winter cold?" but "when, how often and how severe will it be?". It is estimated that there are about 50 million new cases of respiratory tract infection in Australia each year. That averages out at 2-3 infections per year per person.

Why is it that some people always seem to be sick in winter and others just breeze through without any trouble? Is it because some people are just in more contact with others spreading the disease, or is there another reason? The answer is, like all diseases, you susceptibility to catching it comes down to your risk factors. Avoiding disease involves minimising risk factors.

Risk Factors:

Direct contact is undoubtedly a significant risk factor, so you need to be careful not have close contact with any person suffering from cold or influenza. Viruses that can easily be transmitted through the air cause both diseases. If your partner gets the flu, sleep in another room for a few days. Avoiding direct contact is more important for those people who do not have a strong immune system.

An under-active immune system is perhaps the most important risk factor, and most of the other risk factors are those which compromise the effectiveness of the immune system.

	Change of season contributes to stress on the immune system - this is unavoidable, but taking precautions to boost the immune system at this time of year can reduce this risk factor. Sudden and/or extreme changes of temperature have a similar effect - hence the importance of keeping warm and avoiding cold draughts.
	History of bronchitis, asthma or other chest infections reduces ability to resist infections.
	Advancing age is statistically a major risk factor - due to reduced protection at the mucosal surfaces and reduced immune response. As we get older, nutritional status usually declines due to a decreasing ability to absorb nutrients and often a decreased intake of nutrients. For the immune system to function well, adequate absorption of nutrients is essential.
	Reduced function of natural killer (NK) cells - which have an important role in the defence against viruses. Reduction of NK cells is more pronounced in the elderly.
	An immune system that has been weakened by constant infection, allergy, stress or excessive exercise is less able to resist colds and influenza.

Both the common cold and influenza are caused by viruses. Antibiotics act only against bacteria, so they will do nothing to cure a cold or 'flu, but your doctor may prescribe them if there is a risk of secondary bacterial infection. A cold will only develop into the flu if you also catch the flu virus.

Prevention of Colds and 'Flu

Medically, the main option is to have an influenza vaccination, and this is highly recommended for those at high risk, but this will not protect against the common cold. You will need to consult your doctor about this. I would suggest that you take steps to ensure your immune system is as strong as possible before having the vaccination.

Naturopathically, there are a number of options, each aimed at addressing your own individual risk factors.

Prevention is the best option. If you have a strong immune system you can expect to last the whole year without so much as a cold. The simplest thing you can do is to have a good diet based on fresh vegetables, fruit and adequate protein from meat, fish or vegetable sources. Include garlic and onions in your diet and drink plenty of water. If you are already doing this and still getting more than one cold per year, come and see me for a consultation and I will look at factors such as nutritional status, state of your digestive system, lymphatic system, allergies, stress, lifestyle and your immune system.

Treatment for Colds

If you get a cold - treat it at the fist sign of a sniffle. There are two options:

For self-treatment of adults (note children are more sensitive and require smaller doses with a very careful watch on possible fever), I suggest firstly that you do not take any cold suppressant drugs, take 3-5 gm vitamin C spread over the day, take raw garlic, drink plenty of water, keep warm - go to bed with a hot lemon drink, and rest. If symptoms persist, if you have muscle aches and a fever, or if you have any difficulty breathing, see your doctor.

Naturopathic treatment - I can give you a herbal mixture which will be very effective in assisting a rapid recovery. Herbs have a long history of use for colds and influenza. They act by supporting the immune system, supporting the fever reaction, and helping with coughing. Various nutrients may also be helpful. You may need further treatment if your immune system is compromised. Each person needs to be treated individually, so I will give you herbs and nutrients that are particularly suited to your individual requirement. If you do not like the taste of liquid herbs, there are some very good herbal tablets I have in stock.

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Treatment for Influenza

If you get the 'flu - seek medical advice then follow up with naturopathic treatment. It can be a serious disease, and many people die each year from the effect of influenza.

It is not advisable to self-treat for influenza. See you doctor, you may need antibiotics if there is a secondary bacterial infection such as a strep throat.

Naturopathic treatment - once your doctor has ruled out any complications, I can give you herbs and nutrients to help your immune system fight the viral infection, as well as looking for any contributing factors that may be stressing your immune system. Naturopathic treatment can be safely be used in conjunction with medical treatment to help reduce the severity of infection and hasten the recovery time.

How can supplements help with the common cold?

	Andrographis has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the severity of symptoms of the common cold
	Echinacea has been shown in studies to reduce symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections
	Olive leaf can inhibit viral replication and has been shown to be effective against respiratory infections
	Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of colds
	Zinc is necessary for a healthy immune system
	Probiotics taken for several months have been shown to reduce the incidence of colds
	Multi vitamin and mineral supplements help to supply essential nutrients for the health of the body.

Ring naturopath Peter Kelly at St George Naturopathic Clinic 02 9580 6708

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Peter Kelly ND, BHSc (Comp. Med.), DBM. Ring 9580 6708 for an appointment. 63 Moore Street Hurstville 2220

Last modified: 11/11/08