The Flu Season
The cold season usually begins around November and lasts until March. The common cold is caused by a virus, and there is no effective cure. Therefore, the key is prevention which can be affected by several methods.
The first is vaccination. This involves an injection of killed viruses which induces antibodies in the recipients' body, which in turn can be useful in killing the live viruses when he or she comes into contact with. Because there are many different viruses, experts try to anticipate which types of viruses are going to be the most prevalent prior to the start of the flu season. The prediction is usually accurate and therefore the vaccine is quite effective in prevention of flu outbreaks. Unfortunately, last year, one strain that was omitted caused a major portion of the damage. Thus, even those who were vaccinated became ill when exposed to this particular virus.
The next method of prevention is hygiene. Frequent hand washing can not be over emphasized. The average person touches his or her face with amazing frequency (try counting it yourself how many times you actually touch your face in five minutes). The viruses which are present in an infected person can be transmitted to a doorknob, table top, hand rails, and any number of different things, and then you touch them, then touch your face, and the virus is transmitted to you.
The final method of prevention is maintenance of your immune system. Any thing that reduces your immune response will make you more susceptible to viral infections. Medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer must be brought under control of maximize the the immunological state. Certain medications such as steroids and antibiotics might make one more susceptible to viral infections. Dietary indiscretion, as it frequently happens during the holiday season, will diminish your immune system. Alcohol is also an immune system depressant. Psychological stress and sleep deprivation, also prevalent during the holiday season, are also factors.
If prevention is unsuccessful and you come down with a virus, rest, hydration, and adequate dietary intake, is about as much as anyone can do. Anti viral medications are at best of questionable efficacy, and can only be effective when they are started very early in the course of a viral illness. Complications of viral respiratory infection, such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, or otitis media, for example, will require specific treatment supervised by a physician. Antibiotics are available in the U.S.A. only by prescription of a physician. Other medications, such as decongestants, expectorants, and cough suppressants, are available over the counter, but those tend to be less effective than the ones available by prescription.
The physicians and staff at Nippon Medical Clinic can assist you with prevention and treatment of respiratory illnesses. Please contact us by telephone or in person should you feel the need for our services.