It’s that time of year
again. Cold and flu
season is upon us, but
with the threat of
swine flu should we
be more worried than
usual? And what
really works and how
can we combat
symptoms? Dr Ayan
tells us more.
The films 28 Days Later, I am Legend and
Outbreak are just a few from the last decade or
so which focus on the possibility of the world
ending due to a viral pandemic. I remember
watching these films and enjoying that mix of
excitement and anxiety that these thrillers are
designed to elicit, thinking that despite their
realism they are ultimately the stuff of fantasy.
It’s that protective kind of thought that allows
Coughs and sneezes...
us to sleep at night, a bit like Nick Ross’s facts to avoid any confusion: mucus production (the mucus helps to trap
reassurance at the end of Crimewatch that l There’s no cure for the common cold. the virus) and muscle ache.
violent crime is in fact quite rare. It’s almost as l Taking a flu jab does not stop you catching
though a small part of our brains know that colds and coughs, it stops you catching How do you prevent
these films are from books – exciting fictional influenza (which can kill). colds and flu?
stories which are never actually going to l If you have a long-term condition like Well, there are so many remedies offered up
happen – or are they? diabetes, heart or lung disease, you must take around these ailments it can be confusing to
We live in a world in which the events both the flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine. know what to do.
depicted in these movies are possible, even No question. In basic terms, if you stay healthy you are
probable. Ebola, SARS, avian flu, swine flu Let’s look at what happens to the body less likely to catch viruses as your immune
are just a few viruses which have dominated when it encounters a cold or flu virus. The system will be harder to penetrate. So to
headlines over the last few years. More and virus forces the host (meaning our cells) to prevent catching winter bugs, you should
more I get asked by patients about flu, colds, make virus DNA. The host cells eventually think about the following:
swine flu and whether they should take a burst and the virus easily spreads to other
vaccine of sorts or how they can protect healthy cells. Once a certain amount of cells Choose the right food and drink
themselves from such viruses. have been affected, the body will start to A balanced diet is the best way to ensure
S
tock
No prizes for guessing what I’m going to experience symptoms, which are mainly a an adequate intake of nutrients, but certain
say next, but I’m going to say it anyway. In reflection of your body’s response to the virus foods can boost your immunity, helping
fact, sometimes it’s worth just reiterating the rather than the virus itself. This includes excess to combat infection from viruses. Oily fish S
hutter
48 Sweet Magazine
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