First aid for signs of illness

Anyone who becomes active as soon as the first signs of a flu-like infection appear can often fight off the cold. We’ll tell you how!

A cold (in contrast to the real flu ) announces itself rather slowly: it scratches our throat or tingles in our nose, we shiver. These harbingers signal quite clearly: viruses are attacking and have already overcome the first barrier of our immune system.

All viruses depend on host cells, including the rhinovirus. It docks onto a cell in the nasal mucosa, smuggles in its genetic information and converts it into a virus factory: up to 500 new viruses leave the host cell and spread throughout the body. Of course, our defense doesn’t sit idly by. Antibodies try to stem the flow of viruses. This leads to inflammatory reactions that we know as a runny nose, cough and sore throat.

Get active and support your immune system, e.g. B. with the homeopathic immune booster ” Infludoron “. Exercise in the fresh air is particularly important now. Bike to work or walk a little. On the bus or train you are only exposing yourself to further virus attacks anyway. “Exercise also stimulates and stimulates the immune system,” explains Dr. Karsten Krüger from the Institute for Sports Science at the University of Giessen. And this stimulation is needed to work efficiently. “In the lymph nodes, the immune cells fight pathogens. However, the lymph fluid is only transported by muscle movements,” explains Prof. Hajo Haase from the Institute for Immunology at the University Hospital in Aachen.

But dress warmly outside and tie a scarf over your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling cold air. At low temperatures, the blood vessels in the respiratory tract constrict, making the work of the immune system more difficult. Now zinc comes into play. Study evaluations by the global medical network “Cochrane Collaboration” confirm: Zinc can often prevent or at least shorten a cold. Good sources are Emmental, Gouda cheese, nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat sprouts and oatmeal, shrimp, liver and veal. Cocoa, green peas and lentils also help to cover the zinc requirement of around 20 mg per day.

Table of Contents

Should I get vaccinated against flu?

Now is the right time to get protection, especially for those at risk

Who should get vaccinated?

The risk group for the flu includes:

  • pregnant women
  • Seniors
  • children
  • Employees in hospitals, nursing homes, kindergartens
  • People with chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma
  • allergy sufferers

A LITTLE PICK can save lives: Unlike a cold, the real flu claims fatalities every year. It usually begins suddenly, with a high fever and chills, accompanied by headaches and body aches. Every year, new types of viruses appear, and the flu vaccination is adapted to them. It should be done in November so that the body can build up full protection until the “high season”. Above all, people over 60 and anyone with chronic illnesses are recommended by doctors to be vaccinated, because their defenses are a bit more careless. Anyone who has a lot of contact with people at work or uses public transport every day also has an increased risk of infection.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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