Are you at risk of catching the super-cold?
As we approach the cold and flu season after another testing year, experts warn that many of us could fall victim to a 'super-cold' which could leave you feeling worse than any cold ever has before, with symptoms including coughing, congestion, headaches, fevers and aches and pains.
Here I run through all you need to know, including what the symptoms may look like, and how to protect yourself.
What symptoms should you look out for?
Many of the symptoms of this new cold sweeping the nation are reminiscent of the cold and flu infections that we were previously all quite used to.
Remember, interestingly, the majority of the symptoms you experience when you are unwell are actually as a result of your own immune system. These unwelcome symptoms you experience can come about as a result of an inflammatory response which is part and parcel of your immune system's own natural defence mechanism. So, yes, much of the fever, congestion and many of the other symptoms you're desperate to shake off are at the hands of your own system as it grapples with the bugs and tries to get things under control.
Some possible symptoms to look out for when it comes to this new strain of cold, are as follows:
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Blocked nose or persistent sneezing
- Fever or shivering
- Achy muscles and joints
- Headache
- Nausea
Why are colds getting worse?
Immunology experts have warned that a year of being couped up, on and off, and not exposing ourselves to the usual annual bugs, could well be making this cold and flu season a little more testing.
However, the intensity of symptoms of this particular cold which is affecting many of us is admittedly a bit of a mystery. Some say we've just forgotten what a cold feels like, whilst the experts have also admitted that having had reduced exposure to bugs over the last year could mean that our resilience has dropped a little, and/or our immune system is just a little over-reactive, as a result of being out of touch for an unprecedented length of time.
Then, despite us being assured that normal seasonal bugs do still exist and not every symptom is necessarily linked to Covid-19, it comes with a gentle reminder that we should still be taking part in routine home testing and isolating if we have any obvious symptoms, in order to help limit the spread of infections.
How can you protect yourself?
If you're worried about catching this cold or any similar infection, much of the same advice that we've heard over the last year or two still stands. This is as follows:
- Continue practicing good hygiene. Hand washing has been proven time and time again to help reduce the transmission of bacteria and viruses, so, don't become complacent in this department now, and keep up all the good work including continuing to sing 'Happy Birthday!'
- Stay hydrated. Staying properly hydrated is certainly helpful for the protective efforts too. Drinking plenty of water will help support your circulation, therefore helping transport key immune cells and nutrients around your body, and helping to keep your defences up. Good hydration helps keep your nasal membranes lubricated, which makes them more resilient to airborne pathogens; dry membranes are more fragile and vulnerable.
- Sleep well. During your sleeping hours is your immune system's time to thrive. Many of your immune system functions are most active during this time, which is why we can often feel so rejuvenated after a good night's rest. On the other hand, it's been well documented sleeping poorly could mean your defences can risk becoming compromised so, take note, and head to bed earlier if need be. (1)
- Top up on key nutrients. To help keep your immune system fighting fit and ready to ward off any malicious pathogens at any moment, you can support yourself with some key nutrients. Whilst a good diet is most definitely necessary, some nutrients can be a little harder to come by, such as vitamin D. Handily, we've combined many of these immune-relevant nutrients such as vitamins C and D, plus zinc, and some herbal extras including nasturtium, in our Immune Support complex.
What to do if you're already feeling under the weather
If you suspect you've caught the dreaded cold infection already, you can hopefully soften the blow with the following measures:
- Take a COVID test. To help differentiate colds and flus and from the ever-changing COVID-19 virus, take a test just to be sure. However, we're being advised to try and isolate regardless, just to try and keep the spread of other infections under control too, ahead of winter.
- Keep hydrated. Hydration is key when you're ill and even more so if you've been experiencing a fever or any digestive upset.
- Rest up. Resting sufficiently can help your immune system to get to grips with the current infection and get it under control. Doing too much, too soon, could risk setting your recovery back.
- Stock up on Echinacea. Echinaforce® Echinacea drops are a traditional herbal remedy used for the symptomatic relief of colds, influenza type infections and similar upper respiratory tract conditions.
For symptomatic relief of colds and flu
Help fight symptoms of colds & flu with Echinaforce:
- Helps fight the misery of colds and flu
- Strengthens the immune system
- Made from Echinacea purpurea
- Fresh herb extract
