Colds, Flu and Your Immune System - Causes and Solutions

Colds and flu are common problems, but some people suffer more than others. Those with lower immunity can die from complications such as dehydration or pneumonia. Here you will learn about the causes of the infections and about things that weaken immune system function. You will also learn about the solutions.

What Causes Colds?

The common cold is a viral infection of the nasal passages and upper respiratory system. Usual symptoms include sneezing, coughing and a sore throat. There are hundreds of different viruses that can cause the symptoms. The one we know the most about is the rhinovirus.

When someone sneezes or coughs, the viruses fly through the air. They do not function as other life forms do. There is even some question about whether or not they are living organisms. Instead of reproducing, they replicate.

The viruses can remain active on surfaces for many days, possibly weeks. So, when someone in the house is infected, it can be difficult to prevent the condition from spreading to other family members.

What Causes the Flu?

Influenza is caused by a different family of viruses. The viruses are divided into three categories; A, B and C. The viruses infect birds and mammals. The symptoms include those associated with the common cold, along with chills, fever, headache, weakness and muscle pain. Influenza is more likely to progress into pneumonia. The viruses are transmitted in the same way as the cold.

What Causes Weakened Immunity?

Weakened immunity makes people more susceptible to infections of all kinds. Things that have a negative effect on immune system function include:

? Young Age-infants and young children have an immature immune system. We develop immunity to viruses and other kinds of infections after being exposed to them.

? Old Age-older people sometimes have weaker immune systems, although it is not necessarily a natural part of the aging process

? Poor Nutrition

? Disease-an existing disease of any kind can make a person more susceptible to infection

? Immunodeficiency-in immunodeficiency diseases, a person's immune system is dysfunctional. The diseases may be acquired (AIDs) or something one is born with.

? Treatments for disease

Some diseases are referred to as autoimmune diseases. They are characterized by an overactive immune system. In order to treat the autoimmune disease, doctors prescribe drugs that suppress immune system function. The treatments make the person more likely to catch colds and the flu.

Many cancer treatments destroy immune system function, temporarily. While a person is receiving those treatments, they are more susceptible to colds and flu.

Even being around people who are sick increases your risk of becoming infected.

What Are the Solutions?

There are no cures. Anti-viral medications are only somewhat effective. Flu shots are used to prevent people from coming down with influenza, but the shots are only effective against the specific virus believed to be most likely to cause an infection during that year. There are hundreds of viruses in the family. So, the shot does not guarantee you won't get the flu.

The real solution to colds and influenza viruses is to strengthen your immune system. You will learn how to do that in my next article.

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Organic Head Lice Treatment Is a Safe Yet Effective Alternative to Drugstore Solutions

Lice infections and infestations can happen anytime, especially to children. They do not know where they get it and are just surprised to know they already have it. Prolonged head scratching can cause light skin wounds on the scalp. Because of nits and louse, and their growth on the head of unknowing children, parents, especially mothers, become desperate and try solutions which they think would help.

To help parents from their problems, the internet can offer many solutions for head lice. Parents typically run immediately to the local pharmacy for a cure on these bloodsuckers, which can sometimes lead them to buying a cure with harsh and dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can burn sensitive scalp skin on the hair, give a burning sensation on the eyes, and even ruin the texture of the hair of your children.

As a safe yet perfectly effective alternative to harsh chemical compounds and ingredients found in drugstore lice treatments, parents may go and search on the internet for products made from natural or organic ingredients. Natural solutions and products are safe and will not bring harm to your family and children.

In order for you to find the right kind of solution for your child's problem, read online reviews and blogs about specific products before testing them. Head lice treatment should be gentle for the hair and body of your child. Also, do not buy products which have ingredients such as sodium laurel sulfates or parabens, known to be harmful to children. Treating your children with natural solutions for nits and louse is not the only thing you should worry about.

A louse can survive for up to two days without blood and can live a maximum of seven days. In its life cycle, it would have been able to lay its eggs before it dies. Nits, on the other hand, are also called as louse eggs which need seven days before it can hatch to a young louse. This means that re-infestation can definitely happen again after a few weeks. It is important to treat your surroundings also to prevent your children from being re-infected.

Many companies on the internet can offer solutions for the house and for clothing. They can offer a variety of products such as laundry detergents made with louse killing ingredients and solutions in spray bottles. At the same time of treating your child, you should also treat all pieces of clothing used. Wash them in head lice treatment made for clothes. They should be in the form of laundry powder. Use that to laundry clothes of the infected family members, bed sheets, blankets, pillow cases, and others.

Apart from the clothes, parents should also clean the house and furniture. Companies have made it convenient for parents to clean their furniture by spraying solutions on couches and sofas, curtains, carpets, and other areas of the house which the infected family members have come into to contact with.

Organic lice treatment is any parent's safe alternative to using local drugstore solutions to eradicating louse and all of its forms. By using this solution, your children can come back to school, and you will always be secure that you can treat your children from louse anytime.

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