Cold and Flu
The common cold and flu are two very different viruses that share very similar symptoms. Common cold is transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. They can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. The inflammatory response is an important body defense mechanism during a viral cold infection for the prevention of spreading and killing of viruses. It is often characterized by excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukine-6, tumor necrosis-α and interleukine-1β, giving rise to symptoms like cough, blocked nose, sore throat and fever.
Influenza (Flu) is caused by influenza viruses, namely influenza A and B viruses. Symptoms of the flu include sudden onset of fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, headache, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Flu symptoms typically last for about 1-2 weeks, though fatigue and weakness may persist for longer. The flu can lead to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and worsening of underlying health conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly, young children, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Similar to the common cold, the flu spreads through respiratory droplets and can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces. Both the common cold and flu can be prevented to some extent by practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
Ayurveda pays much emphasis on epidemics in terms of ‘Janpadodwamsa’. The causes of it are vikriti (vitiation) of 4 important factors viz. Vayu(air), Jala(water), Desa (earth), Kala (season).The vitiation in above four can lead to same disease even in different persons of various prakriti. The general treatment of janpadodwamsa is use of panchkarma therapy, use of Rasayana, and follow of Aachar rasayana (code of conduct). Ayurveda treats cold and flu under the pratisyaya(rhinitis) and jwara(fever) cikitsa. According to the dosha vitiation different treatment modalities are adopted. Avoidance of causative factors is the best way to escape a disease. Follow of daily regimen(dinacarya), night regimen (ratricarya), seasonal regimen (rtucarya) are the keys to be healthy. The daily exercise including pranayama, yoga, meditation, jala neti (using a neti pot filled with room temperature saline water to pour through the nasal passages), healthy food habits etc. improve the immunity and strengthen the body to fight against various pathogens. The medicines primarily used in this conditions are the formulation of various herbal drugs like ginger (Zingiber officinalis), pippali (Piper longum), marich (Piper nigrum), yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), lavang (Syzygium aromaticum), twak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum),haridra (Curcuma longa), vasa (Adhatoda vasaca),sudarshana (Crinum latifolium), guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia),Tulsi (ocimum sanctum) having wide spectrum of therapeutic activity like antiallergic and antihistaminic properties thus subside the inflammation and allergic reactions to control acute respiratory infections.
Treatment for the common cold and flu primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the body's immune response. While the common cold and flu share similarities, it's important to differentiate between them, especially during flu season when the risk of severe complications from the flu is higher.