Cold & Flu Colds make the upper respiratory system less resistant to bacterial infection. Secondary bacterial infection may lead to middle ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, or strep throat. People with chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop these complications. The symptoms of a cold and an allergy are similar and can be confused. Ordinarily, the common cold will cause red, inflamed nasal membranes, with thick, yellow nasal secretions. If there's a cough, it will be loose and eventually productive. With an allergy, the nasal membranes will be pale and boggy with thin, watery, colorless secretions. If there's a cough with an allergy, it will be dry and unproductive. There will not be any fever with an allergy, but with a cold there may, of course, be fever. Children who are allergic sometimes exhibit a distinctive appearance. They frequently have dark, puffy half-moons under their eyes and may also have the "allergic salute" from wiping the nose diagonally across the face. Colds may also be passed through direct contact. If a person with a cold touches his runny nose or watery eyes, then shakes hands with another person some of the virus is transferred to the uninfected person. If that person then touches his mouth, nose, or eyes, the virus is transferred to an environment where it can reproduce and cause a cold. There are no medicines that will cure the common cold. Given time, the body's immune system will make antibodies to fight the infection, and the cold will be resolved without any intervention. Antibiotics are useless against a cold. However, a great deal of money is spent by pharmaceutical companies in the United States promoting products designed to relieve cold symptoms. These products usually contain antihistamines, decongestants, and/or pain relievers. Herbs won't replace pharmaceuticals, but the research shows that--for many conditions--herbs work well, are cheaper than drugs and cause fewer side effects, Herbs aren't quite mainstream, but they're moving in that direction. Patients are interested in them, and doctors are increasingly familiar with herb research. research has shown that the active ingredients in some natural remedies may actually boost the immune system, which may help stave off future infections. These ingredients can be found in medicinal teas, sprays, syrups, extracts, tablets and supplements.

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