Here is another stellar piece from Doc, from the “main” thread.
Forgive my incessance for dragging this stuff into one thread.....
I have to do all my poking around on a cell phone, but when I get to a printer, this stuff is going hard copy, and I want it all in one place.
“How To Tell If It’s A Cold, Flu, Or The New Coronavirus
The China coronavirus is rapidly spreading with the number of people infected rising daily, and with it the death toll.
At this moment, NBC News reports that the number of confirmed cases in China has reached almost 10,000, with another 102,000 people reported to be under observation.
The World Health Organization (the WHO) has declared the epidemic a “global emergency” with 23 countries so far confirming cases of Coronavirus.
Of course, those numbers could change rapidly over a few days or even hours.
And yes…
The United States is on that list with 11 cases so far confirmed including a case of person-to-person transmission that raises the threat level of the virus.
So, is it any surprise that more and more people are beginning to wonder… Is that tickle in my throat, the cough that just started, or the fever that hit Coronavirus, or do I just have the common cold or flu?
That’s why we’re breaking down information from the experts on how to tell the difference and when you should be worried about the new virus out of China.
The Symptoms
The biggest problem with determining whether you have a cold, flu, or Coronavirus is that they are all upper respiratory infections. This means that their symptoms are extremely similar.
Every respiratory virus is the same — you get a runny nose, a stuffy nose, a cough, sometimes a sore throat, all because the lining of your nose and throat are damaged. The symptoms are caused by that virus or bacteria damaging the cells of your respiratory tract. It doesn’t matter what virus is causing it.
According to the medical team at Yale, you can generally differentiate between a cold and the flu in this way…
“Flu symptoms are more intense than those associated with a cold and usually come on suddenly, including a fever higher than 100.5 degrees, extreme exhaustion, severe muscle or body aches, a dry cough and chills.”
But, here’s where it gets tricky.
The Yale doctors say that Coronaviruses generally mimic a cold and flu when they first start out but often progress to a much more severe respiratory problem such as pneumonia.
So, how do you know which it is?
“If you don’t have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that lasts for three to five days, you likely just have the common cold.”
But, according to the CDC, if your symptoms progress to shortness of breath, body aches and chills you could be infected with one of the more dangerous types of the coronavirus.
Beyond that, at this time, you should look at your risk factors and see a doctor whether you think the flu or Coronavirus is behind your symptoms. That’s because Influenza is nothing to scoff at. As of mid-January, we’ve seen 6,600 deaths in the U.S. from flu.
Your Risks
If you’ve been around someone who has recently returned from China, Coronavirus could be behind your symptoms. And, of course, like with every virus, including flu and cold, you’re far more likely to be struck by Coronavirus if you’re older, living with other medical issues, or have a weakened immune system.
Bottom line: When in doubt, don’t mess around. See a doctor!
Protecting Yourself From Coronavirus
In the meantime, it’s vital to take steps to protect yourself from this latest viral outbreak by boosting your immune system so it’s ready to fight if and when it becomes necessary and using basic hygiene precautions.
Things like washing your hands regularly throughout the day, wearing a mask in crowds, and disinfecting items that are touched regularly, like light switches and doorknobs can help limit the spread of all types of viruses, including flu, colds, and Coronavirus.
Supplements To Pump Up Your Immune System
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Stimulates immune cells called macrophages, stops viral replication of influenza and inactivates the virus. Use it in the form of deglycerized licorice if you have any blood pressure issues, after discussing it with your doctor.
•Tulsi or Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum): Has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity and stimulates the immune system.
•Garlic (Allium sativum): Has shown antiviral activity against influenza and common cold viruses.
•Coconut (Cocos nucifera): Contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) with potent antiviral activity.
•Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
•Hibiscus tea: Viral pandemic protection in a teacup
•Indian gooseberry, aka amla, (Phyllanthus emblica): Has immune-strengthening and antiviral activity.
•Green tea (Camellia sinensis): Has potent antiviral properties as well as immune enhancement activities.
•Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Activates infection-fighting capacity for faster recovery and reduction of symptoms when taken at the first sign of cold or flu.
*Olive Leaf Extract. Olive leaf is an antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and an anti-parasitic.
•NAC, the flu-fighting supplement that starves cancer.
•Black seed oil pressed from organic black Nigella Sativa seeds that have been highly researched for their ability to act as immune system modulators.
Mushrooms are also vital for immune support: They contain minerals known to be essential to proper immune function including zinc and selenium. They also possess 1,3 beta-glucans, a type of carbohydrate shown in numerous studies to modulate the immune system. Research shows these mushrooms can enhance the immune response to influenza vaccines.
Lastly, consider increasing the amount of vitamin D you take. And here’s why: Research in Africa shows that vitamin D possesses such powerful immunity benefits – your immune system’s T-cells and beta cells also have vitamin D receptors – that it can even help the body fight a virulent invader like HIV-1.
Hopefully, the next few weeks will see the spread of the virus die down thanks to containment and quarantine efforts across the globe. But, it just makes good sense to prepare, get your immune system in good shape, and practice disinfection measures, in order to protect yourself and your family in the meantime.”
And on that note, do we have any naturalist/herbalists in house ?
Doc’s reference to licorice has me intrigued.
Here in Illinois we have a native plant the root of which has a distinct and strong licorice fragrance.
The plant stem is purplish and kinda fuzzy, not smooth. The leaves remind me of tomato plants, especially when small. The plant has a white flower, comes up about the time of the morels, and the deer love to pluck and eat the tops.
Local fishermen use the roots as fish bait enhancement.
Is this a wild licorice that can be used as the licorice referenced in the medical sense ?