Influenza
Influenza (commonly known as the flu) is one of the most feared and deadly infectious diseases (Dolin R 2004; Hilleman MR 2002; Nicholson KG et al 2003). In the 20th century alone, there were seven influenza epidemics or pandemics. The most devastating (1918 to 1919) was the Spanish flu, which killed 40 to 50 million people (Nicholson KG et al 2003). From 2005 to 2006, newspapers were full of headlines about the avian flu, or H5N1. This particularly deadly strain has been found in Asia and Eastern Europe, where it is noted for its lethality. Although H5N1 has jumped from its host species (birds) to humans, it has not yet been found to be transmitted person to person. Total deaths caused by the virus have been very low (around 200 people as of this writing), although the mortality rate of people who have been infected is extremely high, around 80 percent (Wong SS et al 2006).
The Common Cold
The common cold is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. People afflicted with a cold often cough and sneeze, are fatigued, and have runny noses, sore throats, congestion, and a low-grade fever.
Although there is no specific drug that treats the common cold, there are steps that can be taken at the very first signs of symptoms that may help ward off infection. The key is to be aggressive: treat a potential infection as a full-blown illness, taking every precaution possible, including nutrients, hormones, and sometimes drugs, along with getting as much sleep as possible.
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