Getting a common cold or flu during the festive season can be uncomfortable among seniors in Smithtown. While flu and cold can have similar symptoms, slight differences distinguish the two.
Both cold and Influenza (flu) are contagious respiratory infections, but different viruses cause them. The typical common cold results from over 200 viruses, such as coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus. On the other hand, flu is caused by two viruses: influenza A and influenza B.
It may be challenging for the seniors in Stony Brook to differentiate between a cold and the flu as they share common symptoms. However, flu is generally worse than a cold; its symptoms may include sore throat, cough, headaches, fatigue, fever, and runny nose. On the other hand, cold symptoms are milder, and the senior loved one is likely to have a runny nose.
How Long Do Seniors Tend to Have a Cold?
The duration of the common cold among seniors varies depending on an individual immune system's ability to fight infections and the virus involved. Typically, a common cold takes about 7 to 10 days to clear for adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but this may differ for senior citizens in Smithtown.
According to MedlinePlus, it becomes difficult for a senior's body to control its temperature, resulting in a high frequency of common cold. This is because the loved ones in Port Jefferson have a thinner fat layer under their skin, making them more prone to cold. Fortunately, seniors can use home-based remedies to get over a cold during the holiday season in Central Islip.
How Seniors Can "Get Over" Cold During Holiday
Though there is no cure for the common cold, there are things senior citizens in Centereach can do to get over it and prevent its spread to relatives during the holiday season. Some of the remedies for getting over a cold at home for seniors include:
- Gargling with salt water helps ease throat pain and loosen mucus and nasal congestion.
- Chicken soup improves hydration, relieves inflammation, and slows infection.
- Installing a cool-mist humidifier in the house to reduce nasal inflammation.
- Using tea with lemon and honey to soothe throat pain.
- Applying petroleum jelly that helps soothe chapped lips and irritated nose.
- Resting or sleeping with the head angled at 45 degrees prevent mucus from accumulating in the sinus cavities.
- Rubbing the chest with vapor to calm the cough.
How Seniors Can Prevent the Spread of Common Cold
Cold can be contagious, especially during holidays when seniors share time with their families. It can be spread through virus droplets, such as when loved ones cough or sneeze.
However, there are essential cold-spread preventions that seniors can use to protect their loved ones.
- Disinfect the environment thoroughly during the holiday season in Port Jefferson. The virus can stay in the light switches, door knobs, and appliance handles, so disinfecting them is okay.
- Avoid large indoor family gatherings, especially if the room is poorly ventilated.
- Encourage the loved ones in Centereach to thoroughly clean their hands and avoid touching their eyes, mouth, and nose, as it is an easy way to spread germs.
Conclusion
Your elderly loved one can avoid getting a cold during the holiday season. But if they do catch it, there are home remedies that can help them get back on their feet easily. If your senior family member needs home care in Port Jefferson, Smithtown, Central Islip, Stony Brook, and Suffolk County, Senior Helpers of Smithtown have professional staff to help with in-home care services for your loved ones. Contact us today for more information.