We've probably all caught it at some point. Especially in the wet season, the flu seems to be around every corner and every second one of us regularly says "hello" to it. But why do some people catch it so often - often even several times a year? And why do some almost never get it? And what is the difference between the flu and a flu-like infection? Do antibiotics really help? What else can I do? So many questions on a topic that we come across all the time. In this article, we clear things up.
The difference between the flu and a flu-like infection
"I've got the flu" is something almost all of us have probably said at some point. But is it really true?
No, because fortunately most of us have "only" had a flu-like infection - in other words, nothing more than a cold.
"But what's the difference?" you might be asking yourself.
Both are caused by viruses. The "real" flu is caused by influenza viruses, while the flu-like infection can be triggered by around 200 different viruses. In our areas, these are often rhinoviruses, adenoviruses or coronaviruses. The differences are mainly reflected in the symptoms.
While a flu-like infection comes on gradually, starting with a scratchy throat and runny nose or similar and only knocking us out after 2-3 days, the flu knocks us out completely from one day to the next. One minute you feel fine and the next you have a fever and can hardly move. This is also the reason why the flu is made out to be "dangerous".
It is an extreme strain on the body and can, in extreme cases, be life-threatening. The flu, on the other hand, is much more "harmless" (even if we see it quite differently at the time ;-) ). The average duration of illness for a flu-like infection is 7 days (with antibiotics, by the way, 1 week ;-P, but I'll come back to that later).
The common thing about all these viruses, whether influenza or adeno or any other type, is that they can also stay outside our body for a few hours (depending on the temperature). You often think about who gave you this nice souvenir. But it could also have happened on the bus, at the shopping cart or at the cash machine 1-2 hours ago.
That's why it's so important not to forget to wash your hands! But there are, of course, other things that can cause you to fall ill in the first place and what you can do about it. Let's take a closer look at this now:
Why do I actually get a cold?
Every day we encounter x number of "nasty" bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
If we are healthy and fit, they don't cause us any problems. Our body, an absolute marvel (I'm always amazed), usually manages to fight them off with ease. We don't even notice them.
Did you know, for example, that the sleep granules in the corner of our eyes in the morning are the waste from the night that is expelled from our eyes? is fished? Our immune system takes care of that.
However, sometimes it "sleeps". Then, of course, intruders have an easy time of it and the cold is there. Although sleeping is actually the wrong term. In fact, it probably has a lot to do at that moment. There are many reasons why the immune system is "asleep". Two main problems are the gut and the effects of stress.
Problem number one: the gut
Yes, you read that right. Unfortunately, far, far, far too few people know how important our gut is. My husband is always totally annoyed because I (almost) always refer to the gut whenever a topic of illness comes up. "You and your gut" is what I always hear. But even here - or especially here - I HAVE to refer to the gut again. Because: our immune system is primarily located here!
If I don't have a properly functioning gut, I automatically have an immune problem!
And how many of us have gut problems? Food intolerances such as gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence - the symptoms can be very diverse. Other symptoms that are often not associated with the gut include rheumatism, acne, neurodermatitis, migraines, low blood pressure, nasal congestion, arthritis, osteoporosis and asthma. But obesity, Alzheimer's, autism and many other diseases are also associated with a disturbed microbiome. Pretty intense, isn't it?
Actually, the immune system is already working at full capacity. It is already firing on all cylinders and has no time to deal with other issues. Or to put it another way: the police have too few officers at the virus entry point and are simply overrun.
In addition, if the gut is not working properly, many important nutritional components cannot be absorbed at all or at least only to a limited extent. Important vitamins, minerals and amino acids are therefore not available to the body as building blocks for the immune system, for example.
Problem number two: stress
Which brings us to the second problem: Stress. "How does that fit together again?" you're probably asking yourself.
More than you might think. Despite the great visual distance, the gut and head are very, very close together. That's why it's called the gut-brain axis.
When we are under a lot of stress, a large amount of catecholamines and cortisol are released. This used to be a good thing: the adrenaline rush gave us humans "wings", we could chase, flee or fight. Depending on our needs. However, the increased output was also directly reduced again. If you had eaten well after the hunt, you became tired and digested and relaxed.
Incidentally, this primal regulation of our body is also the reason why we feel weak and unable to do anything when we are ill. It is a natural protection that we actually lie down and recover and don't go "hunting". Rejoice in a fever, because it shows you that your immune system is working at its best!
Nowadays, office work, cars and far too little exercise often mean that we don'thave a sufficient reduction in stress hormones -we are under constant stress. In addition, the body then releases a lot of cortisol.
Cortisol and cortisone sound very similar?
Not without reason: it is our natural, self-produced cortisone. And, like the externally supplied cortisone, it has an immunosuppressive effect.
In other words, we bring our immune system to its knees in the long term with our own substances. This costs huge amounts of energy. And building materials. Which, as we have just learned above, we probably don't have enough of. In addition, catecholamines and cortisol cause the intestinal mucosa to become perforated. This is also known as leaky gut syndrome. A vicious circle that urgently needs to be broken. So what to do?
How useful are antibiotics for the flu?
If you have a cold and go to the doctor, you are unfortunately still far too often prescribedantibiotics straight away. In simple terms, antibiotics are antibacterial agents. And what causes the flu and flu-like infections? Viruses!
All right, I have to defend the doctors. I don't want to fundamentally question this prescription.
Because when the immune system is weakened by the flu viruses, bacteria sometimes join in afterwards. This is called a "superinfection". An antibiotic can then be useful.
However, this is not the rule and in most cases the antibiotic has been taken for nothing. The problem with this is that the antibiotic is very often a broad-spectrum antibiotic that cannot distinguish between "bad" and "good" bacteria and eliminates them all. This in turn is absolutely harmful to the gut!
Many people are not aware that we urgently need bacteria to survive and stay healthy. There are more than 10,000 species of bacteria in the human body that form a symbiotic relationship with us! This makes up a biomass of up to 3% of our body weight!!! And the "main residence" is the large intestine. Over 1000 species live here alone.
So if you keep taking antibiotics and thus keep destroying your gut, you shouldn't be surprised if the flu rings twice in one winter.
Probiotics after antibiotic therapy
If you have to take antibiotics, it is very important to stabilizethe intestinal mucosaimmediately. This is why many people deliberately take probiotics after antibiotics, so that the "good" bacteria are immediately replenished.
One possible product would be our Arktibiotic Akut, for example. It is also suitable for use in children possible.
Arktibiotic Start, for example, can even be used in infants and small children. At this point, it is perhaps also worth mentioning that from a holistic point of view, the use of antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and painkillers can be quite counterproductive.
It is therefore best not to resort to such remedies in the first place.
Sleep and rest
So if you've already been hit, it's absolutely essential to support your body in every way possible! Above all, this starts with rest.
Stop working and dismissing the whole thing! Lie down and sleep, sleep, sleep! Ok, that's sometimes easier said than done, mothers with 3 small children will laugh at me now. But the household can also be left for a few days. I promise: it won't run away. Ok, seriously: at least give yourself all the rest you can get.
Make sure you have a good indoor climate, your mucous membranes will thank you for it. Frequent ventilation and higher humidity also help, as do tried and tested natural remedies such as nasal showers with sea salt and inhalation, preferably with thyme, camomile or similar.
Immune-supporting remedies
It also makes sense to support the acid-base balance during this time. Our BASE alkaline powder is a great preparation for this. In addition to alkaline minerals, it also contains zinc and vitamin D, both of which are also important building blocks for the immune system and its functions.
Two other substances that are also very, very important are: Vitamin C (high dose) and lysine. Lysine is an amino acid that is very effective against all viral diseases and can therefore stabilize the immune system in the best possible way.
Colostrum is an absolute miracle cure at this time. This miracle cure from nature is actually THE natural antibiotic - but WITHOUT side effects! It is also an anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic agent! Thanks to its many different components, colostrum is a real immune booster. It regulates the immune system in both stimulating and inhibiting ways (so it always knows what it needs to do), has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and many other positive characteristics.
The right diet to relieve flu
Diet also plays an even greater role during this time than it already does. At the latest now, you should avoid cereals containing gluten and animal dairy products and fall back on good old homemade chicken stock.
The extent to which casein, gluten and I'll discuss the harmful effects of certain types of food on the gut and immune system in a separate blog, as this would go beyond the scope of this blog. But: it helps!
And last but not least: drink, drink, drink! Right now, the body needs lots of water and (herbal) tea to flush out all the muck. It tries to do this by passing more urine, sweating more and secreting more mucus. But then we have to replace all that again.
Conclusion on the flu
So, to summarize briefly: Flu is not the same as a flu-like infection, even though both are caused by viruses. That's why antibiotics don't really help. Better to strengthen the immune system.
Ultimately, however, the best illness is useless. Instead, we should put our energy into STAYING HEALTHY!
So then: stay healthy ;-) ....
.... And if you do get knocked out: don't despair, it will pass!
How has the flu been for you this year? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Then write to us in the comments and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please understand, however, that we are not allowed to offer health advice here.
