Its flu season again!

Each year between November and March many Americans will suffer from a cold or flu costing us over $20 billion in healthcare costs.

Children are 2 to 3 times more likely to get the flu. This is primarily because schools are an excellent spreading zone for the viruses that cause the flu and common cold.

The flu and pneumonia (the most common complication of the flu) are the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.

This is especially concerning for those people that are at a higher risk; Such as: chronic lung disease, asthma, allergies, bronchitis and other lung problems.

This is why it becomes important for children and healthy adults to limit their exposure when they are sick. The only way to get sick is to be exposed to the virus from someone else. This become more lethal when healthy virus carriers expose the virus to older people or those who have pre-existing conditions which can prove to be fatal.

Actually, the flu and the common cold is the same thing. They are both caused by viruses which cause similar symptoms.

The difference between a cold and a flu is the type of virus that causes it. There are over 200 different viruses that can cause the common cold and only one that causes the flu. The flu virus is called influenza.

The CDC estimates the average child has 6-8 colds a year. The average adult gets 2-4 colds a year.

While the common cold is uncomfortable, the flu kills over 20,000 a year and hospitalizes over 100,000 according to the CDC.

7 FOODS THAT HEAL A COLD OR FLU

1. Bananas soothe an upset stomach

2. Organic Bell Peppers are loaded with Vitamin C

3. Organic blueberries and rice helps with diarrhea

4. Organic Carrots are high in beta carotene

5. Chile Peppers, Mustard, horseradish are excellent to open up sinuses and the mucous passages in the lungs

6. Organic Onions contain phytochemicals that are known to fight infections

7. Black Tea and Green Tea are both high in phytochemicals that work as natural antibiotics and anti-diarrhea

Dr. Patrick Garrett