Winter Colds and Flu

Viruses have been described as ‘organisms at the edge of life’. They are true intracellular parasites, destroying their host cells as they replicate. Viruses lack a cellular structure (which is regarded as the basic unit of life), although they do have genes, enveloped by a simple envelope in some cases. They do not self-metabolize and they need a host cell to replicate and synthesize new products. Viruses only resemble other living organisms in that they possess genes and can evolve in infected cells by natural selection, reproducing by creating multiple copies of themselves through self-assembly. Without a living host cell, very specific to each virus, there would be no replication.
Over 200 different viruses can cause the 'common cold' and most of the causative organisms are found within the Rhinovirus family. This collection of genetic material that causes our most common worldwide infection is so neatly presented that the cold virus can be found on every corner of our planet and remain active without a host for hundreds of years. They are so small that around 500 million viral particles can be squeezed onto the head of a pin. Head cold symptoms remain typically centered around the nose - symptoms include nasal stuffiness, sneezing and pharyngeal irritation (usually without redness). Flu viruses may also cause ‘cold-like symptoms’ where approximately 15% of ‘head colds’ are actually caused by flu viruses.
What happens to you when you contract a viral infection is largely determined by the overall state of your health and especially how effectively your immune system responds to the attack. Your innate immune system is your first line of defense and effectively wins the battle against most viral organisms entering your body.
Conventionally, the flu vaccine is recommended as flu prevention, but what must be realized is that getting the flu vaccine does not guarantee that you will not contract the virus. If the strain of virus that you contract is not included in the vaccine that you receive, you will not have protection against those strains. Antibiotics are only effective in controlling some of the secondary complications; they have no effect on killing the flu virus itself. We all have a developing immune system that has highly specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes that have the ability to develop a 'memory' of every viral particle it encounters. This memory of the viruses prevents us from being ill all the time, because the reality is that cold and flu viruses are always around, and we are always exposed to them.
Flu viruses infect birds, pigs, and humans; but do not necessarily cause illness in all of its 'hosts'. While some types of flu viruses don't harm birds, they can overwhelm and kill humans. These specific hosts allow viruses to remain in our environment and survive during the unfavorable warmer months of the year when our resistance on mucosal membrane surfaces does not allow for frequent infections. The dry and cold winter air promotes viral transmission and this is further compounded by the use of heaters indoors which further dries the air out and puts us at risk for picking up infections via the respiratory passages, nasal membranes and tear ducts. The flu virus, one of the fastest mutators amongst viruses, can rapidly infiltrate the nasal passages, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. Common symptoms of flu include:

• Fever and chills
• Loss of appetite
• General aches and pains
• Aching muscles
• Headaches
• Weakness

The secondary complications to flu result in lingering illness that may cause deeper damage within the body. Susceptible people may get severely ill with these secondary complications. If you are prone to secondary complications you may need to take more care this flu season. Pneumonia (which may be viral or bacterial) is one of the most serious consequences of flu. The sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.A. yearly is influenza and pneumonia combined. Other secondary illnesses include:

• Sinusitis
• Laryngitis
• Bronchitis
• Ear infections

Supporting immune function during a viral infection allows a more effective and targeted response with subsequent exposures. Our immune systems need to respond effectively throughout our lives. Constant infections and slow healing times with the continuous need for antibiotics is a clear sign that your immune response is not functioning properly. This is seen commonly in children where an over-dependence on antibiotics from a young age can result in antibiotic resistant bacteria and a diminished immune response.

Healing The Erosions In Your Esophagus With Nexium

Buy Nexium  online has come as a wonderful relief in treating heartburn in acid reflux disorders. Acids are released in the stomach for digestion of food. When some of this acid persistently flows back into the food tube, the esophagus, its lining get damaged leading to a condition known as erosive esophagitis. You suffer from persistent heartburn. Changing diets also do not help. Just one pill a day of Nexium can relieve you of the pain and agony of severe and continuous heartburn.

Nexium generically is esomeprazole magnesium and is available as a Delayed- Release capsule for oral administration. If you are having typical heartburn symptoms on 2 or more days per week in spite of treatment and diet change, you need to consult a doctor to find out whether you are suffering from acid reflux disease. Only a Doctor can confirm whether the lining of your esophagus has been damaged due to back flow of stomach acids in this food pipe for frequent relaxes of the lower esophageal sphincter. If this lining has been eroded, you have the condition known as erosive esophagitis and your heartburn is due to this cause.

Nexium administration can heal these erosions in the esophagus in 4 to 8 weeks. However, results may vary depending on your age and extent of damage. Nexium therapy is often associated with minor side effects. Over 8500 patients in the United States and over 6500 patients in Europe and Canada underwent clinical trials to ascertain the safety of Nexium. Near about 3000 patients were studied in long-term trials. The tolerance, both in short-term and long-term trials were found to be fairly satisfactory. Nexium was administered in various doses in patients with confirmed erosive esophagitis. For all dosage levels, some headache (+/- 1%) was reported. The intensity varied according to the level of the dose. Very mild diarrhea was also noticed but it had no relation with dosage level. Some nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain and dry mouth symptoms were reported in the trials. However, similar symptoms also appear in patients on omeprazole medication for stomach disorders.

Marketed by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and is well indicated for the treatment of heartburn in erosive esophagitis and other symptoms associated with GERD. It suppresses gastric acid secretion in the stomach by blocking the final step in acid production. Nexium can also be prescribed with antibiotics for eradication of H.Pylori that reduces the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence. A very recent study conducted with more than 1000 patients with erosive esophagitis show Nexium (esomeprazole) to be more effective in healing the disorder than lansoprazole (Prevacid). Results of this study has been published in July, 2006 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. According to Dr. Kenneth DeVault, MD, Director of Gastrointestinal Research, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, and the lead study investigator, "Esomeprazole therapy was able to control both mucosal damage and reflux symptoms" in healing the erosions in the esophagus.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Buy Nexium.online