A prior, it is difficult to differentiate the symptoms of influenza A with those of seasonal flu, because they are basically the same.

The first thing to do is control yourself temperature as a fever above 38 º C is one of the symptoms of influenza A and one of the first to sound the alarm. The high peak temperature is the main difference between seasonal flu, which has more muscle aches, fatigue, or headache as seasonal flu.

In addition, we must take special caution if you also have the typical malaise of  flu. In this case, it is important that you inform the 112 and you stay home to avoid spreading it to others.

In addition, cough and fatigue, and congestion are other symptoms of influenza A. They also often appear rarely sneezing and vomiting or diarrhea. Another issue to consider is that, in general, during the incubation period of influenza A may not show symptoms, the WHO has set between one day and one week. Of course, this is dangerous because you can be infected and not notice the symptoms and be spreading to other people. Finally, it should be noted that respiratory infections may also occur or in the ear.

Adequate food and proper food choices in everyday play an important role in the prevention of influenza A and any seasonal flu. Moreover, in case of contracting, helps to improve their symptoms and recover quickly.

A good diet can help prevent flu-like feeling. What is a good diet? You should consider the needs of the body, protein and caloric needs should strengthen some minerals commonly found away from what we consume daily. This power must be sufficiently harmonious and appropriate to the time course of the member of the family and provide all the nutrients for our immune system is protected against the threat of the virus.

We can find certain foods that help strengthen the immune system. They are those that contain vitamins and minerals, calcium-in all forms of consumption milk, yoghurt, desserts, seeds) daily intake should exceed 800 mg, and vitamin B complex and folic acid.

Has also been shown that foods such as garlic and onions contain allicin, an efficient antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant that stimulates the immune system.

It is important to know that beyond that feeding during the period of the disease must be balanced, is much more important to a healthy diet daily, which is the best way to prevent. It is very important that every family is cared and protected with proper selection of fresh and rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins; trying to schedule the daily menu, ordering food intake, doing the 4 meals and, if possible, a snack midmorning or midafternoon. This, coupled with a good rest and the consumption of copious amounts of fluid are key recommendations to facilitate the proper functioning of our immune system.

Ultimately, treatment is based on prevention. Being healthy and well nourished brings therefore less impact on the symptoms of influenza. What to eat? Here are some clues to know where to find minerals, vitamins and protein.

Vitamin C is the best known antioxidant and is blamed for several immunological functions, can relieve flu symptoms, helps to preserve natural barriers against infection, increases the production of various substances such as interferon (a natural antiviral agent) and collagen. Where did you find? In citrus (orange, tangerine and grapefruit) the dark green leafy vegetables, kiwi, mango, pineapple, strawberries, and broccoli and cauliflower.

Vitamin E: it has been shown that repeated use of this vitamin increases the immune response. We found in wheat germ oil, soybean oil, olive oil, nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts).

Vitamin A is another ally, plays an essential role in infection and maintenance of the natural barriers against infection. It’s in the beef liver, butter, eggs, milk and its derivatives. Beta carotene is the precursor of vitamin A (from the plant kingdom) who after being ingested are converted into vitamin A, they are yellow vegetables such as cabbage or carrots and tomatoes.

But there’s more. They have been immune system disorders related to eating or not eating deficit B vitamins; The lack of this group can reduce the production of antibodies

The B complex is found both in the plant kingdom (green vegetables, nuts (walnuts or almonds and hazelnuts), cereals and legumes (lentils, beans and chickpeas) and in the animal kingdom (usually meat, offal, seafood)) The Vitamin B12 is found in liver, shellfish, red meat and fish.

Also important minerals. For example, iron deficiency is fairly common primarily within the more formal groups (children and pregnant women). The inadequate supply of this mineral leads to anemia, decreased cell proliferation and immune response.

The food source is the liver, red meat in general, offal, sausage, egg yolks and legumes, for its best use is essential to involve their folic acid intake.

Zinc: its deficiency causes alterations of the immune system in general risk groups (pregnant women, children, elderly, people with inadequate feeding practices) are to eat less of this mineral. We also saw that inhibits their use snuff. We found in seafood, seeds in general, legumes, nuts, eggs and dairy.

Selenium: its lack in the diet causes a decrease of bactericidal activity of antibodies. I incorporate eating meat in general, fish, seafood, cereals.

Besides all the foods mentioned, we must pay attention to dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt with probiotics and all derivatives) which are an important nutritional resource to prevent flu or combat in the event that has already been installed. A daily serving of each of our immune system favors

And finally we must not forget to drink fluids during the life-flu-and these may be in the form of water, fresh fruit juice or natural vegetable broths. The daily amount should be increased to 2 liters.

Before you can determine how to help your child feel better, you need to know what ails the sick. Usually, the flu (also known as influenza) has symptoms that make a child feel worse than a common cold, but not always that easy to distinguish one disease from another.

It is important to remember that flu symptoms can vary from child to child (and may change as the disease progresses). Therefore, if you suspect that this is the flu, call your doctor.

Treatment for flu
When the flu within the first 48 hours of symptom onset, the disease may respond to an antiviral medication which allows shortened by one or two days duration of infection suffered by his son. Meanwhile, take care of your child by offering plenty of fluids and extra comfort.

What if your child’s doctor tells him not the flu? Ask if you should give your child a flu shot.

What is the treatment for colds?
“Time heals everything.” This may not always be true, but in the case of a common cold seems to be. The drugs do not cure the common cold, but can relieve some symptoms such as muscle aches, headache and fever. You can give your child acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin), respecting the package recommendations for age or weight.

However, you should never give aspirin to a child under 12 years and all children and adolescents under age 19 should avoid aspirin during viral illnesses. Use of aspirin in children or teens with colds or other viral illness may increase the risk of developing Reye syndrome, a rare but serious, sometimes fatal.

You may be tempted to give your child decongestants or counter antihistamines to relieve your symptoms, but evidence of its effectiveness are virtually nil. In fact, decongestants have the potential to cause hallucinations, irritability, and irregular heartbeats in infants and should not be used in children under age 2 without consulting a doctor.

Some ways to help relieve the discomfort of your child include:
* put drops of saline solution or saline in the nostrils to relieve nasal congestion (you can buy at any pharmacy);
* use a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture
* petroleum jelly on the skin that lies beneath the nose to soothe rawness
* hard candy or cough drops to relieve sore throat (for children over 3 years);
* a warm bath or heating pad to soothe aches and pains;
* give a steam bath to help him breathe more easily.

What about chicken soup? There is no real evidence that eating this soothing, warm chicken broth soup can cure a cold, but sick people have been told that this is true for over 800 years. Why? The soup with chicken stock thickener containing an amino acid called “cysteine” and some research shows that chicken soup helps control congestion-causing white cells, called “neutrophils”.

However, it is best not to worry about whether your child as much or little. Just make sure your child eats when hungry and drinks plenty of fluids like water or juice to help replace the fluids lost during fever or mucus production. Avoid giving your child caffeinated beverages, which tend to urinate more frequently and, therefore, increase the risk of dehydration.

The benefits of both nutrients together are especially important in children and adolescents.

“In small, growth and cell renewal are constant, which is essential intake of Vitamin C and ZINC” says nutritionist and master’s degree in nutrition from the German Clinic, Mary Virginia Riesco.

The specialist explained that Vitamin C plays a key role in producing collagen, a substance that enables skin elasticity, helping to keep them healthy and strong to act as a first line of defense against any disease. Zinc, meanwhile, has among its functions require the formation of structures, thereby enhancing the growth of the body more efficiently, he says.

Also, the combination of Vitamin C and Zinc are recommended for adolescents, since they have a much faster growth. “That’s why there may be a vitamin deficiency and especially zinc, because cells begin to develop so rapidly that they need to act much more effectively to respond to these changes as sudden development,” says nutritionist.

But for older adults are also recommended these doses of the vitamin and the mineral, as we see a decrease in the intake of vegetables and fruits. “With aging, the body becomes more vulnerable to disease and also for possible fractures, of which the Zinc and Vitamin C help to have a better recovery,” Riesco said.

There are also conditions under which these nutrients are required. “The high performance athletes are people who should worry about the contributions of vitamins and minerals do not always do, which lowers their performance. Vegetarians are also exposed because Zinc is in meat, and sets people under stress, “.

Bad Habits
Mary Virginia Riesco is emphatic: “People eat fewer fruits and vegetables. So to get the Vitamin C and Zinc have no choice other than through a supplement.”

Zinc is important in the main formation of immune apparatus, especially in the formation of structures, ie, increases the healing process and repair, and in the development of cells that permit the growth of muscles and bones, and the hair, nails and skin.

In addition, this mineral has the ability to store and transfer all the genetic information to new cells produced in the processes of cellular changes and renovations.

Moreover, vitamin C plays a role in producing collagen, also helping to better preserve the body to its natural aging. It also has an important role in absorbing the iron you eat during meals, especially the plants that give us that is not absorbed by our body as a whole, thus helping to prevent, for example, anemia.