Aches, pains, stuffy nose, and watery eyes. Colds and flu share so many symptoms that it can be difficult to tell them apart.

The flu never came around my brother and me. We ranged from 6 to 10 years of age when my Mother administered the cruelest, painful and self-depreciating punishment ever devised by humans.

It would take one bad flu bug to attack when we were slathered down with Vicks Vapor Rub.

My Mother and Father would line us up in front of a space heater and they would saturate a square woolen cloth about half the size of a handkerchief with Vicks Vapor Rub. Dad would hold the woolen cloth close to the fire in the space heater.

As the cloth began to smoke, he would quickly plaster the red-hot cloth to my chest as Mother hurriedly affixed the cloth to the inside of my pajama shirt with safety pens.

It was a most painful experience and it was lasting. Around 3:00 a.m. I would awaken to feel that cold greasy woolen rag stuck to my chest. The wool was scratchy, the Vicks Vapor Rub was icky but I had defeated ague and flu for one more winter’s night.

My greasy little chest swelled with pride as I imagined the monstrous flu lurking outside our house, skulking from tree to tree, hiding, quaking in it’s flu boots as he came to the realization that he would have to find other families to infect; families who did not use the powerful, Vicks Vapor Rub.

Today I use Vicks Vapor Rub sparingly. I have found other methods and have assembled my on flu toolbox.

I have read what the medical experts they say that one of the key identifiers for flu is the sudden onset of a high fever. Proper diagnosis can make the difference in treating cold and flu and feeling relief faster, and getting an accurate body temperature reading is important.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu season in the U.S. usually ranges from November through March, and sometimes lasts into early spring. Colds crop up at the same time and may overlap with allergy seasons in the spring and fall.

A combination of chilly, dry air and more time spent indoors in close proximity to others carrying the cold or flu virus make the fall and winter prime times to catch a cold or flu bug.

  Tens of millions of adults and children succumb to flu every year in the U.S. New antiviral drugs can help limit symptoms and shorten the flu's duration. However, because the drugs must be given early to be most effective, a correct diagnosis is critical.

  While an accurate and user-friendly thermometer is essential to have on hand during the cold and flu season, it's important to stock up on other useful supplies. The following products can make a sick child or adult feel more comfortable and get better faster. As always, contact your doctor for advice.

Vapor rubs, whiskey and illegal drugs

 

In spite of the archaic treatment inflicted upon me, that was handed down to my Mother from the Druids, I did have the flu. It is a bad thing and not to be made light of. I can easily understand how people die from the flu.

I would hallucinate and ask to be taken to the schoolhouse where I could get a drink of water that tasted right. When I was lucid, I remember cold washcloths on my forehead.

I also remember my Father bringing home rock candy, a white crystal looking group of crumbled chunks that may have been made of pure sugar. He would melt the candy in a tablespoon of whiskey and lemon juice and give it to me for my cough.

Sometimes in an effort to control the violent coughing fits, mother would give a teaspoon of paregoric, a now illegal opiate that would knock me out quicker that Muhammad Ali.

Menthol vapor rubs can help open up air passages and ease coughing in extremely young children. A spoonful of honey is a time-honored aid for anyone over the age of one to soothe the throat and calm coughs. Please, no red-hot woolen cloths to the bare skin. Take it from me; the flu is no walk in the park.

Fever Reducer

Many doctors suggest a fever should generally be allowed to run its course. That's because fevers are the human body's natural way of fighting foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses.

In cases of a very high fever and discomfort, however, intermittent dosing with acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help.  Never give a child or teenager aspirin.

Fluids

     Fever can cause dehydration due to the higher body tempera­tures that are present. This

temperatures. Also, vomiting and diarrhea can greatly contribute to dehydration. Ample fluids are needed to replenish the fluids lost. Choose drinking water, different varieties of juice or chicken soup — your mother was on to something after all.

Chicken soup, or something spicy is the best. Plain water tastes horrible.