Cold and Flu
A
cold and the flu (also called influenza) are alike in many
ways. But the flu can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like the lung
disease pneumonia.
A stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing are usually signs
of a cold.
Tiredness, fever, headache, and major aches and
pains probably mean you have the flu.
Coughing can be a sign of either a cold or the flu. But a bad cough
usually points to the flu.
Symptoms of Cold and Flu
A cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, coughing
and having a runny nose. You may not have a fever or you may run a low
fever--just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual. You may also have muscle aches, a
scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache.
The flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You'll probably feel weak and
tired, and have a fever, dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe
headache, eye pain and a sore throat. It usually takes longer to get over the
flu than a cold.
Causes of colds and flu
Viruses. Over 100 different viruses can cause colds. There aren't
as many viruses that cause the flu. That's why there's a shot for the flu and
not for colds.
Try to Avoid Getting a Cold
• Wash your hands often. You can pick up
cold germs easily, even
when shaking someone's hand or touching doorknobs or handrails.
• Avoid people with colds when possible.
• If you sneeze or cough, do it into a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
• Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant.
• Don't touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Germs can enter your body easily by
these paths
Try to Avoid Getting The Flu
A flu shot can greatly lower your chance of getting the flu. The
best time to
get the shot is from the middle of October to the middle of
November, because most people get the flu in the winter.
The shot can't cause the flu. But you may feel sore or weak or have a fever for
a couple of days.
Help Yourself Feel Better While You Are Sick
A cold usually lasts only a couple of days to a week. Tiredness
from the flu may continue for several weeks.
To feel better while you are sick:
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Use a humidifier -- an electric device that puts water into the air.
• A cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help.
Visit
The Special Store Cold and Flu
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