Preparing and Coping with Cold & Flu Season

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January 2004

Winter is upon us and that means cold and flu season. The news has been full of reports of flu outbreaks. Here are some tips from the experts on what you and your family can do to avoid getting sick and respond if the symptoms hit you.

Preventing Colds and Flu

Good health habits can help prevent the transmission of colds and flu. Here are tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

 

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick. Keep your distance if you are sick.
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick. Also don't run errands.
  
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often. (Experts say you can't do this enough.)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

The best way to prevent the flu is with an annual flu shot. The flu vaccine is now available as a nasal spray but it can only be given to healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49. Several antiviral drugs can be used for prevention but they aren't a substitute for the flu shot.

Is It a Cold or the Flu?

Knowing the different symptoms can help you get to the doctor in a timely manner. This Q&A from the CDC describes the differences between colds and flu. If any of your symptoms seem like flu, get in touch with your doctor right away.

• Fever with a cold is rare in adults and older children. Fever with the flu can last for 3 or 4 days.
• Headache is rare with a cold. With the flu, it can appear suddenly and be severe.
• Muscle aches are mild with a cold but can be severe with the flu.
• Tiredness and weakness is often extreme with the flu and can lasts 2 or more weeks. A cold may have mild tiredness and weakness.
• Extreme exhaustion can occur with the flu and appear suddenly. It does not occur with a cold.
• Runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat are often a cold symptom and sometimes a flu symptom.
• A cold has a mild hacking cough, while the cough with the flu can become severe.

Treating Colds and Flu

If you get the flu, first see your doctor. Then you may find helpful these tips from the CDC Q&A: The Flu:

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of liquids
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
• Take medication to relieve the symptoms. Don't give aspirin to children or teenagers with flu-like symptoms, particularly if they have a fever, without consulting your doctor.
• See your doctor if your symptoms are severe or if you are at risk from complications. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication. If started within the first 2 days of illness, it can reduce the duration.

Treatment of a cold is similar to that of the flu.

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of liquids. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, or colas as these can lead to dehydration.
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
• Taking over-the-counter medication may help relieve the symptoms. There aren't any antiviral medications available for treating the common cold. Because antibiotics don't work on colds, medical scientists advise against their use for uncomplicated colds. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers without consulting your doctor.

For more information

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Topics: Common Cold and Flu.

Influenza (Flu) from the CDC has lots of information about the flu and protecting yourself and others. It also has a flu map and weekly report.

Flu and Common Cold from Medline Plus has lots of links to information from the National Institutes of Health and other trustworthy sources.

Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Influenza and the Common Cold from the American Lung Association has lots of information including myths and facts.

 

Prepared for Corning Credit Union by Remar Sutton & Associates, January 2004. Reviewed and updated March 2007. All rights reserved.