Cold and Flu

Colds and Flu
(commonly known as the influenza). Colds are minor infections of the nose and
throat and Flu is an infection of the respiratory system. Colds are the most
prevalent infectious disease. Colds occur mostly in the winter (even in areas
with mild winters). Flu occurs in one to two weeks, but serious and potentially
life threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia, can develop in some
people. In an average year, the death of 20,000 people is associated with
influenza nationwide. Once you have jammed a cold, the symptoms begin in 1 to 5
days. colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even
impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special
tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be
carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu. The three most
frequent symptoms of a cold are nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and runny nose.
Throat irritation is often involved (but not with a red throat). Usually
irritation in the nose or a scratchy feeling in the throat is the first sign,
followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.

Common Cold begins when one of several different kinds of cold virus
attaches to the lining of your nose or throat. Your immune system sends white
blood cells out to attack this germ. Unless you''ve encountered it before, the
initial attack fails and your body sends in reinforcements. Your nose and throat
get inflamed and produce lots of mucus. With so much of your energy directed at
fighting the virus, you feel tired and miserable.

Cold Symptoms settle in between one and four days after you are infected by a
cold virus and typically last for about three days. At that point the worst is
over, but you may feel congested for a week or more. During the first three days
that you have symptoms, you are contagious.

Flu (Influenza) is an illness caused by a virus that comes on suddenly,
and causes symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, loss of
appetite, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. The flu is not the same as the
common cold, flu symptoms are usually more severe, and you will often miss more
work or school than you would with a cold.

Flu (Influenza) Symptoms fever is usually continuous, but it may come and
go. Fever may be lower in older adults than in children and younger adults. A
dry cough, runny nose, and a dry or sore throat. You may not notice these during
the first few days of the illness when other symptoms are more severe.

Colds and Flu
Prevention

• Drink extra fluids to help flush it out of your body as quickly as possible.
  
• Stay away from people who are sick so you are less likely to encounter a virus.
  
• Wash your hands frequently, and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and
  mouth.
  
• Get a yearly flu vaccine, especially important for people with asthma and other
  respiratory diseases.
  
• Wipe your nose in a way that keeps secretions on the tissue and doesn''t
  contaminate your hands.
  
• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.
  
• Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat. Throat
  sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.
  
• Keep an eye on the humidity of your environment so that your sinuses do not dry
  out.
  
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months
  old.
  
• Adults and children ages 2-64 with chronic medical conditions, especially
  asthma, other lung diseases, and heart disease.

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