Flu / Cold..
What
is Flu.
Flu: Short for influenza. The flu is caused by viruses
that infect the respiratory tract which are divided
into three types, designated A, B, and C. Most people
who get the flu recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks,
but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening
medical complications, such as pneumonia. Much of
the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented
by annual influenza vaccination.
Flu or
Cold Symptoms?
When you wake up sneezing, coughing, and have that
achy, feverish, can't move a muscle feeling, how do
you know whether you have cold symptoms or the flu?
And if it's the flu, could it be swine flu?
It's important to know the difference
between flu and cold symptoms. A cold is a milder
respiratory illness than the flu. While cold symptoms
can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms
can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks.
The flu -- whether it's typical seasonal flu or the
swine flu virus -- can also result in serious health
problems such as pneumonia and hospitalizations.
What are common cold symptoms?
Cold symptoms usually begin with
a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day
or two. Nasal symptoms, runny nose, and congestion
follow, along with a cough by the fourth and fifth
days. Fever is uncommon in adults, but a slight fever
is possible. Children are more likely to have a fever
with a cold.
With cold symptoms, your
nose teems with watery nasal secretions for the first
few days. Later, these become thicker and darker.
Dark mucus is natural and does not usually mean you
have developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus
infection.
Several hundred different
viruses may cause your cold symptoms.
How long do cold symptoms
last?
Cold symptoms usually last for about a week. During
the first three days that you have cold symptoms,
you are contagious. This means you can pass the cold
to others, so stay home and get some much-needed rest.
If cold symptoms do not seem
to be improving after a week, you may have a bacterial
infection, which means you may need antibiotics.
Sometimes you may mistake
cold symptoms for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or
a sinus infection. If your cold symptoms begin quickly
and are improving after a week, then it is usually
a cold, not allergy. If your cold symptoms do not
seem to be getting better after a week, check with
your doctor to see if you have developed an allergy
or sinusitis.
What are common flu symptoms?
Whether a person has typical seasonal flu or swine
flu, the symptoms seem to be quite similar. Flu symptoms
are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come
on quickly. Symptoms of swine flu and seasonal flu
include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches
and soreness, congestion, and cough. Swine flu in
particular is also associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
Most flu symptoms gradually improve over two to five
days, but it's not uncommon to feel run down for a
week or more. A common complication of the flu is
pneumonia, particularly in the young, elderly, or
people with lung or heart problems. If you notice
shortness of breath, you should let your doctor know.
Another common sign of pneumonia is fever that comes
back after having been gone for a day or two.
Just like cold viruses, flu viruses enter your body
through the mucous membranes of your nose, eyes, or
mouth. Every time you touch your hand to one of these
areas, you could be infecting yourself with a virus,
which makes it very important to keep your hands germ-free
with frequent washing to prevent both flu and cold
symptoms.
Diagnosis &
Tests:
Usually you don’t need to see a doctor for a cold.
But if your symptoms continue, it’s important to see
your doctor. Learn when it’s time to see the doctor
to determine if your cold has turned into something
worse.
Diagnosis:
Have a Cold? Know When to Call the Doctor :
Can’t breathe? Sneezing all night? Learn what steps
your doctor will take to make the cold diagnosis.
Treatment & Care:
Learn which cold medicines to take, which ones are
safe, and which ones may cause problems, especially
if you have high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes.
Also, learn more about natural remedies and find the
most effective cold treatment for you.
Treatment
Cold
Medicine & Treatment:
It’s hard to find good relief for a cold. Before
you select a cold medicine, learn more about the available
treatment options — what works and what doesn’t
— so you can effectively treat your cold symptoms.
Decongestants and Antihistamines:
Decongestant or antihistamine? How do you know which
cold medicine works best for you? Learn more about
decongestants and antihistamines. Using the WebMD
chart, find the cold medicine that fits your cold
symptoms.
Nasal Sprays:
Decongestant or antihistamine? How do you know which
cold medicine works best for you? Learn more about
decongestants and antihistamines. Using the WebMD
chart, find the cold medicine that fits your cold
symptoms.
Cough Syrup & Medicine:
Got a cold and nagging cough? Learn more about different
types of cough syrups and how they work to stop a
cough. Then find the cough medicine that’s both
safe and effective.
Aches and Pain:
Has your cold left you achy and tired? Which medicine
should you take for pain relief? Get the latest information
on pain relief with colds and find a medicine that’s
effective — and safe.
Antibiotics and Colds:
Antibiotics cure everything, right? No, not right!
Before you take an antibiotic medicine for your cold,
read this health topic. Antibiotics do not cure viruses
— and the common cold is a virus.
Kids’ Cold Medicine: New Guidelines:
Children have special needs when you’re giving
them medication. Find the latest safety information
about giving your child cold medicine..
