Health Feature Articles
Tips to tell difference between flu and colds
By Robert Thomas, Information Specialist, Extension & Ag Information, University of Missouri
Run through a checklist to be sure what’s bugging you
isn’t the flu
The sudden shortage of flu vaccine has many Americans
worried about coming down with illness. However, it is a
good idea to run through a checklist of symptoms to be
sure that what’s bugging you is the flu and not a common
cold or bacterial pneumonia.
“The common cold, the flu and pneumonia can have
similar symptoms. The viruses and bacteria that cause
these illnesses are around all year. People are likely
to be exposed in winter because they spend more time
inside and in closer contact with each other,” said Gail
Carlson, University of Missouri State Health Education
Specialist.
It is sometimes difficult to know when a minor
illness has become something more serious and requires a
visit to your health care provider.
A cold almost always starts with a scratchy throat
and stuffy nose. Within a few hours other symptoms
appear -- sneezing, a mild sore throat, sometimes a
minor headache and coughing.
Runny noses are a common feature of colds. On the
other hand, fevers are not very common in adults with
colds. Fever may occur in small children, but it usually
doesn’t rise above 103 degrees, Carlson said.
When someone has the flu, symptoms start suddenly and
include headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose,
muscle aches, tiredness, weakness and high fever
(102-104 F). Children may experience vomiting and
diarrhea, but this is not common in adults. Adults may
be able to infect others beginning one day before
symptoms appear and up to seven days after getting sick.
“Antibiotics won’t help when you have a cold or flu.
When you have a cold, try home treatment: get plenty of
rest, drink lots of liquids, use a humidifier to add
moisture to the home and if you choose, take an
over-the-counter medication to relieve the symptoms,”
she said.
If the flu strikes, home treatment is also a good
approach for healthy adults. A few years ago this was
the only option. Today, there are antiviral medications
available, but they must be taken within two days of the
on-set of the symptoms to be effective. Antiviral
medications don’t “cure” the flu; they make the symptoms
less severe.
They are used most often in institutional settings
like nursing homes, but anyone who is at high risk of
serious complications may benefit from taking them. Your
health care provider can help you decide whether you
should take antiviral drugs, Carlson said.
The flu can make you feel miserable, but serious
complications are not common in healthy adults. One
possible complication is pneumonia, an infection of the
lungs. There are two types of pneumonia -- viral and
bacterial. Bacterial pneumonia is the most serious and
can be deadly.
Pneumonia symptoms include a high fever and a cough
that produces thick, rust-colored, greenish or yellowish
mucus. Chills and stabbing chest pain when breathing are
additional symptoms. Typically, a person who has the flu
starts to feel better then becomes very ill. Those most
vulnerable to catching pneumonia are children under the
age of four, older adults and persons with conditions
that compromise their immune system, such as diabetes,
asthma, cancer and AIDS.
Prevention is still the best policy, Carlson said.
Even though there is a shortage of flu vaccine given by
injection, the nasal spray flu vaccine is an option for
some people. The nasal spray uses weakened living
influenza cells and is recommended for use by healthy
people ages 5 through 49. This is not a solution for
everyone. Your health provider can help you determine if
this is a good option for you.
If you can’t get a flu shot, getting a pneumonia shot
can protect you against this potential serious
complication of the flu. It's a one-time shot for anyone
65 or older. Younger people with heart and lung
diseases, diabetes or weak immune systems need it, too,
Carlson said.
While there are no guarantees, there are also some
things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming
ill.
- Eat right, exercise and learn to manage stress. If you are in generally good health, your immune system is better able to fight off illnesses.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Keeping your distance from others will protect them from getting sick too, she said.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
These practices can at least reduce the spread of colds
and the flu and reduce your risk of developing more
serious complications like pneumonia.
These tips provide general information Carlson said. “Follow the advice of your health care provider; his or her advice is individualized to your situation.”
Source: Gail Carlson (573) 882-4107
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Last Updated 04/25/2008
