It's the cold and flu season-so how do you know if what you have is a cold or the flu? The flu usually starts suddenly with a headache and dry cough. It causes fever (sometimes very high), shaking chills, body aches, fatigue and eye muscle pain. These symptoms usually last as long as five days, after which you may have a dry cough and fatigue for another week or so. Stomach symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea are uncommon except in very young children.
Colds begin slowing with a scratchy, sore throat, then sneezing and runny nose. Adults and older children usually have a very mild or no fever. Younger children may get a fever up to 102 degrees. Colds usually last a week.
You will probably miss more school or work with the flu than a cold and will probably feel worse. Antibiotics will not help either the flu or a viral cold. Anti-viral medication can help reduce the severity of the flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset.
Flu typically kills 36,000 people every year. Health officials say the best prevention against the flu is an annual vaccine, but the vaccine is becoming scarce in the metropolitan area. County health departments say the best availability is with private physicians. An alternative to the flu shot is now available-in the form of a nasal spray. The nasal spray contains a live virus, so it should not be given to pregnant women or those with impaired immune systems.
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