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Is It a Cold or the Flu?
 

 
Daily Bread
I will praise the LORD all my life.
Psalm 146:2
How to Tell the Difference

Do you wonder if your sneezes and sniffles are the flu or just a cold? In February 2008, the Center for Disease Control reported influenza activity continued to increase in the United States with widespread activity in 49 states. The CDC also reported the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold for the sixth consecutive week.

Here are a few tips offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help determine the difference between flu and cold symptoms. In addition, treatment, prevention and complications from both the flu and colds also are outlined.

SymptomsCold    Flu
Fever Rare Usual; high (100 - 102 degrees F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3 - 4 days
Headache Rare Common
General aches, pains Slight Usual; often severe
Fatigue, weakness Sometimes Usual; can last up to 2 - 3 weeks
Extreme exhaustion Never Usual; at the beginning of the illness
Stuffy nose Common Sometimes
Sneezing Usual Sometimes
Sore throat Common Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough Mild to moderate; hacking cough Common; can become severe


Cold    Flu
Treatment Antihistamines,
decongestant,
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines		 Antiviral medicines;
see your doctor
Prevention Wash your hands often;
Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold		 Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines;
see your doctor
Complications Sinus congestion;
middle ear infection;
asthma		 Bronchitis, pneumonia;
can be life threatening

A few precautions such as handwashing and an annual flu vaccination will go a long way towards preventing catching the flu. If you do think you have flu symptoms, please contact your physician as soon as possible.

Published: February 26, 2008
Source: Department of Health and Human Services; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


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