Cold and flu season is well underway. There are several different types of influenza, including the infamous H1N1 (aka Swine Flu), and more than 200 viruses that can cause a cold -- rhinovirus is the most common one. Antibiotics are not effective against any of them. So, how can you tell if you have the flu or just a common cold? According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you may have influenza if you exhibit some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Note: You can have the flu even if you don't have a fever.
Symptoms of a cold are different -- usually much milder -- than seasonal flu or H1N1. Here are some symptoms of a cold:
- Sneezing
- Stuff nose
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Mild headache
- Mild body aches
If you or your child have symptoms that last more than 10 days, symptoms that are not relieved by over-the-counter medications, or a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, you should consult a health care provider immediately.
0 comments so far...
No comments yet.