It's hard to escape the common cold or the flu, and it can be even more difficult telling them apart. Both are caused by viruses, and therefore do not respond to antibiotics. Flu symptoms usually are more severe than the typical sneezing, stuffiness and congestion that go along with a cold. Flu symptoms also tend to develop quickly - typically between one and four days after a person is exposed to the flu virus, and people are contagious from 24 hours before they become ill until their symptoms resolve.

Here you will find information about colds, flu, and flu vaccination.

Colds

The signs and symptoms of colds include:

• An initial tickle in the throat
• A runny or stuffy nose and sneezing
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Mild fever
• Mild fatigue
• Mild muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• A change in nasal discharge from watery to thick yellow or green.

Colds may be treated with over-the-counter decongestants and cough medicines. Follow the instructions on the label carefully. Note that, as of January 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that cough and cold medications not be given to children under age 2 (and they are considering expanding this restriction to children up to age 6).  

Prolonged colds (lasting longer than one week) and those associated with a high fever or a cough that produces yellow mucus or phlegm may need evaluation by a physician.

Flu

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is caused by a virus, which infects the respiratory tract. The flu is spread from person to person by direct contact or through virus-infected droplets coughed or sneezed in the air. Most people who get the flu recover completely in one to two weeks, but some develop serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses, such as pneumonia, especially elderly people.

The flu sometimes develops into bacterial pneumonia, ear infection, sinus infection, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions. Very young children and the elderly are more susceptible to complications of the flu than the general population. About 36,000 people die each year from the flu.

Signs and symptoms of the flu may include:

• High fever (usually 100 degrees F to 103 degrees F in adults and often higher in children)
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Weakness
• Ear infection
• Diarrhea

Call your doctor if there are signs of dehydration, seizures, earache, a cough that produces discolored mucus or difficulty breathing. Children with chronic conditions, such as severe asthma or cystic fibrosis, may require hospitalization.

In the case of children who have the flu, call the doctor if the child:

• Has symptoms that are serious or get worse  - or starts to get better and suddenly gets worse.
• Has a temperature greater than 102 degrees F for more than a few days.

Keep in mind the flu usually lasts no more than a week or two and is best cured by getting rest, good nutrition and plenty of fluids.

Flu Vaccination

The best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated every year. The ideal time to get vaccinated is usually October or November, before flu season begins; however getting a flu shot later may still provide protection since flu season typically peaks in January and last through about March.

Emergency physicians highly recommend that persons who are at high risk of having serious flu complications and people who live with or care for high flu-risk individuals (including home caregivers and health care workers) get vaccinated each year. Persons in high-risk groups include:

• Children six months old through age five.
• Pregnant women.
• Persons age 50 and older.
• Persons with chronic medical conditions.
• Persons in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

The flu vaccine is generally available beginning in October and is distributed through health care providers, in-store clinics, schools and many places of employment. Check with your physician, your local government or community services center. Getting a flu shot can reduce most people's chances of catching the flu by up to 80 percent during flu season. It isn't a guarantee against getting sick, though -mainly because there are many viruses that can cause the flu, and the vaccine only protects against a handful of them. However, among those persons who do get the flu after receiving the flu shot, symptoms usually will be milder. (It should be noted that the seasonal flu shot does not offer protection against avian (or bird) flu, and it also would not be effective in the event of pandemic flu, a virulent human influenza that causes a global outbreak of serious illness and to which there is little natural immunity.)