Cold And Flu

Cold and Flu

Colds and Flu (commonly known as the influenza). Colds are minor infections of the nose and throat and Flu is an infection of the respiratory system. Colds are the most prevalent infectious disease. Colds occur mostly in the winter (even in areas with mild winters). Flu occurs in one to two weeks, but serious and potentially life threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia, can develop in some people. In an average year, the death of 20,000 people is associated with influenza nationwide. Once you have jammed a cold, the symptoms begin in 1 to 5 days. colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu. The three most frequent symptoms of a cold are nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and runny nose. Throat irritation is often involved (but not with a red throat). Usually irritation in the nose or a scratchy feeling in the throat is the first sign, followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.

Common Cold begins when one of several different kinds of cold virus attaches to the lining of your nose or throat. Your immune system sends white blood cells out to attack this germ. Unless you've encountered it before, the initial attack fails and your body sends in reinforcements. Your nose and throat get inflamed and produce lots of mucus. With so much of your energy directed at fighting the virus, you feel tired and miserable.

Cold Symptoms settle in between one and four days after you are infected by a cold virus and typically last for about three days. At that point the worst is over, but you may feel congested for a week or more. During the first three days that you have symptoms, you are contagious.

Flu (Influenza) is an illness caused by a virus that comes on suddenly, and causes symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. The flu is not the same as the common cold, flu symptoms are usually more severe, and you will often miss more work or school than you would with a cold.

Flu (Influenza) Symptoms fever is usually continuous, but it may come and go. Fever may be lower in older adults than in children and younger adults. A dry cough, runny nose, and a dry or sore throat. You may not notice these during the first few days of the illness when other symptoms are more severe.

Colds and Flu Prevention

• Drink extra fluids to help flush it out of your body as quickly as possible.


• Stay away from people who are sick so you are less likely to encounter a virus.


• Wash your hands frequently, and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.


• Get a yearly flu vaccine, especially important for people with asthma and other respiratory diseases.


• Wipe your nose in a way that keeps secretions on the tissue and doesn't contaminate your hands.


• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.


• Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.


• Keep an eye on the humidity of your environment so that your sinuses do not dry out.


• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.


• Adults and children ages 2-64 with chronic medical conditions, especially asthma, other lung diseases, and heart disease.