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Cold and flu symptoms can make us feel miserable. Flu season usually hits between November and April. Although colds are almost impossible to avoid, you need to be aware of the difference between the flu, a cold, and even sinusitis because it is important to your health. Managing the symptoms of each will prevent you from having to deal with a serious infection in the future.
Not understanding the difference between the flu and a common cold?
| SYMPTOMS | FLU | COLD |
| Cough | Non-productive | Hacking |
| Fever (3-4 days) | High (101 degrees) | Rare |
| Extreme Exhaustion | Early and prominent | Never |
| Headaches | Prominent | Rare |
| Aches & Pains | Usual, often severe | Slight |
| Chest Discomfort | Common | Mild to moderate |
| Stuffy Nose | Sometimes | Common |
| Tiredness/ Weakness | Can last 2-3 weeks | Very mild |
| Sore Throat | Sometimes | Common |
| Sneezing | Sometimes | Usual |
What is the flu?
The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by type A and type B influenza viruses that occurs mostly in fall and winter.
What is a cold?
A cold is a minor viral infection of the nose and throat.
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus cavities, which is triggered by a cold. Sinus infection may be the case if your common cold lasts longer than two weeks.
How long will I feel like this?
Colds typically last between 5 and 14 days, although symptoms usually improve after 3 to 5 days. Usually a cold has to run its course to fully get out of your system. The flu on the other hand may last a little longer than a typical cold. If you think you have the flu, visit your doctor as soon as symptoms appear, typically within 2 days.
I’ve seen the doctor…Now what?
Other than simply seeing a doctor, there are ways of taking care of you at home. Drinking lots of fluids, especially warm ones, is not a bad idea to help the infection get through your system. Lots of bed rest is the key to becoming healthy again.
Disinfect
Please take some extra time each day to THOROUGHLY disinfect EVERY surface
that a human has contact with: doorknobs, phones, mouse, keyboard
(make sure use equipment-friendly products), desks, sinks, toys, PE
equipment, musical instruments, etc. Surfaces that are used
frequently will need to be disinfected several times. Be careful with
over-spraying aerosol sprays like Lysol. Persons with asthma can have
an attack from the inhaling of spray. After a person is back to health
from infection, wipe down/clean all surfaces; wash sheets/bedding/clothing,
air out the house/room.
Sleep
Get 8-9 hours of sleep each night or what is normal for you.
Sleep deprivation causes immune system to weaken. Also,
it is when our bodies heal.
Stay home
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.
You will help prevent others from catching your illness. It is
recommended that children not return to school until they are fever-free
without medication (Tylenol, Ibuprofen) for 24 hours. This is for adults
also. Returning to school/work sooner may slow your recovery & expose
others to unnecessary illness.
Vitamins/Liquids/Fresh Air
Take a multivitamin. If you aren’t sure which kind, check w/your
doctor or pharmacist. Drink plenty of liquids; hot liquids work well
for sore throats, congestion, sinuses. Avoid milk if you have lots of
drainage/congestion; it makes the secretions thicker. Try to get some
fresh air/sun. Air out rooms on warm winter days; open the windows.
Long periods of time indoors in enclosed rooms/areas make everyone more
susceptible to spread of germs.
Clean your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash your hands
with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds. Wash all fingers,
under nails, front & back of hands. Dry off hands with clean
towel & use clean paper towel to turn off faucet. This prevents
re-contamination. If soap and water aren’t available, then
use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers until you can get
to a sink.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is
contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or
mouth. This is why the CDC now recommends for people to cough
into their elbow/clothing instead of their hands.
Avoid close contact
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your
distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Medications
Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can interact with prescription
medications. Check with your family doctor or pharmacist to find
out what is safe to take with your prescription.