After months of extreme heat and humidity autumn can be a very welcome change. Cool, crisp mornings, beautiful red and gold leaves, and -- ahchoo! -- sneezing?
Yes, unfortunately autumn also marks the beginning of flu season. Fever, sore throat, muscle aches and a cough are just some of symptoms of the flu that are enough to put even the healthiest person on bed rest for days.
Cold versus Flu
You've heard that the flu is going around, so when you wake up one morning with a sore throat and runny nose, you assume the worst. It is also very likely that you are suffering from a cold and not the flu. While both viruses affect the respiratory system, the flu generally hits people harder and can be fatal in elderly people and infants.
Take this quiz to find out which virus you are suffering from.
Here are some warning signs to decipher which virus you may be suffering from.
Cold symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Productive cough
- Sore throat
Flu symptoms:
- Fever
- Aches
- Chills
- Unproductive cough
Whether it's a cold or the flu, it's important to get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids and see a doctor if your condition doesn't improve in two to three days.
Treatment
Unlike bacterial infections, a simple prescription for an antibiotic will not combat the flu virus. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics, although a doctor may prescribe one to treat or prevent another bacterial infection, like pneumonia.
There are many cold and flu medications on the market. Although they cannot fight the virus themselves, they do alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms of the flu for short period of time. Products like Tylenol Cold & Flu, Sudafed, NyQuil and DayQuil can bring down a fever, reduce muscle aches, and suppress a cough. Make sure to check with your doctor before using any of these products if you have any allergies or pre-existing health conditions. In addition to taking over-the-counter medications, make sure to stay warm, drink lots of water and fruit juices, and rest as much as possible.
As many as 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to complications of the flu and some 36,000 Americans die as a result of flu complications. While most of us recover from the flu in a few days, it's important to remember to give your body some down time to recuperate.
Prevention
Wash your hands often, especially before eating. Scrub with soap and warm water and remember to clean underneath and around your finger nails. Drinking orange juice is not an old wives' tale; there is some truth to this theory. Orange juice is loaded in vitamin C that can boosts your immune system. Try to drink at least one glass a day or find an alternative source from fruits or even a multivitamin.
Another method of prevention is vaccination. There is an approved flu vaccine on the market that is made about a year before flu season hits. It is made of killed flu viruses from previous flu seasons, but because there are different strains of the flu, the vaccine is not guaranteed to protect against all of the strains that you may be exposed to. Contrary to popular belief, the vaccine does not give you the flu. However, the vaccine does have side effects, which may include fever and muscle aches.
In addition to keeping yourself healthy, remember to be considerate of others, too. If you do come down with a virus, make sure to cover your mouth and nose with your arm (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze and stay home when ever possible to avoid spreading the virus to others.
Yes, unfortunately autumn also marks the beginning of flu season. Fever, sore throat, muscle aches and a cough are just some of symptoms of the flu that are enough to put even the healthiest person on bed rest for days. Cold versus Flu
You've heard that the flu is going around, so when you wake up one morning with a sore throat and runny nose, you assume the worst. It is also very likely that you are suffering from a cold and not the flu. While both viruses affect the respiratory system, the flu generally hits people harder and can be fatal in elderly people and infants.
Take this quiz to find out which virus you are suffering from.
Here are some warning signs to decipher which virus you may be suffering from.
Cold symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Productive cough
- Sore throat
Flu symptoms:
- Fever
- Aches
- Chills
- Unproductive cough
Whether it's a cold or the flu, it's important to get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids and see a doctor if your condition doesn't improve in two to three days.
Treatment
Unlike bacterial infections, a simple prescription for an antibiotic will not combat the flu virus. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics, although a doctor may prescribe one to treat or prevent another bacterial infection, like pneumonia.
There are many cold and flu medications on the market. Although they cannot fight the virus themselves, they do alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms of the flu for short period of time. Products like Tylenol Cold & Flu, Sudafed, NyQuil and DayQuil can bring down a fever, reduce muscle aches, and suppress a cough. Make sure to check with your doctor before using any of these products if you have any allergies or pre-existing health conditions. In addition to taking over-the-counter medications, make sure to stay warm, drink lots of water and fruit juices, and rest as much as possible. As many as 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to complications of the flu and some 36,000 Americans die as a result of flu complications. While most of us recover from the flu in a few days, it's important to remember to give your body some down time to recuperate.
Prevention
Wash your hands often, especially before eating. Scrub with soap and warm water and remember to clean underneath and around your finger nails. Drinking orange juice is not an old wives' tale; there is some truth to this theory. Orange juice is loaded in vitamin C that can boosts your immune system. Try to drink at least one glass a day or find an alternative source from fruits or even a multivitamin.
Another method of prevention is vaccination. There is an approved flu vaccine on the market that is made about a year before flu season hits. It is made of killed flu viruses from previous flu seasons, but because there are different strains of the flu, the vaccine is not guaranteed to protect against all of the strains that you may be exposed to. Contrary to popular belief, the vaccine does not give you the flu. However, the vaccine does have side effects, which may include fever and muscle aches.In addition to keeping yourself healthy, remember to be considerate of others, too. If you do come down with a virus, make sure to cover your mouth and nose with your arm (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze and stay home when ever possible to avoid spreading the virus to others.
