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Health Information on Colds and Flu
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 How To Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
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Fall and winter are peak seasons for viral illnesses such
as flu, respiratory infections and colds.
Flu can hit people hard, with an average of 36,000 deaths
and 114,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.
A flu shot is a very good way to help prevent getting the
flu. There are other important ways that you can protect yourself
and others from catching or spread the flu or other illnesses:
GOOD HEALTH HABITS
- 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.
- Stay home when you are sick
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when
you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching
your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. Or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not
your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting
sick.
- Clean your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Or, cleans hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Clean Surfaces
Clean frequently touched hard surfaces such as door knobs
and phone hand sets with a 1:10 solution of chlorine bleach
to water or a commercial germicide or viracide.
- 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.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Get rest, eat healthy foods and limit stress.
- Watch and help toddlers
Toddler age children (under 6 years) are most frequently
the "carrier" of the flu virus due to their lack
of hand hygiene.
Based on information from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
Always contact your personal physician for questions
about your health. If you are elderly or have a chronic health
condition, consult your medical provider about pneumonia vaccine.
The following is a guide to determine whether you have the
flu or a cold:
| Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever |
Rare in adults and older children, but can be as high
as 102 degrees in infants and small children |
Usually 102 degrees F, but can go up to 104 degrees
F and usually lasts 3 to 4 days |
| Headache |
Rare |
Sudden onset and can be severe |
| Muscle aches |
mild |
usual, and often severe |
| Tiredness and weakness |
mild |
Often extreme, and can last two or more weeks |
| Extreme exhaustion |
Never |
Sudden onset and can be severe |
| Runny nose |
Often |
Sometimes |
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