HEALTHY TIPS brought to you by the Campbell University Health Center

THE COLD AND FLU SEASON IS UPON US. SO WHAT DOES A COLD AND THE FLU HAVE IN COMMON AND HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

The common cold and an influenza infection are both caused by viruses. They both cause fever, cough, head congestion, sore throat and body aches.

ONE OF THE MAIN DIFFERENCES IS IN THE SEVERITY OF THOSE SYMPTOMS.

Fever is much higher with the flu, often 102 or above, and body aches are much worse. Headache is also common with the flu.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treatment for the common cold is focused on minimizing symptoms. Influenza can be treated with an antiviral agent, but should be started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Neither a cold or the flu should be treated with antibiotics. While the flu may just seem like a bad cold, it is much more than that. Flu poses a special risk to the very young and the very old, however, everyone should get a flu shot. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" applies to the flu as much as any other condition. No matter how far we are into the flu season, it is not too late to get a flu shot, so if you have not had one, do so as soon as possible.