Five Fast Flu Facts:
Flu symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
Flu is spread when a person who has the flu coughs,sneezes, or speaks and sends the flu virus into the air. The virus enters the nose, throat or lungs of a person and multiplies. Flu spreads less frequently when a person touches a surface that has flu virus on it.
If you get the flu: rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Antibiotics like penicillin will not cure the flu. The best way to prevent flu is to get a flu shot. Over-the-counter medication may relieve symptoms of flu. The National Institute for Allergies & Infectious Diseases recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) for children; aspirin or acetaminophen for adults. Decongestants, cough suppressants, and the use of a humidifier may provide symptomatic relief.
In addition to flu shots, three anti-viral medicines are available by prescription which will help prevent flu infection: Tamiflu, Flumadine and Symmetrel.
Note: Things to keep in mind when the school-aged child has the flu:
Most antihistamines cause sleepiness. If a child still has a stuffy nose when she returns to school, parents may want to ask the child's doctor to prescribe a non-sedating antihistamine.
Encourage children to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, and keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth.
A sick child is advised to stay at home during the first days of illness when symptoms are most severe and the infection is most contagious. Children may return when symptoms are improving and no fever has been detected for 24 hours.
Is it a cold or is it the flu?
Physical findings (Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases):
Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
Fever |
Rare |
Characteristic high (102-104) Sudden onset; lass 3-4 days |
Headache |
Rare |
Prominent |
General aches and pains |
Slight |
Usual; often quite severe |
Fatigue and weakness |
Quite mild |
Extreme; can last 2-3 weeks |
Prostration |
Never |
Early and prominent |
Runny, stuffy nose |
Common |
Sometimes |
Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
Sore throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
Chest discomfort, cough |
Mild to moderate; hacking cough |
Common; can become severe |
Is it a common cold or an allergy?
Physical findings (Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases):
Allergy |
Common Cold |
1. Nasal discharge remains watery. |
1. Nasal discharge gradually thickens |
2. More sneezing |
2. Less sneezing |
3. Little or no cough |
3. Cough starts dry and becomes loose. worse with exertion. |
4. Comes and goes during entire season |
4. Duration 1-3 weeks |
5. Eyes usually red |
5. Eyes usually not red |
6. Fewer lymph nodes in neck |
6. More neck nodes |
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