Published: February 23, 2007 12:14 am            

Is it a cold, or is it the flu?

It’s normal to mistake the flu for another ailment such as a cold or just “feeling under the weather,” but it’s important to know the difference — because if it’s the flu, the sooner you can get help from your doctor, the better.



Symptoms of a cold

‰ Fever is rare

‰ Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold

‰ Chills are uncommon with a cold

‰ Tiredness is mild

‰ Cold symptoms are not sudden and develop over a few days

‰ A hacking, productive cough is often present

‰ Sneezing is commonly present

‰ A stuffy nose usually accompanies a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week

‰ Sore throat is commonly present; chest discomfort is mild to moderate

‰ A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold



Symptoms of the flu

‰ Fever is present with 80 percent of flu cases include. A temperature of 100 F or higher for 3 or 4 days is associated with the flu

‰ Severe aches and pains

‰ Chills are common in 60 percent of flu cases. Chills and shivering are a normal reaction to a cold environment, but unexplained chills can also be a sign of the flu

‰ Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. It’s normal to feel tired at the end of a long day or when you don’t get adequate sleep, but unexplained tiredness can be a sign of the flu

‰ The flu has a rapid onset within three to six hours.

‰ Dry cough is present in 80 percent of flu cases

‰ Sneezing, stuffy nose and sore throat are NOT commonly present with the flu.

‰ Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

‰ A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80 percent of flu cases

Remind family members that there is a lot they can do to help stay healthy at home. One of the most important is to practice frequent hand washing to decrease the risk of infection. Ask your health-care provider about the yearly flu shot for you and your family members.

Cullman Regional Medical Center places special emphasis on preventive care, which provides the means to keep people healthy and to prevent potential medical problems before they occur. If you or your family member needs information on finding a physician, call CRMC physician referral at 737-2600.

        

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