Understanding cold and flu

Can't tell if it's a cold or flu? Check these symptoms:

Cold

Length: Usually lasts about 9-10 days. Treat colds with the 3-3-3 rule: it takes three days to arrive, three days to stay and three days to leave.

Symptoms: A runny nose (the fluid starts out clear, but can develop into a thick, green mucous that can become crusty); a deep cough with no chest pain. Mild sore throat.

Fever: A fever may develop: 103-104 in babies and toddlers; low-grade (generally under 101) in older children and adults.

Anything else? Watch for green or yellow mucous oozing out from the eyes, which is a sign of an eye infection.

Flu

Length: Usually lasts about 7-10 days, although both coughing and fatigue can hang around for another two to three weeks.

Symptoms: No runny nose, but there will be a hacking cough and possibly chest pain; plus general achiness, sore muscles and pain behind the eyes.

Fever: Yes, and it tends to linger.

Anything else? While colds take a few days to make their entrance, flus hit fast and hard. Flu symptoms that are similar to cold symptoms (such as cough and fever) are also often felt more intensely. Children under age 3 may also have nausea and diarrhea

How to survive The Cold & Flu Season

     Cold and flu "bugs" can be transmitted through the air (by coughing or sneezing), or through direct contact with a cold sufferer. To infect you, the virus must enter your upper nasal passages. For instance, if you shake hands with a cold sufferer, then later rub your eyes; the virus can be passed from your hands to your eyes. This cold and flu season, apply these tips:

• Wash your hands often.

• Keep your hands away from your nose and eyes.

• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

• Avoid crowds.

• Use separate glasses, dishes, eating utensils, and towels for each person.

• Use disposable facial tissues to blow your nose. Dispose of the tissue promptly.

• Stop sharing toothbrushes with anyone

• Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet.

• Get plenty of rest.
   

      Although medications will not cure the cold or flu, they may relieve the symptoms. Chose over-the-counter medications that contain only the ingredients you need.  Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are not effective against viruses.  However, your health care provider may prescribe an antibiotic if indicated.

General Self-Care Tips:

• Stay at home and get plenty of rest.                                                                                                 

• Drink plenty of water/fluids

• Stop smoking.                                                                                                  

• Be patient                                                                                                                                           

To Relieve a Sore Throat:

• Stop smoking

• Gargle with lukewarm saltwater 3 - 4 times a day

• Moisten throat with lozenges, or sugar free hard candy

• Use a sore throat spray (Chloraseptic, Cepacol)

                                                                                                                                                                               
To Relieve Head, Nose and Ear Congestion:

• Drink hot liquids such as chicken broth or soup

• Apply warm, moist washcloths to your forehead and cheeks

• Use a humidifier if available

• Use salt water drops into your nose

• Take a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), or an antihistamine/decongestant combination (Dimetapp)

To Relieve Chest Congestion/Cough:

• Stop smoking

• Drink plenty of water/fluids

• Use a humidifier if available

• Take an expectorant with guiafenesin (Robitussin DM)

Be patient with yourself, also remember especially when traveling on an airplane, you may be more prone to upper respiratory infections.  When your gut feeling tells you that you are sick, seek medical evaluation at home or abroad.

Fact vs fiction

Think your daughter’s wet feet started her sniffles? Or that the flu shot actually gives you the flu? Here are four cold and flu myths explained.

Myth: The flu shot gives you the flu.

Fact: While the flu shot is made up of flu virus particles, they're all inactive, so they can't make you sick. However, children aren’t fully protected against the flu for about six weeks, says Dr. Embree. "They need that second immunization four weeks after the first, and then they’re fully immunized about two weeks after that. So if you’re immunized late in the season, then you can acquire influenza in that period."

Myth: You'll get a cold if you don't wear your boots

Fact: There may be some truth to this one, according to a new small study from Cardiff University in Wales. Volunteers who soaked their feet in cold water for 20 minutes were more likely to catch a cold. That being said, it also takes exposure to a virus from an infected person (for example, touching a doorknob they touched and then rubbing your eyes) and a weakened immune system. Children are more likely to get colds because their immune systems haven't been exposed to all the various viruses floating around, says Dr. Embree.

Myth: You should stay inside when you’re sick.

Fact: "A little fresh air hasn’t hurt anybody," says Dr. Embree. But the hint of truth in this myth is keeping sick children inside avoids exposing playmates to the virus.

Myth: Only time will make you feel better if you have the cold or flu.

Fact: Time helps, but rest helps even more, especially if your child has the flu. And forget that feed-a-cold-starve-a-fever rumor too — if your child has no appetite, the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPC) recommends small nutritious meals (check out the Dietitians of Canada’s site at www.dietitians.ca for ideas) and little, regular sips of water or an electrolyte-replacement product if they’ve been vomiting.

If your child is under three, the CPC also suggests checking with your child’s doctor before doling out any cough or cold medication. And if they’re older than three, discuss medication options with the pharmacist rather than grabbing the first cough medication you spot. “We don’t recommend aspirin-containing medications for children because of the concern with a condition called Reye’s syndrome, a condition that can damage the brain and liver,” says Dr. Embree.