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Colds & FluCold As Ice and The Boogie Woogie Flu

With all the medical advances we witnessevery day, its disappointing that we stillhavent figured out how to defeat the commoncold and flu. The average American will sufferthrough two to four colds each year, and mil-lions will also endure at least one bout of theflu. Each episode can represent a week or twoof lost productivity and enjoyment.

Even though there is no cure, there are thingsyou can do to reduce your chances of catchingone of these nasty conditions. And if you docatch a cold or flu, there are self-care tech-niques you can employ to ease your miseryand feel better fast.

Do I Have the Cold or the Flu?Although they feel similarand certainly hor-riblecold and flu are very different illnesses.Check out the chart below for some of thekey differences between colds and the flu.

When to Seek Care for a Cold or the FluThe symptoms described here can be signs of

conditions more serious than the average coldor flu. When a person experiences thesesymptoms, they should seek the advice of ahealthcare professional.

If symptoms last more than 10 days.

If pain or swelling over sinuses getsworse when bending over or moving the head, especially with a fever of101F or higher.

If a cold is accompanied by troublebreathing or wheezing.

If you experience swollen, painful neckglands or pain in the ears.

A headache that persists during a cold orflu is a sign that you should see a health-care provider.

If you have a sore throat that is very redor has white spots.

A cough with phlegm that is green, gray,or yellow means you may need to see ahealthcare provider.

Seek medical care if a temperature ishigher than 102F in a 3-month to 3-year-old child; over 104F in a 3 to 64-year-old; or 102F or higher in someoneage 65 or older.

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Fever rare 102-104+, 3-4 days

Headache rare prominent,sudden onset

General aches slight usual, and pains often severe

Fatigue or mild can last weakness 2-3 weeks

Extreme never early and exhaustion prominent

Stuffy nose common sometimes

Sneezing usual sometimes

Sore throat common sometimes

Chest discomfort, mild to common,cough moderate can become

severe

Symptom Cold Flu

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Colds & Flu (continued) If a foul smell comes from the throat,

nose, or ears.

Treating the Cold or Flu at Home Check out the following tips to feel better fastwhen you are battling a cold or flu.

Drink Fluidsdrinking at least eight, 8oz. glasses of fluid daily thins your mucus,helping it to flow. Hot drinks and soups areespecially effective.

Humidify Your Environmentmoisturehelps. Use the shower, a humidifier, orbreathe over a bowl of hot water.

Get Restgoing to work with a cold isntnecessarily going to make it worse, but keepin mind you are most contagious in the first48 hours.

Cough and Blowblow your nose gentlyand often, and cough as needed. You want tokeep the phlegm moving, not suppress it.

Garglegargle three times daily with saltwater to soothe your sore throat. Salt helpssterilize the bacteria in the back of yourthroat and promotes the healing of inflamedtissues. To make a salt solution, stir 1/2 tea-spoon of salt in a glass of warm water andgargle for 30-60 seconds.

Dont Take Antibioticsunless theres solidmedical evidence that you have a secondarybacterial infection. If you are unsure, seeyour healthcare provider.

Take an Over-The-Counter (OTC)RemedyTake single-ingredient productslike Sudafed or Robitussin only as neededand as directed. Make sure you read thelabel warnings and only take something ifyou really need it. Be careful about interac-tions between over-the-counter and pre-scribed medications.

PreventionTheres no question about itthe best way todeal with a cold or flu is to avoid it in the firstplace. By taking a few precautions, you candramatically cut your chances of picking upone of these viruses. Here are some tips toconsider.

Wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Avoid touching your eyes and nosebetween hand washings.

Get at least eight hours of sleep eachnight so your body isnt run down.

Avoid physical contact with sick people if possible.

Consider staying home during the firstfew days of a cold, when youre mostcontagious.

Wash your hands after contact with sick people.

Eat a healthy diet, including five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Use a humidifier during cold and flu season.

Consider getting a flu shot.

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Take The KNOW ChallengeColds & Flu Challenge

Cold as Ice, and the Boogie Woogie FluRecognizing the difference between the cold and flu is an important step to speeding relief andgetting well. Complete the chart below according to the Cold & Flu information you just read.

Symptom Cold Flu

Fever

Headache

General Aches & Pains

Fatigue or Weakness

Extreme Exhaustion

Stuffy Nose

Sneezing

Sore Throat

Chest Discomfort