Cold and Flu: Relief, Remedies and Prevention
Late fall through winter is the time of year when coughs, sniffles, sore throats, and sneezes begin in earnest. And although being indoors may bring respite from the elements, it also brings more contact with the germs that cause colds and the flu. This guide will help you learn the differences between these similar conditions, and advise you on how to avoid catching them, what to do if you get one of them, and how to stay current on the latest research that scientists are conducting on them.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat Are Colds and the Flu?
Colds and influenza are viruses that are transmitted when people come in contact with contaminated surfaces, or air-borne mucus particles containing the germs. For most, having a cold or the flu means feeling lousy for a few days or weeks. But for the very old, the very young, and people with AIDS or other chronic illnesses, the flu can be deadly. Approximately 36,000 people die from the flu each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An additional 200,000 people are hospitalized each year because of complications from the flu.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you or your child becomes ill, pay close attention to the symptoms. The sites in this section have information to help you spot the nuances that distinguish the flu from the common cold. Identifying which virus you have is the first step toward preventing it from becoming more serious.
- The avian influenza, or “bird flu,” which has received intense publicity for its threat to humans, is not the normal type of flu that seems to make its way around in the winter. This virus is found in birds, but has been spread, in a few cases, to people. Scientists are concerned because this particular strain is deadly to humans.
- Sometimes people say they have the “stomach flu,” but they are actually referring to gastroenteritis, according to Medicinenet.com. Gastroenteritis symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, but aren’t caused by influenza.
- Colds and flu can sometimes lead to other complications, such as sinus infections, acute bronchitis and pneumonia. We’ve included a sub-section with sites that describe these in more depth.
Dulcinea's Picks
For information about colds …
WebMD
has a guide describing colds called “Common Cold: The Basics.” It covers how people catch colds, what the symptoms are, and when to call your doctor.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) has a page on the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of the common cold. The site is technical and is written for an audience with experience in the medical field.
For information about the flu …
The National Library of Medicine
has an animated online lesson, complete with illustrations, intermittent quiz questions, and narration. Topics covered include description of the flu, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. If you don’t want to take the tutorial, read the text version of the influenza presentation instead.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) has a page on the seasonal flu that includes basic information about the virus. It has links to information for specific groups, such as parents, adults with asthma, and people with HIV/AIDS. The page can also be translated into Spanish and other languages.
For information on colds in babies and children …
Mayo Clinic
has a page that describes common colds in babies, who get them often. This site also tells you what to look for if a cold turns into a more serious illness, since young children can’t tell you what’s wrong.
KidsHealth
has a page that explains what colds are and how to cope with them, along with another site written for teens.
For differences between the cold and flu …
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
has an especially helpful chart that lists common symptoms, such as fevers, cough, sore throat and sneezing, then tells whether they are signs of a cold or the flu.
WebMD
also has a table that compares symptoms, prevention, treatment, and complications of colds and the flu. Use that information to take the site’s five-question quiz that will help you determine whether you should go to work or call in sick when you’re ill. If you’re contagious, staying home may not just be good for you. It can help keep your co-workers healthy, too.
For the different types of flu …
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
describes the different types of flu, from the one going around in schools across the country, to the avian flu that has researchers worried.
For information on cold and flu complications …
WebMD
explains how a cold can give rise to sinusitis, or a sinus infection. This article describes the signs, and how doctors treat the infections.
Family Doctor
is the American Academy of Family Physicians’ education site. This page explains what acute bronchitis is, how it’s diagnosed, and how it’s treated. Did you know that cold viruses are the primary cause of bronchitis?
The American Lung Association
has a page that describes the different types of pneumonia, how to prevent the disease, and what to do if you have symptoms.
Preventing Colds and the Flu
For many, flu prevention is as easy as a yearly vaccination. Avoiding the common cold can be more ... read more »
Treating Colds and the Flu
It’s important to have a good idea of which illness you have. Anti-viral medications ... read more »
Cold and Flu Research
Researchers continue to study the viruses that cause influenza and colds, and continually make new ... read more »
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