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Symptoms |
cold |
flu |
Fever |
Rare |
Usual; high (100°F to 102°F; occasionally higher,
especially in young children); lasts 3 to 4 days |
Headache |
Rare |
Common |
General Aches,Pains |
Slight |
Usual;often severe |
Fatigue,Weakness |
Sometimes |
Usual;can last up to 2 to 3 weeks |
Extreme Exhaustion |
Never |
Usual;at the beginning of the illness |
Stuffy Nose |
Common |
Somstimes |
Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
Sore Throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
Chest Discomfort,cough |
Mild to moderate;
hacking cough |
Common;canbecome severe |
Treatment |
Antihistamines
Decongestant
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medicines |
Antiviral medicines—see your doctor |
Prevention |
Wash your hands often
Avoid close cantact with anyone
with
a
cold |
Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines—see your doctor |
Complication |
Sinus congestion
Middle ear infection
Asthma |
Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life threatening |
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Complications of Flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
How serious a problem is influenza in the U.S.?
Influenza is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine-preventable disease in this country. Every year in the United States, on average:
·5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
·more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
·about 36,000 people die from flu.
How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Which ones are easy to get flu?
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Flu Insert |
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