| What is Cold and Flu | | | | Viral pharyngitis may develop gradually. It is often |
| Is it a cold or the flu? While a common cold, including | | | | accompanied by the flu or a cold, and body aches. If a |
| chest cold and head cold, can be caused by more | | | | fever is present, it will generally be in the range of 101 |
| than 200 viruses, seasonal flu is caused by either | | | | degrees F or below.With cold symptoms, your nose |
| influenza A or B viruses. Cold and flu remedies can | | | | teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few |
| usually ease symptoms. Antiviral medications like | | | | days. Later, these become thicker and darker. Dark |
| Relenza or Tamiflu are helpful if prescribed soon after | | | | mucus is natural and does not usually mean you have |
| flu symptoms start.Influenza (commonly known as the | | | | developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus |
| flu) and colds are among the most common infections | | | | infection. |
| of the respiratory system. People often confuse the | | | | Recognizing the symptoms of the common cold is |
| two, calling a bad cold the "flu," or vice versa. | | | | important for a few reasons. If you realize what |
| Typically, the flu (also known as influenza) has | | | | symptoms are bothering you the most, you will know |
| symptoms that make a child feel worse than | | | | which medications will help relieve them. |
| symptoms associated with a common cold, but it's not | | | | Introduction to cold, flu, and allergy treatments |
| always that easy to tell the difference between the | | | | Every year, millions of people use over-the-counter |
| two. | | | | (OTC) products to relieve nasal stuffiness and |
| What are the causes of the flu? | | | | congestion, sneezing, runny noses, sore throat, and |
| Influenza viruses are divided into three types, | | | | cough. The common causes of these symptoms |
| designated A, B, and C. Influenza types A and B are | | | | include the viruses that cause the common cold, |
| responsible for epidemics of respiratory illness that | | | | influenza virus, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and sinus |
| occur almost every winter and are often associated | | | | infections (sinusitis).ince it is caused by a virus, |
| with increased rates of hospitalization and death. | | | | antibiotics do not work against the common cold. |
| Influenza type C differs from types A and B in some | | | | These types of upper respiratory infections go away |
| important ways. | | | | on their own and taking antibiotics will not help your |
| The truth is, the flu and the common cold are caused | | | | child get better any faster and will likely not prevent |
| by viruses. People get sick more often in the winter | | | | secondary bacterial infections, such as an ear infection |
| because they are exposed to each other more in the | | | | or sinus infection. |
| winter than in the summer. When it is cold outside, | | | | For thick phlegm, patients may try cough medications |
| people tend to stay inside and are more likely to | | | | that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin, Scot-Tussin |
| spread germs to one another. | | | | Expectorant), which loosens mucus. Patients should not |
| The flu is caused by three types (strains) of viruses | | | | suppress coughs that produce mucus and phlegm; it is |
| — influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for | | | | important to expel this substance. To loosen phlegm, |
| the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) | | | | patients should drink plenty of fluids and use a |
| that strike every 10 to 40 years. Type B can lead to | | | | humidifier or steamer.Take paracetamol to control |
| smaller, more localized outbreaks. And either types A | | | | fever, aches and pains (adults can use aspirin). Early |
| or B can cause the flu that circulates almost every | | | | use of antiviral medication may shorten the length and |
| winter. Type C has never been connected with a | | | | severity of illness. Consult a doctor to discuss |
| large epidemic. | | | | treatment. |
| Symptoms of Cold and Flu | | | | |