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January's Tip for Parents
From ISVI's Health Center's Head Nurse
Cold and Flu Season is Here
The “common cold” got its name for a good
reason: Colds are the world’s most common illness. Few persons manage to escape
the viruses that cause a cold. More that 100 such viruses exist. Persons in the
United States average three colds every year.
The cold virus usually enters your body through your nose or throat. Then the
virus begins to multiply. But a cold infection lasts only a week or two.
You may experience all or some of the symptoms associated with the common cold:
sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, aches and pains, mild fever,
nasal congestion and coughing.
To treat a cold:
■ Take a mild pain reliever for the aches and pains and to reduce fever.
■ Avoid unnecessary activity and get as much bed rest as possible, and
■ Consume extra amounts of fluids, especially juices.
Although thousands of cough and cold remedies are available over the counter,
none of them will prevent, cure, or even shorten the course of a common cold.
They only relieve symptoms so you feel more comfortable while you have the cold.
Do not take medication that relieves symptoms that you do not have.
There is no practical way to avoid catching a cold. There is no vaccine that
will protect you from cold viruses. You can , however, take a few measures to
lessen your chances of catching cold or to help avoid complications when you do:
• Keep up your natural resistance through good nutrition and plenty of sleep and
exercise.
• Keep the thermostat in your home down and the humidity up.
• Overheating your home dries out the air, which then dries out the mucus
membranes in your nose and throat. The membranes can crack, which may allow cold
viruses to enter.
• As much as possible, avoid direct contact with those who do have colds.
• Wash your hands frequently.
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is caused by viruses that infect the
respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs_ and spread from person to person
when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Unlike many other viral respiratory
infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and
life-threatening complications in some people. The best way to prevent this
illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.
The flu season usually runs from November until April and often peaks between
January and March. While October and November is the best time to be vaccinated,
a flu shot can be given any time during the flu season.
Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children can have additional
gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but these
symptoms are uncommon in adults. Although the term “stomach flu” is sometimes
used to describe vomiting, nausea or diarrhea, these are caused by other
viruses, bacteria or possibly parasites, and are rarely related to influenza.
Influenza is highly contagious. After a person has been infected with the virus,
symptoms usually appear within one to four days, with an average of about two
days. Once infected, a person may be contagious from one day prior to becoming
sick to five days after they first develop symptoms. Some young children and
people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer that a week.
Typical treatment includes getting bed rest, drinking plenty of liquids,
avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and taking medication to relieve the symptoms of
flu. In some cases, certain antiviral drugs may be prescribed to treat the flu.
Influenza is caused by a virus; so antibiotics, such as penicillin, do not cure
it. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms,
particularly fever, without first speaking to your doctor.
Typically, those who get the flu recover in a matter of days. However, for the
elderly or those who have a chronic health problem, influenza can result in
serious complications, such as pneumonia. Persons in these high-risk categories
also are more likely to die as a result of the complications of influenza.
While the vaccination is recommended for anyone who wants to avoid getting the
flu, particularly adults older than 50 years of age, it is especially important
for certain people. The following individuals are considered most at risk of
complications from influenza and for whom a yearly flu shot is recommended:
• Persons 65 years of age and older;
• Children ages 6 months to 59 months of age;
• Residents of long-tern facilities housing persons with chronic medical
conditions;
• Persons who have long-term health problems, such as heart disease, kidney
disease, lung disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia and other blood disorders;
• Persons with certain muscle or nerve disorders that can lead to breathing or
swallowing problems, such as seizure disorders or severe cerebral palsy;
• Persons with a weakened immune system, including immune problems caused by
medicine or infection;
• Persons on long-term drug treatment;
• Persons undergoing cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs;
• Children and teenagers 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term
aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Reye syndrome after the flu; and
• Women who will be pregnant during influenza season;
• Household members, including children, who live with persons in high-risk
groups.
Reference Chart for guidance determining general measures to take when treating
a person with a “common cold” or the flu. Always notify and consult your home
physician when you or a member of your family becomes ill.
Symptom Cold Flu
Fever Fever is rare Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all
cases. A temperature of 100 F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the
flu.
Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus producing) cough is often present with a
cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the
flu (is sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains
are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously
within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. Chills are fairly common in most flu
cases. 60% of flu cases include chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe
with a cold.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold Sneezing is not common with
the flu.
Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a
rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms
like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common
with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not
commonly present with the flu.
Because influenza vaccine is only effective for one year and because viruses
vary from year to year, it is necessary to get a flu shot every year. The
following health habits can help prevent the flu:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water to help protect you from germs. If
you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person
touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her
eyes, nose or mouth.
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