Facts About a Cold or Flu

A cold and flu are viral illnesses that are spread from one person to another by coughing and sneezing.

• Because they are viruses, they cannot be cured by antibiotics.
• There is no immunization to protect you from a cold.
• Immunizations against the flu are given each fall to those at risk such as older patients or patients with chronic illness.
• Although you may feel very sick, cold or flu rarely leads to more serious complications and is usually only dangerous for infants and elderly.

About the Flu Vaccine Shortage

With the current projected shortage of flu vaccine, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that most healthy adults should delay or skip the flu shot this year to leave enough vaccine for the elderly and other high-risk patients. The following priority groups, as listed on CDC’s website, are considered to be of equal importance and include:

• All children aged 6-23 months.
• Adults aged 65 years and older.
• Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions.
• All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• Children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy.
• Health-care workers involved in direct patient care.
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged <6 months.

If you don’t fall into a category above, you can still do a lot personally to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Tips to Prevent a Cold or Flu

• Wash hands frequently.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth.
• Eat a well balanced diet.
• Use separate eating and drinking utensils for each family member.
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze.
• Do not share toothpaste.
• Clean telephone headsets regularly.

When to call Your Doctor

• A cough that brings up a significant amount of yellow, green, brown, or bloody mucous, or has lasted longer than two weeks.
• Constant runny nose with yellow or green mucous for more than five days.
• A sore throat that is bright red or pus is visible at the back of the throat.
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
• Earache or facial pain.
• A discharge from the nose for longer than 10 days.
• A severe headache that will not go away.

What About an Antibiotic?

Antibiotics are prescription medicines that attack bacterial germs that cause infections. Infections are caused by viruses or bacteria. Viruses cause colds, sore throats and the flu. Antibiotics are of no use in infections caused by viruses, but work very well against infections caused by bacteria.

Use Antibiotics Properly

• Don't share your medication with others.
• Always finish the prescription.
• Take the medication exactly as the doctor has instructed.

What Can Over-the-Counter Medications Do for Me?

Home Remedies

• Get plenty of rest.
• Do not attempt to suppress a cough that is mucous producing.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid excessively dry air.
• Avoid smoking.