HRMatters 

What to do for colds and flu

Is it a cold or the flu? For your safety, know the difference

A cold and the flu (also called influenza) are alike in many ways, but the flu can sometimes lead to more serious problems, like the lung disease pneumonia.

Tiredness, stuffy nose, sore throat and sneezing are usually signs of a cold. Tiredness, fever, headache, and severe aches and pains mean you may have the flu. Coughing can be a sign of either a cold or the flu, but a bad cough usually points to the flu or a more serious problem.

Know when to call your doctor

You usually do not have to call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a cold or flu. But you should call your doctor in these situations:

• Your symptoms get worse or they last a long time.
• After feeling a little better, you develop symptoms of a more serious problem. Some of these symptoms are a sick-to-your-stomach feeling, vomiting, high fever, shaking chills, chest pain or coughing up thick, yellow-green mucus.

Try to avoid getting a cold

• Wash your hands often. You can pick up cold germs easily — even when shaking someone's hand or touching doorknobs or handrails — and then rub the germs into your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Don't touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Germs can enter your body easily by these paths.

• Avoid people with colds when possible.

• If you sneeze or cough, do it into a tissue and then throw the tissue away. If you sneeze into your hands, wash them.

• Clean surfaces you touch with a germ-killing disinfectant.

• Get fresh air on a regular basis.

Do not take antibiotics for a cold or flu

Antibiotics won't work against cold and flu germs. Antibiotics should be taken only when really needed. Taking antibiotics when they're not needed can lead to resistant bacteria.

Help yourself feel better while you are sick

A cold usually lasts only a couple of days to a week. The flu may last longer.

To feel better while you are sick:

• Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus so you can cough it up.
• Avoid cigarette smoke and alcohol.                           
• Get plenty of rest.                            
• Use a humidifier — an electric device that puts water into the air.            
• A cough and cold medicine you buy without a prescription may help.

Choose the right medicines for your symptoms

Make sure the label states that it treats your symptoms.

Adapted from What to Do for Colds and Flu, www.fda.gov, Jan. 22, 2001