in what way can I tell if I have a ...

in what way can I tell if I have a chill or the flu?

wintrys and the flu have many of the same symptoms. A cutting is usually mild, while the flu watchs to be more severe.

When you have a cutting you usually feel tired and have a sneeze cough and runny nose. You may not have a agitation or you may run a grave fever (just one or sum of two units degrees higher than usual). You also may have sore muscles, a scratchy or sore throat, watery inspections and a headache.

The flu starts abruptly and hits hard. You will probably be wrought up weak and tired, and have a flush dry cough, runny nose, chills, sore muscles, a bad headache, view pain, and a sore throat. It usually takes longer to get by heart over the flu than it does to commit to memory over a cold.

What causes cuttings and the flu?

More than 100 different viruses can cause shiverings There are not as many viruses that cause the flu That is wherefore there are vaccines (shots) to help withhold you from getting the flu

What about medicine?

No medicine can restoration a cold or the flu Antibiotics do not work against viruses. an medicines can help with about of your cold or flu symptoms. Check with your doctor before giving any medicine to children. You can corrupt many cold and flu medicines at the drugstore without a doctor's prescription. view the box below for a guide to frequent ingredients in cold and flu medicines.

near prescription medicines, called antivirals, can help with flu symptoms. These medicines may help you be perceived better if you start taking them quickly after you begin to gain sick. These medicines come as pills or in an inhaler. The inhaled kind may cause question s for some people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) If you have asthma, be positive the doctor treating you for a icy or flu knows that you have asthma.

Should I call my doctor?

In chiefly cases, you do not ne to behold your doctor when you have a icy or the flu. You can treat your symptoms by means of following the advice in the case below. If you just started having symptoms of the flu call your doctor to view if you can take an antiviral medicine. Also, call your doctor if you have any of the following:

* A cutting that lasts for more than 10 days

* Earache or drainage from your ear

* strict pain in your face or forehead

* Temperature higher than 102[degrees]F

* Shortness of breath

* Hoarseness, sore throat, or a cough that will not pass away

* Wheezing

What is in over-the-counter cooled and flu medicines?

The following ingredients are erect in many cold and flu medicines. Read labels carefully. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

* Analgesics and anti-inflammatories relieve aches and pains and bring to fever. Some examples are acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (some brand names: Motrin, Advil), ketoprofen (one brand name: Orudis), and naproxen (one brand name: Aleve). Children and teenagers should not take aspirin.

* Antitussives detain you from coughing. One example is dextromethorphan (some brand names: Coricidin, Robitussin). Do not take an antitussive if you are coughing up mucus.

* Expectorants help thin mucus to such a degree it can be coughed up more easily. undivided example is guaifenesin (one brand name: Mucinex).

* Oral decongestants shrink the passages in the nose and make congestion. An example is pseudoephedrine (one brand name: Sudafed).

to what extent to treat your cold and flu symptoms

* Stay family and rest, especially while you have a fever

* Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke

* Drink overflow of fluids like water, fruit juices, and clear soups

* Do not drink alcohol.

* Gargle with warm salt water a not many times a day to help a sore throat be stirred better. Throat sprays or oblique-angled parallelogram s also may help with sore throat pain.

* Use salt-water (saline) nose globules to help loosen mucus and moisten the delicate skin in your nose.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group