Colds and Flu

 

 

What is the flu?

Influenza, or the flu, is a viral respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, trachea, and bronchi. For most healthy adults, influenza feels like a bad cold. Symptoms of influenza include:

• Sudden onset of fever, chills, general discomfort, muscle aches, and headache.
• Respiratory symptoms similar to that of a common cold (runny nose, sore throat, and bad cough). However, influenza symptoms are more abrupt in onset and worse in severity than cold symptoms.
• Fever higher (102° F-104° F) than fever associated with a cold. Headaches and muscle aches are also worse with influenza.

What is a cold?

A cold is a viral respiratory infection of the nose and throat. Symptoms of a cold include:

• Runny or congested (stuffy) nose (main symptom).
• Clear, cloudy, yellow, or green nasal discharge.
• Sneezing.
• Mild fever and muscle aches, feeling tired and sleepy, headache.
• Scratchy or sore throat.
• Postnasal drip, throat clearing, cough.
• A cold is sometimes associated with hoarseness, tearing eyes, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

 Colds are very common. The average adult experiences three to four colds each year. Viruses cause colds, and no medicine or shot will cure an uncomplicated cold. Colds are usually not serious. Most patients with colds do not need to be seen by a health care provider. Rarely, colds can lead to more serious illnesses such as sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis media.

Expected Course of Flu and Colds

The fever lasts two to three days, the runny nose five to 14 days, and the cough two to three weeks. If you have flu symptoms, please stay home to care for yourself and prevent spreading the flu to others. If you have questions about your flu symptoms or treatment and would like to speak to a nurse, please call Student Health Service during office hours at 723-6282.

Treatment

Unfortunately, health care providers really cannot provide treatment for most cases of the flu or a cold. However, you can usually take care of a cold or the flu without a doctor's assistance. You should call Student Health Service, your provider or urgent care if:

• You have difficulty breathing.
• Your fever lasts more than three days or returns after resolving.
• Your runny nose lasts more than 14 days.
• Your cough lasts more than three weeks or is worsening after one week.
• You become short of breath or develop wheezing.
• You develop bloody mucus.
• You exhibit signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, not passing urine, or lack of tears when crying.
• You are unable to take in or keep down fluids.
• You have blurred vision.
• You experience a change in mental status such as confusion, slow thinking, or excessive sleepiness.

Treating Symptoms

Most cold medicines are not helpful. They cannot remove dried mucus from the nose. Antihistamines are only helpful if you also have nasal allergies. Antibiotics are not helpful unless you develop an ear or sinus infection.

Pain and fever-For pain and fever relief, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Do not use aspirin unless you are 17 years of age or older. Don't take acetaminophen if you have liver disease. Take only as directed and read instructions thoroughly on all medications.

Sore throat-Use lozenges, hard candy, or warm broth. Gargling with salt water every four hours can help. Add 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to eight ounces (240 mL) of warm water.

Cough-Use cough drops.

Hydrate-Drink liquids (six to eight glasses of water daily). If the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier.

Runny nose-Blow your nose. Apply petroleum jelly to nasal openings to protect from irritation (cleanse skin first).

Blocked nose-Use nasal washes. Nasal saline may be purchased or made at home. To make saline nose drops:

• Add 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to eight ounces (240 mL) of warm water.
• Put two to three drops of saline in each nostril to loosen dried mucus.
• Blow each nostril separately.
• Repeat nose drops and blowing until discharge is clear.

Another option is to take a hot shower. Breathe in the moist air through the nose and then blow each nostril.

Contagiousness

Flu and colds are spread by coughing and sneezing. Spread is rapid because the incubation period is only 24 to 36 hours and the viruses are very contagious. You can return to work or school when the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) and you feel well enough to participate in normal activities.

Prevention

Most cold and flu viruses are transferred from the fingertips to the eyes, nose, or mouth where they can enter your body. To help prevent the spread of colds and flu:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water (15-30 seconds, remember under your fingernails, between your fingers, and wrists).
• If no sink is available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid putting fingers to your nose, mouth, or eyes.
• Avoid sharing objects (pencils, towels, telephones, etc.) or beverages.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of tissues immediately. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
• Maintain healthy habits such as adequate rest, good nutrition, and daily exercise.

Flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended as a way to prevent the flu, especially for people who are at high risk for developing serious complications-such as the elderly and people with asthma or other lung disease, heart disease, or another chronic illness. The vaccine is also recommended for individuals who work in health care facilities and are exposed to respiratory illness repeatedly.