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Cold or the Flu?
Here are some tips for prevention:
- Handwashing is
the #1 prevention - be sure to wash hands frequently and especially
before meals, but particularly in public settings such as schools,
workplace and the grocery store. (Hand sanitizer can be used when soap
and water are not accessible.)
- Use tissue for sniffling and coughing. Cough into your elbow.
- Get plenty of rest,
fluids and proper nutrition to keep your immune system healthy.
- Check with your health
care provider regarding the flu vaccine for all family members.
If you experience flu
virus symptoms, (such as cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and
fever):
- Get plenty of rest and fluids.
- Use over the counter
cold remedies with the direction of your health care provider or
pharmacist.
- Staff and students should NOT attend school
with either a fever over 100.5 or severe coughing (anyone attending with
these symptoms will be sent home due to contagiousness and illness).
- Staff and students
should NOT attend school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. This
will help assure that they are no longer contagious.
- If your child is out
ill with flu symptoms, would you please notify us of the presence of flu
symptoms when you call the absence phone line.
Is it a Cold or the
Flu?
|
Symptoms
|
Cold
|
Flu |
|
Fever
|
Rare |
Usually
high,
greater than 100 degrees;
lasts 3-4
days
|
|
Headache
|
Rare |
Common |
|
General
Aches & Pains
|
Slight |
Usual,
often
severe |
|
Fatigue/
Weakness
|
Sometimes |
Usual,
can
last up to 2-3 weeks |
|
Extreme
Exhaustion
|
Never |
Usual,
during beginning of illness |
|
Stuffy
Nose
|
Common |
Sometimes |
|
Sneezing
|
Usual |
Sometimes |
|
Sore
Throat
|
Common |
Sometimes |
|
Chest
Discomfort
|
Mild
to moderate;
hacking cough |
Common;
can
be severe |
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Treatment |
Antihistamines,
Decongestants,
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medicines
|
Antiviral
medication-see your doctor |
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Prevention
|
Wash
your hands often!
Avoid
close contact with any one with a cold
|
Annual
vaccination, antiviral medications-see your doctor
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Complications
|
Sinus
infection,
middle ear infection,
asthma
|
Bronchitis
or pneumonia,
can
be life threatening
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Adapted from: US Department of Health and
Human Services , National Institute of Health, National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious DiseasesLast Modified on 4/17/2013 9:46:13 AM
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