COLDS AND FLUS

The Viral Twins

The common cold and influenza (flu) are both viral infections of the respiratory system. Colds usually are causes by a type of virus called Rhinovirus (rhino means nose). Flu is caused by any of several known influenza viruses, but during any one flu season (primarily fall and winter), usually one type of flu virus is more common. Both cold and flu viruses are spread from one person to another through contact with saliva or mucous droplets from moist breath, talking, sneezing, coughing, or hand contact with the mouth or nose.

Viruses

Viruses are minute organisms not visable with the ordinary microscope and are therefore very difficult to study. They are parasitic and depend on nutrients inside the cells for their metabolic and reproductive needs. Antibiotics which are effective against bacteria do nothing to combat viruses. That is why a practitioner may not prescribe antibiotics for a cold or flu. If a secondary bacterial infection is present, a practitioner will prescribe antibiotics.

Symptoms

A cold is characterized by a run-down feeling, scratchy throat, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezes. Sometimes a mild temperature or a subnormal temperature is present (97-100 degrees). Cold symptoms usually last five to seven days.

The flu often begins like a cold, with a runny nose and a general run-down feeling, but more severe symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, muscle pain, weakness, headache, dry cough, or loss of appetite, develop abruptly in one or two days. Occasionally nausea and vomiting or diarrhea, or all three, accompany flu symptoms. Chills and subnormal temperature or a mild temperature are more common than with a cold.

Treatment

Usually a cold is self-limiting and can be managed by common-sense care with rest, fluids, and hot salt water gargles. Most medications used for colds and flu provide relief of symptoms but don't kill viruses the way antibiotics fight bacterial infections.

HERE ARE SOME SELF-CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

• For muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, or mild fever, take aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as recommended on the label.
• For nasal stuffiness, drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions. You may also find a vaporizer or an over-the-counter decongestant helpful.
• How much rest you need depends on how you feel. Try not to ger overly tired. Remember, your body needs energy to fight illness, so if you use up ypur energy with activities, you are not likely to get well easily. During the first two or three days of flu, you are probably better off resting away from others rather than going to school.
• For nausea, vomiting or diarrhea:
  • Take frequent clear liquids--water, tea, broth or bouillon, jello, diluted apple or grape juice, 7-UP, cola, ginger ale, ice chips and popsicles.
  • Avoid other juices, milk, ice cream and sherbert.
  • Progress to a light diet of lean meat, boiled eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, rice (avoid wheat), apples and bananas.
  • In a few days, add cooked vegetables (no corn).
• For sore throat, a hot saline gargle of eight ounces comfortably hot water and one teaspoon salt, gargled every two to four hours when you are awake.
• In summary:
  • Rest
  • Fluids
  • Hot saline gargles

The treatment area (area C) of the Student Health Center provides screening, throat cultures, and over-the-counter drugs to relieve symptoms. The pharmacy also has over-the-counter medications at a reduced cost to students.

Warning Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical help:

• Any ear ache.
• Temperature of 101 degrees F. (38.9 degrees C.) or higher and fever present for 24 hours or longer.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Coughing up yellow or green mucous.
• Severe sore throat.
• History of bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, heart disease, or any other chronic condition that is worsened by a cold or flu.

Your Temperature

For most people, the normal average body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.). Normal temperature is lower in the morning (97 degrees F.) and after a period of rest, and higher in the afternoon or after activity (99 degrees F.)

A thermometer is more helpful than your toothbrush when you are sick. The pharmacy at the Health Center sells thermometers to students at minimal cost.

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