PIH Health Hospital : Flu Symptoms and Prevention

Flu Symptoms and Prevention

Do I have a cold or the flu?

It can be difficult to determine whether that sore throat and stuffy nose is the sign of influenza or a cold. Flu season is here. This chart will help prepare you to tell the difference:

Symptom	Cold	Flu
High Fever	Rarely	Yes, 100°F - 102°F (may be higher in young children)
Headache	Sometimes	Yes, often severe and starting suddenly
Body Aches	Rare or mild	Yes, often severe and starting suddenly
Tiredness	Sometimes	Yes, can be extreme
Sore Throat	Yes, common	Yes, common
Cough	Yes, mild to moderate	Yes, can be severe
Stuffy Nose	Yes, common	Sometimes

How do I keep from getting the flu?

Healthy is as healthy does, and that goes for your whole body, inside and out. Here are some simple ways to keep your immune system in good enough shape to fight off the flu and other germs:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Exercise at least four days a week
• Get seven to nine hours of sleep a night
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water

Exercise is a particularly good booster for your immune system. Moderate exercise, like a brisk walk, for as little as 45 minutes a day, five days a week, can reduce risk of a cold significantly. Your diet matters greatly, too. Try to eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.

How do I avoid spreading the flu?

'We want community members to realize that there are steps they can take to protect themselves from the flu and minimize the spread of the flu to others,' says Rosalio Lopez MD MBA, PIH Health's SVP and Chief Medical Officer/Chief Strategic Officer. The flu is spread by contact. That means we can take steps to avoid getting it or spreading it. If you have a cold or flu or even think you might, here are some simple steps you can take to help stop the spread of germs that can make you or others sick:

• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hand
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze
• Put your used tissue straight into a waste basket
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds
• Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner
• Wear a surgical mask

'We all want to protect our loved ones, friends and neighbors and the best way to do that is, when we become ill, to limit our exposure to others,' Dr. Lopez says. 'If you do get sick with flu-like symptoms, it is recommended that you stay home. That way, you will limit contact with others and help them stay healthy this flu season. If your symptoms linger or worsen, see your physician.'