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Cold or Flu, Which Is It?

November 22, 2016
Symptoms of a Cold: Runny nose, sore throat, cough, slightly swollen glands, and aches and pains. You may feel: slight aches, headache and a scratchy throat, but you feel OK to continue normal activities.
Symptoms of Flu: You've got signs of a cold and a fever over 100 degrees F, chest coughs, chills and possible vomiting, diarrhea and full body aches. You may feel: ill quickly- it often comes on fast. Extreme fatigue will incapacitate you for a few days. When to call the Dr.?
  • Call ASAP If you have difficulty breathing.
  • You have a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F.
  • Severe Vomiting
  • Over a week or ten days of upper respiratory symptoms.
  • More than ten days of coughing, or coughing that is making it hard to sleep
Fighting a cold involves taking it easy and drinking plenty of fluids. A cold can last ten days.
Fighting the flu will put you down in bed for 3-7 days. Your physician might call in an Rx for you. You can return to normal life when you no longer have a fever. William Schaffner, MD. Infectious disease expert and professor of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt university says it’s ok to snuggle with your pets. It can be comforting.
BrightStar Care is here to help with temporary assistance for your loved one's while you recuperate. Call 314-984-8650