Central Peninsula Hospital | Thrive | Summer 2018

R E ADY FOR F LU S E A SON Symptom check: Cold vs. flu You’re sneezing, your nose is stuffed up and you’re tired. In other words, you’re feeling lousy. You’re considering going to the drugstore to pick up some over-the- counter medicines to help relieve your symptoms. But before you do, you might want to ask yourself, “Do I have a cold or the flu?” The answer to that question is important because you may want to see your doctor for a prescription medicine if you think you have the flu. Prescription flu drugs (called anti- virals) are medicines that can reduce the amount of time you’re sick. They may also reduce your risk for potentially dangerous complications Remember the last time you got the flu? You probably felt miserable. Of course, you’d rather not go through that again. And you might not have to if you get a flu shot. In fact, with very few exceptions, everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why? Because in addition to making us miserable, the flu sometimes leads to serious complications. While even healthy people can get very sick from the flu, those most at risk for complications that can result in a hospital stay include: ●   ● Young children. ●   ● Older adults. ●   ● Pregnant women. ●   ● People with certain health problems, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. An annual must-do Because flu viruses are always changing, new vaccines must be designed annually. That’s why you need a new flu shot every year. For best protection, aim to get yours in the fall as soon as the vaccine becomes available. Who needs a flu shot? You do! You can get a FREE flu shot at our drive-thru flu shot clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Follow the signs on the hospital campus. SYMPTOM COLD FLU Fever Rare Usual, 100 to 102 degrees—may be higher, especially in young children; lasts 3 to 4 days Headache Rare Common General aches, pains Slight Usual, often severe Fatigue, weakness Sometimes Usual, lasts up to 3 weeks Exhaustion Never Usual, at the beginning of the illness Stuffy nose Common Sometimes Sneezing Usual Sometimes Sore throat Common Sometimes Chest discomfort Sometimes Common Cough Common, hacking Common, can become severe Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Use this chart to help figure out what’s ailing you. from the flu, such as pneumonia. The catch is that these medications work best when taken within the first 48 hours of develop- ing flu symptoms. 6 Central Peninsula Hospital