The Flu versus the Common Cold
It's often hard to tell the difference between the flu and the common cold, either way you feel yucky. Symptoms are a lot alike, but they are more severe with the flu. The flu can also result in other serious health problems. Both cold and flu are respiratory illnesses, but caused by different viruses (Dowshen, Steven (2004). "Is it a Cold or the Flu?" www.kidshealth.org):


How It Spreads
A simple cough or sneeze can spread the flu from person to person. It can also spread when a person touches something with the flu virus on it, like a door handle or a toy, and then touches his or her mouth or nose.

People can be infected with the flu and not realize it for a few days. In fact, you can infect other people 1 day before symptoms occur and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means you can be contagious even before you realize you have the flu, in addition to while you are sick.

Vaccination Is More Important Than Ever
This flu season, for the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) increased the recommended ages for children to get vaccinated against the flu. The CDC now recommends all healthy children 6 months to 5 years old get vaccinated. The CDC also now recommends vaccinations for people in frequent contact with children 6 months to 5 years old to help prevent the spread of the flu. This means mom and dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents too.