What is the Flu? What are Flu Symptoms?


The Flu versus the Common Cold It's often hard to tell the difference between the seasonal flu and the common cold, either way you feel yucky. Common cold and flu 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): Prevention Tips Cleaning & Disinfecting What are flu symptoms? Sudden onset of illness High fever Extreme fatigue Dry cough Achy head Achy muscles Chills What are cold symptoms? Slow onset of illness Low or no fever Mild fatigue Severe cough and runny or stuffy nose No headache No achy muscles 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 flu 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 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as vaccine is available this fall. This season's annual flu vaccine will protect against the influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses, all of which can cause the flu. Make sure to follow flu prevention steps to help protect your family. Also continue checking our CDC flu news feed for the most up-to-date information.		Use our resources to find out where you can get vaccinated. The Handwashing Reward Chart helps establish good habits with positive reinforcement.