After the typical hot Texas summer, everyone looks forward to cooler weather, but not the cold and flu season that comes with it. Understanding the difference between having a cold and having the flu can help determine the proper treatment for a faster recovery. Every flu season is different, and even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. There is no vaccine to prevent colds, but there is for the flu.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated every year!
Cold
The common cold is a contagious upper respiratory infection caused by cold viruses, and should not last more than a week.
Flu
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can cause mild to severe illness. The flu can cause serious or life threatening complications for very young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
| Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
| Fever
*the elderly may not have fever. |
rare | (100.4°F and above)
lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | rare | severe |
| General Aches and Pains | slight | usual and often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness, Tiredness | quite mild | early and severe, can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Stuffy Nose | common | sometimes |
| Sneezing | usual | sometimes |
| Sore Throat | common | sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort | sometimes
|
common
|
| Cough | dry, choking cough | can become severe |
Cold Treatment
Since colds are caused by a virus, antibiotics will not cure it. However, if cold symptoms last longer than a week, you should go to the doctor because you could have a bacterial infection that may require antibiotics. To help you feel better while you are sick, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids (i.e. water, clear juices or broths). If needed, use a humidifier to soothe dry air passages.
Flu Treatment
For the flu, there are prescription drugs available that can make your symptoms milder, help you feel better faster, and possibly prevent serious flu-related complications, like pneumonia. See your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse, last a long time or include vomiting, high fever, chest pains or coughing with thick, yellow-green mucus.
Prevention
Practicing good health habits such as covering your cough, washing your hands often, and staying home when you are sick can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the cold and flu.
Keep countertops clean, especially when someone in your family is sick, and avoid sharing hand towels. Clean the areas where the most germs reside like doorknobs, faucets, remote controls, light switches, telephones and mobile devices.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone who is at least six months of age or older should get the flu vaccine this season. For the 2016-17 season, CDC recommends use of the flu shot instead of the nasal spray flu vaccine.
Getting vaccinated is especially important for the following groups:
- Anyone with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic lung disease.
- Pregnant women
- Young children
- Anyone 65 years of age and older.
- Anyone who lives with or cares for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications.
Harris County Public Health offers the flu vaccine for $12.00 at our health clinics.
To make an appointment, please call our Patient Appointment Call Center at
(713) 212-6800. For more information visit our website at www.hcphtx.org.
| Antoine Health Clinic 5815 Antoine, Suite A Houston, Texas 77091 |
Baytown Health Clinic 1000 Lee Drive Baytown, Texas 77520 |
| Humble Health Clinic
1730 Humble Place Drive Humble, Texas 77338 |
Southeast Health Clinic 3737 Red Bluff Road Pasadena, Texas 77503 |