Primary Care Services
A clinical unit of SHC
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You can stay healthy during cold and flu season by reducing the spread of germs.
Preventing Colds, Coughs & Flu
Respiratory illnesses, whether the common cold or influenza ("the flu"), are caused by viruses (sometimes referred to as "germs") which are spread from person to person by:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Unclean hands
To help reduce the spread of germs, which can cause the spread of respiratory infections:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- If you don't have a tissue, use your shirt sleeve/upper arm rather than your hand. Unclean hands are a major way that germs get spread from person to person.
- Throw away used tissues in a waste basket.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, using either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand clean.
- Stay at home and rest if you are sick, both to help recover and to minimize spread to others.
Symptoms of the Flu Include:
- Fever, often higher than 102 F/38.9 C
- Chills
- Headaches
- Muscle Aches and Pains
- Cough
How is the flu different than a cold?
Both colds and flu are caused by viral infections. Colds usually involve a stuffy or runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, mild cough and sometimes a fever. Cold symptoms are less intense than flu, and symptoms tend to resolve faster than flu.
How do I prevent the flu?
The best prevention methods are using the methods described above to reduce the spread of germs and to get a flu shot each year.
Flu shots are recommended for individuals who are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu. This includes people over the age of 65, diabetics, asthmatics, individuals with chronic heart conditions, and also pregnant women. In addition, flu shots are recommended for all health care workers and for all individuals who have close contact with sick or elderly persons.
In years when the supply of flu vaccine is limited, these individuals will be given priority to get flu shots ahead of the general population. In years where the supply is not limited, it is encouraged that all individuals who do not have contraindications to the vaccine get vaccinated.
When should I see a medical provider if I have cold symptoms?
Cold symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks, but may last longer. Chest colds, also called bronchitis (and also usually caused by viruses), can last up to 3 weeks (and sometimes as long as 8 weeks). Consider seeing a health care provider if symptoms are not improving after 1-2 weeks. In addition, you should see a health care provider if at any time you develop a high fever (› 102 F/38.9 C), have difficulty breathing or swallowing (beyond normal discomfort with swallowing that is typical for a sore throat), develop a severe headache, develop severe fatigue, or have cold symptoms accompanied by a rash.
Also, if you have a sore throat with swollen tonsils that have white or yellow patches, accompanied by fever and/or swollen glands, see a provider to assess for strep throat. While most sore throats are caused by viruses, strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics.
How can I find out more about the flu?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The American Lung Association both have information on their web sites about the flu.
Can a cold be treated with antibiotics?
Most colds, also known as upper respiratory infections, and most chest infections, also known as bronchitis, are caused by viral infections. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections but not viral infections. The overuse of antibiotics to treat viral illnesses is a major cause of the development of resistance to antibiotics by many bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing problem that is affecting populations in all parts of the world, including the United States.
In addition, unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics result in many patients experiencing the side effects of antibiotics (most commonly gastrointestinal symptoms) without the benefits of treating the underlying viral infections.
For more information on antibiotics and resistance, see the CDC web site.
If antibiotics do not treat a cold, is there anything that can?
The best treatment for a cold is getting rest and keeping warm and well hydrated. Over-the-counter cold medications can also help to control the symptoms of a cold until it resolves.
Good Health Habits During Cold and Flu Season
Practicing good health habits during cold and flu season can reduce your chances of getting a cold or the flu.
- Avoid close contact.
When you're sick, avoid close contact with others to protect them from getting sick too. - Stay home when you're sick.
If possible, stay home when you're sick to prevent others from catching your illness. - Cover your mouth and nose.
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing may prevent those around you from getting sick. - Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs, then touches his/her eyes, nose or mouth.