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Is It Cold or Flu?
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Jan 6, 2016 - 9:11:07 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, Akron, Ohio: "Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fortunately, though, there are some steps that you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones from cold and flu.

Stock the cabinets

"In preparation for the cold and flu season it's advisable to stock up on some basic items for home," says Douglas W. Harley, DO, Cleveland Clinic Akron General primary care physician. "These can include a supply of facial tissues, cough drops/syrup, hydrating fluids such as water or sports drinks, and NSAIDs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen. These basic supplies will allow you to weather most of the symptoms the cold or the flu might throw at you this season. Preventative items such as vitamin C, Echinacea, and other over-the-counter vitamins may offer some added benefit in preventing the onset of a cold or the flu, however the current medical literature is limited on their effectiveness."

I'm sick, now what?

Since cold and flu are both viruses, antibiotics are not effective in treating either illness. The following items may help to reduce symptoms of cold and flu, though:

Is it a cold or the flu?

Well, just how sick are you? Sometimes, the symptoms can be similar. The flu comes on suddenly and your symptoms are more intense - your fever is higher, your cough is more severe and you may experience strong aches, pains and fatigue. Colds are typically milder than the flu and can linger from several days to several weeks. Below are some of the symptoms of a cold versus the flu.

Cold symptoms:

Flu symptoms:

  • Low-grade fever
  • High fever
  • Chills
  • Often severe aches and pains
  • Headache
  • Headache (more common with flu than cold)
  • Sneezing and/or a stuffy, runny nose
  • Sometimes sneezing
  • Mild, hacking cough
  • Cough, often becoming severe
  • Scratchy, tickly or sore throat
  • Clear nasal discharge
  • Achy muscles and bones or fatigue
  • Sometimes a sore throat


  • Extreme exhaustion


  • Several weeks of fatigue


When is "the flu" not the flu?

With the "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu," severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, or gastroenteritis, can make you just as miserable as flu, but the viruses that trigger them are different. A stomach virus targets your intestines rather than your airways, which is where the flu virus attacks.

When should I see my doctor?

While a cold or flu often can be treated at home, more serious cases require a doctor's care, especially for young children or the elderly who are more likely to develop complications. If you have symptoms of the flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider.

For flu patients, antiviral medications, when started within the first two days of symptoms, may reduce how long you'll have the flu and the severity of symptoms. If you suspect you have the flu, it's important to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible in order to possibly benefit from antiviral medications.

Emergency rooms are for people who are very sick; the CDC recommends that you do not go to an ER if you are only mildly ill. If you or a family member are experiencing any of the below emergency warning signs, it may be time to visit an emergency room.

Your primary care physician (PCP) is the best person to visit if you are sick, since they know your health history. If you are unable to see your PCP, visit akrongeneral.org/flu for a complete list of Cleveland Clinic and Akron General locations that can provide prompt treatment. Through Cleveland Clinic Akron General's expanded network, we're sure to be where you need us.

About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S.News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. More than 3,000 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 11,000 nurses represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. The Cleveland Clinic health system includes a main campus near downtown Cleveland, eight community hospitals, more than 90 northern Ohio outpatient locations, including 18 full-service family health centers, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2014, there were 5.9 million outpatient visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 152,500 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and 147 countries. Visit us at www.clevelandclinic.org.  Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.

About Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Cleveland Clinic Akron General is a nonprofit healthcare organization that has been improving the health and lives of the people and communities it serves since 1914. Akron General includes: Akron General Medical Center, a 532-bed teaching and research medical center, and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation, the area's largest provider of rehabilitation services; Akron General Partners, which includes Partners Physician Group, the Akron General Health & Wellness Centers, Lodi Community Hospital, Community Health Centers and other companies; Akron General Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates; and Akron General Foundation. Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Akron General Medical Center as the seventh best hospital in Ohio. For more information about Akron General, visit akrongeneral.org.

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