Colds, Flu Not the Same; Reduce Risks With These Tips 2/28/02

Why do people get more colds in the winter? People are more likely to contract a cold in the winter, but don’t blame it on the temperature. Viruses thrive when humidity is low. Dry winter air – and spending more time indoors – can dry up nasal passages and make them more susceptible to infection.

–Mike Bradshaw, safety specialist
K-State Research and Extension

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Flu season usually peaks in February, and this year health officials are reporting an unusually high number of cases in eleven states, including Kansas. While being immunized before flu season can offer significant protection, it still is possible to take steps to reduce risks from the flu – and colds, too, said Mike Bradshaw, Kansas State University Research and Extension safety specialist.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is like a cold in that it also is a respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. A cold can be unpleasant, but the flu is more likely to have serious complications, including pneumonia and death, he said.

Flu symptoms usually come on quickly – a sudden headache or feeling tired may, for example, signal onset of the illness. Other symptoms may include a fever that can last three or four days; runny nose; sneezing; sore throat and cough, which can be severe. This year, many people also are reporting nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, Bradshaw said.

Cold symptoms usually come on gradually, perhaps over two to three days. Typical cold symptoms include mild muscle aches; tiredness or weakness; runny nose and congestion that may affect the ears; sneezing; sore throat, and mild, hacking cough. Colds usually do not produce a headache. A fever also is rare in adults and older children, but may occur in infants and small children.

To reduce your risks during cold and flu season, try to avoid contact with others who are sick. Try also to separate a sick child or family member from others in the family. And, whenever possible, avoid crowds. Shopping when the supermarket is least crowded would be an example.

"Washing your hands in hot, soapy water frequently before and after eating, after using a restroom, or after coughing into a tissue and discarding it can reduce risks. Try also not to touch your nose, mouth, or eyes. Doing so can spread a virus," Bradshaw said.

Eating a variety of foods [including fruits and vegetables], drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day, minimizing stress, and getting plenty of rest can make a person less vulnerable to infection.

While some flu-sufferers report that they are symptom-free in two to three days, the flu generally runs its course in one to two weeks. Colds usually last three to five days for adults and longer – up to 10 days – for children. Home remedies, such as gargling with warm salt water to relieve a sore throat or eating chicken soup to relieve congestion, and over-the-counter pain relievers can ease discomfort.

Women who are pregnant and others who may suffer from severe chronic illness, such as heart or lung disease, are encouraged to keep their health-care professional advised, the safety specialist said.

The same is true if you experience trouble breathing; have a fever of 102 F that hangs on for three or more days; have a cough that becomes severe and/or lasts longer than a week to 10 days, or have pain in one or both ears.

For more information on health and safety, contact the local K-State Research and Extension office.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.