Family Doctor 2008

COLDS & FLU common conditions Protect yourself from colds and the ﬂu It’s that time of year again, when everyone around you seems to be coughing and sneezing. While you may not be able to avoid catching colds and the ﬂu altogether, here are steps you can take to minimize the risk. By Karen I. Montemayor coughing and having a runny nose. You may have no fever, or you may run a low fever for people who are more likely to get really sick from ﬂu-related complications. Talk to your doctor to ﬁnd out if you or your children are in one of these high-risk groups. Certain people shouldn’t get the ﬂu vaccine without talking to their doctor ﬁrst. This includes people who are allergic to eggs and people who previously had a bad reaction to the ﬂu vaccine. — just 1 or 2 degrees higher than usual. You DID YOU KNOW? More than 100 different viruses can cause a cold, but there aren’t as many viruses that cause the ﬂu. That’s why there’s a vaccine for the ﬂu but not for colds. W hen it comes to colds and inﬂuenza (“the ﬂu”), it can be hard to sort fact from ﬁction. Protect yourself and your children from getting a cold or the ﬂu — or feel better if you do get sick — by getting the facts. may also have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache. The ﬂu starts suddenly and hits hard. You’ll probably feel weak and tired, and have a fever, dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, eye pain and a sore throat. Some people who have the ﬂu may have an upset stomach, but this is rarely the main symptom of the ﬂu. An ounce of prevention The best way to avoid getting the ﬂu is to get the inﬂuenza vaccine in October or November. The vaccine is available as a shot or a nasal spray. It’s especially recommended I know I’m sick A cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, One of the ﬁrst symptoms of a cold or the ﬂu is a runny nose. familydoctor 2008 51

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Family Doctor 2008

Family Doctor 2008 Foreward Introduction Contents What Do You Want From Health Care? Confident Communication Need a New Doctor? Understanding Your Health Insurance OTC Safety as Simple as 1-2-3 The Fight Against Resistance Drug Interactions Prevention is Better than Cure Hitting a Home Run 'The Herbalist Will See You Now' Healthy Eating to Boost Your Heart and Health Exercise: The Elixir of Life Back from the Brink Taking Control Up All Night Vitamins and Minerals 101 Allergies: Combating the Causes Protect Yourself From Colds and the Flu Diabetes: Assessing Your Risk Dealing with Diabetes The Cholesterol Count Getting a Grip on Hypertension Facts About CKD Banish the Burn Easing the Pain Stop the Pounding Urinary Tract Infections: Common and Preventable Skin Essentials The ABCs of COPD Impotence: Tackling the Old Taboo Taking Responsibility for Your Health Prostate Cancer Screening: Is it For You? Protecting Your Prostate Heart Disease and Women: Know the Risks Birth Control to Suit You Maneuvering Through Menopause Help for PMS Infertility: Problems Having a Baby Preventive Health: What Women Need to Know Pregnancy: Taking Care of You and Your Baby Eating for Two Postpartum Mood Disorders The Basics of Breast Milk Newborn Screening Tests: Possible Lifesavers Common Newborn Conditions Childhood Vaccines: Why They're Necessary Food Allergies: The Facts Facing Your Acne Raising Grades Staying On Your Feet Age Gracefully: Take Care of Your Bones Battling Osteoarthritis Tackling Anxiety Beating the Blues

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