No.. I don’t have the flu. How do I know you ask? I guess I don’t know for sure, but keeping up with the flu news and symptoms on local news sites gives me the information I need to at least know what the chances are that what I have is either a flu or cold.
Here are my symptoms:
Sore throat, headache, fatigue, runny nose, stuffy ears, etc.. What I don’t have is a fever (a lot of hot flashes..ugh, but not an official fever) and that to me is a pretty good indication that I don’t have the flu.
I feel awful for the hospitals, doctors, and after-hour clinics here in Atlanta that are bogged down with people wondering if they have the H1N1 flu virus. If I was running a temperature then maybe I would consider calling my doctor, but the news, health magazines, and health web sites have made it pretty clear what the symptoms of the flu and H1N1 flu are. These include but are not limited to a FEVER. So, if you feel down in the dumps, are sneezing, coughing, have a runny nose, sore throat, and your body aches, keep in mind that you may have a cold. However, if you have any doubt at all, call your doctor!
Here is a Cold vs. Flu symptom chart I copied from WebMd.com.
|
Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever | Rare | Characteristic, high (100-102 degrees F); lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | Rare | Prominent |
| General Aches, Pains | Slight | Usual; often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness | Quite mild | Can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion | Never | Early and prominent |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort, Cough |
Mild to moderate; hacking cough |
Common; can become severe |
|
Complications |
Sinus congestion or earache |
Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening |
|
Prevention |
Good hygiene | Annual flu shot or FluMist |
|
Treatment |
Only temporary relief of symptoms |
Antiviral drugs (oseltamivir or zanamavir) within 24-48 hours of onset |
Websites to turn to when you’re not sure if you have a cold or the flu:
WebMd.com cold & flu guide
WSBTV Atlanta News station Swine Flu updates
It’s also important to keep in mind that allergies can hit hard this time of year. Check out the AtlantaMoms.com Asthma and Allergies guide to find local resources to help your family with their allergies. Visit our Alternative Medicine for Kids guide to learn more about how you can care for your family using Naturopathy and Nutrition Counseling.
