Cold and Flu Information
What is the Flu?
The flu is known as influenza – it’s a virus. The flu is a communicable infection of the lungs caused by influenza viruses. When a person who has the flu coughs or sneezes into the air, the virus travels
in the air and can enter your body. When it enters the body it usually enters through the mouth, nose or eyes. Once the flu is in the body,
it is common to feel symptoms of being sick.
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What are Symptoms of the Flu?
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting
- Chills
- Feeling tired
- Dry cough
- Diarrhea
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What Are the Different Types of the Flu?
There are 3 types of influenza viruses (Flu):
- Influenza Type A - the most common and has caused the most serious outbreaks in history.
- Influenza Type B can be less severe than type A.
- Influenza Type C causes infections of the lungs similar to the common cold.
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How Do You Get the Flu?
The flu travels in the air and enters the body through the mouth, nose or eyes. Cover your mouth when you sneeze and wash your
hands often to prevent the spread of germs. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Do not share with friends or family drinks or
eating utensils (forks, spoons, etc.) is you are sick.
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What is the Right Drug for the Right Bug?
|
Illness |
Usual Cause |
Antibiotic Needed? |
|
Virus |
Bacteria |
|
Cold |
x |
|
No |
|
Flu (influenza)
|
x |
|
No |
|
Chest cold
|
x |
|
No |
|
Bronchitis
|
x |
|
No |
|
Green/yellow runny nose
|
x |
|
No |
|
Middle ear infections
|
|
x |
Sometimes |
|
Strep Throat
|
|
x |
Yes |
|
Sinus Infection
|
|
x |
Sometimes |
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Antibiotics Do Not Cure The Flu
Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and can only treat bacterial infections. The flu is a viral infectionand can not be treated with antibiotics.
Taking antibiotics to fight the flu can actually be harmful to your health. Antibiotics
do not kill viruses like a cold, flu or most bronchitis infections. Take antibiotics only when your doctor prescribes antibiotic for you.
Taking antibiotics puts you ate risk for developing “super bugs” resistant to antibiotics.
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How You Can Stay Healthy
- Never use antibiotics for a cold or the flu. They don’t work!
- Never share or take leftover antibiotics.
- Finish your antibiotic prescription even if you start to feel better.
- Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of germs.
- Talk to your pharmacist of doctor about using antibiotics the right way.
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For more information, please visit
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H1N1 Flu [Swine Influenza (Flu)]
What is H1N1 Flu [Swine Influenza (Flu)]?
The H1N1 Flu, referred to as Swine Influenza (Flu), is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
 |
- Human and swine flu viruses are different. People who get vaccinated for
human flu can still get sick from swine flu.
- Symptoms of swine flu in people are no different from symptoms that people get when they are infected with human flu viruses.
- People infected with flu typically have fever (often high), cough, body aches, headaches, fatigue and runny or stuffy nose. Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.
- It is important to know if swine flu viruses are spreading among people so that public health authorities can work to prevent future cases.
|
For more information on H1N1 Flu [Swine Influenza (Flu)], visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
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H1N1 Flu [Swine Influenza (Flu)] Resources & Links
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