[Kelly_S]

10 TIPS FOR COLD AND FLU, Arizona Daily Start, Tucson, Arizona on Friday, 2 February 2001 by Loni Nannini,

Distinguish between a cold and the flu.

"'Cold' and 'flu' are terms used interchangeably by laypeople, but from a medical standpoint there is a distinction between true influenza and the common cold," said Dr. Kent Campbell, interim dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Arizona.

Campbell said dozens of viruses cause colds. Rhinoviruses are the usual perpetrators, producing well-known symptoms - low fever, congestion, soar throat and coughing (often due to nasal drainage) - that are easily mistaken for flu. Flu is caused by an influenza virus, which manifests itself as an upper respiratory infection.

"As an illness, flu shares symptoms of the common cold, but generally it is associated with more fever and more general body symptoms such as muscle aches, headaches, chills, weakness and fatigue. For most people, it tends to be a more impressive illness than the common cold," said Campbell.

The air you share: Colds and flu are transmitted by airborne virus particles.

While hand-to-hand contact plays a minor role in transmission, colds and flu are primarily spread when virus particles are expelled from the nose or mouth (through sneezing or coughing) and those air droplets are breathed in by susceptible individuals.

"Being fastidious about covering your nose when you sneeze can make a great difference in keeping others from contracting the virus, since a sneeze puts literally millions of virus particles in the air," Campbell said.

Surfaces are not responsible.

"Touching a surface that a sick person has touched is not a major mode of transmission," said Campbell.

Contrary to popular belief, spraying surfaces with disinfectants or antibacterial cleansers won't appreciably decrease risk of infection.

Wash your hands.

Campbell said washing your hands may help in preventing the spread of colds and influenza, possibly keeping others in the house from contracting your virus. He recommends plain soap and water as opposed to antibacterial washes.

Treat cold symptoms, not the disease.

"While they don't actually change the course of the infection, over-the-counter cold medications may offer symptomatic relief and make you feel better," Campbell said.

Antihistamines (Benedryl, for example) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed and other products) can decrease secretions that cause runny noses, coughing and throat irritation; analgesics can reduce fever and discomfort (use aspirin-free for children and teens).

Caution: Some cold medications can cause drowsiness, and phenylpropanolamine was recently banned by the FDA, so be sure to toss it from your medicine cabinet.

Campbell said many people prefer natural remedies (zinc, Echinacea, vitamin C), and while there is little definitive scientific evidence that they shorten the course of an illness, he doesn't discount that there may be a lot we don't know about some products.

Remember to drink plenty of fluids in conjunction with any course of treatment.

Foil the flu: Get vaccinated.

"As everyone knows, there is a vaccine for influenza. It is not 100 percent, but is highly effective in preventing you from developing the infection and keeping you from getting too sick if you contract it. The illness is much more likely to be mild than severe if you are vaccinated," Campbell said.

Campbell recommends the vaccine for those older than 65, those with a chronic illness (asthma, diabetes, or disorders of the heart, lungs, kidneys or blood) and anyone with a disease that compromises the immune system (AIDS, cancer). Health-care workers and others who work with the elderly or chronically ill should also be vaccinated.

Damage control: antiviral medications can help fight flu.

"Once you suspect you have the illness, if you immediately start the drugs, you can attempt to shorten the course or reduce the severity," Campbell said.

The catch? Cost (the drugs are expensive) and time constraints.

Influenza's incubation period is four to seven days, depending on the strain, and treatment must start within the first 48 hours to make a difference. Unfortunately, most of us don't know when we are being exposed or we are continuously exposed. Nevertheless, amantadine and other antiviral drugs can be of benefit, especially to at-risk individuals mentioned above.

Avoid groups of sick people.

"Going to the hospital in the winter is something you should be cautious about if you are susceptible to infections. The irony is that going to the doctor if you have a cold is potentially problematic since you may be exposed to more viruses and you will be infecting others at the same time," Campbell said.

While easier said than done, Campbell recommends avoiding large crowds in closed spaces if possible, and notes that day-care centers are notorious hotbeds of transmission for infectious diseases.

Try not to serve as a transmitter.

Guidelines?

You are most infectious with cold or flu during the first two to three days of symptoms, though you may feel the worst five to seven days after that. Try to stay away from others until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.

Know when to visit your physician.

Campbell cautions that a possible consequence of influenza is a secondary bacterial infection such as pneumonia.

Red flags that indicate a call to the doctor is in order:

* A high fever (over 103 F) persisting for more than two to three days, especially if the temperature does not respond to fever medications.

* A pronounced or productive cough resulting in large amounts of phlegm or mucous.

* Wheezing or shortness of breath.

* Vomiting, diarrhea, or evidence of dehydration, especially with infants, children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions.

* Sinus pain (over the eyes or cheeks below the eyes) suggesting a sinus infection.

Resource: Dr. Kent Campbell, College of Public Health at the University of Arizona