Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Cold or flu? Here's how to tell, plus your flu vaccine questions answered

Cold or flu? Here's how to tell, plus your flu vaccine questions answered
Posted 9:03 AM
By Julie Washington, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You're coughing, sniffling and sneezing and feeling lousy, but is it a cold, or the flu?

It's important to know the difference, because the flu is much more serious than a cold, and lasts longer, explained Dr. Amy Edwards, associate medical director of Pediatric Infection Control at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.

Three flu-related deaths were reported in Cuyahoga County during the week of Jan. 7-13, bringing to five the total number of flu-related deaths this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week reported widespread flu activity across the country, with 10 pediatric flu-related deaths during this flu season so far.

Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting a serious case of the flu.

Here is Edwards' explanation of the difference between a cold and the flu.

Q: What is a cold?

A: A cold is a catch-all term for an upper respiratory infection caused by many different viruses, Edwards said. A cold's runny nose, cough, fever and sore throat lasts up to five or six days.

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