Health First - Is it the flu - or just a bad cold?

Both flu and colds are spread in a similar way when infected people cough and sneeze infected droplets into the air - which are then inhaled by other people. But the flu is more severe than a cold. Although the flu doesn't cause serious problems for most of us, some people, especially those over the age of 65, can develop complications such as pneumonia and in people with serious heart disease it can also cause death,

Symptoms of the ‘flu include fever and shivering, muscle aches and pains, a dry feeling in the mouth and throat, a headache, a cough, and a feeling of such extreme tiredness and lethargy that it may be hard to get out of bed. Some people may vomit. Influenza infection usually lasts seven to 10 days.

Preventive measures include avoiding contact with people with the flu and avoiding crowded places where people are coughing and sneezing into the air. Frequent hand washing may help, as it is possible to pick up flu germs on your hands. Keep as healthy as possible - avoid smoking (smokers get more colds and flu), get enough rest and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit.

Those who should be immunised against the ‘flu each year include: those over the age of 65, and anyone with chronic lung disease (including asthma), heart or kidney disease; diabetes, and those taking drugs which suppress their immune system.

Anyone in the above categories needs to ask the doctor for the vaccine over the next few weeks as this gives you time to build up immunity before the flu season starts. You can also ask your doctor about a vaccine to help prevent pneumonia.

The flu vaccine is also recommended for health workers working with aged people or people who have suppressed immunity - this is to help protect the patients, rather than the workers themselves. The flu vaccine isn't suitable for pregnant women, or anyone who is allergic to eggs.

The recommended treatment for the ‘flu is bed rest until your temperature is normal, plenty of fluids, paracetamol to ease the pain and fever. There is a medication, which will relieve the symptoms of the influenza virus, so if your symptoms are the same as those listed above ask your doctor. If symptoms get worse - if you have breathing problems for instance, cough up yellow or green coloured phlegm, have severe headaches or dehydration- or if you're in one of the high-risk groups see your doctor.

The medication against the flu virus is an antiviral therapy, which was developed by scientists who noticed that every type of influenza virus has a portion, which is the same on every virus strain. They then developed an agent to attach at this point and stop the virus from spreading.

Colds are more common and less severe. Children can catch as many as ten colds each year and adults two or three. The worst symptoms usually last only one to two days and can include a mild fever, headache, runny nose and sneezing. Prevention and treatment are similar to flu - except there's no vaccine against colds and most people don't need to stay in bed. As with the flu, it's a good idea to keep away from other people so that you don't spread the virus.