Cold or Flu Season- 10 Things You Should Know

The cold and flu season is upon us. To help understand the difference and reduce the possibility of acquiring either, read the follow 10 suggestions.

1. Cold germs can survive on bathroom sinks, kitchen counters and doorknobs for up to 3 hours.  Sanitize these areas regularly.
2. Colds are most contagious before symptoms start to appear.
3. There are over 200 viruses that can cause a cold.
4. Since colds are due to a virus, the use of antibiotic will not work.  Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections like the flu.
5. Stress is the number one cause to increased susceptibility to a cold or flu infection.
6. Chicken soup does help fight colds.  It breaks up nasal congestion and the lean protein (chicken) helps boost your strength to fight off the illness.
7. Though you can run a mild fever with a cold in most cases a fever, especially a high fever will indicate it’s a flu not a cold.
8. The flu is bacterial and must be treated with antibiotics.  If left untreated, it could lead to pneumonia, a life threatening respiratory illness.
9. Flu shots do not carry an active flu viruses in them.  You can’t get the flu from taking a flu shot.
10. Protect yourself from a cold or flu by washing your hands regularly, several times a day, with soap and water.  Hand sanitizers can also help when soap and water are not available.