Executive Health Program

Health Tips

COLD OR FLU... AND WHAT TO DO!
Mayo Clinic provides 10 Tips for Staying Healthy this Winter

By Robert R. Orford, M.D., C.M.
Director, Executive Health at Arizona

It's that time of year again! How can you tell if what you're experiencing is a cold, the flu or something else, and how can you prevent these illnesses in the first place?

The terms cold and flu are bandied about for a whole host of viral infections. There are similarities and differences. Regardless of what it is though, being sick is no fun and in some cases it can be serious. Here are some tips to help you fight the winter blues and to tell the best way to treat what you've got.

• Monitor fever and fatigue. The main differences between cold and flu are fever and exhaustion -- both indicate influenza.
• Wash your hands! Frequent hand washing is one of the best practices you can adopt to keep both colds and the flu from spreading.
• Don't avoid the great outdoors. Being out in the cold doesn't cause colds and flu -- being inside with people and germs does.
• Get your flu shot. The best form of influenza prevention is the flu vaccine. It's best to get it early, but any time is better than not at all.
• Antibiotics are not the answer. Most antibiotics only work against infections caused by bacteria, so they won't work against a cold or the flu -- illnesses
• Recognize that "stomach flu" is not a symptom of influenza. Vomiting and diarrhea usually indicate gastroenteritis that typically arises from contaminated food or water.
• Eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. This is the best way to keep your immune system strong and reduce susceptibility to disease.
• Practice home sanitation. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in your family is sick, and avoid shared use of hand towels.
• Avoid sharing germs with others. Always sneeze and cough into disposable tissues. Don't share drinking glasses with other family members.
• Drink plenty of water. This is one of the best ways to "flush" your system of a virus.

By following a few simple steps, you may not completely come through the season unscathed --  but chances are you may find that cold and flu season was a minor irritation as opposed to a major inconvenience.