Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu. (Above taken from cdc.gov) What is the Flu? The flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that can vary in symptoms and infection level. The best method of prevention for the flu is to get the flu vaccine offered every year. On average, 5-20% of people, will get the flu. Symptoms of the Flu: *fever (usually high) *headache *extreme tiredness *dry cough *sore throat *runny or stuffy nose *muscle aches *Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults How the Flu Spreads. Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by tou
Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu. What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold? In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes that school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents are concerned about the flu, particularly its effects on children. Schools are instrumental in keeping their communities healthy by taking actions such as posting information about hand hygiene in restrooms, providing flu prevention messages in daily announcements, and being vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting classroom materials.
