Released January 30, 2009
MARION, Ark. - Many people want to warm up this time of year, but a fever is hardly the preferred method. With cold and flu season arriving, people should take steps to guard against infection and disease, says VeEtta Simmons, Crittenden County Extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Common colds are always a bother, but influenza, commonly known as the flu, is much more serious. On average, over 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from flu complications, says Simmons.
Both colds and the flu are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. They usually spread to others when an infected person coughs or sneezes, sending droplets or sprinkles through the air which can land on or be inhaled by people nearby. This method is called "droplet spread," says Simmons.
Droplets can also spread to other surfaces. People who come in contact with that surface and touch their eyes, mouth, or nose afterward without washing their hands will become infected. Germs can stick around far after the initial cough or sneeze.
"Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like tables, doorknobs, desks, and computers," says Simmons.
The Center for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu vaccine. Although there are numerous strains of flu, the vaccine protects against the three most common strains found through research taken each year, says Simmons.
"Getting a vaccine is very important for people at high risk for serious flu complications," she says. People at high risk include young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease, and people 65 and older. A vaccine provides an effective first defense against infection.
Here are some general tips that Simmons recommends to fight illness:
- Avoid close contact. When sick, keep a distance from others to prevent spreading the infection. This includes covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and staying home from work, school, and errands.
- Keep those hands clean. Hand washing will protect against germs and keep them from spreading. Use warm soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. Try to avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. Dirty hands can be inoculators.
- Practice good health habits. Get plenty of rest, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of liquids and follow a healthy eating plan.
Flulike symptoms are more noticeable than common cold symptoms, and are more dangerous because of the risk of complications. These symptoms can include a high fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. These can be treated with "antiviral" prescription drugs.
Antiviral drugs can reduce flu-like symptoms, shorten the time of illness and prevent complications, but they must be started within 48 hours of developing symptoms to be effective, warns Simmons. These must be prescribed by a health care provider, so plan ahead. "Start now to take steps to prevent cold and flu," says Simmons.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/january2009/0130colds.htm
Contact: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187, ljames@uaex.edu
