Do I have the Flu, a Cold, or Allergies?

We created this handy article to give you the facts and differences between the three..

The Differences and Treatment for Coughs, Colds, the Flu, and Allergies

The Flu

The “Flu” is a rapid onset illness. You can feel well one part of the day and then feel absolutely terrible just a few hours later with severe muscle aches, headache, cough and fever & chills. The “wasted” feeling of flu is way out of proportion to other types of illness. Flu does not occur in single individuals but in groups of people. When flu infection is active many people are affected. Flu vaccinations are recommended for people who travel because of the exposure to so many others who may have the flu. Bacterial infections of the throat, ears and sinuses usually take 1-3 days from the beginning sensations to the conclusion of “I’m sick”.

Coughs and Colds

There are few things that you can do to help avoid coughs and colds. At the very first sign of a cough or cold (and that means the very same hour you notice symptoms) – (1) Take Sudafed 30 mg every 6 hours and (2) Gargle with an antiseptic such as Listerine twice a day. Do both for the next 3 to 5 days. This will give you a better than 50-50 chance to avoid the infection. If you continue to have symptoms, then you probably will need an antibiotic. But don’t stop using the Sudafed and antiseptic Gargle while waiting to get an antibiotic.

Allergies or an Infection?

For those of you with seasonal allergies, you have to be on guard because it can be difficult to tell if the problem is allergy or an infection. Allergies can be very well controlled with today’s medicines, but iIf your allergy medicines seem NOT to be working, consider that you may now have an infection. People with allergies are more likely to develop a sinus infection because the mucus that gives you nasal congestion contains protein that bacteria can live on. Sinus infections, sore throats, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections can be serious if not treated. The medicines used to treat these infections are relatively inexpensive if you get your prescription from Travelers Medical. We prescribe low cost medications.

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